Between all the reviewers that shoot flat sharpness charts, run down spec sheets or just plainly talk too much, you have some of the most well rounded lens reviews out there. Honest, and relevant to the actual profession of photography. Agreed on the caracter of the 55 - it has all the "modern" sharpness while retaining the "legacy" character. I'd say that justifies the price going up - many of the modern high end lenses today are 'over'-corrected to prevent sharpness falloff due to chromatic abberation, giving good but kind of clinical images.

I used this lens as an only lens for a wedding last year out of necessity and ended up being super impressed and surprised by it. Those are still some of my favourite photos

My first prime lens I bought about 4 years ago and it is still my favorite lens in my collection.

The first full frame mirrorless lens I bought. Have it few years now and love it. So sharp

I love the 55mm/1.8. While it’s a bit of a misnomer in terms of focal length, the optical quality and size are great. I think the best uses of this lens are environmental portraits and small group shots of maybe 2-3 people. Either way, it’s like you said: it just has that special quality to it!

Out of my Batis 18f2, 24GM1.4, 35Gf1.8, 85f1.8 and 135GM1.8, this lens is my favorite: my photos pop and especially in video it's beautiful with a smooth bokeh. I can see it clearly that it's definitely different from the other lenses. It has a known problem with the glue holding the autofocus elements internally but whatever it's still working for me after 4 years.

Great review and I totally agree with what you said. I've had this lens for almost 2 years and this always ends up in my camera bag wherever I go. Best thing about the lens is the character.

Enjoyed your review, Wes. I bought the 55 f1.8 along with my Sony a7iii back in August even though I had the kit lens to get me started . Although it seemed like a lot of money for a prime, I haven't regretted picking it up.

I was looking for some information on this lens as i was considering this or the Sony 1.4. I found (by accident) that you had made a video about it. Perfect! You are by far my most favorite gear/photography youtuber. Your videos are super pleasant, to the point with filled with useful information. What really tick the boxes for me is that your not sponsored and not trying to peddle something. You should really make a lot more of these videos! I just love them.

Just purchased this lens and should have it sometime this week. Looking forward to using it on my Sony 7 aiii!

Makes for a great portrait lens, I also use mine for street where stopping it down you get a razor sharp piece of glass.

Bought mine new off the gray market and would go used now if I had to buy it again. Between the sharpness, size and weight it will always have a place in my travel kit. Yes, it is pretty good in the streets at night.

it is the 1 legentary sharp lens ever. No matter what, it always give you this interesting and different Zeiss special contrast and sharpness. Nowadays the cost is around 700 euros which makes it a VFM.

i had this lens before and i sold it. i bought it back , i love this lens

Your reviews are extremely entertaining and well done. I own this lens. Your description is dead on accurate to mine. I love the lens. It has a special look.

That with the T stop of the lens! No idea of that, never heard it this is close to the 1.4 lenses 😮 thanks for that

I got my copy for $400 on ebay, great condition. Pairs very well with the 35mm 2.8 zeiss.

An update version with a button for AF on/off will be nice, aperture ring will be very nice, maybe a GM version !?

I found this review really helpful and well structured with a lot of relevant information. I have recently switched to the Sony full frame system from Fuji. Sold all my lenses. Felt that I would be happy with just the Sony 24 to 105 mm but decided it was just too big to walk around with all day. So I have just bought the 55 as well. Looking forward to trying it out at a friend’s 40th party. I am wondering, though, whether, because of its fact that it is now quite an old lens, I should have bought the 35mm. A depleted camera bag is making me feel uneasy and the choices that need to be made without re-mortgaging the house are overwhelming. Ha ha

Hopefully soon there is an update for this lens ! I just love the 55mm ... will be waiting for a sony new 55 1.4

Love ur videos and quality..ur reviews are treat and soo informative..cheers

Great review Wes. I rented this lens and it's absolutely awesome. CA is fairly easy to fix in post but the sharpness is insane. I also had a Sigma ART 50 1.4 (no adapter). I did not like it, mainly due to size. It's very front heavy and the CA is absolutely awful. Also, I don't know if it was my unit, but autofocus was not good, at all. It would always hunt for the subject or not focus at all.

I just bought it second hand cheap and like new condition, and it is excellent!!😃

Man I like your style, you got my sub!

I'm not a huge fan of lenses around this focal length though so as this lens really does hold its value used i've not picked one up yet as even though the images look really good I would not use it often enough. Nice review, love that easy going style.

Great video again Wes! I remember watching so many reviews about this lens and not seeing much difference then I got the 50mm f/1.8 and just did not like it at all. Sold it after a couple of months and bit the bullet and got the Zeiss 55. My word what a lens, such a beautiful image rendition. It comes with me every shoot no matter what. My only gripe with it is the hood. What the heck that thing never stays on!

One major problem with these lens is the minimum focusing distance needed. I was a bit disappointed not able to go near a subject and able to focus. Unlike my sigma 50 art, even old 85 1.8 afs Nikon can focus much closer

Thank you so much ! Great honest review.

I adapt this lens to my full spectrum Nikon z7ll it is wonderful for infrared.

Love your videos

For me , the 50 mm isn't suited . So I will mostly use my kit lens if I use that focal length. I love the range of 35 and 85 , so I got the primes for that range. But this is a fantastic lens.

Could you review the Sony 24mm G ?

Awesome video, but I still can't decide between this and the 35 1.8 :(

I got the sony 35mm 1.8 and the 85 1.8, still can't decide if I should get this 1, it is a fantastic lens no questions about it, but having those 2 lenses, do I really need a 55mm focal lenth? This question is killing me lol

Zeiss 50mm 1.4 is a beast. My second best lens

I have wanted to buy this lens for awhile now. Waiting for it to go on sale, but it never does.

Nice review! I got this lens with my new A73 and absolutely love with its sharpness. However I have noticed an aperture noise when turning on/off the camera. Have you noticed it before? Or is it normal?

Do you think it's worth buying it for 500 usd used but in excellent condition?

I think all this Je nais sais quoi you mentiones is the Microcontrast. I'm wondering if I should sell my voigtlander nokton 50 mm 1.5 for this. I'm happy with it,...just that I need the techart pro for af, and of course...isn't as fast.

Nice review! 👍🏻

Great videos man. Do you do workshops teaching photography?

@4:59 there is a cat making a face right beside the bride's head.

which one is sharper ... zeiss 55 f1.8 or Sony fe 35mm f1.8 ... please answer ... thank you

I think this lens is better value if you pick it up used. I just bought mine to replace my sigma 50mm 1.4 art. Paid $625 on eBay for one in immaculate condition.

Rock solid entertainment. You’ve got a way ...

I love the little joker but however I would like the 55 or 50 in 1.2. C’mon Sony do it then us give us the 85 1.2

Wes I like your reviews, but must you have that distracting music in the background all the time?

Did you ever try Mitakon 50mm f 0.95?

What about the Planar?, for your review I was about to buy the 35 1.4, but due the recently launched 1.8 I went for that one. Well, if you are planning to review the planar, it will be very welcome :)

Great Video.... how about FE 35f1.8 :)

Loving your videos! Could you do one for the Tamron 28-75?

I have that lens and I am happy about it but the most important phrase I heard today is that probably French one (because for me it sounds like a French, because English is not my first language ), and I would like to know how to write it, and understand, and know what I can say about my lens to other people (how to describe how great that lens is 😊)

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

I bought mine on June 19, 2015. I'm sorry you made me look that up because I see I paid $758 USD for it. Ouch! Ah, well. I still have it and absolutely love it. Now don't make me look up what I paid for my Zeiss 35mm f2.8, the other Sony diminutive overachiever.

Dude your video is hurting my eye Anw nice review

You are so CooL 😍

annoying bg music

Pittsburgh dad music

Man, this is the first video of yours I've watched. I will not be watching any others. You just sound indifferent and negative. Even when you say something technically positive, you use tend to use grammar that mutes any positivity.

The conclusion : “ i dont know” hahhA useless review!