Pre-order: Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM ($1,998)
p.20 #1Pre-order: Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM ($1,998)
chiron wrote:
The Batis actually can focus to MFD with AF, and in my experience (not that I've used every lens) the 20/35/50 G/GM lenses are unique. (I make no claims about how unique this is overall.)
I think in use the Sony approach might be a bit superior to Zeiss' in terms of general usability. I say 'I think' because it's impossible to say how much first party knowledge Sony uses in leveraging their lenses for AF, but I have much better response from my 20 G than my Batis 40 at near MFD with moving subjects. I'm assuming Sony restricted the MFD in AF so that the lens had a more accurate response in this use case, but again: impossible to know.
The only area where these Sony lenses fall short of the 40 CF is of course in the CF range on slower moving objects. Not only can the 40 actually focus at MFD, but by engaging the focus limiter response I have a much better success rate getting small flowers and insects to focus with my 40 CF than my 20 G... and this is at the AF MFD. Trying to manually focus on small flowers blowing in the wind with my 20 would be an effort in futility.
I guess the ideal approach would be a bit of a blend between the two: only allow for MFD at the discretion of the focus limiter, but determine the ideal point between AF accuracy and utility for most uses of the lens.I would think that one would expect any 20mm lens to focus more quickly than any 40mm lens--less distance to move elements to achieve critical focus.
I don't know the exact mechanics involved in AF operation so I won't comment more on the 20 in reply to this. However, this has also been observed with Sony's 35 1.8 FE. They just rig their lenses up better somehow.
JVan_02 wrote
Kalainen wrote
I was under impression that most if not all AF lenses focus closer in MF mode. Why? Because AF requires lens elements to go back and forward to acguire critical focus. The AF focusing is limited when they reach close to MFD because the lens cannot move enough to make sure it has a critical focus. However, when put to MF user can move the lens elements in extreme position and can achieve closer MFD. As you still probablt have the might Batis 2/40 I should add that this is also true for the Batis. If I remember correctly, one of the Batis speciality (in addition to aperture closing in close distances) is that in close focus mode the lens clears the vignetting almost compleatly (while maintaining superb resolution across the frame). The Close focus works very nicely with the Batis and it's quite possibly impossible to find another standardish lens outside of macro lenses where all the details would have worked out as nicely.I think in use the Sony approach might be a bit superior to Zeiss' in terms of general usability. I say 'I think' because it's impossible to say how much first party knowledge Sony uses in leveraging their lenses for AF, but I have much better response from my 20 G than my Batis 40 at near MFD with moving subjects. I'm assuming Sony restricted the MFD in AF so that the lens had a more accurate response in this use case, but again: impossible to know.
The only area where these Sony lenses fall short of the 40 CF is of course in the CF range on slower moving objects. Not only can the 40 actually focus at MFD, but by engaging the focus limiter response I have a much better success rate getting small flowers and insects to focus with my 40 CF than my 20 G... and this is at the AF MFD. Trying to manually focus on small flowers blowing in the wind with my 20 would be an effort in futility.
I guess the ideal approach would be a bit of a blend between the two: only allow for MFD at the discretion of the focus limiter, but determine the ideal point between AF accuracy and utility for most uses of the lens.
I don't know the exact mechanics involved in AF operation so I won't comment more on the 20 in reply to this. However, this has also been observed with Sony's 35 1.8 FE. They just rig their lenses up better somehow.
Mar 17, 2021 at 09:09 AM
p.20 #2Pre-order: Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM ($1,998)
Fred, would you do a comparison between this lens and the CV 50/2 APO? I am very interested how they compare at similar apertures...
Mar 17, 2021 at 09:20 AM
p.20 #3Pre-order: Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM ($1,998)
The_Mechanic wrote:
Fred, would you do a comparison between this lens and the CV 50/2 APO? I am very interested how they compare at similar apertures...
Interested in this comparison too . . . eventually planning to settle my needs at 50 with the Voigt 50/2 APO and a used ZA 50 1.4, or just the GM if it equals or exceeds the Voigt's performance for landscape.
Fred, would you do a comparison between this lens and the CV 50/2 APO? I am very interested how they compare at similar apertures...
Interested in this comparison too . . . eventually planning to settle my needs at 50 with the Voigt 50/2 APO and a used ZA 50 1.4, or just the GM if it equals or exceeds the Voigt's performance for landscape.
Mar 17, 2021 at 09:33 AM
p.20 #4Pre-order: Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM ($1,998)
I have the Planar 50s/1.4 ZA on my A7RIV right now (also have an A9 but its got the 200-600 on it).
For simple point and focus and point and focus it not dog in my opinion. Of course I can't do a head to head with the new GM but will be interesting to see since now I know the two lens are almost identical in size and weight with the differences only being the extra control buttons (both have aperture rings, declicking, and AF/MF switch) and the aperture difference of 1/3 of a stop. Also I am sure the ZA probably does not do 30 fps but I won't have an A1 for a long time if ever.
I am wondering what kind of body Sony will bring out in the next two years that will sit between $3400 and $6500. I am sure they have something planned but will it be an 80-90 Mpixel beast or just a 30 Mpixel all arounder?
For simple point and focus and point and focus it not dog in my opinion. Of course I can't do a head to head with the new GM but will be interesting to see since now I know the two lens are almost identical in size and weight with the differences only being the extra control buttons (both have aperture rings, declicking, and AF/MF switch) and the aperture difference of 1/3 of a stop. Also I am sure the ZA probably does not do 30 fps but I won't have an A1 for a long time if ever.
I am wondering what kind of body Sony will bring out in the next two years that will sit between $3400 and $6500. I am sure they have something planned but will it be an 80-90 Mpixel beast or just a 30 Mpixel all arounder?
Mar 17, 2021 at 09:34 AM
p.20 #5Pre-order: Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM ($1,998)
Well in the last few hours I have seen the rush of post in Buy/Sell of Sony Planar T* 50mm f/1.4 ZA. For me I placed a pre-order but will wait the next 8 weeks to see how things develop for I decide to sell mine (will finally sell my FE 55/1.8 ZA but for other reasons). Sold my two 35s when the FE 35/1.4 GM came out and I pre-ordered but I'm still waiting for that one.
Mar 17, 2021 at 09:38 AM
p.20 #6Pre-order: Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM ($1,998)
JVan_02 wrote:
The Batis actually can focus to MFD with AF, and in my experience (not that I've used every lens) the 20/35/50 G/GM lenses are unique. (I make no claims about how unique this is overall.)
I think in use the Sony approach might be a bit superior to Zeiss' in terms of general usability. I say 'I think' because it's impossible to say how much first party knowledge Sony uses in leveraging their lenses for AF, but I have much better response from my 20 G than my Batis 40 at near MFD with moving subjects. I'm assuming Sony restricted the MFD in AF so that the lens had a more accurate response in this use case, but again: impossible to know.
The only area where these Sony lenses fall short of the 40 CF is of course in the CF range on slower moving objects. Not only can the 40 actually focus at MFD, but by engaging the focus limiter response I have a much better success rate getting small flowers and insects to focus with my 40 CF than my 20 G... and this is at the AF MFD. Trying to manually focus on small flowers blowing in the wind with my 20 would be an effort in futility.
I guess the ideal approach would be a bit of a blend between the two: only allow for MFD at the discretion of the focus limiter, but determine the ideal point between AF accuracy and utility for most uses of the lens.I would think that one would expect any 20mm lens to focus more quickly than any 40mm lens--less distance to move elements to achieve critical focus.I don't know the exact mechanics involved in AF operation so I won't comment more on the 20 in reply to this. However, this has also been observed with Sony's 35 1.8 FE. They just rig their lenses up better somehow.
Yes, there certainly are many design and engineering factors that make one lens focus faster than another.
chiron wrote
JVan_02 wrote
Kalainen wrote
I was under impression that most if not all AF lenses focus closer in MF mode. Why? Because AF requires lens elements to go back and forward to acguire critical focus. The AF focusing is limited when they reach close to MFD because the lens cannot move enough to make sure it has a critical focus. However, when put to MF user can move the lens elements in extreme position and can achieve closer MFD. As you still probablt have the might Batis 2/40 I should add that this is also true for the Batis. If I remember correctly, one of the Batis speciality (in addition to aperture closing in close distances) is that in close focus mode the lens clears the vignetting almost compleatly (while maintaining superb resolution across the frame). The Close focus works very nicely with the Batis and it's quite possibly impossible to find another standardish lens outside of macro lenses where all the details would have worked out as nicely.I think in use the Sony approach might be a bit superior to Zeiss' in terms of general usability. I say 'I think' because it's impossible to say how much first party knowledge Sony uses in leveraging their lenses for AF, but I have much better response from my 20 G than my Batis 40 at near MFD with moving subjects. I'm assuming Sony restricted the MFD in AF so that the lens had a more accurate response in this use case, but again: impossible to know.
The only area where these Sony lenses fall short of the 40 CF is of course in the CF range on slower moving objects. Not only can the 40 actually focus at MFD, but by engaging the focus limiter response I have a much better success rate getting small flowers and insects to focus with my 40 CF than my 20 G... and this is at the AF MFD. Trying to manually focus on small flowers blowing in the wind with my 20 would be an effort in futility.
I guess the ideal approach would be a bit of a blend between the two: only allow for MFD at the discretion of the focus limiter, but determine the ideal point between AF accuracy and utility for most uses of the lens.
Yes, there certainly are many design and engineering factors that make one lens focus faster than another.
Mar 17, 2021 at 10:31 AM
p.20 #7Pre-order: Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM ($1,998)
swldstn wrote:
Well in the last few hours I have seen the rush of post in Buy/Sell of Sony Planar T* 50mm f/1.4 ZA. For me I placed a pre-order but will wait the next 8 weeks to see how things develop for I decide to sell mine (will finally sell my FE 55/1.8 ZA but for other reasons). Sold my two 35s when the FE 35/1.4 GM came out and I pre-ordered but I'm still waiting for that one.
I pre-ordered. Looking forward to this lens.
Well in the last few hours I have seen the rush of post in Buy/Sell of Sony Planar T* 50mm f/1.4 ZA. For me I placed a pre-order but will wait the next 8 weeks to see how things develop for I decide to sell mine (will finally sell my FE 55/1.8 ZA but for other reasons). Sold my two 35s when the FE 35/1.4 GM came out and I pre-ordered but I'm still waiting for that one.
I pre-ordered. Looking forward to this lens.
Mar 17, 2021 at 10:42 AM
p.20 #8Pre-order: Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM ($1,998)
The one lens I’d be very reluctant to sell and I have is the 50 1.4 it’s simply maybe the best 50 around. I don’t know much of this 1.2 not following it but my question after testing all these lenses is at 1900 is this going to smoke it’s butt as a 1.2
Folks this has to be one very serious lens to do that. The 1.4 is arguably the best Sony lens around.
You all know me I’d jump on a pre order without hesitation but when it comes to the 50 1.4 I’d actually tie my buy hand down on the 1.2
All I’m saying is this at 2k is a risk IF IT DONT BY A HUGE DEGREE smoke the 1.4 off the planet. Obviously I love the 1.4 even though it is slow AF
Just sayin. Maybe test that 1.2 before selling off your 1.4
Folks this has to be one very serious lens to do that. The 1.4 is arguably the best Sony lens around.
You all know me I’d jump on a pre order without hesitation but when it comes to the 50 1.4 I’d actually tie my buy hand down on the 1.2
All I’m saying is this at 2k is a risk IF IT DONT BY A HUGE DEGREE smoke the 1.4 off the planet. Obviously I love the 1.4 even though it is slow AF
Just sayin. Maybe test that 1.2 before selling off your 1.4
Mar 17, 2021 at 10:48 AM
p.20 #9Pre-order: Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM ($1,998)
Holger wrote:
I pre-ordered. Looking forward to this lens.
I look at this idea as a great call. I’d do the same not sell the 1.4 before running those tests
swldstn wrote
Well in the last few hours I have seen the rush of post in Buy/Sell of Sony Planar T* 50mm f/1.4 ZA. For me I placed a pre-order but will wait the next 8 weeks to see how things develop for I decide to sell mine (will finally sell my FE 55/1.8 ZA but for other reasons). Sold my two 35s when the FE 35/1.4 GM came out and I pre-ordered but I'm still waiting for that one.I look at this idea as a great call. I’d do the same not sell the 1.4 before running those tests
Mar 17, 2021 at 10:50 AM
p.20 #10Pre-order: Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM ($1,998)
Against my better judgement, I preordered. 🙂. I’ll sell a couple of lenses I don’t use much to pay for it.
I think this will be the 50mm I’ll grow old with.
I think this will be the 50mm I’ll grow old with.
Mar 17, 2021 at 11:09 AM
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p.20 #11Pre-order: Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM ($1,998)
Guy, please do yourself a favor and us, and just get the dang lens. :-) Sincerely, Everyone!
GMPhotography wrote:
The one lens I’d be very reluctant to sell and I have is the 50 1.4 it’s simply maybe the best 50 around. I don’t know much of this 1.2 not following it but my question after testing all these lenses is at 1900 is this going to smoke it’s butt as a 1.2
Folks this has to be one very serious lens to do that. The 1.4 is arguably the best Sony lens around.
You all know me I’d jump on a pre order without hesitation but when it comes to the 50 1.4 I’d actually tie my buy hand down...Show more →
GMPhotography wrote:
The one lens I’d be very reluctant to sell and I have is the 50 1.4 it’s simply maybe the best 50 around. I don’t know much of this 1.2 not following it but my question after testing all these lenses is at 1900 is this going to smoke it’s butt as a 1.2
Folks this has to be one very serious lens to do that. The 1.4 is arguably the best Sony lens around.
You all know me I’d jump on a pre order without hesitation but when it comes to the 50 1.4 I’d actually tie my buy hand down...Show more →
Mar 17, 2021 at 12:00 PM
p.20 #12Pre-order: Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM ($1,998)
I want to test it badly. Big Bronco awaits
Mar 17, 2021 at 12:12 PM
p.20 #13Pre-order: Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM ($1,998)
I underestimated the power of the dark side and have succumb to the force of the preorder.
Mar 17, 2021 at 12:21 PM
p.20 #14Pre-order: Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM ($1,998)
GMPhotography wrote:
The one lens I’d be very reluctant to sell and I have is the 50 1.4 it’s simply maybe the best 50 around. I don’t know much of this 1.2 not following it but my question after testing all these lenses is at 1900 is this going to smoke it’s butt as a 1.2
Folks this has to be one very serious lens to do that. The 1.4 is arguably the best Sony lens around.
You all know me I’d jump on a pre order without hesitation but when it comes to the 50 1.4 I’d actually tie my buy hand down...Show more →
It looks to me like you get three things with the 50 f/1.2 GM. First, and here it really smokes the Sony ZA 50 f/1.4, you get much faster AF. The built this 50 with two small focus groups and 2 linear motors to make even this wide aperture lens have very fast AF, or so the reports suggest and since they are consistent with the change in design of the lens I am inclined to believe them.
Second, the one flaw that Fred has noted in the ZA 50 f/1.4 is a mild mid zone dip at wide apertures. I don't think that is going to be there with the GM 50 f/1.2. The tests I saw showed nothing but superb performance at the midzone. Of course more testing might show that there is something there. I think a lot of people missed the mild midzone dip on the ZA 50 f/1.4 until Fred noticed it. A midzone dip is particularly problematic with these lenses as portraits are a primary use for such a lens and you often want you subject in the midzone. Still I am not sure the midzone dip is severe enough to really cause problems for the ZA 50 f/1.4. It is mild and a little bit of softness for portraits isn't always a bad thing.
Third, is the obvious one you get a bit wider aperture and the lenses are almost identical in size so you get that aperture without having to pay the price of a larger lens.
When you put this all together is the GM 50 f/1.2 beating the ZA 50 f/1.4 by a huge degree? I suspect different people will answer that differently, but I suspect that you Guy will eventually give in and buy the better lens even if it isn't by a huge difference by your assessment. I suspect you will have a hard time in the long run knowing that you don't have the better lens even if it isn't a huge amount better.
The one lens I’d be very reluctant to sell and I have is the 50 1.4 it’s simply maybe the best 50 around. I don’t know much of this 1.2 not following it but my question after testing all these lenses is at 1900 is this going to smoke it’s butt as a 1.2
Folks this has to be one very serious lens to do that. The 1.4 is arguably the best Sony lens around.
You all know me I’d jump on a pre order without hesitation but when it comes to the 50 1.4 I’d actually tie my buy hand down...Show more →
It looks to me like you get three things with the 50 f/1.2 GM. First, and here it really smokes the Sony ZA 50 f/1.4, you get much faster AF. The built this 50 with two small focus groups and 2 linear motors to make even this wide aperture lens have very fast AF, or so the reports suggest and since they are consistent with the change in design of the lens I am inclined to believe them.
Second, the one flaw that Fred has noted in the ZA 50 f/1.4 is a mild mid zone dip at wide apertures. I don't think that is going to be there with the GM 50 f/1.2. The tests I saw showed nothing but superb performance at the midzone. Of course more testing might show that there is something there. I think a lot of people missed the mild midzone dip on the ZA 50 f/1.4 until Fred noticed it. A midzone dip is particularly problematic with these lenses as portraits are a primary use for such a lens and you often want you subject in the midzone. Still I am not sure the midzone dip is severe enough to really cause problems for the ZA 50 f/1.4. It is mild and a little bit of softness for portraits isn't always a bad thing.
Third, is the obvious one you get a bit wider aperture and the lenses are almost identical in size so you get that aperture without having to pay the price of a larger lens.
When you put this all together is the GM 50 f/1.2 beating the ZA 50 f/1.4 by a huge degree? I suspect different people will answer that differently, but I suspect that you Guy will eventually give in and buy the better lens even if it isn't by a huge difference by your assessment. I suspect you will have a hard time in the long run knowing that you don't have the better lens even if it isn't a huge amount better.
Mar 17, 2021 at 12:27 PM
p.20 #15Pre-order: Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM ($1,998)
Oh man... should not have watched those YouTube videos with the 1.2 
I see why so many of y’all are preordering.
I see why so many of y’all are preordering.
Mar 17, 2021 at 12:34 PM
p.20 #16Pre-order: Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM ($1,998)
I preordered via Precision Camera last night.
Certain lenses I know are a "buy once and keep" as they check enough boxes for me, and I'll never feel the need to upgrade. The 24 GM and 135 GM were like that for me. This one is the same way. The only 3 AF primes I'll need.
Certain lenses I know are a "buy once and keep" as they check enough boxes for me, and I'll never feel the need to upgrade. The 24 GM and 135 GM were like that for me. This one is the same way. The only 3 AF primes I'll need.
Mar 17, 2021 at 01:36 PM
p.20 #17Pre-order: Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM ($1,998)
Steve Spencer wrote:
Folks this has to be one very serious lens to do that. The 1.4 is arguably the best Sony lens around.
You all know me I’d jump on a pre order without hesitation but when it comes to the 50 1.4 I’d actually tie my buy hand down on the 1.2
All I’m saying is this at 2k is a risk IF IT DONT BY A HUGE DEGREE smoke the 1.4 off the planet. Obviously I love the 1.4 even though it is slow AF
Just sayin. Maybe test that 1.2 before selling off your 1.4It looks to me like you get three things with the 50 f/1.2 GM. First, and here it really smokes the Sony ZA 50 f/1.4, you get much faster AF. The built this 50 with two small focus groups and 2 linear motors to make even this wide aperture lens have very fast AF, or so the reports suggest and since they are consistent with the change in design of the lens I am inclined to believe them.
Second, the one flaw that Fred has noted in the ZA 50 f/1.4 is a mild mid zone dip at wide...Show more →
All good points Steve. I honestly have not read one thing but I know how good the 1.4 is so just sayin be careful. Now I gotta buy it , you maybe worse than Fred. Lol
GMPhotography wrote
The one lens I’d be very reluctant to sell and I have is the 50 1.4 it’s simply maybe the best 50 around. I don’t know much of this 1.2 not following it but my question after testing all these lenses is at 1900 is this going to smoke it’s butt as a 1.2Folks this has to be one very serious lens to do that. The 1.4 is arguably the best Sony lens around.
You all know me I’d jump on a pre order without hesitation but when it comes to the 50 1.4 I’d actually tie my buy hand down on the 1.2
All I’m saying is this at 2k is a risk IF IT DONT BY A HUGE DEGREE smoke the 1.4 off the planet. Obviously I love the 1.4 even though it is slow AF
Just sayin. Maybe test that 1.2 before selling off your 1.4
Second, the one flaw that Fred has noted in the ZA 50 f/1.4 is a mild mid zone dip at wide...Show more →
All good points Steve. I honestly have not read one thing but I know how good the 1.4 is so just sayin be careful. Now I gotta buy it , you maybe worse than Fred. Lol
Mar 17, 2021 at 01:46 PM
p.20 #18Pre-order: Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM ($1,998)
gocolts wrote:
I preordered via Precision Camera last night.
Certain lenses I know are a "buy once and keep" as they check enough boxes for me, and I'll never feel the need to upgrade. The 24 GM and 135 GM were like that for me. This one is the same way. The only 3 AF primes I'll need.
Yes, I am the same way. I'm always in search for "the one," which probably isn't cost or time efficient, but when you find it, you know.
For me, it's the 24 GM, 85 GM, and 135 GM. I'm hoping that the 35 GM and 50 GM will also be it.
I'm not looking forward to the day when Sony announces the 85 GM Mk2 and 100 GM because the GAS will be incredibly strong.
I preordered via Precision Camera last night.
Certain lenses I know are a "buy once and keep" as they check enough boxes for me, and I'll never feel the need to upgrade. The 24 GM and 135 GM were like that for me. This one is the same way. The only 3 AF primes I'll need.
Yes, I am the same way. I'm always in search for "the one," which probably isn't cost or time efficient, but when you find it, you know.
For me, it's the 24 GM, 85 GM, and 135 GM. I'm hoping that the 35 GM and 50 GM will also be it.
I'm not looking forward to the day when Sony announces the 85 GM Mk2 and 100 GM because the GAS will be incredibly strong.
Mar 17, 2021 at 02:33 PM
p.20 #19Pre-order: Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM ($1,998)
Does the Active Steadyshot (1.1x crop) option take into account a lenses focus breathing or not? It would be great it you could essentially get a breathing free focus pull that used the cropped area to compensate for focal length changes.
The huge amount of breathing on the new 50mm GM made me think about it.
For video only ofc
The huge amount of breathing on the new 50mm GM made me think about it.
For video only ofc
Mar 17, 2021 at 03:10 PM
p.20 #20Pre-order: Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM ($1,998)
I will certainly give this lens a try and I fully expect to like it a lot.
I looked at some reviews and the one thing I could find out was how the design interacts with the grip on a A7R4 or A1? Is there enough space there for man’s hand?
I looked at some reviews and the one thing I could find out was how the design interacts with the grip on a A7R4 or A1? Is there enough space there for man’s hand?
Mar 17, 2021 at 03:24 PM