matthewm
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 p.1 #1 · Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 First Impressions | |
** NOTE: This was written while using Lens Firmware Version 01. I have since updated to Version 02 per the recommendation of @bjornthun and the AF speed is markedly improved and remains just as accurate. **
I recently got back to a Sony full frame camera with the A7II and originally planned to just go the 35/90 route, which is my preferred two-lens setup, but figured it'd be nice to have a fast 50 in there as well so I picked up the Sony 50mm f/1.8 FE lens over the weekend (thanks Amazon Prime Saturday Delivery!) and spent a little time with it over the last couple of days.
Overall, I'm fairly impressed with the lens, although I have yet to really shoot anything of merit with the lens. My initial thoughts are outlined below:
- The lens is nicely made. Better than the Canon counterpart by far. The focus ring feels tighter, materials feel nice and the metal mount inspires a little confidence that the second version of Canon's 50/1.8 couldn't quite deliver (although the STM version remedies this and is a little closer in build quality to this lens).
- Image quality is VERY good. It lacks a little of the pop and pizazz of it's older, more expensive sibling (the 55/1.8 FE), but it comes in at, what, 80% less money? Wide open, mine is a little soft but not unusable at all. At f/2.0, it's awesome.
- Focus is faster than a lot of reviewers make it out to be and the sound of it seems more "breathy" than I expected given the terrible reviews this lens has gotten in terms of the AF noise. In anything but the quietest environment, this lens will never be heard by anyone other than you. In my opinion the AF beep, AF assist light and/or shutter sound are far more offensive than the sound of this lens. And if you're a video shooter, you're likely shooting in MF anyway, or will buy lenses more suitable to video (like the 55/1.8, etc.) that offer silent AF.
- NOTE: After updating the lens firmware to VER 02, AF speed increased significantly, especially in low light testing indoors under normal incandescent lighting (40-60W).
- The minimum focus distance could be a little shorter, but it's not abysmal and with the huge sensor output we're getting nowadays, you could likely do some light cropping to frame up the way you want and be fine. The 50/2.8 Macro fits the macro niche in this FL, but having a 50 that gets in a little tighter is nice for food and little details and what not.
- The front element extends slightly, but does not rotate. I'd prefer it didn't extend at all, but it's not a deal-breaker. Rotating is more annoying than extending for a lens, in my opinion.
- Did I mention the IQ is awesome? Because it is. Definitely up there with any of the other Sony offerings, especially with a little bump of Clarity in Lightroom (sample images to follow soon, I promise).
- The lens hood is a nice bonus (you listening, Canon?) and fits extremely well, complimenting both the lens and the camera. it doesn't feel cheap at all in my opinion and doesn't appear to pick up wear marks as easily as some others.
- Even though this lens is focus-by-wire, it provides a nice manual focus experience, in my opinion. It's not as nice as the 90/2.8 FE, but it doesn't claim to have a great Manual Focus system.
- The 49mm filter diameter is nice as it's similar to other Sony lenses (they really like the 49mm filter thread size) which makes your other filters relevant and means that dedicated filters aren't totally expensive. And, given that it's so small, your larger filters can be adapted via step-up rings. Bonus!
- While the focus felt faster than I expected, it's no speed demon and is definitely a lot slower than some other Sony lenses. Sony doesn't claim fast AF is a trait of this lens so I'm not too disappointed, but I'd have gladly paid a little extra for fast, silent, internal AF. That being said, the AF feels very... deliberate in that while it isn't particularly fast, it is very accurate and very precise. It feels like it's doing what it's supposed to be doing rather than just lagging like some lenses would. *See my notes above RE: Lens Firmware VER 02.
- The price feels a little high to me given the limitations of the AF. But I think the IQ helps this pill go down a little easier. If Sony could have priced this exact lens at $179 delivered, I'd think it was a stellar bargain. At the current price of $200 (October 31, 2016), it's a good value, but doesn't seem to be on-par with Canon and Nikon's similar offerings, which is disappointing. At full retail of $250, it's still not a bank-breaker, but becomes less compelling. Unfortunately (or fortunately), there's not really anything between this lens and the $1000/$600 (new/used) Sony Zeiss 55/1.8 FE. I'd like to have seen Sony give us a 50/1.4 FE lens with fast, silent, internal AF at the $399 or $449 price point rather than this lens which feels slightly crippled at $249.
All that to say that this lens is a good value at $199, but not as much at $249. The AF, while a little slow is accurate and more than adequate for all but the busiest of subjects. Image quality is excellent, especially stopped down a tiny bit. It's built extremely well, is light weight and very small and balances perfectly on an A7II as a general walk-around lens. My preference still goes to the 35/2.8 Zeiss as a walkaround but that's mostly because I like the faster focusing, silent AF, slightly smaller build and I prefer the 35mm FL as a general purpose lens.
But for isolating your subject a little more, this little 50 doesn't disappoint and if you can get by with the limitations of it, it really makes for a compelling argument against the more expensive 55/1.8. I'll say that I have owned the 55/1.8 twice and it might be the finest lens I've ever owned, but I don't miss it as much as I thought I would especially since I was able to buy a used 35/2.8 Zeiss and this lens brand new for the money I got from selling that 55. So take all that for what it's worth and I promise to have some photos up for you guys ASAP!
Best,
Matthew
Edited on Nov 02, 2016 at 01:45 PM · View previous versions
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