The Zeiss effect...

[Faldrax]

Actually why wouldn't Zeiss make any AF versions? There was contax-N AF, and sony has some Zeiss branded glass. Well, 18-21mm doesn't really need it, but 35 - 85mm would benefit a lot. At the end of the day almost all dslrs don't even have appropriate focus screens for these lenses.

It's possible that the contract between Sony and Zeiss has a clause restricting Zeiss from making AF lenses for other brands - Sony use the Zeiss branding on lenses across their range, both on compacts and DSLR lenses, I can imagine them wanting to protect that measure of 'exclusivity'.

Provided Sony have sufficient demand to keep Zeiss busy, and paid extra for that, it would make sense for Zeiss to do so as well.

 

[Johnd2000]

It's possible that the contract between Sony and Zeiss has a clause restricting Zeiss from making AF lenses for other brands - Sony use the Zeiss branding on lenses across their range, both on compacts and DSLR lenses, I can imagine them wanting to protect that measure of 'exclusivity'.

Provided Sony have sufficient demand to keep Zeiss busy, and paid extra for that, it would make sense for Zeiss to do so as well.

That's always been my understanding of the relationship (ie that Zeiss can only make AF lenses for Sony).