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Sony 50mm 1.4GM

Q111H
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p.2 #1 · p.2 #1 · Sony 50mm 1.4GM

I ordered one from Roberts in Indy today which is who I do most of my business with and should have it tomorrow. I certainly look forward to trying it and excited to see the image quality.

Jul 31, 2023 at 04:25 PM

philip_pj
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p.2 #2 · p.2 #2 · Sony 50mm 1.4GM

It's their best 50mm now, and it appears to be a much more usable and better balanced optical package than the 50/1.2. To get a 14/11 design into a 500 gram lens is a fine achievement - the 50/1.2 is a depressing 780 grams. The 50/1.4 has a powerhouse central zone and consistent (if moderate) outer frame performance across the wider apertures. And 96x80mm compared to 108x87mm - very noticeable.

It will surprise a lot of Sony users lucky enough to have one. It has no real weaknesses, only design choices to boost the central IQ. It took Sony some time, and the 50/1.2 now appears like a narrow focus special purpose lens, albeit with its distinct character. This 50/1.4 is the best they have, going forward. It is far more versatile as an offset to the asking price.

Reading from people you can trust more than most:

https://www.lenstip.com/645.2-Lens_review-Sony_FE_50_mm_f_1.4_GM_Pictures_and_parameters.html
https://www.lenstip.com/601.2-Lens_review-Sony_FE_50_mm_f_1.2_GM_Pictures_and_parameters.html

..and do note the image resolution charts and samples for each lens at that site.

Jul 31, 2023 at 05:00 PM

Q111H
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p.2 #3 · p.2 #3 · Sony 50mm 1.4GM

philip_pj wrote:
It's their best 50mm now, and it appears to be a much more usable and better balanced optical package than the 50/1.2. To get a 14/11 design into a 500 gram lens is a fine achievement - the 50/1.2 is a depressing 780 grams. The 50/1.4 has a powerhouse central zone and consistent (if moderate) outer frame performance across the wider apertures. And 96x80mm compared to 108x87mm - very noticeable.

It will surprise a lot of Sony users lucky enough to have one. It has no real weaknesses, only design choices to boost the central IQ. It took Sony some time,...Show more →

Thank you for the very detailed response. It sounds like an amazing lens for sure. Prior to this I used the Nikon 50mm 1.8Z which was also a very good lens but it sounds like this one puts it to shame. I am amazed with the Sony 85mm 1.8 prime and the outstanding image quality for a less expensive lens.

Jul 31, 2023 at 05:51 PM

philip_pj
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p.2 #4 · p.2 #4 · Sony 50mm 1.4GM

Nikon did a good job with their S-Z primes and the 50/1.8 is no slouch, you would probably agree. Nevertheless, I would expect the Sony to be noticeably better all round, leaving aside any special positive behaviours the Nikon lens delivers for you (bokeh, ergo, usage, etc).

An example: at f5.6 see how the centre-middle-edges are close together, compared to the Nikon lens? That translates directly into better landscapes, which we can often shoot at that aperture in a 50mm. So the new Sony is also good value at ~$1300, $600-700 cheaper than their faster fifty. It's a good thing for sales of that earlier one that this new 'broader spectrum' lens comes along now, and not two years ago (the 50/1.2 came along in April 2021). Many will buy it over the 55mm as well, for a few hundred more. Some brief user reviews:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1752166-REG/sony_fe_50mm_f_1_4_gm.html/reviews

Jul 31, 2023 at 08:31 PM

SpecFoto
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p.2 #5 · p.2 #5 · Sony 50mm 1.4GM

@Q111H I think you will like really like the 50 f1.4GM. I had the Nikon 50 f1.2 AIS, 50 f1.4 G and 50 f1.8 in years past and this new 50GM is simply WAY better than any of them.

I have had the Sony 55 f1.8 for about 4 years and the new 50 f1.4 GM for only a few months. In that short time I can only see one advantage of the 55mm vs the new 50GM - size/weight. Even though the 55mm might be a better travel lens, I chose to bring the 50 f1.4 GM with me on my 2 month trip I am on in Thailand. It is performing beautifully! It is paired up with the Tamron 20-40mm f2.8 and Batis 85mm f1.8. All take the same 67mm filter size, so any weight savings the 55mm f1.8 had, would be gone by having to carry an extra set of 49mm filters.

Jul 31, 2023 at 09:53 PM

Peire
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p.2 #6 · p.2 #6 · Sony 50mm 1.4GM

I have just sold Sony GM 50/1.4,keeping Sony GM 50/1.2.

50/1.4 is excellent overall in technical terms.So excellent that makes me bored and uninterested.50/1.2 is not as sharp and draws more pleasanty wide open to my eyes.But your mileage may vary.

BTW: I still keep Zeiss ZA Planar 50/1.4 and prefer it over any sony GM prime.

Edited on Aug 02, 2023 at 02:20 AM · View previous versions

Aug 01, 2023 at 04:19 AM

lensfan
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p.2 #7 · p.2 #7 · Sony 50mm 1.4GM

Have you got a conclusion on autofocus performance difference 1.4 vs 1.2?

Peire wrote:
I have just sold Sony GM 50/1.4,keeping Sony GM 50/1.2.

50/1.4 is excellent overall in technical terms.So excellent that makes me bored and uninterested.50/1.2 is not as sharp and draws more pleasanty wide open to my eyes.But your mileage may vary.

Aug 01, 2023 at 06:06 AM

Alex W
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p.2 #8 · p.2 #8 · Sony 50mm 1.4GM

I think the 50mm 1.4 is fantastic. However, and it may be just my luck, there does seem to be some copy variation. I sold my 1.2 and bought the 1.4 and it was horrible. Couldn’t get a sharp image regardless of what I tried. Exchanged it for another copy and it was razor sharp even wide open. Something came up and I sold it. After I recovered from thousands in vet bills I bought another. My current copy is sharp but not as sharp as my last copy. I really am now debating going back to the 50mm 1.2. While heavier I do miss it. There is something special or magical about that lens.

Aug 01, 2023 at 07:34 AM

Q111H
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p.2 #9 · p.2 #9 · Sony 50mm 1.4GM

Sounds like a fantastic lens and I’m excited to hopefully try it out later today. If it’s sharper than the Nikon 50z 1.8 then it’s one hell of a lens for sure.

Aug 01, 2023 at 07:37 AM

Q111H
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p.2 #10 · p.2 #10 · Sony 50mm 1.4GM

It’s not only Sony’s primes, their zoom lenses have absolutely blown me away.The 100-400, 200-600, 24-70 and 70-200 lenses are outstanding. I would honestly say that the 70–200 mark two lens has no rivals as far as sharpness in a zoom lens. I wanted to get one 1.4 lens and I think this 50 is going to fit the bill very nicely. The only lens I have ever bought in my short time with Sony that I didn’t care for it was a 24 mm GM. I could’ve perhaps got a bad copy. It just really seemed to have tons of chromatic aberration, which seemed odd for a lens of that cost. It also wasn’t as sharp as the 20mm. I think for me and with some pretty extensive testing the 20mm 1.8G is a much better lens and cheaper.

Aug 01, 2023 at 07:48 AM

lensfan
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p.2 #11 · p.2 #11 · Sony 50mm 1.4GM

24GM is older lens. It was great for the time when it came out, but recently Sony made many improvements to its optical designs so we need 24GM Mark II.

Aug 01, 2023 at 08:33 AM

Fboss
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p.2 #12 · p.2 #12 · Sony 50mm 1.4GM

Q111H wrote:
It’s not only Sony’s primes, their zoom lenses have absolutely blown me away.The 100-400, 200-600, 24-70 and 70-200 lenses are outstanding. I would honestly say that the 70–200 mark two lens has no rivals as far as sharpness in a zoom lens. I wanted to get one 1.4 lens and I think this 50 is going to fit the bill very nicely. The only lens I have ever bought in my short time with Sony that I didn’t care for it was a 24 mm GM. I could’ve perhaps got a bad copy. It just really seemed to have tons...Show more →

24mm GM has purple fringing easy to correct in LR (defringe, amount =5 is good enough).
The 50mm GM 1.4 also has some purple fringing in some situations wide open. The 50GM 1.4 is the sharpest between the 2 but the 24mm is still great, with a good rendering. I love them both. At the end of the day the sharpness difference won't make a difference. But how you use the lens (composition, subject, light, ...) will.

Aug 01, 2023 at 09:47 AM

Peire
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p.2 #13 · p.2 #13 · Sony 50mm 1.4GM

lensfan wrote:
Have you got a conclusion on autofocus performance difference 1.4 vs 1.2?

No.

Aug 01, 2023 at 10:32 AM

gnet158
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p.2 #14 · p.2 #14 · Sony 50mm 1.4GM

It's a great lens, but... A bit too expensive (retail). I had and sold this lens as I felt that

1. I'm not really a 50mm guy
2. I felt I had too much $$$ tided up in a lens that I sometimes used

If you're a 50mm guy, then you won't find a better lens. That said you could have saved a few bucks by buying it used here on the F/S forums. Good luck and post some samples.

Aug 01, 2023 at 11:18 AM

Q111H
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p.2 #15 · p.2 #15 · Sony 50mm 1.4GM

So the weather has been pretty horrible here the last couple days but I did get to try it in the house on a few things and the image quality is amazing. I just set up some items and compared it to my 90 mm macro lens and honestly it’s every bit as sharp as that lens, which is phenomenally sharp I hope to get out later this morning to do some more testing but so far what I’m seeing. It has pretty incredible image quality. The size and build are very nice as well. The focus is pretty much instantaneous and extremely accurate as well at least with the small amount of testing I’ve done so far.

Aug 03, 2023 at 07:21 AM

Donzo98
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p.2 #16 · p.2 #16 · Sony 50mm 1.4GM

Alex W wrote:
I think the 50mm 1.4 is fantastic. However, and it may be just my luck, there does seem to be some copy variation. I sold my 1.2 and bought the 1.4 and it was horrible. Couldn’t get a sharp image regardless of what I tried. Exchanged it for another copy and it was razor sharp even wide open. Something came up and I sold it. After I recovered from thousands in vet bills I bought another. My current copy is sharp but not as sharp as my last copy. I really am now debating going back to the 50mm...Show more →

I did the same… went back to the 1.2. I think I’m on my third one

Aug 05, 2023 at 05:13 PM

tschopp
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p.2 #17 · p.2 #17 · Sony 50mm 1.4GM

Q111H wrote:
It’s not only Sony’s primes, their zoom lenses have absolutely blown me away.The 100-400, 200-600, 24-70 and 70-200 lenses are outstanding. I would honestly say that the 70–200 mark two lens has no rivals as far as sharpness in a zoom lens. I wanted to get one 1.4 lens and I think this 50 is going to fit the bill very nicely. The only lens I have ever bought in my short time with Sony that I didn’t care for it was a 24 mm GM. I could’ve perhaps got a bad copy. It just really seemed to have tons...Show more →

I had and sold a 24GM as well. It didn’t seem super sharp like my other GMs. The pictures looked OK but I think it was too wide for me.

Aug 05, 2023 at 07:19 PM

smpetty
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p.2 #18 · p.2 #18 · Sony 50mm 1.4GM

Donzo98 wrote:
I did the same… went back to the 1.2. I think I’m on my third one

Me too. Just returned the second of two 50/1.4 GMs to Amazon. Maybe it’s because they ship their lenses in a thin non-padded plastic pouch. The second lens that they sent me was not new. It was mint but was not packed like Sony usually packs their lenses and their was grime on the barrel and hood.

In any case, I had the same problems with both copies:

Both were tilted… the right side was significantly sharper on both lenses.
Both had all four corners softer than I’d hope for until f/4.
Both had real difficulty in focusing on my dogs (corgis) on my daily hikes. Despite eye-AF which is almost bulletproof with other lenses, I had a very low keeper rate with both 50/1.4 GMs.
Finally, with both lenses my A7RV seemed to struggle with metering. Lots of overexposed images, something I’ve never had before with this body using many other lenses.

I had no complaint other than size and weight with my 50/1.2 GM (sold to Steve Tschopp). It was sharp with fast and accurate focusing. No metering problems. So I have a used 50/1.2 GM incoming from StanOPhoto on the Buy and Sell forum.

The last two days, I’ve taken my dog hikes with the A7RV and the Sony 50mm f/2.5 G. It is a really fun and sharp lens, crazy small, and I’ve had many more keepers than with the 50/1.4 GM. Not sure if this is all bad luck or a bigger problem…

Aug 05, 2023 at 09:41 PM

Ondrej
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p.2 #19 · p.2 #19 · Sony 50mm 1.4GM

This is definitely not normal. I hope that Amazon doesn't tries to sell again and again this returned bad copies until someone keeps them. I don't know how it works.

Aug 05, 2023 at 11:36 PM

Viramati
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p.2 #20 · p.2 #20 · Sony 50mm 1.4GM

Finally sold my Sony/ZeissFE50/1.8 which I had had since it's release for the 1.4GM. The GM is a wonderful lens though I do miss the smaller size of the 1.8 which fitted so well with the original ethos of a smaller lighter camera system. That said the 1.4GM is not big heavy beast and I use it a lot. A winner

Edited on Aug 06, 2023 at 01:57 PM · View previous versions

Aug 06, 2023 at 02:50 AM

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