fa0025 wrote:
I'm trying to move to Sony. What are the good ~50mm options for Sony? I know the 50mm 1.2GM. But it's overkilled (I meant the price ). Any good 1.4 or good quality 1.8? This lens will be for human photography.
Appreciate any inputs.
Used 55 1.8 then sigma 45 2.8.
you can get both used for reasonable price, 350-450 euros where i am
I pref by a large margin sigma UX (aperture ring, size/weight) and rendering.
AFC is not useable.
2.8 is totally fine for family portrait/ casual life.
less blur gives more context so its fine
I keep my 55 for my moving kid later (not walking yet) to use it AFC mode.
I would have sell it otherwise.
Tack sharp and zippy AF.
bokey is meh sometimes, if you actually pay attention.
Grenache wrote:
Good list from Gunzorro above. Only caveat on the ZE50 is if you go that route, consider the Nikon mount instead, as the lens has significant focus shift and needs to be stopped down for focusing. The external aperture ring on the ZF.2 Nikon version of the same lens makes that easy.
With the GM out, the sonyZeiss 50/1.4 ZA used is fairly inexpensive, and it is a fabulous lens…it’s AF is just not the fastest. The bokeh of the Sony 50 ZA is better than the Sony 55/1.8, but the 55 has more crispness and 3D character. The Sigma Art 50 is also a lovely lens, all three are slower on AF.
In MF realm, it is still very hard to beat the Minolta 58/1.2 Rokkor PG for quality, but the Loxia 50 is excellent and automatically triggers zooming of the EVF when focusing. In the $1000-1200 range, the Leica M 50/2 v4 is fantastic, as are the Voigtlander options.
Yes, I believe the GM blows these alternates away, but it does so at a very high price tag. If that is close to perfection, you can still buy ‘really awesome’ others at fractions of the GM price - no shortage of choices…
I was simply trying to recommend budget-friendly lenses with high image quality. Your suggestion is an excellent one, and just into the next price tier, but still moderately priced when purchased used.
I wanted to mention regarding the Zeiss ZE 50/1.4: My first attempt with it was pre-Sony use, on the Canon 5D2 and 1Ds3 about 10 years ago. That attempt was a complete disaster -- as you mentioned, it was terribly prone to focus shift, something like focusing at six feet at ten feet focusing scale. My latest purchase was only a few years ago, and it works fantastic on Canon R via EF-RF adapter, and Sony a7R2 and a7R4 via Sigma MC-11. I expect it will work fine on my old 1Ds3 and 5DsR -- I should check and see! But I feel the lens has a new life on the mirrorless platforms (which is weird, as it focuses with lens wide open, before stopping down for exposure).
I hope the OP can see there are very many terrific and high quality affordable option on the used market.
Personally I think the Sony 55/1.8 is a real classic. small, light and one of the original lenses that goes with the whole ethos of the system. It's the nearest thing in the Sony system to the Summilux 50/1.4 I used to have in my Leica days
chiron wrote:
Sony is rich in 50mm or near 50mm options. Make sure you check out the used prices in the buy-sell forum here on FM.
The 50/1.8 is inexpensive, creates very nice-looking images, good central sharpness wide open but weaker on the edges, focuses a little slowly. Good for people pictures, portraits, except if you need to focus very fast.
The 55/1.8 is moderately priced, extremely sharp, focuses quickly, small and light, one of the lenses that first established Sony. Some say its rendering is too neutral for their taste, but its neutral rendering is perfectly fine and not at all quirky. I think of it as an excellent lens for documentary-style images of people.
The 50/1.4 ZA is a fabulous lens that creates images with a very lovely look. It is a bit long though not really heavy. Wonderful lens, more expensive than the 55/1.8. Make sure you get a decently centered copy.
The 50/1.2 GM is a beautiful lens, perhaps the best 50mm lenses made by anyone. Pricey, as you know. The 50/1.4 ZA delivers performance that is in the same ballpark for less money.
One can also look at the 50mm lenses made for Sony FE by other makers--Sigma, Samyang, and if you don't want AF, then Voigtlander and Loxia. There are also some wonderful lenses in the near-50mm category--the Batis 40mm, a couple of Sigma lenses, the inexpensive but competent Samyang 45/1.8, the superb Sigma 45/2.8.
If you are looking to keep the budget reasonable, I personally would look for a Sony 55/1.8 or a Sony 50/1.4ZA. Look for sample images to help you choose.
Have fun. There is enough here to keep you confused for months! ...Show more →
scalanc2 wrote:
Which are your priorities?
Sharpness?
Bokeh?
CA correction?
Light falloff?
Weight/Dimensions?
Price?
Then a logical answer can be provided.
I'm trying to say sharpness and bokeh. And maybe price? Then I start to think about my old Nikon 50 1.8D which served me well. Compared with the creation of photo, the lens doesn't really matter.
Back to the list, I'd rank:
Bokeh (depth of field when needed)
Sharpness
Flare
Price.
Do you mean you want flare or you want flare resistance? Some photographers actively seek lenses that flare in interesting ways; others want to avoid it.
My current favorite 50 is the Canon 50mm/1.4 LTM, an old lens from the late 1950s and 60s that is easily adapted to Sony e-mount, has sharpness rivaling that of many modern lenses, beautiful rendering, and gorgeous ring flares when shooting into a light source.
bjhurley wrote:
Do you mean you want flare or you want flare resistance? Some photographers actively seek lenses that flare in interesting ways; others want to avoid it.
My current favorite 50 is the Canon 50mm/1.4 LTM, an old lens from the late 1950s and 60s that is easily adapted to Sony e-mount, has sharpness rivaling that of many modern lenses, beautiful rendering, and gorgeous ring flares when shooting into a light source.
Haha, flare resistance. It can be added in post but will be hard to remove.
Viramati wrote:
Personally I think the Sony 55/1.8 is a real classic. small, light and one of the original lenses that goes with the whole ethos of the system. It's the nearest thing in the Sony system to the Summilux 50/1.4 I used to have in my Leica days
Thank you Viramati, I agree.
I have both lenses, the 55/1.8 ZA and the Summilux 50/1.4 ASPH.
IIRC at the time there was an intense discussion on LUF comparing those lenses on Sony bodies.
Some Leica aficionados jumped ship to Sony as they judged the 55/1.8 ZA to give better IQ than the Summilux.
In addition to the 55/1.8 ZA I now also have the FE 50/1.2 GM.
Both are terrific lenses that I use a lot. Both give sharp images.
If cost or weight is a consideration the 55/1.8 ZA wins.
With your list it looks a lot like the 50GM, since you put price last
fa0025 wrote:
I'm trying to say sharpness and bokeh. And maybe price? Then I start to think about my old Nikon 50 1.8D which served me well. Compared with the creation of photo, the lens doesn't really matter.
Back to the list, I'd rank:
Bokeh (depth of field when needed)
Sharpness
Flare
Price.
I know the 50/1.2 GM seems big and expensive, but if you look at the Canon RF 50/1.2, it is 172 g heavier, noisier and slower focus, and $300 more expensive. And let's not get started on the Nikon 50/1.2 - it is much bigger, 312 g heavier and $100 more expensive.
If you want small and light, the 55/1.8 is the way to go, but I prefer a pure 50mm over a 55mm. The Sony/Zeiss 50/1.4 produces great files IMO, but it is also big and heavy.
Another vote for the 55/1.8. It’s light, unintimidating, and delivers some great portraits. It ends up in my bag or on my camera far more often than the Samyang 45, which though lighter and smaller somehow feels less reliable.
I too looked at the options for a 50mm f1.4 and settled on the 55/1.8. I felt the 50mm GM was too bulky. If Sony would make a 50mm f1.4 in the size of the 35mm f1.4, I would be all over it!
Atlasman2 wrote:
I too looked at the options for a 50mm f1.4 and settled on the 55/1.8. I felt the 50mm GM was too bulky. If Sony would make a 50mm f1.4 in the size of the 35mm f1.4, I would be all over it!
I agree the 55mm 1.8 is so under rated. Sad to see it selling in the low to mid $500 price range. It's an amazing lens. I love mine.
k-h.a.w wrote:
Thank you Viramati, I agree.
I have both lenses, the 55/1.8 ZA and the Summilux 50/1.4 ASPH.
IIRC at the time there was an intense discussion on LUF comparing those lenses on Sony bodies.
Some Leica aficionados jumped ship to Sony as they judged the 55/1.8 ZA to give better IQ than the Summilux.
In addition to the 55/1.8 ZA I now also have the FE 50/1.2 GM.
Both are terrific lenses that I use a lot. Both give sharp images.
If cost or weight is a consideration the 55/1.8 ZA wins.
Agree. I have the Samyang 45mm which is tiny and cheap and not bad. Pre-ordered the 50mm version 2 because I assume it’s going to be better than v1 and $674 for an AF 50mm 1.4 is too cheap not to try.
j4nu wrote:
IMHO, the new Samyang/Rokinon 50/1.4 will be the best bang for buck (for f/1.4) in the foreseeable future... but better to wait for some actual reviews to be sure (Dustin Abbott said he is reviewing one right now).
For a bit slower option, Samyang 45 is nice as an all-around lens, but its MFD, onion rings and cats eyes are something to keep in mind.
If money not an object, 50GM of course
As I live in the real world, I was so looking forward to the new Samyang 50/1.4 but it looks to be a disappointment. So I've ordered a Sigma 65i which gets stellar reviews across the board. A little longer than the 50mm FL I wanted but lots of reviewers say it's still nice as a 'long 50'.
ps - I think Sigma must be breathing a sigh of relief, their surely upcoming 50/1.4 DG DN still has a real hole to fill
). Any good 1.4 or good quality 1.8? This lens will be for human photography.
but hitrate on my toddlers is so-so