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A faster more exotic-looking 50mm for my Z? (help me choose)

lukeiam
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · A faster more exotic-looking 50mm for my Z? (help me choose)

I love my 50 1.8S. It's an incredible lens for the value...Stopped down in a studio setting the lens is insane. And wide open I enjoy it too. Coming from the D850 and the 50 ART (I shoot 50mms a lot), I sometimes miss the character I got from that lens..I know it's not perfect, but OOF elements wide open I usually liked more, especially with specific closer-focus portraits, foliage, busier urban background, etc. In a cleaner less-busy background, the 50 1.8S is formidable.

That said, I'm not ready to splurge on the 50 1.2S...And that might be bigger than I want. I'm also very satisfied with the Z files - I love them.

So, some ideas...

The newer FTZ and an ART 50 (that way I could also grab some other G glass, like the 85 1.8, that I'm missing from my lineup).
I don't know about the balance in this setup and haven't seen any images of the new FTZ and the 50 ART. Anyone have one?

I also am considering the Tokina Opera 50. That's a neat lens. Hard to find, though! Seems to work fine on the FTZ.

Curious of any other ideas of fast 50s. Thanks for reading!

Sep 27, 2023 at 04:33 AM

AcuteShadows
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · A faster more exotic-looking 50mm for my Z? (help me choose)

Is manual focus an option?

Sep 27, 2023 at 04:53 AM

Jman13
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · A faster more exotic-looking 50mm for my Z? (help me choose)

I also didn’t want the giant 50/1.2S, so I went with the Sony 50mm f/1.2 GM with the Megadap adapter. Works great, with fast and accurate AF, a gorgeous rendering, pin sharp and significantly smaller and lighter than the Nikon.

Sep 27, 2023 at 04:55 AM

lukeiam
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · A faster more exotic-looking 50mm for my Z? (help me choose)

I'd prefer AF, but I don't need to do BiF, so open to imperfect AF solutions

Sep 27, 2023 at 05:24 AM

Steve Spencer
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · A faster more exotic-looking 50mm for my Z? (help me choose)

If manual focus is an option, then the Voigtlander 50 f/1.0 which comes in Z mount might be worth considering.

Sep 27, 2023 at 05:32 AM

Nathan Padgett
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · A faster more exotic-looking 50mm for my Z? (help me choose)

What about the Nikon 58 1.4. It's really a unique lens. It's not as sharp as the 50 1.8 S overall (or the sigma art for that matter). But it's rendering is beautiful, awesome bokeh. Really has a sweet spot at certain distances too. Around 10 feet.

Or if you want to get crazy get a Leica to Z adapter (some do autofocus) and your 50 mm options are endless. Check out that crazy ass Voigtlander 1.5 heliar classic if you want character. I've always wanted to try it, but i think i probably end up hating it.

Sep 27, 2023 at 09:03 AM

nhmorgan
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · A faster more exotic-looking 50mm for my Z? (help me choose)

You want a really unique 50mm get the Voigtlander 50mm 1.0. It's the king of character.

Sep 27, 2023 at 12:45 PM

elkhornsun
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · A faster more exotic-looking 50mm for my Z? (help me choose)

I have owned a 60mm macro lens but most of the time I have not owned a 50mm lens. On a 1960's rangefinder camera it made sense with the limitations of spit focus with the Leica and similar cameras. Otherwise a shorter or longer lens makes for stronger images. For people 85mm or longer provides a more natural perspective and can be used indoors.

Sep 27, 2023 at 12:47 PM

akul
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · A faster more exotic-looking 50mm for my Z? (help me choose)

50 Art is not that small isn't it ? I find FTZ + big F lens tend to not balance with camera too well. Lighter lens is ok, but bigger heavier higher performance ones on FTZ, sure they work but if you are acquiring them to work with FTZ, seems like self inflicted torture.

58/1.4G is definitely an exception. It is a light lens, and with FTZ, it is like having another long ish S lens, and rendering is superb.

Voigtalander 50mm /1.0 There is a few people around here using it. Check out Z image thread a 4 or 5 pages ago.

I am enjoying Voigtlander 40mm /f1.2 as a compliment to 50mm /f1.2S. Nikon 50 1.2S is an amazing 50mm, but yes, it is big. Balances fine with Z6 though. Wide open to closed down, it is beautiful all the way.

Voigt 40mm is more classic in a way that 1.2 - 1.4 is CA strong but loverly rendering, closed down, it gets sharp. I would not say bitingly sharp, but sharp. If you want a bitingly sharp, you can look into Voigtlander 50mm /f2 Apolanther. That is a one sharp lens. Not as much for bokeh, but an impressively sharp lens.

Sep 27, 2023 at 12:56 PM

lukeiam
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · A faster more exotic-looking 50mm for my Z? (help me choose)

elkhornsun wrote:
I have owned a 60mm macro lens but most of the time I have not owned a 50mm lens. On a 1960's rangefinder camera it made sense with the limitations of spit focus with the Leica and similar cameras. Otherwise a shorter or longer lens makes for stronger images. For people 85mm or longer provides a more natural perspective and can be used indoors.

50mm is more how the eye sees -- popularized by Leica, I believe -- and adds some environmental context....def my portrait lens preference, and more reason a faster lens is better bc it adds some compression

Sep 27, 2023 at 12:56 PM

Kasper6188
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · A faster more exotic-looking 50mm for my Z? (help me choose)

An oddball suggestion (if MF is an option) CZJ 50mm pancolar 1.8 with M42 to z adapter. Can also get the techart M to Z AF adapter if AF is absolutely necessary. This is a fun little 50 year old lens.

Sep 27, 2023 at 06:36 PM

Desmolicious
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · A faster more exotic-looking 50mm for my Z? (help me choose)

I just took this pic of my miniature Irish Wolfhound Daisy today, using the Sigma Art 50, FTZ and Z7.

For classic wide open 1950s Hollywood starlet, I highly recommend the 7Artisans 50 1.1. Those are going for something like $200 used on FM B&S!

And of course, the boss - the Minolta 58 1.2.

If you got the coin, the Leica M Summilux 50 asph is very sweet, but not sure how it would play on a Z. The Summilux R 50 would be a close alternative (and cheaper)

Sep 27, 2023 at 07:14 PM

lukeiam
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · A faster more exotic-looking 50mm for my Z? (help me choose)

Desmolicious wrote:
I just took this pic of my miniature Irish Wolfhound Daisy today, using the Sigma Art 50, FTZ and Z7.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53218320778_abb2e1709d_o.jpg

For classic wide open 1950s Hollywood starlet, I highly recommend the 7Artisans 50 1.1. Those are going for something like $200 used on FM B&S!

And of course, the boss - the Minolta 58 1.2.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51435160626_df795b069f_b.jpg

If you got the coin, the Leica M Summilux 50 asph is very sweet, but not sure how it would play on a Z. The Summilux R 50 would be a close alternative (and cheaper)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51881161879_1eb0ee133d_b.jpg

How does the ART handle on the Z7 in your opinion? FTZ2? Any chance you have a pic of the setup? Thanks for the photos!

Sep 27, 2023 at 07:21 PM

Desmolicious
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · A faster more exotic-looking 50mm for my Z? (help me choose)

lukeiam wrote
How does the ART handle on the Z7 in your opinion? FTZ2? Any chance you have a pic of the setup? Thanks for the photos!

It's of course a two handed affair. The z7 stock doesn't have a big grip, but even if it did it wouldn't matter. The Sigma Art 50 is so heavy it doesn't matter what camera it is on, you'll be aware of the mass.
I have the FTZ 1, and actually the lump on its underside provides a comfortable rest for the base of your palm when you use it with heavy lenses! As demonstrated in the pic below. I also included a pic of the Sigma on my F6, as a (D)SLR baseline.

Bottom line it handles fine. As much as you can expect from something that big. But the shots it can make? Sweeeeet. Way more consistent than when I used it on my D850.

Sep 27, 2023 at 10:48 PM

Desmolicious
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · A faster more exotic-looking 50mm for my Z? (help me choose)

The 7Artisans 50 1.1

@ 1.1

@1.1

@2.8 - you can see how the look transforms

This lens is about $200 used!

Sep 27, 2023 at 11:07 PM

lukeiam
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · A faster more exotic-looking 50mm for my Z? (help me choose)

Desmolicious wrote:
It's of course a two handed affair. The z7 stock doesn't have a big grip, but even if it did it wouldn't matter. The Sigma Art 50 is so heavy it doesn't matter what camera it is on, you'll be aware of the mass.
I have the FTZ 1, and actually the lump on its underside provides a comfortable rest for the base of your palm when you use it with heavy lenses! As demonstrated in the pic below. I also included a pic of the Sigma on my F6, as a (D)SLR baseline.

Bottom line it handles fine. As much as...Show more →

Wow, thanks for sending these! If I can buy you a coffee, please shoot me your Venmo

I have a Z7 with a cage on it...Even though I don't have huge hands, I prefer it because it adds some meat to the grip. Contrasted to my Sony days when the camera felt just way too small for me. Unbalanced...This is something about the mount diameter I have noticed, because a lens like the 50 1.8S is like a beer can, something that couldn't be achieved on a Sony.

It looks like the FTZ and ART 50 are probably no heavier or longer than the 50 1.2S lens, correct? That thing is a behemoth and probably no better balanced, I'd say.

I appreciate the 50 1.8S and its sharpness, but character is something I give credit to the Sigma for...YMMV

Sep 28, 2023 at 05:20 AM

CKrueger
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · A faster more exotic-looking 50mm for my Z? (help me choose)

I had a Sigma 50/1.4 EX, which was the predecessor to the ART version. It had a fair amount of LoCA, but oozed character. A bit of spherical, which made the bokeh into a pleasant “smear”. It looked like the Canon 85/1.2 I wanted at the time, but was dirt cheap and a more useful focal length.

The ART version, I read, is somewhat improved over its progenitor. You should be very happy with it.

The Nikon 58/1.4 is what I use now. It’s much the same, and I like it very much. Still a bit of LoCA, but it’s a bit better at being a “normal” lens when stopped down. (And crucially for me, it also covers GFX.)

Another highly regarded 50 I haven’t heard anyone mention is the Canon 50/1.2. I haven’t shot it, but some consider it a peer to the other lenses you’ve heard about in this thread, and EF is easy to adapt to Z with Fringer.

Sep 28, 2023 at 06:51 AM

lukeiam
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · A faster more exotic-looking 50mm for my Z? (help me choose)

CKrueger wrote:
I had a Sigma 50/1.4 EX, which was the predecessor to the ART version. It had a fair amount of LoCA, but oozed character. A bit of spherical, which made the bokeh into a pleasant “smear”. It looked like the Canon 85/1.2 I wanted at the time, but was dirt cheap and a more useful focal length.

The ART version, I read, is somewhat improved over its progenitor. You should be very happy with it.

The Nikon 58/1.4 is what I use now. It’s much the same, and I like it very much. Still a bit of LoCA, but it’s a bit...Show more →

Thanks! Very cool info....I wonder if that lens plays well with the FTZ. Will need to have a look...

Sep 28, 2023 at 07:02 AM

Desmolicious
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · A faster more exotic-looking 50mm for my Z? (help me choose)

lukeiam wrote:
Wow, thanks for sending these! If I can buy you a coffee, please shoot me your Venmo

I have a Z7 with a cage on it...Even though I don't have huge hands, I prefer it because it adds some meat to the grip. Contrasted to my Sony days when the camera felt just way too small for me. Unbalanced...This is something about the mount diameter I have noticed, because a lens like the 50 1.8S is like a beer can, something that couldn't be achieved on a Sony.

It looks like the FTZ and ART 50 are probably no heavier...Show more →

No prob, glad to help! If you liked the Sigma on a DSLR, you'll absolutely love it on a mirrorless camera. Same for the Nikon 58 1.4G. 100% in focus pics. Mirrorless has improved the performance of these lenses.

Sep 28, 2023 at 11:07 AM

BPsmith511
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · A faster more exotic-looking 50mm for my Z? (help me choose)

lukeiam wrote:
Thanks! Very cool info....I wonder if that lens plays well with the FTZ. Will need to have a look...

If you mean the 58 1.4 then yes, it does quite well on the FTZ. I specifically kept my FTZ for it and love it on my Z bodies.

Sep 28, 2023 at 11:32 AM

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