Sony Distagon T* 24mm F2 SSM

Sony has been grabbing the headlines over the past year or so for its innovative 'SLT' cameras, the mirrorless NEX system and prolific launches of inexpensive SLRs. But it has also been quietly building up an impressive line of high-end full frame equipment, spearheaded by an array of Carl Zeiss branded optics. And it's into this upper half of the company's curiously bifurcated product line that the Distagon T* 24mm F2 SSM arrives, offering a genuinely fast and wide option for Alpha 850 / 900 users, while doubling as a classic semi-wide 35mm equivalent on APS-C cameras. This lens was shown in advanced pre-production form at PMA earlier this year, and has been hotly anticipated by Sony fans ever since.

The design and construction is typical of Sony's Carl Zeiss lenses, with a rather utilitarian, purposeful aesthetic and extremely high quality fit and finish (however in contrast to Canon and Nikon's 24mm F1.4 lenses, it's not described as dust- or water-sealed). The optical design uses 9 elements in 7 groups, including two aspheric and two Extra-low Dispersion glass elements to combat aberrations. For the first time in a Carl Zeiss prime, a built-in ultrasonic-type SuperSonic Wave Motor is employed for autofocus, promising fast, silent focusing and enabling Direct Manual Focus override. A circular aperture diaphragm, comprised of nine curved blades, is designed to produce a smooth, natural rendition of out-of-focus regions of the frame.

Sony's full frame cameras have drawn plenty of critical admiration for their exceptional low-ISO image quality and pared-down feature set unashamedly focused on stills photography. But for the company to gain a real foothold in this high end sector it also needs to convince potential buyers that its lens offerings can match those from its more-established rivals, Canon and Nikon. The two existing Carl Zeiss-branded primes, the Planar T* 85mm F1.4 and Sonnar T* 135mm F1.8, are certainly highly regarded by those who've used them (including us), so can the 24mm F2 follow suit?

Headline features

• 24mm wideangle with fast F2 maximum aperture
• Built-in ultrasonic-type SuperSonic Wave Motor (SSM) for autofocus, with Direct Manual Focus override
• Alpha mount for Sony and Konica Minolta SLRs

Specifications:

Manufacturer's code:

SAL24F20Z

Date introduced

July 2010

Maximum format size

35mm FullFrame

Focal length

24mm

35mm equivalent focal length (APS-C)
36mm

Diagonal Angle of view (FF)

83º

Diagonal Angle of view (APS-C)

63º

Maximum aperture

F2

Minimum aperture

F22

Lens Construction

• 9 elements / 7 groups
• 2 aspherical elements 
• 2 ED glass elements

Number of diaphragm blades

9, rounded

Minimum focus

0.19m / 0.62ft

Maximum magnification

0.29x

AF motor type

Ultrasonic (SSM)

Focus method

Rear

Image stabilization

Via camera body when available

FilterThread

• 72mm
• Does not rotate on focus

Supplied accessories

• ALC-SH110 hood
• Front and rear caps
• Lens case

Weight

555g (19.6oz)

Dimensions

78mm x 76mm (3.1in x 3.0in)

Lens Mount

Sony Alpha