p.7 #1 · Zony 50mm f/1.4 Planar T* ZA VS Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM
It's not something many would notice, because they do not use lenses of the same general design and focal length concurrently. I use a three camera/lens setup and the differences in images shot of the same scene at the same time with different lenses can be gobsmacking. All major factors are controlled for when you do this. Not many do and this is why Fred's reviews feature close comparisons between lenses - very valuable.
On the GMs, could it be that lenses designed 90% plus for wide open at close focus distances are not able to match other lenses designed more to excel at f4-f8?
p.7 #2 · Zony 50mm f/1.4 Planar T* ZA VS Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM
philip_pj wrote:
It's not something many would notice, because they do not use lenses of the same general design and focal length concurrently. I use a three camera/lens setup and the differences in images shot of the same scene at the same time with different lenses can be gobsmacking. All major factors are controlled for when you do this. Not many do and this is why Fred's reviews feature close comparisons between lenses - very valuable.
On the GMs, could it be that lenses designed 90% plus for wide open at close focus distances are not able to match other lenses designed more to excel at f4-f8? ...Show more →
A couple of things…the 50GM has MUCH more DoF at portrait distances than any wide 50 I have used, and I have used several dozen. Plus, it is insanely sharp wide open… right across the frame. What does this mean in the real world? I can take a photo wide open of four people and only partially care about how in plane they are with each other, and all will be sharp. Fundamentally, the DoF looks somewhere between f/2.8 and f/4 from more typical 50s at 8-10ft or so…but the bokeh looks like f/1.2. That is pretty cool and is what eventually convinced me to buy the lens.
For instance, this is wide open and probably 10-12ft away and shot slightly tilted even…I am not a portraitist normally, so bad technique. Nonetheless, all but one of the young women’s eyes are not only tack sharp but so sharp you could count the grains of mascara, and the fourth is about as sharp as most 50/2 lenses. Staggeringly sharp lens.
To your other point regarding stopped down performance, I have not had a reason to shoot this lens tighter than f/5.6, as most of the landscapes I have shot have been with wider lenses than this. However, it has been great at that aperture. Is it bettered by other 50s there? Unlikely, but I have not tried to think hard about that. Basically, I have not had cause to be disappointed.
p.7 #3 · Zony 50mm f/1.4 Planar T* ZA VS Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM
A lot of SOOC shooters here I see. I say rendering (color, micro-contrast, etc.) is very much a personal preference. So really if you look at them objectively, the GM is more expensive with more tangible features (faster AF, bigger aperture, better sealing, more buttons, etc.).
p.7 #4 · Zony 50mm f/1.4 Planar T* ZA VS Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM
mudlake wrote:
I’ve never thought the 35GM was “flat.” But I also understand everyone sees things a little differently. Do these look flat? They don’t to me.
Yup the 35GM was not a bad lens, it have good bokeh and very sharp like your sample pictures. But it flat ! If you shoot a pictures that take a whole body of the model with near background, you will see it very flat when compare with the 35ZA. With the 35ZA, you can see the model and every objects in the background look very 3D, it let you can imaging what objects is in front, what is behind and what is in the middle.
I did own the 35GM for a few months then i move back to the Zeiss 35ZA, with the Zeiss 35ZA i can have pictures like this :
I think the main point of 35GM and 50GM is Sony aiming to the video mainly.
p.7 #5 · Zony 50mm f/1.4 Planar T* ZA VS Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM
All claims of "flat" vs. "3D" or "pop" are very, very, VERY unconvincing without side-by-side comparison photos made of the same subject from the same spot in the same light. And if the comparison photos only show very subtle barely noticeable differences, that's still very unconvincing.
p.7 #6 · Zony 50mm f/1.4 Planar T* ZA VS Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM
mudlake wrote:
I’ve never thought the 35GM was “flat.” But I also understand everyone sees things a little differently. Do these look flat? They don’t to me.
p.7 #7 · Zony 50mm f/1.4 Planar T* ZA VS Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM
justbenice wrote:
Yup the 35GM was not a bad lens, it have good bokeh and very sharp like your sample pictures. But it flat ! If you shoot a pictures that take a whole body of the model with near background, you will see it very flat when compare with the 35ZA. With the 35ZA, you can see the model and every objects in the background look very 3D, it let you can imaging what objects is in front, what is behind and what is in the middle.
I did own the 35GM for a few months then i move back to the Zeiss 35ZA, with the Zeiss 35ZA i can have pictures like this :
I think the main point of 35GM and 50GM is Sony aiming to the video mainly....Show more →
Very nice pics! Your subjects certainly aren’t flat. 🙂
But I don’t see the 3D you’re talking about in these images. Again, human eyesight can be very different. I think if you would have taken the same images with the 35GM, the difference would be indistinguishable to *my* eyes.
p.7 #8 · Zony 50mm f/1.4 Planar T* ZA VS Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM
I've seen photos in which subjects look glaringly flat like a paper doll cut and pasted but I don't recall the lenses used. I've also seen some really fine examples of which subjects look 3D from members on this site, but I am not convinced that the lens is solely responsible for such effect. In fact, I feel the other components such as lighting, composition and subject play a much bigger role.
I couldn't justify splurging on a 50/1.2gm right now and the Sigma 50/1.2 is at least months away, so I bought a 50/1.4 ZA from a member here. So far I am pretty happy with it.
Here's a pic of one of my cats that looks like he 'pops' to me.
p.7 #9 · Zony 50mm f/1.4 Planar T* ZA VS Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM
mudlake wrote:
Very nice pics! Your subjects certainly aren’t flat. 🙂
But I don’t see the 3D you’re talking about in these images. Again, human eyesight can be very different. I think if you would have taken the same images with the 35GM, the difference would be indistinguishable to *my* eyes.
I have sometime using together 50GM , Zeiss 50F1.4ZA and Zeiss 35F1.4ZA in one shooting session. .Then when i edit the raw file, the Zeiss lens alway have alot of ability to do in shadow and background over the 35GM and 50GM. Those 2 pictures i post in previous pictures are something that the 35GM can't do because the 35GM alway have some dull between the main object and the shadow, i can't make the picture dark but still had clear detail of the shadow but also the main object popup.
I think that is what that Zeiss call "micro contrast" . And as i remember, to have that effect , the lens must have one more addition optic inside.
By the way, the 35GM is a very very good lens, it sharp, bokeh is very good, and the color warm like trendy hobby nowaday.
This is what i shoot with 35gm :
And this is Zeiss 35 together with 50GM in same shooting session :
Zeiss 35F1.4 ZA :
50GM
And for the Zeiss 50 F1.4, it just outstanding in 3D and popup :
By the way, i am now very confuse, my wallet can't let me keep both 50GM and 50ZA , but i don't want to give up either of them.
p.7 #10 · Zony 50mm f/1.4 Planar T* ZA VS Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM
justbenice wrote:
I have sometime using together 50GM , Zeiss 50F1.4ZA and Zeiss 35F1.4ZA in one shooting session. .Then when i edit the raw file, the Zeiss lens alway have alot of ability to do in shadow and background over the 35GM and 50GM. Those 2 pictures i post in previous pictures are something that the 35GM can't do because the 35GM alway have some dull between the main object and the shadow, i can't make the picture dark but still had clear detail of the shadow but also the main object popup.
I think that is what that Zeiss call "micro contrast" . And as i remember, to have that effect , the lens must have one more addition optic inside.
By the way, the 35GM is a very very good lens, it sharp, bokeh is very good, and the color warm like trendy hobby nowaday.
This is what i shoot with 35gm : https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51118284952_5e76cec4f5_b.jpg
And this is Zeiss 35 together with 50GM in same shooting session :
By the way, i am now very confuse, my wallet can't let me keep both 50GM and 50ZA , but i don't want to give up either of them....Show more →
These are great pictures, but again they showcase more differences in light and setup than the lenses themselves ...
I agree though that 35GM seems to have a "deeper" plane of focus, compared to Sigma 35/1.2 at least, which contributes to the degree of 3D / "pop" effect.
p.7 #11 · Zony 50mm f/1.4 Planar T* ZA VS Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM
I don't think it's necessary to convince anyone here.
These are just subjective opinions.
I am of the same opinion. I have the 50mm ZA and have tried the GM for interest. I'm sticking with the ZA.
The GM is (slightly) better, but only minimally. However, my ZA is an excellent copy and I can't find the famous "midzone dip" in landscape shots, even though I sometimes shoot landscape at f1.4.
Anyway, when I compare the GM and the ZA, the GM is better overall. I also find the bokeh of the GM better in comparison.
However, I still just like the pictures of the ZA better. I bought the ZA because I could see all over the internet this incredible 3D effect that makes the lens unique. I see this effect in my pictures as well. With the GM, I see the effect less strongly.
I see no need to prove my opinion. The more photographers buy the GM, the more unique the pictures will be with the ZA (I think )
Sometimes a technical comparison just doesn't tell the whole story. The 50mm ZA is a unique lens in my view. If you can't see that, spend twice as much money and buy the GM
(Moreover, some extremely good photographers think they prefer the ZA. I tend to take those opinions seriously because the pictures are so convincing).
p.7 #12 · Zony 50mm f/1.4 Planar T* ZA VS Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM
This is actually pretty funny and shows how subjective this whole topic is. The photo above is (for me ) a perfect example where the GM would produce an even more striking picture.
p.7 #13 · Zony 50mm f/1.4 Planar T* ZA VS Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Absolutely, it's a matter of taste for sure.
Technically, I think the GM is better, no question.
But I've tested both and I just like the pictures with the ZA better.
I am absolutely convinced that a picture with the GM (regarding my example above) would never look so three-dimensional.
It's hard to describe, but I often have the feeling with images of the ZA as if the subject was pasted into the image. But that only works if you keep the perfect distance from the subject (not too close and not too far away).
I notice this both when I look at my own pictures and when I look at photos on the Internet, whether here at FM or at Flickr or in European photo forums....
I don't know of any examples where the GM similarly draws so extremely three-dimensional, with the ZA I know of hundreds.
But that's just my opinion. Maybe it's just my eyes or my brain . But the 50mm ZA is the lens I will never sell.
Don't get me wrong, the GM is a great lens and I would buy it again in a heartbeat if the ZA didn't exist. In my old Canon days, I dreamed of a lens like this. (The old EF 50mm 1.2 wasn't sharp enough for me and the misfocus was too severe).
p.7 #14 · Zony 50mm f/1.4 Planar T* ZA VS Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM
I totaly agree about the 50GM is good overrall len. It have everything but just lack of the three-dimensional effect of the pictures.
If we shoot the picture as F1.4 or F1.2 then the 50GM is the winner because it had a very good blur bokeh together with extreme sharp main object . But after 2 year of photography, i really don't want to shoot pictures as less than F2.2 anymore. I want a clear detail of the backgrounds in good layout, so nowaday i usally taking a pic at F2.2 to F2.8 , And at this focal distance , the Zeiss 50mm or even a Zeiss 35mm is a winner, those Zeiss lens give me a very 3D good smooth details of background but also the main object are popup.
That why in my previous post, i said if we shoot the model in close background with 35gm and 50gm, we will have a picture with a mess of main object and objects in the background, and peoples call that mess up is "flat".
p.7 #15 · Zony 50mm f/1.4 Planar T* ZA VS Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM
justbenice wrote:
I totaly agree about the 50GM is good overrall len. It have everything but just lack of the three-dimensional effect of the pictures.
If we shoot the picture as F1.4 or F1.2 then the 50GM is the winner because it had a very good blur bokeh together with extreme sharp main object . But after 2 year of photography, i really don't want to shoot pictures as less than F2.2 anymore. I want a clear detail of the backgrounds in good layout, so nowaday i usally taking a pic at F2.2 to F2.8 , And at this focal distance , the Zeiss 50mm or even a Zeiss 35mm is a winner, those Zeiss lens give me a very 3D good smooth details of background but also the main object are popup.
That why in my previous post, i said if we shoot the model in close background with 35gm and 50gm, we will have a picture with a mess of main object and objects in the background, and peoples call that mess up is "flat". ...Show more →
p.7 #18 · Zony 50mm f/1.4 Planar T* ZA VS Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Just saying that this is a fresh discussion of lens characteristics where the discourse does not follow what the manufacturer has intended with their marketing. Most of the GM related discussions you'll just find people validating what the marketing has already taught them (superb bokeh rendition, edge-to-egde sharpness, no CA, etc.). This discussion is a bit different as there are people forming their own opinions based on their experiences. In some ways I've got tired of all the lens characteristic discussion because most of them are just about the 'latest-and-greatest' without any genuine insights (for example, why is that the newest lenses are always the ones that have the best characteristics - I thought it was about aesthetics). But as I said, this discussion is bit different and has definitely caught my attention. Following.
p.7 #19 · Zony 50mm f/1.4 Planar T* ZA VS Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM
Kalainen wrote:
Just saying that this is a fresh discussion of lens characteristics where the discourse does not follow what the manufacturer has intended with their marketing. Most of the GM related discussions you'll just find people validating what the marketing has already taught them (superb bokeh rendition, edge-to-egde sharpness, no CA, etc.). This discussion is a bit different as there are people forming their own opinions based on their experiences. In some ways I've got tired of all the lens characteristic discussion because most of them are just about the 'latest-and-greatest' without any genuine insights (for example, why is that the newest lenses are always the ones that have the best characteristics - I thought it was about aesthetics). But as I said, this discussion is bit different and has definitely caught my attention. Following. ...Show more →
Agree.
I have the 35 GM and I love it but it really doesn't have the endearing qualities of the 35 1.4 ZA.
(Yes the GM is sharper wide open)
This conversation suggests that the same might be true for the 50s.
...
