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

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

Sony needed a super sharp ~50mm lens to start up the a7 series. They probably figured many would want a lens that would work across most of the aperture range, with a less strong f1.8 performance. Not often mentioned is that it is very easy to turn out high quality work with it, and f2.2-f8 will leave few dissatisfied real world users.

Its faults are overstated by those with little regard for its strengths - different priorities exist. At 280g, it's not too onerous to take anywhere. And it will be a rare bag in which this one is the worst you carry. That's my summary based on several thousands of images, I've shot just about everything regular with it - how unusual.

Watch how it goes against some very fancy competition here (I love this review format):

http://3d-kraft.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=151

Buy what you like, but it's best to have a balanced view of what lenses deliver in the real world, in 'your world'. Tastes change, and your subject matter too, given time.

Jun 25, 2022 at 12:46 AM

tzhang4284
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p.3 #2 · p.3 #2 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

+1 on the 55mm f1.8. I found the 55mm f1.8 to be a good balance between size, aperture, and image quality in my time with that camera lens. The 50mm f2.5 is probably comparably sharp but images weren't as nice in my opinion. 50mm f1.2 and 50mm f1.4 are better but size penalty is meaningful.

Jun 25, 2022 at 12:57 AM

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

I think the zeiss 55 is a real classic and a lens that truly fits the original ethos of the A7 system being of high quality, small and light. I have owned it since it's release and was tempted a while back by the 50GM but it was just to big and heavy for my use. I find it's only real weak point is LoCa but that aside a real great lens even today. It also makes for a great combo on my A1 along with the 28mm lens on my Leica Q2

Jun 25, 2022 at 02:12 AM

isohw
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p.3 #4 · p.3 #4 · 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.

and exclusively carry a single lens.

my 2 cents,

I used to carry 35 and 55 za.
as single lens from my experience / way I shoot, 35 was sometimes too wide and 55 was very often way too tight.

I went for sigma 45mm which suits me better, and pairs well with small UWA like 21/3.5.
55 onion ring / Loca is not deal breaker for me, but eventually the sigma I user experience with aperture ring and overall image rending ruled out my 35/55.

By the way, looking for "best", I think maximum sharpness and maximum zippy AF is overrated for single lens every day carry.
unless its for specific needs (landscape big prints / sports).

IMO weight, form factor, user experience, rendering matter more.

Jun 25, 2022 at 03:30 AM

darrenhaken
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p.3 #5 · p.3 #5 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

Definitely agree! Do you think the Sony Zeiss might fit that mid-point?

I have looked at the Samyang 45mm a few times, it does look very interesting.
I believe it's a similar weight to the G series trio.

I'm also renting with the Tamron G2 and Sigma 28-70 at the moment (borrowed one, renting the other).
The Sigma really stands out as a small mid-zoom for everyday use. Quite remarkable.

Jun 25, 2022 at 03:38 AM

DaveFP
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p.3 #6 · p.3 #6 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

Put me down as another FE 55 fan.

An excellent lens given its size and weight.

For my purposes its weaknesses are minor and never prevent me from getting great images with it.

Jun 25, 2022 at 06:09 AM

Mister-Mr
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p.3 #7 · p.3 #7 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

Of course. Ask and ye shall receive ( sometimes biased, untrustworthy and opinionated at no cost to you ! ) Particularly when asking which is ' best '...

I actually miss the much maligned Zony 55 ƒ 1.8 ZA . Best but not the g.o.a.t ..
.
Are you the same guy posting at Dpreview looking for zoom recommendations ?

darrenhaken wrote:
Can anyone offer any advice?

Jun 25, 2022 at 07:21 AM

maly149
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p.3 #8 · p.3 #8 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

FWIW I’ve cropped with the A7iv and found it perfectly useable, if not great, provided you’re not printing large.

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

Jun 26, 2022 at 12:20 PM

pjmsj21
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p.3 #9 · p.3 #9 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

How does the 55 work on a crop sensor body ie 6xxx bodies?

DaveFP wrote:
Put me down as another FE 55 fan.

An excellent lens given its size and weight.

For my purposes its weaknesses are minor and never prevent me from getting great images with it.

Jun 26, 2022 at 12:47 PM

Schwarzlicht
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p.3 #10 · p.3 #10 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

sel 55f18 za; f2.8

https://flic.kr/p/2kfZHoK

DSC03165 by Stefan Mieth, auf Flickr

Crop:

DSC03165-1 by Stefan Mieth, auf Flickr

Jun 26, 2022 at 01:22 PM

DaveFP
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p.3 #11 · p.3 #11 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

pjmsj21 wrote:
How does the 55 work on a crop sensor body ie 6xxx bodies?

Don't own one but:

FF lenses generally work well on ASPC because the camera crops the weakest part of the lens (edges).

I would think it would make a fine 75mm.

Jun 26, 2022 at 01:39 PM

Schwarzlicht
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p.3 #12 · p.3 #12 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

55f18za;

f1.8, Nissin i40

DSC03274 by Stefan Mieth, auf Flickr

Jun 26, 2022 at 02:11 PM

zugzwang2
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p.3 #13 · p.3 #13 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

Schwarzlicht wrote:
sel 55f18 za; f2.8

Nice--is that a Shiba Inu? I suppose that if you cared you could reduce the cyan chromatic aberration by desaturating the white out-of-focus fur.

Jun 26, 2022 at 06:33 PM

Tonzah78
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p.3 #14 · p.3 #14 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

I've used to own the Sony 55/1.8 ZA. It's a wonderful lens, despite the flaws (aberrations). No going wrong there. But as an owner of both the Voigtländer 40mm f/1.2 Nokton and Sigma 65mm I-series, I really don't miss it anymore. The Sigma 65mm beats it easily in just about every department. The 65mm has pretty much flawless IQ and nice rendering. Also more 3d pop (in my eyes at least). I also prefer having aperture ring in the lens and the handling is just the way I like it, including the MF operation. I'm also about to go to store to get my 35i as well, as I don't have an af 35mm at all atm. (Will not replace my Nokton.) The 35/65 Sigma combo just seems so tempting to me, when I want to go full on with af lenses. So most likely I will go with the 40mm Nokton when having only one lens, and 35/65 when having two.

In my use the 65mm has worked great for me as a really wonderful all-around lens when outdoors and I have room to zoom with my feet. Indoors, where it's more cramped, it's harder to get enough distance to fit everything in the frame. But even then it's an incredible detail/portrait lens. Easier to work with than 85mm indoors. Actually "feels" more like an 50mm than 85mm lens. I also have the 85mm DG DN Art, but it's somewhat bigger and different beast altogether. First I thought I would sell my 65mm when I got the 85mm, but the 65mm is such a special lens to me, I will keep both for sure.

And I also use the crop mode quite often, even on my A7III body. (Next body will be the A7IV most likely, but I'm in no hurry to upgrade.) These new Sigmas are so damned sharp, I can get pretty great images even with less amount of pixels. The crop mode in A7III is 3936 pixels on long edge which would allow me to print 13" tall image in 300dpi.

Jun 27, 2022 at 02:04 AM

philip_pj
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p.3 #15 · p.3 #15 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

The take home re the 55mm is that it has a solid place in the scheme of things and it's hard to criticise as a 'kit lens', which is how Sony should have marketed the first a7/r series. It surprises with its consistency and class. It's the ultimate zoom prime. It kept on making a lot of what ended up as my favourite images.

Jun 27, 2022 at 02:40 AM

QuietOC
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p.3 #16 · p.3 #16 · Sony 55mm Zeiss 1.8, Sony 50mm G 2.5, Sigma 65mm F2 - which is best?

I just got it yesterday so no full review, but the Yongnuo YN50mm F1.8s DF DSM is right up with the Sonnar 1.8/55 ZA as far as sharpness. AF is somewhat slower than the others. Alloy body including alloy filter threads along with a nice wide rubber focus grip.

Jun 27, 2022 at 07:40 AM

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