Unboxing Carl Zeiss 24-70mm f/2 8 SSM

[0badboy0]

i just recently bought a

Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-W350 with a carl zeiss lens, can anyone tell me if it was a good idea? its only for a bit of fun not professional or anything lol

[crackedaces]

Nice vid and song... would this fit my NEX-5? Or would I need the LAEA1 adapter?

[hbphotography700]

@crackedaces It's a DSLR lens, so yes, you'd need the adapter.

[alreacon]

listening to the music and looking at london on your fliker was sooooo good thanks

[hbphotography700]

@alreacon Thank you so much!

[ar4216]

You're a madman. Sticking a pen in there. HaHa!

[hbphotography700]

@ar4216 Haha, that's what I do!

[Pakifier]

Is this lense manual focas only?

[hbphotography700]

@Pakifier No, Zeiss lenses are available with AF for Sony.

[slyx94]

I find the first two minutes of the video is so tense.. More tense than watching a horror movie..

[hbphotography700]

@slyx94 Haha, thanks! I guess I should have gone for some tense music then...

[Krotos9000]

the pen , i hate the pen !

[hbphotography700]

@Krotos9000 My finger nails aren't long enough to open up the aperture... = )

[kbernard98]

Your videos are awesome, dude!. I also have a700 and just bought battery grip for it. Why are you changing to a900 grip?

[hbphotography700]

@kbernard98 Thanks!

I'm not changing to the A900 grip. At the time I wanted to upgrade to the A900 with a grip, but that's no longer the case. I've sold the Zeiss 24-70mm as well as the 70-200mm and now saving up for a Leica M9. Bit of change, but it's a better tool for my type of shooting.

[kbernard98]

@hbphotography700

WOW!.. Now you're going big-time! Can't go wrong with Leica. It's amazing the shots that little camera can produce! - But quite expensive, in my view, for what you get notwithstanding. In fact, I LUST after the S2 myself.. Ofcourse i'm dreaming--:) Leica is the only other system I would consider myself. I prefer Nature, Urban photography myself.. What type do you prefer that makes M9 better?

[hbphotography700]

@kbernard98 The S2 is a great camera as well, but whereas the M9 has some sort of a reasonable price, the S2 really is in a whole different league. Certainly, a great camera though.

I do street photography mostly. Need to go unnoticed as much as possible. And the viewfinder on the M9 is great for street work, with it's wide view and framelines.

[mettalliko]

which one is better the nikon or the carls zeiss? (of course 24-70mm)

i look for reviews did not find any

[hbphotography700]

@mettalliko No clue, never used the Nikon. I hear it had some issues though... The Zeiss doesn't...

Check out photozone dot de (replace dot with . of course) for reviews of both lenses. You can't really compare them because they use different cameras, but oh well, might give some indication.

[Rightleggedleftback]

@hbphotography700 Hey great music in your video!

Btw, there are NO issues for the Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED - I'm using it myself. There is not such thing as a perfect lens/body etc etc (I'm sure you're aware of this too). One will only find imperfections if he/she spends more time puttingtheir gear throught 'tests' than going out to shoot (and work with your gear limitations)

I gotta a question. Is this exquisite piece of glass available for the nikon f mounts?

[hbphotography700]

@Rightleggedleftback No, it isn't available for Nikon F mount. Zeiss manufactures some primes for Nikon, but this is a design made for Sony only, with AF and the like.

[NLS87]

Not as good as a Nikkor 24-70

[DopeyBovineMan]

I used to have this lens until I left my camera bag open. I picked up the bag and CRASH, the front filter and front element is cracked. Does anyone know if it's repairable?

[hbphotography700]

@DopeyBovineMan It is repairable, I'm sure, but if it isn't covered by warranty anymore, it will cost you a bit... Contact your national Sony office and I'm sure they can help you out!

[DopeyBovineMan]

@hbphotography700

Okay, I'll contact them. Do you know how much it will cost? Like, 500 or more?

[bbboomer1983]

the only reason i boughta sony :)

[mYOzZyKaT]

Carl Zeiss made my ass....LOL..

Yes is says Zeiss on the side but its actually not made at the Carl Zeiss factory in Germany. Sony have licensed Zeiss glass and group technology and its made at the old Minolta plant.

Its a great lens but the price is absolutely horrendous compared to the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 HSM. After testing the Sony-Zeiss I found a deal for the Sigma online at a third of the price. Now the S-Z is clearly better than the Sigma- but not tree times better.

[hbphotography700]

@mYOzZyKaT I never said Zeiss made it, it's their design, manufactured by Sony, and it's an amazing lens. It's what you do with the gear you have that matters though, whether it's with Zeiss design/Sony made or Sigma lens.

[NLS87]

@mYOzZyKaT That sigma is several times more expensive than your regular 18-55 kit lens, but not several times better. Quality doesn't come hand-to hand with the price.

[mYOzZyKaT]

@NLS87 having had both a 18-55 kit lens on a Canon 550D and now a Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 HSM I can say you couldnt be more wrong.. The Sigma is a million times better than a normal 18-55 kit lens which is not even much use as a paper weight...

The image quality is on another level and the HSM auto focus motor is so fast and silent you cant compare it to a kit lens. Theres a reason why no one in their right mind with just some photographic experience would use a 18-55 kit lens if they had a choice.

[rajibumbum]

man, i want this lens!!!

[hbphotography700]

@rajibumbum Start saving, it's a great piece of Zeiss-liciousness!

[alanbstard4]

we didn't see examples of what the legend can do.

[hbphotography700]

@alanbstard4 There's a couple on my Flickr (link in the video description), but yeah, that's only a few. Haven't used the lens much and I'm gonna sell it soon. I only really use my primes and because I'm saving for a different camera now, I need a bit of extra money. So the Zeiss 24-70mm and 70-200mm are probably going out the door sometime next year.

[alanbstard4]

@hbphotography700 great...thanks!

[7ashleypeo7]

@hbphotography700 what camera system are you going to go with next another sony or something else like nikon or canon?

[hbphotography700]

@7ashleypeo7 I am currently saving up for a Leica M9. Depending on when Leica will announce a successor to that camera, I might instead get the M10. I'll see. I'll be getting a 50mm Summilux with it.

I'll still keep my Sony system with my primes, the zooms I'll eventually sell.

[GabrielW90]

@hbphotography700 sell it to me and i am serious!!!

[hbphotography700]

@GabrielW90 I'll see if I can post a video with a link to the eBay-like page I'll make by the time I am ready to sell (won't be eBay, but the Dutch equivalent). Feel free to make an offer by then!

[stokin111]

lens form heaven

[BROAdWAYexpressN]

like how you throw the Manuel's lmao

[hbphotography700]

@BROAdWAYexpressN Who cares about lens manuals anyway? Haha!

[SkiFantic]

wow that guys likes his sony products, on screen i see over $2000 in sony products

A Vaio, two lenses, body, and grip

[hbphotography700]

@SkiFantic Should be quite a bit more than that SkiFantic. Camera cost me just over a 1000 (talking euros here), the Zeiss 1550, the G about the same, and the laptop was around 1300. Add the battery grip (also Sony), memory card, batteries, filter, totals at 5860 there... haha. Then again, that's the original prices, not the current value.

Yep, I do like my Sony products! : D

[kissychris]

one sweet ass lens =[ 

[hbphotography700]

@kissychris It sure is!

[MercedesCars454]

How long has Sony been making DSLR cameras? Do you think sony will continue to make them?

[hbphotography700]

@MercedesCars454 Sony released their first DSLR in 2006, but has taken over Konica Minolta's camera department, which has made cameras for decades.

And yes, Sony will definitely continue manufacturing them...

[Brunomills]

Lucky!!!

is the body of the lens all metal like the hood?

[hbphotography700]

@Brunomills Only the part at the top of the lens is metal, the rest is (high-quality) plastic. This lens is really well-build, it feels like it's worth its pricetag!

[Graynven]

Can't believe you stuck a pen in there

[hbphotography700]

@Graynven Weird huh? Finger nails aren't long enough to open up the aperture blades, so I use a pen instead. Doesn't harm the camera in any way, unless you get an ink leak... : )

[lawndone]

this camera has video? If it does it's awesome quality!!!!

[hbphotography700]

@lawndone No, the camera doesn't have video. It's true though that there's DSLRs out there that record video. Sony, however, is still in the process of developing their first video-recording DSLR.

[Shogun76shotokan]

very nice....and the music is perfekt

[hbphotography700]

Thanks!

[laxativee]

Im really jealous for Sony users. I use Canon myself and have never been a fan of the Sony brand neither their cameras, but having Zeiss lenses really is an advantage.

Luckily there's been successfull conversions of 135/1.8 's to Canon EF. ;-)

[hbphotography700]

That's what keeping me loyal to Sony: the AF Zeiss lenses and the in-camera stabilization. Once Nikon has both of them, I'll consider jumping ship.

[ellsworthra]

dose the a700 have a pop up flash

[hbphotography700]

Of course it has one... (?)

[allradwimps]

Well not necessarily of course... neither the A850 nor the A900 have a pop up flash.

[hbphotography700]

And those are both full frame cameras.

[carlosvandango22]

if we 4got the focal length, which would you say has the better image quality, the 24-70mm or 70-200g because i am torn between the 2 lol

[hbphotography700]

I'd say the 70-200mm, but I have to admit I've never really looked too closely at the 24-70mm's results, since I don't use it that often...

[UncleKnuklechucker]

HAHAHA! Great! I've never seen an "unboxing" vid before, wow..Didn't think it would be this entertaining! ...5/5! Nice glass btw, best in the world.

[hbphotography700]

Thanks! I've always loved watching unboxing videos and had to do some of my lenses unboxed too... : )

[furqan14]

Nice lens.. I actually got the Sigma 24 - 70 f2.8. the Z's cheaper cousin. The result may not be as sharp as the Z or the focusing as quicker & quieter but it's definately not a bad deal almost a $1000 cheaper. Though now i'm thinking to get the 85mm F1.4 Z.. any experience with that?

[hbphotography700]

Congrats. The Sigma is a good choice at that price.

I've shot with the Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 a couple of times now, just for short periods, half an hour or so, and I love it! That's why I'm buying it at the end of November. It's a superb lens that's ideal for portraits. Definitely a must have if you like shooting with primes or you need a good portrait lens.

[furqan14]

great info thanx.. but let me ask u this.. how does the 85mm compare against the prime 50mm f/1.4?

[hbphotography700]

You're welcome.

I haven't been able to do thorough testing on the 85mm yet, but from reading reviews, it's incredibly sharp and is optically a near perfect lens. There's some CAs at open apertures, but you get that with many lenses.

The focal length is a little better for portraits, whereas a 50mm might be a better lens to carry around daily (on FF anyway).

The 50mm is a great lens too, love it as much as the 70-200mm and I never leave it at home.

[Holyignition]

I hope its as easy it sounds.. But its not the case here though.. I've got my studies to work on and working is clearly out of the question for my situation. There's jz clearly no time for me to work. Im curious of how u did it though, as in to save enough money for the camera. U mentioned in other another vid that u work in a bookstore or something right? Won't that take u like a year jz to save and buy the camera itself?

[hbphotography700]

I work (in the bookstore) whenever I can. My salary isn't great, but add it all up, I get a reasonalbe amount of money per month. Part of the Zeiss 24-70mm was a present for highschool graduation, but I also paid a large part myself.

[Holyignition]

Haha.. well, perhaps in the future.. It's still too expensive for a 16 year old me.. Besides, the A550 is gona be my first DSLR. Hav to gain more experience first..

Anyways, love ur unboxing vids

I watched them all in awe  =D

[hbphotography700]

Age shouldn't be an excuse. I got the A700 + Zeiss 16-80mm when I was 16, the 70-200mm when I was 17 and the Zeiss 24-70mm and 50mm at 18. Just work hard, earn as much money as you can and it shouldn't be too hard.

[Holyignition]

Very nice... Tho i'll hav to save up a lot if im getting one of that awesome lens.. haha .. Im waiting for the A550 =D

[hbphotography700]

The A550 is a great start! And you could always get this one's little brother, the Zeiss 16-80mm! Great quality as well!

[flyingbirdman]

ooh it looks so sweet~

how would u say it compares to the cz 16-80? in terms of sharpness and contrast mainly, excluding performance in lowlight of course :p

thx~

[hbphotography700]

Contrast is definitely better, I've found. Sharpness, obviously, is better too, but not that much better. The Zeiss 16-80mm is not cheap and for a good a reason: it's a great lens. Both deliver great IQ, the Zeiss 24-70mm is just another step up and handles a lot better.

[braynumb]

I'm in love... :D

[hbphotography700]

It's a great lens. Get it if you can!

[Qwantioooo]

Nice one! =] I'm going to buy Sony A330. ^^

[sadamisko]

BEST unbox video EVER!

And Zeiss is the reason why I sold Nikon and went sony.

Other then that having 50mm 1.4 + in body stabilization I just love IT!

[hbphotography700]

Good to hear there's (ex-)Nikonians who've learned to appreciate Sony's pros! Thanks for the comment!

[sadamisko]

Oh I can say one more thing about that.

Menu and control. I started with Zenit long time ago -> Olympus -> Canon -> Nikon -> Sony

I thought that Nikon got best control ever (btw Canon suck Soooo much in control) in Sony it's all there you don't have to go to menu to set timer or such you just do it !

[hbphotography700]

The quick navi feature in the Sony is something I really love about the system. I've played around with cousins' Nikons and Olympus before, didn't handle as good as the Sony.

[MercedesCars454]

Oh, well I'm talking about the HDR-XR520V. It's on Sony's website and it's quite expensive but i'm sure it's a good camcorder.

[hbphotography700]

That's a nice camcorder indeed. I'd rather spend the money on new lenses though. Make more of these unboxings.

I've had a camcorder before, a JVC. Never liked it. so I sold it for a good price. That's why I'll only get a video camera / camcorder if it takes my lenses.

[MercedesCars454]

Is this video in HD? I'm guessing that HQ is different than HD. But anyway I know sony has a HD camcorder with a 250GB hard drive. You should get it. Nice video by the way.

[hbphotography700]

No, it's not in HD. I shot it with a point&shoot at VGA resolution. Not great quality, but it works. I'm not that into videography, so I'm not getting a camcorder unless I can use my DSLR lenses on it.

[thedr4gon]

Sony P200 I think? I did my video with a Canon SD1000 because it had slightly better resolution lol.

[hbphotography700]

Yep, the P200. Not good for good looking video's, good enough for unboxing vids.

I'd like a Sony HDR-FX1000 for unboxings... haha!

[Adiobe]

Een beter lied voor deze zalige lens zou zijn: What a wonderfull world :p

grtz cartong van CL ;)

[hbphotography700]

Thanks! What a Wonderful World door Armstrong is inderdaad heel goed geschikt voor deze video, maar wellicht moet ik die bewaren voor een nog mooiere aankoop. Zo staat er ook een lied gereserveerd voor de Zeiss 85mm f/1.4.

Van deze lens voel ik me overigens in de wolken, over the rainbow dus! : )

[goaindiagoa]

nice choice of music...how much did the lens cost you? Im looking to buy the same.

[hbphotography700]

Thanks! I paid €1.559,- for it.

[Alsimair]

Wonderful video, as always :)

Congatlations on the new lenses!

I think I'm going to get some more tunes by Mrs. Melody :)

[hbphotography700]

Thanks!

I first heard Melody at work, and have loved her since. Great music, great voice, great songs, great albums!

[rsplatpc]

Actually Zeiss just had a hand in the design process like most new Sony / Zeiss lenses, Sony team designs them, Zeiss gives design tips and puts their name on them, Sony handles all the manufacturing as well. Great lens, I just hate the rubber grip that picks up all kinds of crap, and my copy pumped in a decent amount of dust even with pro use

[hbphotography700]

Keep in mind though the Zeiss 24-70mm, for one, has the Zeiss T* coating. That's highly aclaimed!

[thedr4gon]

WONDERFUL BJORN! WOW. Thanks for the video! Thanks for including the AF speed as well! :) SSM is great!

[madrummerboi]

music?

[thedr4gon]

Music (see 0:29) Somewhere Over the Rainbow (if you couldn't tell) by Melody Gardot

[madrummerboi]

cheers, i knew the song jut not the artist

[arthur6121]

hey Bjorn...congratts on th Carl Zeiss. i must say that the music really matches the mood and build quality of the lens. Gotta love the thumbs up...Well Done..Well Done.

[hbphotography700]

Thanks Arthur/Joey. I had a great video to try and add something to. Happy to be the one of the two Zeiss 24-70mm unboxers together with you!

[cameralabs]

That's got to be one of the classiest unboxing videos I've seen! Good work Bjorn! PS - don't you just love those n-shaped pieces of thick card which protect the lens in the box?

[hbphotography700]

Thanks Gordon, that's a great compliment from a man who does thé best camera review videos on YouTube!

Those n-shaped pieces of card are great indeed, good protection as well!

[tadej172]

Thanks for the unboxing :)

[hbphotography700]

You're more than welcome!

[lolitaluvphotography]

Finally an unboxing video that we wait for & thanks for it ;D

[hbphotography700]

You've all been patient, thank you for that! Thanks Adi!

[niallswand]

Fantastic! :)

5 Stars!

Thanks for the video :)

[hbphotography700]

Thanks Niall!