A few more samples playing around with the CV 65/2. Went on a hike to a waterfall today. The waterfall is great, but the neat thing about it is that there is always a constant spray that falls on any flowers nearby (also on lens elements, but that is a different matter). This makes the flowers more fun to me. Here are some samples:
On the hike to the falls, F2:
F2 (focus stacked):
F2.8:
F2:
Same shot, but F4. Note the odd shaped bokeh in lower left. Thoughts? Additional info: was using a polarizing filter (BT X4) and a single extension tube if that matters.
DannyBurkPhoto wrote:
Plus (although some will disagree), manual focus on the 55/1.8 is horrendous.
I wouldn't know as I've never had to manual focus it.
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GMPhotography wrote:
I think its the worst of all the Sony AF glass, to me it sucks as everything else I have tried is much better. Not sure what thats about
That's interesting because I think it's among the best lenses I've ever owned... but your lens experience vastly out strips mine
It's performance for it's size is what makes it a gem to me. It is my fav travel photography lens of all time.
virtualrain wrote:
I wouldn't know as I've never had to manual focus it.
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That's interesting because I think it's among the best lenses I've ever owned... but your lens experience vastly out strips mine
It's performance for it's size is what makes it a gem to me. It is my fav travel photography lens of all time.
If you never use MF, then not a problem I never use AF and much prefer actual MF lenses, but the focus-by-wire MF in the 55/1.8 drove me up the wall every time I tried to use it. Finally replaced it with a Loxia 50 that I should have bought in the first place! I also much prefer the Loxia's rendering, so all is good.
Sep 03, 2017 at 02:30 PM
Steve Spencer Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
virtualrain wrote:
I wouldn't know as I've never had to manual focus it.
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That's interesting because I think it's among the best lenses I've ever owned... but your lens experience vastly out strips mine
It's performance for it's size is what makes it a gem to me. It is my fav travel photography lens of all time.
I don't want to put words in Guy's mouth but I think the quote is referring to the MF experience of the lens and not the lens performance in general. Personally, I hate the MF experience of the FE 55 f/1.8, but I think it is a really nice lens IQ wise and it AF very nicely. Like Danny I almost always use MF, so the lens isn't a good match for me, but my wife who almost always uses AF loves the lens and she has may nice shots with it and it is one of her favorites.
Steve Spencer wrote:
I don't want to put words in Guy's mouth but I think the quote is referring to the MF experience of the lens and not the lens performance in general. Personally, I hate the MF experience of the FE 55 f/1.8, but I think it is a really nice lens IQ wise and it AF very nicely. Like Danny I almost always use MF, so the lens isn't a good match for me, but my wife who almost always uses AF loves the lens and she has may nice shots with it and it is one of her favorites.
That was my impression too. I think Guy was referring to the 55/1.8's focus-by-wire implementation. It's the same as the 35/2.8 ZA which is not linear.
The other thing about the 55 1.8 I think Phillip Reeve pointed out is that the focus motor is stepped, meaning that sometimes MF on another lens can give you more precise focus when the focal plane is between the steps the Sony will give you. When I first got into the Sony system I bought the 55 and the Loxia 50, with the Loxia 50 being the first lens I manually focused in about 15 years probably. I was quite surprised in my testing to find that sometimes the Loxia focus was better than the Sony 55 focus, and I didn't know why. I would have expected that I would miss focus with the new MF lens more, so it was surprising to see the opposite was happening. Relatively rarely, but sometimes for sure.
I guess now that I think of it I had been manually focusing other lenses all along, Nikon and Olympus MFT (Olympus has really good focus peaking), but intermittently, and the Loxia was the first lens I had to manually focus all the time.
Fred Miranda wrote:
That was my impression too. I think Guy was referring to the 55/1.8's focus-by-wire implementation. It's the same as the 35/2.8 ZA which is not linear.
I see. With fast quiet and accurate AF i don't have any need to use MF on this lens. But I can understand the concerns.
It was a nice day playing with my Voigtlander. Pretty much the end of a weekend. I suspect you guys are getting tired of seeing examples posted by me. Unless I can find something to take pics of tomorrow, probably won't have many more for a while. Let's drink to that eh? Candle light mainly, F2:
I'm sorry yes I was referring to the 55 1.8 manual focus. Just no where near some of the other Sony AF glass. But IQ wise it's very good no question
Steve Spencer wrote:
I don't want to put words in Guy's mouth but I think the quote is referring to the MF experience of the lens and not the lens performance in general. Personally, I hate the MF experience of the FE 55 f/1.8, but I think it is a really nice lens IQ wise and it AF very nicely. Like Danny I almost always use MF, so the lens isn't a good match for me, but my wife who almost always uses AF loves the lens and she has may nice shots with it and it is one of her favorites.
The Sony 50/1.8 FE has a much better implemented focus-by-wire than the Zony 55/1.8. With the Sony 50/1.8 FE the focus ring feels linear and with a really good focus throw, like old Nikon Ai lenses. Yes, the 50/1.8 FE, of all lenses.
bjornthun wrote:
The Sony 50/1.8 FE has a much better implemented focus-by-wire than the Zony 55/1.8. With the Sony 50/1.8 FE the focus ring feels linear and with a really good focus throw, like old Nikon Ai lenses. Yes, the 50/1.8 FE, of all lenses.
Fascinating!
I have to say I'd be up for a vII of the 1.8/55. Similar size, more fancy glass to keep the LoCA down, maybe snappier contrast and improved MF and my goodness what a useful little lens (I mean the current one is still super useful; very small and super sharp with a nice rendering, a bit of work in post and the images are equal of much huger glass...)
I have to say I'd be up for a vII of the 1.8/55. Similar size, more fancy glass to keep the LoCA down, maybe snappier contrast and improved MF and my goodness what a useful little lens (I mean the current one is still super useful; very small and super sharp with a nice rendering, a bit of work in post and the images are equal of much huger glass...)
