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

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

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

I'd love to hear a cogent argument as to why a 65 is "a vastly more useful focal length" when it is used for purposes traditionally associated with an 85.

None of the 85s lovely compression and too long (in most hands) to serve as a true walk around lens.

No man's land in my opinion but to each their own of course.

Jun 24, 2022 at 02:40 PM

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

65 is a nice focal length if you have a 35/135 as it fits that gap nicely. I was actually able to give up the 85 with that combo as the 135 took the 85s place. Just something you have to get a taste for. It’s a really nice lens. I just got the 50g 2.5 really small and light but sharp as heck. Bokeh is okay with it not like a 1.4. Options the more the merrier. No rules just guidance

Jun 24, 2022 at 02:47 PM

chiron
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p.2 #3 · p.2 #3 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

darrenhaken wrote:
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...Show more →

Purely on optical and rendering grounds, I would say the 65mm is the best. But the 55mm is also a fine lens, smaller and lighter, quite sharp, renders decently with some slight fringing as its only downside. Also, the 55mm has really excellent--quick and accurate--autofocus, and the Sigma 65mm is a step behind. I think the two lenses (both of which I have) are close enough in quality to choose based on which focal length appeals to you more for your intended use and how important fast AF is for you. The compact 50/2.5 has size going for it, but its rendering is unappealing to many. It comes in third for me.

Jun 24, 2022 at 02:51 PM

darrenhaken
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p.2 #4 · p.2 #4 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

GMPhotography wrote:
65 is a nice focal length if you have a 35/135 as it fits that gap nicely. I was actually able to give up the 85 with that combo as the 135 took the 85s place. Just something you have to get a taste for. It’s a really nice lens. I just got the 50g 2.5 really small and light but sharp as heck. Bokeh is okay with it not like a 1.4. Options the more the merrier. No rules just guidance
Is that a vote for the 50g then?

Jun 24, 2022 at 02:56 PM

darrenhaken
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p.2 #5 · p.2 #5 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

chiron wrote:
Purely on optical and rendering grounds, I would say the 65mm is the best. But the 55mm is also a fine lens, smaller and lighter, quite sharp, renders decently with some slight fringing as its only downside. Also, the 55mm has really excellent--quick and accurate--autofocus, and the Sigma 65mm is a step behind. I think the two lenses (both of which I have) are close enough in quality to choose based on which focal length appeals to you more for your intended use and how important fast AF is for you. The compact 50/2.5 has size going for it, but...Show more →
What would come 1st for you (if the G is third)?

The 65mm appeals for the aperture ring and I'm sure it's nice for indoor portraits. Maybe too tight to be as versatile as a 50mm though...

Jun 24, 2022 at 02:57 PM

mudlake
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p.2 #6 · p.2 #6 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

I’d get the 50G for a pure “walk around” in between lens. The 65mm is too close to 85 for me. Here is a comparison of the fields of view for 35, 50, 65, and 85mm. There’s quite a big difference between 35 and 50. Here’s the link to the website so you can plug in your own focal lengths for comparison:

https://vahonen.info/FOV/

Jun 24, 2022 at 03:18 PM

GMPhotography
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p.2 #7 · p.2 #7 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

darrenhaken wrote:
Is that a vote for the 50g then?

Kind of. Small and light it’s my 1st choice. Not a fan of the 55 at all. Rendering the 65 out of the three. I grabbed the PZ 16-35 than the 50mm and 24g today. With the A7c be a nice travel package.

My vote for you the 65. Try it you may love it

Jun 24, 2022 at 03:31 PM

darrenhaken
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p.2 #8 · p.2 #8 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

GMPhotography wrote:
Kind of. Small and light it’s my 1st choice. Not a fan of the 55 at all. Rendering the 65 out of the three. I grabbed the PZ 16-35 than the 50mm and 24g today. With the A7c be a nice travel package.

My vote for you the 65. Try it you may love it
Is that the 50mm G?
I am tempted by the 65mm I just can't work out if it's a solo lens or not.

Why aren't you a fan of the 55?

Jun 24, 2022 at 03:55 PM

GMPhotography
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p.2 #9 · p.2 #9 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

55 has bad bokeh and lots of CA. Feels like junk too

Yes the 50 G 2.5 now it’s not a bokeh type lens but it’s darn good otherwise

Jun 24, 2022 at 04:23 PM

grahamgibson
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p.2 #10 · p.2 #10 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

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

I use the A7IV also and frequently make 1.5x to 2x crops, but whether that is viable or not depends on what your own uses are. At 1.5x crop, you still have 14MP files, and 2x leaves you with 8MP.

Jun 24, 2022 at 04:36 PM

newdom
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p.2 #11 · p.2 #11 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

Well there is no 'best' lens as it's subjective and everyone has different requirements, but of course it's the Sigma 65

Outstanding lens - super sharp, beautiful bokeh/rendering, superb build quality, great ergonomics, almost APO level of CA control. AF is excellent for a stepper. I personally use it as a narrow 50/55 lens and pair it with a 35 - it's a nicer pairing than a 50.

The 50G has size and weight going for it for sure. I loved the look of the lens but personally hated the ergonomics - the aperture ring was forever turning from A to a narrow aperture getting it out of the bag and the button is way too small (as is the aperture ring). Bokeh is meh. And it's overpriced. Would pair beautifully with an A7C as a walkabout/handbag package.

Didn't like the 55 at all.

Jun 24, 2022 at 05:06 PM

chiron
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p.2 #12 · p.2 #12 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

darrenhaken wrote:
What would come 1st for you (if the G is third)?

The 65mm appeals for the aperture ring and I'm sure it's nice for indoor portraits. Maybe too tight to be as versatile as a 50mm though...

I think that the 65 is generally not as versatile as a 50/55 would be. I've had the 55 for a long time and I used to use it a lot. Philip_pj, who is very discerning about lenses, seems to use it often, especially for portraits. The 65 is more recently acquired in my enthusiasm for the i series lenses. It is optically very good. But I still haven't used it much. If I take it out I tend to feel that I am committing myself to medium-framed portraits. As to which I prefer, I am not ready to give up either one, which is why I wind up with too many lenses. The aperture ring to me is almost a negative. I control aperture from the camera in order to have a consistent interface--there are a lot of excellent lenses without an aperture ring. Those i have with an aperture ring regularly get knocked out of the automatic setting onto f/22 and screw up a shot! I have a couple of series of black frames accidentally shot at f/22 from my recent trip (I was using the Sigma 45/2.8 which has an aperture ring like the 65mm).

Edited on Jun 24, 2022 at 07:23 PM · View previous versions

Jun 24, 2022 at 05:26 PM

SNJOps
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p.2 #13 · p.2 #13 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

For a walk around/street lens the 55mm f1.8 is an excellent choice though it isn’t perfect as I mentioned in the FB version of this post ☺️

Below is a shot I took last year with my A7RIV + 55mm f1.8

Jun 24, 2022 at 05:54 PM

zugzwang2
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p.2 #14 · p.2 #14 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

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

Well, all right then--but I feel compelled to mention a fourth option. The ever-reliable SAR indicated that Sigma will soon release a 50mm f/2 lens in it's contemporary series, perhaps a scaled-down version of the popular 65. That might interest you.

FWIW, I've used the Zony 55 for several years. I think it is a good lens. Fred showed that it is comparable to the excellent CV 50mm APO-Lanthar for landscapes, and the 55's optical flaws don't bother me since I rarely use the lens wider than about f/3.2-3.5. I'm planning to sell it, though, because I prefer to use manual focus lenses and the CV 50 suits me so well, but I might eventually be tempted by the Sigma 50 (if it's real) for family use on holidays. (However, I just purchased a little Ricoh GR IIIx with its 40mm-e lens, so if it works out I might decide that I don't really need an autofocus lens in my Sony kit at all.)

Jun 24, 2022 at 05:58 PM

scrappydog
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p.2 #15 · p.2 #15 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

darrenhaken wrote:
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...Show more →

I haven't shot those lenses, so I cannot answer your question about which lens. What I can offer is that 65mm is a nice pairing with 35mm. I think it is a better focal length pairing with 35mm than 50mm or 85mm, as 50mm seems too close and 85mm seems too far away.

My landscape kit is 14-24, 35, 65, 180 and it is perfect. I generally shoot 35 as my walk-around focal length. I plan to get the Sigma 65mm at some point to complement it, as I use my Voigtlander 65 APO for landscape only.

Jun 24, 2022 at 06:13 PM

Younjulius
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p.2 #16 · p.2 #16 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

I’m on a similar boat and I’m leaning towards Voigtlander 50mm APO to shake things up from usual Sony lenses that I own. A manual lens is kind a scary but if I slow down and take time, it could be okay, I think.

Jun 24, 2022 at 07:55 PM

wordfool
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p.2 #17 · p.2 #17 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

I love the 55/1.8. It's a compact, sharp lens with nice Zeiss-y contrast and fast enough AF for general street photography. Yes, it has its flaws, including the fringing already mentioned and the a downside to the Zeiss-y contrast -- contrasty bokeh that can look a little nervous at times. But there's just something about its size, simplicity, and rendering that makes me happy. It was the first lens I bought when I switched from Canon to Sony and it'll probably be the last I sell.

I have the 35mm GM, plan to get the Sigma 85mm Art, and to me a 55mm makes more sense as an in-betweener lens than 65mm would.

Jun 24, 2022 at 11:25 PM

Hodie
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p.2 #18 · p.2 #18 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

I could make it work. But only you can answer for yourself. Good luck!

darrenhaken wrote:
Do you think 65mm works like a general lens would be - what the 50mm is notorious for.

Jun 25, 2022 at 12:08 AM

darrenhaken
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p.2 #19 · p.2 #19 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

It sounds like the lens with the least amount of love in this thread is the 50G, is that right!?

Fyi I can pick one of these up for a reasonable price on the used market

Jun 25, 2022 at 12:13 AM

jaybr
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p.2 #20 · p.2 #20 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

wordfool wrote:
I love the 55/1.8. It's a compact, sharp lens with nice Zeiss-y contrast and fast enough AF for general street photography. Yes, it has its flaws, including the fringing already mentioned and the a downside to the Zeiss-y contrast -- contrasty bokeh that can look a little nervous at times. But there's just something about its size, simplicity, and rendering that makes me happy. It was the first lens I bought when I switched from Canon to Sony and it'll probably be the last I sell.

I have the 35mm GM, plan to get the Sigma 85mm Art, and to...Show more →

Yeah, agreed.
Saying the 55 feels like “junk” is a bit disingenuous (especially when comparing it to the 50 G). I repurchased the 55 again a couple of years ago because it is a great balance of performance and size. LoCa and occasionally noticeable onion ring bokeh are its weakness, but almost every compact prime has weaknesses.

I use the Zony 55 with the Voigtlander FE 21mm f3.5 as a great compact street shooting combo.

J

Jun 25, 2022 at 12:17 AM

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