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Sony Planar T* FE 50/1.4 ZA tests

JRHill
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p.50 #1 · p.50 #1 · Sony Planar T* FE 50/1.4 ZA tests

Thanks to all for continuing this thread. I oscillate a bit between keeping my ZA and going in a newer direction (perhaps the GM 1.2). Every time, I land back on keeping it. It's too good and seems to stand the test of time.

Jun 19, 2022 at 09:18 PM

Schwarzlicht
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p.50 #2 · p.50 #2 · Sony Planar T* FE 50/1.4 ZA tests

JRHill wrote:
Thanks to all for continuing this thread. I oscillate a bit between keeping my ZA and going in a newer direction (perhaps the GM 1.2). Every time, I land back on keeping it. It's too good and seems to stand the test of time.

I think GM and ZA are very different. The ZA reminds me a little of the Batis 40/2 in terms of colours, contrasts, liveliness and image impression. The ZA may be a Sony lens, but it seems to have a lot of Zeiss genes. The GM is certainly a very good lens. But anyone who has had the ZA for many years will certainly have to get used to the GM. Going to the GM is out of the question for me. Preferably both lenses...

Jun 20, 2022 at 12:39 AM

SNJOps
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p.50 #3 · p.50 #3 · Sony Planar T* FE 50/1.4 ZA tests

I own the GM but I remember back in 2017 I was attending a beginner’s photography course and one the guys in my class had an A7RIII and the 50mm f1.4 Planar. I remember being blown away not only by his images but also how they looked, gorgeous rendering.

I held off on buying the Planar as at the time I wanted a smaller lens so I got the 55mm f1.8 which I still own but use for street now. I also own a Voigtländer 50mm f1.2 Nokton Aspherical but that’s another story :-)

My GM gets used for portrait work now and its an absolute masterpiece.

Jun 20, 2022 at 06:35 AM

maly149
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p.50 #4 · p.50 #4 · Sony Planar T* FE 50/1.4 ZA tests

I've tried them both recently, and I'd have a hard time picking between the two if I had to decide. (I own the GM)

The ZA's rendering is very pleasing, and stopped down the lens is just as sharp. And while the GM has better autofocus, I didn't feel that the Zeiss' was bad by any stretch.

Jun 20, 2022 at 09:37 AM

40Driggs
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p.50 #5 · p.50 #5 · Sony Planar T* FE 50/1.4 ZA tests

Schwarzlicht wrote:
f1.4
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52158547133_f6bf93ddc4_k.jpg DSC09332 by Stefan Mieth, auf Flickr

I love your recent shots, but this one stands out to me. Excellent subject separation and could be used to help share the "magic" of the lens.

Jun 20, 2022 at 11:58 AM

Peire
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p.50 #6 · p.50 #6 · Sony Planar T* FE 50/1.4 ZA tests

A7R2,A7R4A,Zeiss Planar 50/1.4 ZA

Dec 16, 2022 at 05:19 AM

Schwarzlicht
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p.50 #7 · p.50 #7 · Sony Planar T* FE 50/1.4 ZA tests

f1.4

DSC01182 by stm geist, auf Flickr

Dec 17, 2022 at 06:37 AM

Schwarzlicht
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p.50 #8 · p.50 #8 · Sony Planar T* FE 50/1.4 ZA tests

f1.4

DSC09528-2 by stm geist, auf Flickr

Edited on Sep 01, 2023 at 04:57 PM · View previous versions

Dec 17, 2022 at 06:59 AM

Schwarzlicht
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p.50 #9 · p.50 #9 · Sony Planar T* FE 50/1.4 ZA tests

The lens has accompanied me for many years. If it broke now, I would buy a new 50/1.4ZA.

Dec 17, 2022 at 07:07 AM

akashyap
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p.50 #10 · p.50 #10 · Sony Planar T* FE 50/1.4 ZA tests

Very cool. What’re your thoughts about the 50 ZA vs Batis 40?

Schwarzlicht wrote:
f1.4
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52560949954_4d5833aec7_k.jpg DSC01182 by stm geist, auf Flickr

Dec 17, 2022 at 10:37 AM

Schwarzlicht
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p.50 #11 · p.50 #11 · Sony Planar T* FE 50/1.4 ZA tests

akashyap wrote:
Very cool. What’re your thoughts about the 50 ZA vs Batis 40?

It is difficult to compare the two. I photographed almost my daughter's entire childhood with the 50/1.4 ZA. Faces are rendered beautifully alive. I just shift the white balance to the cooler range and I like the face tones because they look very natural. The images are vivid and I like the sharpness gradient. I never felt the need for that
50 gm to switch.

The Batis 40/2 CF was never meant to replace my 50 ZA. As soon as I saw the first pictures of the batis, I knew I wanted it, even though it was criticized so much at the time. With the strong, very beautiful colors, the very pronounced micro-contrasts, the image depth and sometimes unusually three-dimensional image reproduction, the Batis often creates a unique image look. Color reproduction, micro-contrasts and "Zeiss-Pop" are in a different league compared to the Planar. It just doesn't have an f1.4, but it only weighs 360 grams. Although it only has an f2, I now often prefer the Batis for portraits. I think the Batis' strong micro-contrasts and color rendition help a little to isolate the subject. A picture like the one above that I spontaneously took of my daughter with f1.4 is probably not possible with the Batis.

The Batis images were made with f2, f2.2 and f4:

DSC06430 by stm geist, auf Flickr

DSC06421 by stm geist, auf Flickr

DSC06419 by stm geist, auf Flickr

Edited on Sep 01, 2023 at 05:12 PM · View previous versions

Dec 24, 2022 at 06:17 AM

FMTopFan
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p.50 #12 · p.50 #12 · Sony Planar T* FE 50/1.4 ZA tests

Here is my contribution to this "test" thread

ILCE-7RM2 FE 50mm F1.4 ZA lens 50mm f/1.4 1/1250s 100 ISO +0.3 EV

Aug 22, 2023 at 01:36 PM

FMTopFan
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p.50 #13 · p.50 #13 · Sony Planar T* FE 50/1.4 ZA tests

Does anyone here still own and keep both the ZA and GM for different uses?

Aug 25, 2023 at 03:54 PM

mattmackenzie4
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p.50 #14 · p.50 #14 · Sony Planar T* FE 50/1.4 ZA tests

Rendering on the ZA is gorgeous. I sold it for the GM for three reasons

1. Faster AF
2. More consistent sharpness across the frame (no mid zone dip)
3. GM sharpness at 1.2 is equivalent to ZA sharpness at 1.8-2.0

Both are excellent specimens in the E mount range

Aug 27, 2023 at 07:38 PM

FMTopFan
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p.50 #15 · p.50 #15 · Sony Planar T* FE 50/1.4 ZA tests

mattmackenzie4 wrote:
Rendering on the ZA is gorgeous. I sold it for the GM for three reasons

1. Faster AF
2. More consistent sharpness across the frame (no mid zone dip)
3. GM sharpness at 1.2 is equivalent to ZA sharpness at 1.8-2.0

Both are excellent specimens in the E mount range

Yea...I wish GM retains the rendering of ZA while having these traits, but then these traits do not impede and are not required by the ZA to take great portraits.

So I think the conclusion is once again reaffirmed:

ZA for amazing portraits.

GM for all other applications that don't need the Zeiss magic?

Aug 28, 2023 at 02:28 PM

devin.choi
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p.50 #16 · p.50 #16 · Sony Planar T* FE 50/1.4 ZA tests

FMTopFan wrote:
Does anyone here still own and keep both the ZA and GM for different uses?

I had the ZA and sold it when the GM came out, but I was recently looking through my photo library and I came across quite a few images from the ZA that I was very impressed by, so I'm considering picking up another one and using both.

Aug 28, 2023 at 08:55 PM

Schwarzlicht
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p.50 #17 · p.50 #17 · Sony Planar T* FE 50/1.4 ZA tests

I'm glad I still own the 50 ZA. Along with the Batis 40, it's my favorite lens. I wouldn't trade it in for a more "modern" 50mm lens. Only the weight bothers me a bit sometimes.

Sep 01, 2023 at 05:21 PM

FMTopFan
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p.50 #18 · p.50 #18 · Sony Planar T* FE 50/1.4 ZA tests

devin.choi wrote:
so I'm considering picking up another one and using both.

Just curious, will you be carrying both at the same time when out shooting or do you plan on using one for specific scenarios only?

Sep 02, 2023 at 03:37 PM

devin.choi
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p.50 #19 · p.50 #19 · Sony Planar T* FE 50/1.4 ZA tests

FMTopFan wrote:
Just curious, will you be carrying both at the same time when out shooting or do you plan on using one for specific scenarios only?

I'm just a hobbyist, so to be honest, I'll probably just pick whichever one I feel like shooting with at the time haha. For moving subjects, definitely the 50GM, but I think for street photography or portraits, the 50ZA.

Sep 03, 2023 at 01:28 PM

FMTopFan
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p.50 #20 · p.50 #20 · Sony Planar T* FE 50/1.4 ZA tests

devin.choi wrote:
I'm just a hobbyist, so to be honest, I'll probably just pick whichever one I feel like shooting with at the time haha.
To have the freedom to do so is great!

devin.choi wrote:
For moving subjects, definitely the 50GM, but I think for street photography or portraits, the 50ZA.

For me, ZA for portraits for sure. There is something magical about it.

Sep 05, 2023 at 06:44 PM

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