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Archive 2022 · Sony FE 55mm 1.8 ZA vs Sigma 65mm f2 DG DN

tuomkok
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p.2 #1 · p.2 #1 · Sony FE 55mm 1.8 ZA vs Sigma 65mm f2 DG DN

How does Sigma 65 auto focus compared to 55mm/1.8?

I have and use the 55mm but ca is a problem especially at wintertime with high contrast edges to white snow. Also an aperture ring would be nice. Even though the 55mm is overall quite nice lens that produces pleasing results, both in portrait and landscape type photography, I would trade it for 50mm/1.4 G if such lens would be available. (Listen to me Sony?!)

As a set of lenses Sony has a nice f/1.8 trio with 35mm, 55mm and 85mm. These lenses are not perfect but they are usually good enough for the job, and offer value for the money (55mm being the worst in this regard). Add 20mm/1.8 if you want to go wide!

Jan 04, 2022 at 12:30 AM

freaklikeme
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p.2 #2 · p.2 #2 · Sony FE 55mm 1.8 ZA vs Sigma 65mm f2 DG DN

Another vote for the 65i, not just because it's optically superior. I like the 35-65 gap. They're handy focal lengths, easy to use indoors and out.

Jan 04, 2022 at 12:47 AM

jaybr
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p.2 #3 · p.2 #3 · Sony FE 55mm 1.8 ZA vs Sigma 65mm f2 DG DN

tuomkok wrote:
How does Sigma 65 auto focus compared to 55mm/1.8?

I have and use the 55mm but ca is a problem especially at wintertime with high contrast edges to white snow. Also an aperture ring would be nice. Even though the 55mm is overall quite nice lens that produces pleasing results, both in portrait and landscape type photography, I would trade it for 50mm/1.4 G if such lens would be available. (Listen to me Sony?!)

As a set of lenses Sony has a nice f/1.8 trio with 35mm, 55mm and 85mm. These lenses are not perfect but they are usually good enough...Show more →

“I have and use the 55mm but ca is a problem especially at wintertime with high contrast edges to white snow”

That’s interesting, can you post some samples that show this problem vs samples of the Sigma 65?

J

Jan 04, 2022 at 01:31 AM

scrappydog
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p.2 #4 · p.2 #4 · Sony FE 55mm 1.8 ZA vs Sigma 65mm f2 DG DN

DaveFP wrote:
The most informative sentence in the thread.

Hopefully the OP reads it and understands it.

You'll never find a 65mm in my armamentarium; no matter how good it is.

Neither fish nor fowl in my hands. No room in the bag for such a thing.

Even the 55 is a tad long for what I want from a "fifty".

My loss as the system would appear to have two great 65s.

I disliked the FL of my Voigtlander 65/2 APO for a couple years, and then the lens grew on me. Now, it is my favorite lens after my 35/1.4 ZM. Never say never.

Jan 04, 2022 at 01:26 PM

DaveFP
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p.2 #5 · p.2 #5 · Sony FE 55mm 1.8 ZA vs Sigma 65mm f2 DG DN

scrappydog wrote:
I disliked the FL of my Voigtlander 65/2 APO for a couple years, and then the lens grew on me. Now, it is my favorite lens after my 35/1.4 ZM. Never say never.

Fair enough. Is it the focal length or the rendering? Both?

I have the 50 APO so I get real close in terms of rendering in a focal length that is easier (for me) to compose with.

Jan 04, 2022 at 01:36 PM

scalanc2
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p.2 #6 · p.2 #6 · Sony FE 55mm 1.8 ZA vs Sigma 65mm f2 DG DN

Today with big mpx camera around 35 can be easily considered a 35-50 and a 65 a 65- 85.
In any case the Sigma 65 is an amazing lens.

Jan 04, 2022 at 01:44 PM

EdwardDye
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p.2 #7 · p.2 #7 · Sony FE 55mm 1.8 ZA vs Sigma 65mm f2 DG DN

Out of the 55 and 65 I would go with the 65, but you should look into the Samyang 75mm f1.8 or the Sony 85mm f1.8, I personally think a 35 85 is a great pair.

Jan 04, 2022 at 02:21 PM

tuomkok
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p.2 #8 · p.2 #8 · Sony FE 55mm 1.8 ZA vs Sigma 65mm f2 DG DN

jaybr wrote:
“I have and use the 55mm but ca is a problem especially at wintertime with high contrast edges to white snow”

That’s interesting, can you post some samples that show this problem vs samples of the Sigma 65?

J

Sorry, I do not have the Sigma. But as often reported, ca is the weak point of 55mm/1.8.

Jan 04, 2022 at 03:01 PM

MARKFER
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p.2 #9 · p.2 #9 · Sony FE 55mm 1.8 ZA vs Sigma 65mm f2 DG DN

I have had both lenses like others. Focal range not much different if you ask me. The 55 has a punchy Zeiss look to it and can pop as well. It's a good lens. The Sigma is special. It is incredibly sharp and doesn't ever seem to come across as clinical. I really like the bokeh on it as well and maybe that's where it beats the 55 in my book.

Jan 04, 2022 at 03:35 PM

jaybr
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p.2 #10 · p.2 #10 · Sony FE 55mm 1.8 ZA vs Sigma 65mm f2 DG DN

tuomkok wrote:
Sorry, I do not have the Sigma. But as often reported, ca is the weak point of 55mm/1.8.

I don’t deny the 55 LoCa is it’s weak point (as is it’s onion ring bokeh), but honestly it’s overstated. I believe most similar compact lenses would struggle “at wintertime with high contrast edges to white snow”. Those lenses may handle LoCa better than the 55, but I doubt they wouldn’t be a problem as well in that scenario.

The only compact lens I’ve seen come close to eliminate LoCa is the excellent Voigtlander 50mm f2 APO, even the great Voigtlander 35mm f2 APO shows noticeable LoCa:

https://phillipreeve.net/blog/voigtlander-35mm-2-0-e-review/

“Well… It is not like the performance is bad, but considering the Apo tag on the lens and taking into account the performance of previous Apo-Lanthar lenses I can’t say I am impressed. The apochromatic correction was one of the main selling points of this series and here I simply don’t see it. What makes things worse: the M-mount sample I received performed even worse in this category, so you should not expect this being the worst sample you might possibly get.
To be perfectly honest, I would have not given this lens the Apo designation and I don’t think it performs visible better than the Sony FE 35mm 1.4 GM which is a full stop faster...”

My point is I believe most similar compact lenses to the Sony 55 would struggle “at wintertime with high contrast edges to white snow”, and I’d be pleasantly surprised if the fine Sigma 65mm f2 didn’t as well.

J

Jan 04, 2022 at 08:46 PM

tsdevine
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p.2 #11 · p.2 #11 · Sony FE 55mm 1.8 ZA vs Sigma 65mm f2 DG DN

If it ever snows here, I can test that theory.

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1625777/52#15129794

I have the CV 35, 50, 65 APOs, FE 55 and Sigma 65.

Jan 04, 2022 at 08:55 PM

scrappydog
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p.2 #12 · p.2 #12 · Sony FE 55mm 1.8 ZA vs Sigma 65mm f2 DG DN

DaveFP wrote:
Fair enough. Is it the focal length or the rendering? Both?

I have the 50 APO so I get real close in terms of rendering in a focal length that is easier (for me) to compose with.

I would say both. The rendering is nothing short of amazing, IMO. It's the best lens I have owned and I have owned a lot of lenses. I just wish it was smaller.

I still haven't gravitated to the 50mm FL. I definitely prefer 35mm. For some odd reason though, I like the 65mm. Maybe my viewpoint is skewed by my appreciation of the 65 APO lens performance.

Jan 05, 2022 at 07:22 AM

WillR
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p.2 #13 · p.2 #13 · Sony FE 55mm 1.8 ZA vs Sigma 65mm f2 DG DN

tsdevine wrote:
If it ever snows here, I can test that theory.

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1625777/52#15129794

I have the CV 35, 50, 65 APOs, FE 55 and Sigma 65.

Well Tim, just come a little further south and you can have your snow. You're welcome to it! But since I do have snow, and the Sigma 65, here's a 100% crop. It's taken at f/2 raw on an A7riv, using basic processing in Capture One with chromatic aberration correction off. There are parts of the image in front of and behind the plane of focus
I don't have the FE 55 anymore so I can't compare

-Will

Jan 05, 2022 at 12:50 PM

tsdevine
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p.2 #14 · p.2 #14 · Sony FE 55mm 1.8 ZA vs Sigma 65mm f2 DG DN

It is a little funny to be too far north for snow, at least with that last storm. There is a small chance on Friday, again though we may be too far north.... You might have more to deal with.

WillR wrote:
Well Tim, just come a little further south and you can have your snow. You're welcome to it! But since I do have snow, and the Sigma 65, here's a 100% crop. It's taken at f/2 raw on an A7riv, using basic processing in Capture One with chromatic aberration correction off. There are parts of the image in front of and behind the plane of focus
I don't have the FE 55 anymore so I can't compare

-Will

Jan 05, 2022 at 12:54 PM

QuietOC
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p.2 #15 · p.2 #15 · Sony FE 55mm 1.8 ZA vs Sigma 65mm f2 DG DN

There was some sun today, so I took a few overexposed samples. Lighting conditions did vary.

Samyang 50mm F1.4 @ F2

Sony FE 55mm F1.8 @ F2

Sigma 65mm F2 @ F2

Samyang 75mm F1.8 @ F2

Minolta 50mm F1.7 @ F2

Samyang 50mm F1.4 @ F2

Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA @ F2

Sigma 65mm F2 @ F2

Samyang 75mm F1.8 @ F2

Minolta 50mm F1.7 @ F2

Jan 07, 2022 at 05:12 PM

keepcoding
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p.2 #16 · p.2 #16 · Sony FE 55mm 1.8 ZA vs Sigma 65mm f2 DG DN

QuietOC wrote:
There was some sun today, so I took a few overexposed samples. Lighting conditions did vary.

Thanks for this. Definitely makes a strong case for the 65i and shows once again the bad LoCA correction of the 55/1.8.

Jan 08, 2022 at 02:01 AM

nandadevieast
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p.2 #17 · p.2 #17 · Sony FE 55mm 1.8 ZA vs Sigma 65mm f2 DG DN

I own 55. It was my first Sony FE lens. I went through a roller coaster ride in the years that followed in terms of buying and selling lenses, but 55 is the only lens that stayed.

Back then, 28 and 55 was the coolest kit you could buy.

Jan 08, 2022 at 02:27 AM

tuomkok
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p.2 #18 · p.2 #18 · Sony FE 55mm 1.8 ZA vs Sigma 65mm f2 DG DN

jaybr wrote:
“I have and use the 55mm but ca is a problem especially at wintertime with high contrast edges to white snow”

That’s interesting, can you post some samples that show this problem vs samples of the Sigma 65?

J

Take a look at the pictures QuietOC posted. They demonstrate the problem quite clearly. I would also say, the further we go into oof areas, the worse the problem gets.

Jan 08, 2022 at 03:09 AM

jaybr
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p.2 #19 · p.2 #19 · Sony FE 55mm 1.8 ZA vs Sigma 65mm f2 DG DN

tuomkok wrote:
Take a look at the pictures QuietOC posted. They demonstrate the problem quite clearly. I would also say, the further we go into oof areas, the worse the problem gets.

Yep, thanks to QuietOC for posting those samples.
The Sigma 65 is noticeably better, excellent in fact 👍

J

Jan 08, 2022 at 10:19 AM

rrrr
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p.2 #20 · p.2 #20 · Sony FE 55mm 1.8 ZA vs Sigma 65mm f2 DG DN

Thanks to everyone for helping me decide b/w the 2 lenses, I decided to go for sigma 65

adding first few shots from a7c+sigma65mm jpeg


	https://www.flickr.com/photos/194660348@N03/51808245067/in/dateposted-public/


	https://www.flickr.com/photos/194660348@N03/51809317528/in/dateposted-public/


	https://www.flickr.com/photos/194660348@N03/51809556324/in/dateposted-public/

Jan 09, 2022 at 02:07 AM

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