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Archive 2022 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

darrenhaken
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

I currently own the 35mm GM and the Sigma 85mm DG DN but I'm attracted to the idea of a compact ~50mm ish prime lens.

I've owned a 35mm, 50mm and 85mm in the past and sometimes carry a 50mm to 'split the difference' between the other two and exclusively carry a single lens. It would be common for me to carry a 35mm on its own or pair it with the 85mm.

As per the title, I've narrowed it down to the three above.

I am tempted by the compact 50mm G 2.5 but I don't know if the Zeiss would be a better choice to get the wider aperture - would the bokeh be noticeably nicer with the 1.8 lenses? Alternatively, I could explore the Sigma 65mm as it's had some cracking reviews but it's also a strange focal length and I'm not sure how to respond to that.

Can anyone offer any advice?

Jun 24, 2022 at 08:58 AM

jstrawman
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1735900/1

Jun 24, 2022 at 09:15 AM

QuietOC
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

The Sigma is by far the best. I would not call it compact--it is larger than my 100mm F2 primes.

The Sony compact G lenses have mediocre bokeh quality.

Jun 24, 2022 at 09:33 AM

aCuria
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

If your only lenses are the 35 + 85….

You will be better served by an ultra-wide like the 14GM or 14-24/2.8

Or a telephoto like the 100-400, 135GM, …

You may be interested in this video, which talks about 35GM + crop vs 50GM.

https://youtu.be/vD2A0EMIjqg

Jun 24, 2022 at 09:52 AM

darrenhaken
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

Hey, I have a 16-35GM and Tamron 70-180 as well.

Jun 24, 2022 at 10:57 AM

darrenhaken
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

QuietOC wrote:
The Sigma is by far the best. I would not call it compact--it is larger than my 100mm F2 primes.

The Sony compact G lenses have mediocre bokeh quality.

So you find the Sigma 65mm the best out of the options?

What about the 50G vs Zeiss 55mm?

Jun 24, 2022 at 10:58 AM

QuietOC
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

darrenhaken wrote:
So you find the Sigma 65mm the best out of the options?

What about the 50G vs Zeiss 55mm?

The Sigma 65 is the best lens I've used period.

I haven't used the 50 G--haven't seen anything interesting with it. I have the other two compact G's. The 55 ZA is ok--purple fringing is the biggest downside compared to the Sigma. I posted a comparison in the other thread that's been linked above.

Jun 24, 2022 at 11:16 AM

darrenhaken
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

QuietOC wrote:
The Sigma 65 is the best lens I've used period.

I haven't used the 50 G--haven't seen anything interesting with it. I have the other two compact G's. The 55 ZA is ok--purple fringing is the biggest downside compared to the Sigma. I posted a comparison in the other thread that's been linked above.

What other lenses do you pair the 65mm with? Can it work as a "walk around focal length" like a 50mm?

So you have the 24mm G and 40mm G? If so, what do you think?

Would your recommendation be the 65mm then?

Jun 24, 2022 at 12:42 PM

Hodie
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

Another vote for the Sigma 65. I've had the 55 1.8 but it's old (not that "old" means "bad"), then owned the 65, which outperforms it in every category but for the aperture, which IMO is negligible.

I can't comment on the 50 G, but I would lean towards the 65 because of the brighter aperture.

Jun 24, 2022 at 01:01 PM

Dave Sanders
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

I'm finding it really hard not to buy the 65; the only other lens I'm considering is the 85 Art, because everyone keeps posting awesome samples from that lens. You have already succumbed to the allure of the Art...

...so, of the lenses listed, I'd definitely go Sigma 65. If you wanted something quite different, the Sigma 45 is gorgeous, if somewhat limited by aperture and focus inconsistency.

Jun 24, 2022 at 01:23 PM

darrenhaken
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

Dave Sanders wrote:
I'm finding it really hard not to buy the 65; the only other lens I'm considering is the 85 Art, because everyone keeps posting awesome samples from that lens. You have already succumbed to the allure of the Art...

...so, of the lenses listed, I'd definitely go Sigma 65. If you wanted something quite different, the Sigma 45 is gorgeous, if somewhat limited by aperture and focus inconsistency.
Do you think the 65mm would work as a "general" lens as it's 15mm longer than the 50mm classic focal length?

I love the 85 Art, it's really become one of my favourites

Jun 24, 2022 at 01:51 PM

darrenhaken
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

Hodie wrote:
Another vote for the Sigma 65. I've had the 55 1.8 but it's old (not that "old" means "bad"), then owned the 65, which outperforms it in every category but for the aperture, which IMO is negligible.

I can't comment on the 50 G, but I would lean towards the 65 because of the brighter aperture.
Do you think 65mm works like a general lens would be - what the 50mm is notorious for.

Jun 24, 2022 at 01:55 PM

Steve Spencer
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

darrenhaken wrote:
What other lenses do you pair the 65mm with? Can it work as a "walk around focal length" like a 50mm?

So you have the 24mm G and 40mm G? If so, what do you think?

Would your recommendation be the 65mm then?

I think many people would pair the 65 with either a 35mm or a 40mm and the 35 or 40 would be the walk around lens. Many consider 35mm to be the most classic walk around lens, but there are no rules of course. Personally I like a bit longer lens as my walk around lens, so would have no problem using a 65mm as my walk around lens.

Jun 24, 2022 at 01:57 PM

QuietOC
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

darrenhaken wrote:
What other lenses do you pair the 65mm with? Can it work as a "walk around focal length" like a 50mm?

So you have the 24mm G and 40mm G? If so, what do you think?

Would your recommendation be the 65mm then?

The only lens I've brought with the 65mm anywhere was the Tamron 70-300 RXD. I don't bring multiple lenses with me very often. I generally regret it when I do. I didn't regret bringing the 65.

The 40 G is the best 40mm I've had so far. I could skip it with the Sigma 35/2 and 45/2.8.

If you are interested in a 65mm focal length, yes, recommended.

Jun 24, 2022 at 02:01 PM

darrenhaken
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

QuietOC wrote:
The only lens I've brought with the 65mm anywhere was the Tamron 70-300 RXD. I don't bring multiple lenses with me very often. I generally regret it when I do. I didn't regret bringing the 65.

The 40 G is the best 40mm I've had so far. I could skip it with the Sigma 35/2 and 45/2.8.

If you are interested in a 65mm focal length, yes, recommended.
Do you prefer the 40G over the 50G? What do you like about the 40G?

So you pair your 40 with the 65mm or just use the 65mm on its own?

Really helpful insight!

Jun 24, 2022 at 02:09 PM

DaveFP
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

I'd have no use for a 65 even if it was the bestest lens in the world.

Neither here nor there to my eye.

Not as usable as a 50 and unable to match the compelling qualities of a good 85.

Jun 24, 2022 at 02:19 PM

grahamgibson
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

As mentioned earlier, cropping the 35/1.4 can be equivalent to a 50/2 (a ~1.4x crop), so I don't know that you're adding much with the 50G or 55.

Maybe it's not on your radar because it's manual focus, but perhaps the Voigtlander 50/1.2 would be an interesting lens to consider. It's compact for f1.2 and would offer a completely different shooting experience from those lenses you already own.

Jun 24, 2022 at 02:21 PM

QuietOC
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

DaveFP wrote:
I'd have no use for a 65 even if it was the bestest lens in the world.

Neither here nor there to my eye.

Not as usable as a 50 and unable to match the compelling qualities of a good 85.

I feel that way about 85mm. 65mm is a vastly more useful focal length. I also quite liked 58mm and 60mm lenses.

darrenhaken wrote:
Do you prefer the 40G over the 50G? What do you like about the 40G?

So you pair your 40 with the 65mm or just use the 65mm on its own?

Really helpful insight!
I have very little interest in the 50 G. The 40 G is ok. I like the ergonomics of the hood--it may be ugly, but it makes the lens handle better.

Edited on Jun 24, 2022 at 02:39 PM · View previous versions

Jun 24, 2022 at 02:22 PM

Dave Sanders
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

darrenhaken wrote:
Do you think the 65mm would work as a "general" lens as it's 15mm longer than the 50mm classic focal length?

I love the 85 Art, it's really become one of my favourites

I think it comes down to personal preference. I do indeed love a good 50mm, but I tend to 'see' more in telephoto, and frequently head out with an 85mm as my general walkaround lens. So, for me, the added 15mm is a boon, so 65mm would work. It might not for you, however.

Dave

Jun 24, 2022 at 02:28 PM

darrenhaken
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

grahamgibson wrote:
As mentioned earlier, cropping the 35/1.4 can be equivalent to a 50/2 (a ~1.4x crop), so I don't know that you're adding much with the 50G or 55.

Maybe it's not on your radar because it's manual focus, but perhaps the Voigtlander 50/1.2 would be an interesting lens to consider. It's compact for f1.2 and would offer a completely different shooting experience from those lenses you already own.

I "only" have the a7iv so not a megapixel monster like the R series. Do you still think the crop is viable?

Jun 24, 2022 at 02:29 PM

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