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Archive 2017 · Sony 55mm f1.8 vs. Zeiss Contax 50mm f1.4 or 1.7

seanj
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p.2 #1 · p.2 #1 · Sony 55mm f1.8 vs. Zeiss Contax 50mm f1.4 or 1.7

I get that 55 is short for tighter portraits, but I do it in a pinch all the time. Do I get some wide angle distortion . . . certainly, but even the 5 extra mm or welcomed in my book. I love the 55 for this flexibility and its quality:


	https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2860/33317448303_6e369b81cb_b.jpg


	https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1710/25254686413_46fb074159_b.jpg


	https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1525/24243208511_c6f8ff889c_b.jpg

Apr 19, 2017 at 04:06 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.2 #2 · p.2 #2 · Sony 55mm f1.8 vs. Zeiss Contax 50mm f1.4 or 1.7

seanj wrote:

I get that 55 is short for tighter portraits, but I do it in a pinch all the time. Do I get some wide angle distortion . . . certainly, but even the 5 extra mm or welcomed in my book. I love the 55 for this flexibility and its quality:


	https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2860/33317448303_6e369b81cb_b.jpg


	https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1710/25254686413_46fb074159_b.jpg


	https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1525/24243208511_c6f8ff889c_b.jpg

Great series Sean!

Apr 19, 2017 at 04:17 PM

Jmonat7
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p.2 #3 · p.2 #3 · Sony 55mm f1.8 vs. Zeiss Contax 50mm f1.4 or 1.7


	https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2860/33317448303_6e369b81cb_b.jpg


	https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1710/25254686413_46fb074159_b.jpg


	https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1525/24243208511_c6f8ff889c_b.jpg

Those are amazing!

Apr 19, 2017 at 06:02 PM

DannyBurkPhoto
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p.2 #4 · p.2 #4 · Sony 55mm f1.8 vs. Zeiss Contax 50mm f1.4 or 1.7

Per this discussion, I remembered that I shot a comparison series between four 50/55mm lenses last year (Zony 55/1.8, Loxia 50, Zeiss 50/2 makro-planar, and Otus 55/1.4); I've just posted images to a new thread:

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1486539

Apr 19, 2017 at 08:22 PM

roofdweller49
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p.2 #5 · p.2 #5 · Sony 55mm f1.8 vs. Zeiss Contax 50mm f1.4 or 1.7

Those 55 portraits do not lack in microcontrast at all to me... If that's the case, I wonder how the 50 1.4 does...

Apr 21, 2017 at 08:07 AM

Fred Miranda
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p.2 #6 · p.2 #6 · Sony 55mm f1.8 vs. Zeiss Contax 50mm f1.4 or 1.7

roofdweller49 wrote:
Those 55 portraits do not lack in microcontrast at all to me... If that's the case, I wonder how the 50 1.4 does...

The 50/1.4 ZA and 50/1.5C ZM do better out of the camera. Images from these lenses have more 'pop' which is one of the complaints about the 55/1.8.
However, it's very possible to increase local contrast in post. I do that all the time and I'm sure the portraits above did it as well.

Apr 21, 2017 at 09:32 AM

mhespenheide
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p.2 #7 · p.2 #7 · Sony 55mm f1.8 vs. Zeiss Contax 50mm f1.4 or 1.7

I am nowhere near the connoisseur of 50mm lenses that most of the respondents here are. That said, if you are willing to work with an LA-EA4, the Minolta (AF) 50 f/1.4 gave me remarkable images on the a850. I've often thought about picking another one up. Shot at f/2 or so, it gives really excellent results for environmental portraiture.

(Would an LA-EA3 work with the A7r2?)

Apr 25, 2017 at 12:50 AM

notherenow
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p.2 #8 · p.2 #8 · Sony 55mm f1.8 vs. Zeiss Contax 50mm f1.4 or 1.7

One thing regards older lenses, you are more likely to get a less than decent copy as time passes and lenses get used (and abused).

I have had lots of normal lenses and always liked to try different ones (more so with APSC but FF has grown on me). While I still have a few, the Sony Zeiss 55 1.8 has cured me of wanting any more.

Apr 25, 2017 at 01:30 AM

Viramati
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p.2 #9 · p.2 #9 · Sony 55mm f1.8 vs. Zeiss Contax 50mm f1.4 or 1.7

FE55 is a wonderful lens (mine is ever so slightly de-centered but this doesn't worry me for portrait use) and I find myself often using it in crop mode on the A7rII as it makes a for a beautifully small and un-intimidating portrait lens

Apr 25, 2017 at 01:50 AM

genji
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p.2 #10 · p.2 #10 · Sony 55mm f1.8 vs. Zeiss Contax 50mm f1.4 or 1.7

mhespenheide wrote:
I am nowhere near the connoisseur of 50mm lenses that most of the respondents here are. That said, if you are willing to work with an LA-EA4, the Minolta (AF) 50 f/1.4 gave me remarkable images on the a850. I've often thought about picking another one up. Shot at f/2 or so, it gives really excellent results for environmental portraiture.

(Would an LA-EA3 work with the A7r2?)

The Minolta AF 50/1.4 is a screw drive lens so it will autofocus with the LA-EA4 (which has its own focus motor) but will only work in manual focus mode with the LA-EA3.

Brian Smith's Guide to Using Sony A-mount Lenses on Sony A7RII also includes some information about Minolta lenses. The LA-EA4 has only 15 Phase Detection AF Points whereas the LA-EA3 has 399 Phase Detection and 25 Contrast AF Points.

Apr 25, 2017 at 02:01 AM

chiron
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p.2 #11 · p.2 #11 · Sony 55mm f1.8 vs. Zeiss Contax 50mm f1.4 or 1.7

Fred Miranda wrote:
The 50/1.4 ZA and 50/1.5C ZM do better out of the camera. Images from these lenses have more 'pop' which is one of the complaints about the 55/1.8.
However, it's very possible to increase local contrast in post. I do that all the time and I'm sure the portraits above did it as well.

Hi Fred.

Would you will be willing to share some of your ideas on increasing the microcontrast of the Sony 55 or other lenses in PP?

Thanks.

Apr 25, 2017 at 03:18 PM

jcomer82
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p.2 #12 · p.2 #12 · Sony 55mm f1.8 vs. Zeiss Contax 50mm f1.4 or 1.7

Yes.

Apr 25, 2017 at 03:20 PM

TheEmrys
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p.2 #13 · p.2 #13 · Sony 55mm f1.8 vs. Zeiss Contax 50mm f1.4 or 1.7

Also, if you can find the RS version of this lens, it has rounded aperture blades for better bokeh. Also, the Sony version has 8 pins and gives 5 axis stabilization and a bit more consistent look compared to other Sony lenses.

mhespenheide wrote:
I am nowhere near the connoisseur of 50mm lenses that most of the respondents here are. That said, if you are willing to work with an LA-EA4, the Minolta (AF) 50 f/1.4 gave me remarkable images on the a850. I've often thought about picking another one up. Shot at f/2 or so, it gives really excellent results for environmental portraiture.

(Would an LA-EA3 work with the A7r2?)

Apr 25, 2017 at 03:21 PM

Nexed
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p.2 #14 · p.2 #14 · Sony 55mm f1.8 vs. Zeiss Contax 50mm f1.4 or 1.7

chiron wrote:
Hi Fred.

Would you will be willing to share some of your ideas on increasing the microcontrast of the Sony 55 or other lenses in PP?

Thanks.
I'll second that request. I just got the 55, and I'm really in love with it. Any advice on increasing contrast for images taken it would be appreciated.

Also, those portraits are spectaculr Sean.

Apr 25, 2017 at 10:28 PM

Fred Miranda
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p.2 #15 · p.2 #15 · Sony 55mm f1.8 vs. Zeiss Contax 50mm f1.4 or 1.7

Nexed wrote:
I'll second that request. I just got the 55, and I'm really in love with it. Any advice on increasing contrast for images taken it would be appreciated.

Also, those portraits are spectaculr Sean.

I'm working on custom Lightroom Presets and have already designed a specific set for this lens since I use it so much. It will be available soon.
The presets will have LoCA, Micro-contrast, Landscape/Portrait sharpening and Color adjustments specifically designed for the 55/1.8 ZA.

Apr 25, 2017 at 10:55 PM

Nexed
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p.2 #16 · p.2 #16 · Sony 55mm f1.8 vs. Zeiss Contax 50mm f1.4 or 1.7

I'm working on custom Lightroom Presets and have already designed a specific set for this lens since I use it so much. It will be available soon.
The presets will have LoCA, Micro-contrast, Landscape/Portrait sharpening and Color adjustments specifically designed for the 55/1.8 ZA.

That would be great! I look forward to it.

Apr 26, 2017 at 10:33 AM

nehemiahphoto
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p.2 #17 · p.2 #17 · Sony 55mm f1.8 vs. Zeiss Contax 50mm f1.4 or 1.7

Fred Miranda wrote:
I'm working on custom Lightroom Presets and have already designed a specific set for this lens since I use it so much. It will be available soon.
The presets will have LoCA, Micro-contrast, Landscape/Portrait sharpening and Color adjustments specifically designed for the 55/1.8 ZA.

Did these presets ever happen Fred?

Aug 10, 2017 at 02:27 AM

xermantas
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p.2 #18 · p.2 #18 · Sony 55mm f1.8 vs. Zeiss Contax 50mm f1.4 or 1.7

I am also more than interested in the presets.

Dec 03, 2017 at 02:04 PM

Fierylakes
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p.2 #19 · p.2 #19 · Sony 55mm f1.8 vs. Zeiss Contax 50mm f1.4 or 1.7

Same here. In fact I just created an account to say so. Would love to see them...!

Dec 11, 2017 at 04:37 AM

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