Sonnar T* E 24mm f/1.8 ZA for Sony NEX E-mount

From Sonyalphanex blog:

Here is the Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* E 24mm f/1.8 ZA Lens for the Sony NEX E-mount camera, official Sony part number SEL24F18Z. This lens gives us an equivalent fov of 36mm - the perfect wide-normal lens. The maximum magnification ratio is 1:4. It has 8 elements in 7 groups. The minimum focus distance is 0.16 meters or 6.3 inches. The filter diameter is 49mm. The overall dimensions are 63mm (2.5") diameter by 65.5mm (2.6") long. It weighs approximately 225 grams of 0.5 lb. The lens will approximately cost $999 and will be released in December 2011.

Finally we have some solid information about this Zeiss lens for NEX. Its Zeiss line codename is ZA, same as the Zeiss SLR line for A-mount. But obviously it cannot be used on an A-mount camera.

The lens construction consists of 8 elements in 7 groups with 2 aspherical elements (marked in purple) and 1 ED element (marked in green). The first 5 elements do somewhat resemble the heritage of a Sonnar. Presumably the last 3 extra elements at the end are to further correct the original Sonnar, however they may also serve the role of pushing further the exit pupil, making the light rays more parallel as they exit the rear element to counter the short comings of digital sensors. As a result, the lens is longer.

Performance is quite respectable from the MTF charts. It still exhibits a little the corner softness characteristic of the Sonnar, but overall the lens does have fairly decent microcontrast.

Edit: This picture gives a sense of size of this lens - again from sonyalphanex blog

Link: http://sonyalphanex.blogspot.com/2011/08/sony-nex-carl-zeiss-24mm-sonnar-e-mount.html

Edit:
Sample shots: http://www.photographyblog.com/previews/carl_zeiss_24mm_emount_lens_photos/

Sonnar 24mm f/1.8 for Sony NEX confirmed with hi-res pic

It is confirmed by a high resolution picture from dpreview forum that the new Zeiss lens for Sony E-mount will be a Sonnar 24mm f/1.8, it does look big. Filter thread is 49mm. The expected MSRP is $999, announcement should be on August 24th.
If anybody has the block diagram to share, please send it to tips@zeissrumors.com, we are interested in knowing the element arrangement and the true design of this Sonnar.

Link: dpreview forum discussion

Zeiss E-mount for Sony NEX is 24mm f/1.8 Sonnar?

The long awaited Zeiss E-mount lens for Sony NEX appears to be a Sonnar f/1.8 according to the image from Sonyalpharumors.

The Sony NEX uses 1.5x crop sensor, that would put the 24mm as 36mm (in 35mm equivalent), which is still considered a wide angle. Due to design limitation, there aren't too many wide angle Sonnar's around, needless to say a fast one. I only know of the Rollei 40mm f/2.8 Sonnar in LTM mount, which isn't considered a wide angle by many, also I vaguely remember a 35mm Sonnar clone by Nikkon, but that one isn't fast either; and looking at the lens barrel, it doesn't look like it only has 5-6 elements in it. For these reasons, I don't quite believe the image yet. It doesn't mean that the Zeiss E-mount lens won't be a 24mm f/1.8, however it just doesn't sound like a Sonnar to me. Perhaps, it is a Distagon in disguise with a Sonnar branding, or perhaps smaller image circle and advance technology allow Zeiss to achieve f/1.8 as a Sonnar. (warning: personal opinion here)
Having said that, whatever spec the lens carries, it is coming soon! Announcement on August 24th.

Link: http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/sr5-huge-sony-leak/