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Sony 50mm 1.4GM

Q111H
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Sony 50mm 1.4GM

I just wanted to see if anyone has bought this lens and what your thoughts are on it. I am going back-and-forth between it and the 1.2 version but I am leaning more toward the 1.4 because of weight and size. So anyone that has this lens please let me know how it performs compared to other 50 mm Sony offerings.

Jul 31, 2023 at 06:07 AM

ramesesthe2nd
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Sony 50mm 1.4GM

50/1.4 GM is a fantastic lens from all the comparisons I have seen. I personally find 50mm focal length hard to work with (always tight indoors) and 50mm is a supplemental lens to my 35/1.4 GM. 50/1.2 GM, due to its unique characteristics, was easier for me to justify owning it with 35/1.4 GM, so I went with 50/1.2 GM. If 50mm was my primary focal length, I would go with 50/1.4 GM, as it provides the perfect balance of size, weight, and IQ. In real life the difference between f/1.4 and f/1.2 is not drastic.

There are bunch of YouTube comparison videos on this subject.

Jul 31, 2023 at 06:19 AM

Ondrej
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Sony 50mm 1.4GM

Here is image thread with some comparisons:
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1801291
It's a great smallish lens, truly a workhorse.
I wanted smaller lens, than my 50 ZA and this was the perfect solution. It's my main lens paired mostly with 24 GM of 20G.

Jul 31, 2023 at 06:39 AM

Q111H
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Sony 50mm 1.4GM

Ondrej wrote:
Here is image thread with some comparisons:
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1801291
It's a great smallish lens, truly a workhorse.
I wanted smaller lens, than my 50 ZA and this was the perfect solution. It's my main lens paired mostly with 24 GM of 20G.
I had the 24 GM and sold it a few months back because I thought it was a strange focal length to have and typically prefer using my 20 mmG. I miss having the 50 mm lens whenever I shot Nikon and the 50 mm 1.4 seems like the best offering that is a small size for the time being. I just don’t know anyone locally that has first-hand experience with one hand with. How it has been working out for others.

Jul 31, 2023 at 06:50 AM

Jonas B
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Sony 50mm 1.4GM

From an image quality point of view everything is very much the same between the 50/1.2 and the 50/1.4.

In a controlled studie the faster lens has more background blur. In real life it is very much the same.
The 50/1.4 has perhaps a little less CA (both LoCA and LaCA) and it is a tad sharper. In real life these differences don't matter as they are small.

What matters is the price difference, and in the long run, the weight difference. I bought the 50/1.4 GM, it was an easy choice. The above is my conclusion after having watched a dozen Youtube vices and read as many reviews.

You can, of course, find comments like "the 50/1.2 images are x" where the x is replaced with magical words like golden, art, esotheric, best and, well, magical. You can safely disregard all those comments (my opinion). My guess is that you have to explain to yourself why you own a very expensive 700+ grams beast when the 50/1.4 option is there.

Then again, you know what opinions are worth. It's always better doing your own research instead of trusting random posters.

Jul 31, 2023 at 07:27 AM

Q111H
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Sony 50mm 1.4GM

Jonas B wrote:
From an image quality point of view everything is very much the same between the 50/1.2 and the 50/1.4.

In a controlled studie the faster lens has more background blur. In real life it is very much the same.
The 50/1.4 has perhaps a little less CA (both LoCA and LaCA) and it is a tad sharper. In real life these differences don't matter as they are small.

What matters is the price difference, and in the long run, the weight difference. I bought the 50/1.4 GM, it was an easy choice. The above is my conclusion after having watched a dozen...Show more →
Yeah, the size is definitely a factor for me as the 1.2 would weigh more than my 24–70 GM ii. And I have watched tons of videos on the lens but sometimes it’s good to hear directly from someone with real life experience even if they are a stranger it does look like a pretty awesome little lens and most likely will be what I go with. It sounds like you’re pretty fond of the lens so that’s encouraging.

Jul 31, 2023 at 07:33 AM

Jonas B
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Sony 50mm 1.4GM

Q111H wrote:
It sounds like you’re pretty fond of the lens so that’s encouraging.

Yes, I like it a lot. It's big and heavy but also great imo. All you need to know is that you like the focal length and some speed. Focusing speed and accuracy, contrast, resolution, CA, bokeh - I know the only thing to blame for all my crappy images is me myself.

Jul 31, 2023 at 08:01 AM

Q111H
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Sony 50mm 1.4GM

Jonas B wrote:
Q111H wrote:
Yes, I like it a lot. It's big and heavy but also great imo. All you need to know is that you like the focal length and some speed. Focusing speed and accuracy, contrast, resolution, CA, bokeh - I know the only thing to blame for all my crappy images is me myself.
So far all the Sony primes I have bought I have just been blown away by other than the 24 mm GM. I have to say I was a little underwhelmed by that lens and think the 20 mm G at least in my opinion is far superior to that lens And that’s the one I decided to keep in the long run the little Sony 35 mm 1.8 and the 85 mm 1.8 are two of the best at that focal length I’ve ever shot with from any manufacturer. I think I will most likely go with the 50 mm 1.4 because it seems like a fantastic lens from what I have researched. Thank you for the information.

Jul 31, 2023 at 08:20 AM

GoroMajima
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Sony 50mm 1.4GM

50mm 1.4GM seems to be stopped down even sharper. Ghosting and flare is less corrected, which adds some character I guess?
I traded in my 50mm 1.2 for the 1.4 and couldn't be happier, perfectly balances with my A7C.

Jul 31, 2023 at 08:46 AM

Q111H
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Sony 50mm 1.4GM

GoroMajima wrote:
50mm 1.4GM seems to be stopped down even sharper. Ghosting and flare is less corrected, which adds some character I guess?
I traded in my 50mm 1.2 for the 1.4 and couldn't be happier, perfectly balances with my A7C.

Thank you. It sounds like it’s a great lens and I look forward to trying it.

Jul 31, 2023 at 09:06 AM

jchapell
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Sony 50mm 1.4GM

FWIW, I've gone back and forth for months about selling my 55mm F1.8 for the 50 F1.4. Obviously there is a 2/3 extra stop of light, but in the reviews I've seen it's hard for me to see notable additional background blur, and I see differing reviews of the 55mm being sharper or focusing faster, or sometimes the 50 F1.4

It seems that both are fantastic lenses, so trying to decide between the smaller size/price of the 55mm and the more light of the 50 F1.4 is a tough choice (at least for me). In case you are in the same boat, you may save yourself some $$ by going the 55mm F1.8 route.

On the off chance you would go the 55mm route, I highly recommend this lens hood to make the size even smaller. It fits perfectly on the 55mm: https://www.amazon.com/Fotodiox-Cyber-Shot-Dedicated-Minimizes-replaces/dp/B01IP9M6TK/ref=sr_1_9?crid=9EUJQRKQZ5LA&keywords=sony+rx1+lens+hood&qid=1690813072&sprefix=sony+rx1+lens+hood%2Caps%2C139&sr=8-9

Edited on Jul 31, 2023 at 09:18 AM · View previous versions

Jul 31, 2023 at 09:10 AM

Q111H
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Sony 50mm 1.4GM

jchapell wrote:
FWIW, I've gone back and forth for months about selling my 55mm F1.8 for the 50 F1.4. Obviously there is a 2/3 extra stop of light, but in the reviews I've seen it's hard for me to see notable additional background blur, and I see differing reviews of the 55mm being sharper or focusing faster, or sometimes the 50 F1.4

It seems that both are fantastic lenses, so trying to decide between the smaller size/price of the 55mm and the more light of the 50 F1.4 is a tough choice (at least for me).

I know what you mean and I have missed that focal length after switching over to Sony and not buying another 50. I think this lens will fit the bill and I’m also wanting to use it to do some video with my daughters wedding reception and it should be great For that in low light environments. There’s really not much you can’t do with a 50 mm in my opinion. Sure at times it takes a little more legwork, but it’s a very versatile focal length for sure.

Jul 31, 2023 at 09:13 AM

Jonas B
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Sony 50mm 1.4GM

[...]

What reviewer found the 55/1.8 to be sharper than the new 50mm GM lenses?

Q111H: I'm sorry for forgetting about ghosting and flare. That's another USD 800 270 grams question. It may be relevant for you? (I very seldom shoot into the sun.)

Jul 31, 2023 at 09:35 AM

Q111H
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Sony 50mm 1.4GM

Jonas B wrote:
jchapell wrote:
What reviewer found the 55/1.8 to be sharper than the new 50mm GM lenses?

Q111H: I'm sorry for forgetting about ghosting and flare. That's another USD 800 270 grams question. It may be relevant for you? (I very seldom shoot into the sun.)

No I hardly ever shoot into the sun

Jul 31, 2023 at 09:44 AM

jchapell
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Sony 50mm 1.4GM

Jonas B wrote:
jchapell wrote:
What reviewer found the 55/1.8 to be sharper than the new 50mm GM lenses?

I have read so many comparisons over the last few months, I'm not sure! I posted one a moment ago before realizing it was comparing against the 50mm ZA so deleted it. If your experience is that the 50mm GM is sharper, l'm interested to know!

Jul 31, 2023 at 09:52 AM

Jonas B
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Sony 50mm 1.4GM

jchapell wrote:
I have read so many comparisons over the last few months, I'm not sure! I posted one a moment ago before realizing it was comparing against the 50mm ZA so deleted it. If your experience is that the 50mm GM is sharper, l'm interested to know!

I have no experience from the 55/1.8. I'm asking as every review I've seen (of those discussing "sharpness") says the 50/1.4 GM is the sharpest lens ever for Sony.

Even if "sharpness" is way overrated in my opinion it is a good feeling knowing your 50/1.4 is suited also for more critical work. I for example sometimes take images of paintings for a friend. I also want my cityscapes and similar to be critically sharp. For the rest of what I do it isn't very important. Or rather, nearly all modern lenses deliver good enough for general use.

Jul 31, 2023 at 10:10 AM

genjy
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Sony 50mm 1.4GM

I have both 50 1.2 GM and Zeiss 55. The 50 1.2 is definitely sharper and has better IQ. The Zeiss 55 is generally sharp enough but does have mild CA issues at wider apertures in contrasty lights. Size and weight aren't concerns for me because my Sony kit isn't for casual use... so I just lug the 50 1.2 GM around and keep the Zeiss 55 for a second body or backup when needed.

I think the Zeiss 55 offers good value if you can find a nice used one. It's relatively fast and very light. Produces fine images if you can avoid CA. I am sure you will be very happy if you opt for the 50 1.4, either way.

Jul 31, 2023 at 11:41 AM

jigesh
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Sony 50mm 1.4GM

It's a great, sharp lens with a bit swirly bokeh compared to the f1.2 brethren which subjectively has nice overall rendering but the f1.4 being so light is likely to get more use in my case which is why I am keeping it. AF speed and accuracy are excellent, I don't think the f1.2 is any faster even though it has 4 AF motors vs the 2 in this one. Based on limited first-hand experience with both.

Jul 31, 2023 at 11:58 AM

lensfan
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Sony 50mm 1.4GM

What about autofocus?
I understand 50GM 1.4 has AF similar to 35GM while 50GM 1.2 has AF similar to 135GM?
Thanks to shorter 50mm focal length, 50GM 1.2 feels incredibly fast and snappy.
I noticed that in darker situations, 1.2 will give you that autofocus. Occasionally when 135GM 1.8 or 35GM 1.4 won't autofocus at all, 1.2 won't even sweat.

I have not tried them all, but I'd assume 50GM 1.2 has the best autofocus on Sony platform due to power, speed, precision of its 4 XD linear motors and bright aperture.

Jul 31, 2023 at 03:28 PM

aCuria
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Sony 50mm 1.4GM

lensfan wrote:
What about autofocus?
I understand 50GM 1.4 has AF similar to 35GM while 50GM 1.2 has AF similar to 135GM?
Thanks to shorter 50mm focal length, 50GM 1.2 feels incredibly fast and snappy.
I noticed that in darker situations, 1.2 will give you that autofocus. Occasionally when 135GM 1.8 or 35GM 1.4 won't autofocus at all, 1.2 won't even sweat.

I have not tried them all, but I'd assume 50GM 1.2 has the best autofocus on Sony platform due to power, speed, precision of its 4 XD linear motors and bright aperture.

afaik using 4 motors means the lens has 2 focus groups moving at the same time

In my limited experience with the 50/1.2, it did not seem to focus any faster than the 35GM.

I would be more worried about autofocus precision with this kind of lens

Jul 31, 2023 at 04:09 PM

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