p.1 #1 · What is the smallest fast (2.0 or better) 30-50mm AF lens with excellent rendering?
I am looking for a small and fast 30-50mm autofocus lens that has excellent rendering.
I want to be able to mount it on my A7CR and wander about while I am traveling or elsewhere, carrying no other gear. I wouldn't always travel this light--often I would take two bodies with lenses mounted and maybe a third lens. But often enough, I would like to go out with just a small camera and a small, fast, excellent-rendering lens. Often, I am drawn to shooting situations and scenes that have limited light.
My favorites now for doing this are the Sigma i Series 45mm f2.8 and the Sony 40mm f2.5 G. They are both very fine lenses and I especially value the rendering of the i Series 45mm. The Sony 40G is especially small and light and has good rendering. But I do wonder whether there is something as small but faster and also with very fine rendering.
p.1 #2 · What is the smallest fast (2.0 or better) 30-50mm AF lens with excellent rendering?
If you're less concerned with character than with excellent imaging performance, then I recommend the Viltrox Air 2.0 50. In my opinion, it's clearly better than the Sony 2.5 G, of which I didn't have the 40mm, but rather the 50mm, which is also supposed to be better than the 40mm.
A recent example at wide aperture: DSC07624 by Werner Wurst, on Flickr
While there are some initial AF issues at slower aperture, a firmware posted in that thread fixes the issue (mostly). Hopefully they will release an official firmware soon. I have had mine for two days now. It is very well-built (all metal), slightly smaller profile than 40/2.5G, and seems to have a pretty good rendering.
p.1 #5 · What is the smallest fast (2.0 or better) 30-50mm AF lens with excellent rendering?
I am also in the look for something similar, though I have relaxed the "AF" part. Which means a voigtlander, but it must behave well on a Sony. Fred mentioned there is something he has in his hands but can't talk about it yet; I am curious as to what it is. If it is small, it will likely not be f/2, but for something small enough I can relax that requirement as well!
I have been advised that the voigtlander Nokton classic 35mm f1.4 may be good enough, but I would prefer 28.
Currently I go around with a Sony 28mm f/2. It really is a bit longer than I would like, but it also serves as a 40mm on APS-C mode. And performance at f/2 is good enough for me.
p.1 #6 · What is the smallest fast (2.0 or better) 30-50mm AF lens with excellent rendering?
Samyang 35mm f1.8 for a high probability of beautiful pictures. Secondly, the Sigma 45. Then Samyang 45 -- only if you don't mind that the processing starts from hard contrast, because plenty sharp when stopped down.
p.1 #7 · What is the smallest fast (2.0 or better) 30-50mm AF lens with excellent rendering?
My favorites are the i 35/2 and 50/2, though neither is as small/light as it gets, and they're both very different from the i 45/2.8. I haven't used another lens that has the 45's flawed charm and AF, but it looks a good copy of the TTA 40/2 might come close.
p.1 #8 · What is the smallest fast (2.0 or better) 30-50mm AF lens with excellent rendering?
Most lenses f/2 or faster are primes. But there is the 28-70mm f/2 GM. Not especially light, but it's a superb lens, and it covers more than the range you specified.
p.1 #9 · What is the smallest fast (2.0 or better) 30-50mm AF lens with excellent rendering?
Tony Ross wrote:
Most lenses f/2 or faster are primes. But there is the 28-70mm f/2 GM. Not especially light, but it's a superb lens, and it covers more than the range you specified.
Great lens, but much too big and heavy for how I want to use this kit.
p.1 #10 · What is the smallest fast (2.0 or better) 30-50mm AF lens with excellent rendering?
freaklikeme wrote:
My favorites are the i 35/2 and 50/2, though neither is as small/light as it gets, and they're both very different from the i 45/2.8. I haven't used another lens that has the 45's flawed charm and AF, but it looks a good copy of the TTA 40/2 might come close.
I've just ordered a copy of the TTA 40/2.0 to try out. I will be in a shoot-out against the Sigma 45/2.8.
p.1 #11 · What is the smallest fast (2.0 or better) 30-50mm AF lens with excellent rendering?
NJPhotographer wrote:
I'd recommend the Samyang 35/1.8 or 45/1.8. They are not new, but I think they meet your criteria.
---------------------------------------------
Gerald Brooks wrote:
Samyang 35mm f1.8 for a high probability of beautiful pictures. Secondly, the Sigma 45. Then Samyang 45 -- only if you don't mind that the processing starts from hard contrast, because plenty sharp when stopped down.
I don't know the Samyang 35/1.8. I do know the SY 45/1.8. I think it is an excellent lens and a real bargain, but it is a bit too hard-looking and high-contrast in its images for me. Apparently the Sy 35/1.8 has gentler rendering. I may order a copy to try out.
p.1 #12 · What is the smallest fast (2.0 or better) 30-50mm AF lens with excellent rendering?
asekcsc5 wrote:
I am also in the look for something similar, though I have relaxed the "AF" part. Which means a voigtlander, but it must behave well on a Sony. Fred mentioned there is something he has in his hands but can't talk about it yet; I am curious as to what it is. If it is small, it will likely not be f/2, but for something small enough I can relax that requirement as well!
I have been advised that the voigtlander Nokton classic 35mm f1.4 may be good enough, but I would prefer 28.
Currently I go around with a Sony 28mm f/2. It really is a bit longer than I would like, but it also serves as a 40mm on APS-C mode. And performance at f/2 is good enough for me.
I actually own and like the Sony 28/2.0 though I haven't used it in a while. I will pull it out and put it in the running. It is a lens that Philip Reeve likes a lot and thinks has been undervalued.
p.1 #13 · What is the smallest fast (2.0 or better) 30-50mm AF lens with excellent rendering?
Nifty Fifty wrote:
If you're less concerned with character than with excellent imaging performance, then I recommend the Viltrox Air 2.0 50. In my opinion, it's clearly better than the Sony 2.5 G, of which I didn't have the 40mm, but rather the 50mm, which is also supposed to be better than the 40mm.
A recent example at wide aperture: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54782753438_6822ed20ed_b.jpgDSC07624 by Werner Wurst, on Flickr
p.1 #14 · What is the smallest fast (2.0 or better) 30-50mm AF lens with excellent rendering?
Nifty Fifty wrote:
If you're less concerned with character than with excellent imaging performance, then I recommend the Viltrox Air 2.0 50. In my opinion, it's clearly better than the Sony 2.5 G, of which I didn't have the 40mm, but rather the 50mm, which is also supposed to be better than the 40mm.
Actually, from everything I've read, the G 2,5/40mm should be slightly better than the G 2,5/50mm
p.1 #15 · What is the smallest fast (2.0 or better) 30-50mm AF lens with excellent rendering?
I liked the 28/2 a lot when I had it and it was one of the first primes available. Voigtlander 15 + 28/2 + 55/1.8 was a solid kit! Once I got the 40/1.2, that kind of replaced both the Sony lenses for me though.
chiron wrote:
I actually own and like the Sony 28/2.0 though I haven't used it in a while. I will pull it out and put it in the running. It is a lens that Philip Reeve likes a lot and thinks has been undervalued.
p.1 #16 · What is the smallest fast (2.0 or better) 30-50mm AF lens with excellent rendering?
Voigtlander 40 1.2 is incredibly small for a 1.2 lens, and has great rendering. Just isn’t AF. But if you get the m-mount one and the Techart adapter, it could become AF… I’ve only used the E-mount one myself but others here have done that adaptation. And the Zony 55 1.8 is slightly out of your focal length criteria but meets your other criteria.
p.1 #17 · What is the smallest fast (2.0 or better) 30-50mm AF lens with excellent rendering?
I think the smallest fast prime with AF in this range is the Samyang 45 1.8. Camera Size Comparison
Only Zeiss 35 f2.8 can compete with RX1RIII in compactness, but it's a stop slower and lower resolution lens. IMHO any faster than f2.5 (40G) lens is not suitable for EDC like RX1RIII. So at the end of the day I'd stick with 35 f2.8 or 40G for EDC, and GM prime for serious photography on A7CR with the grip. If money is no object I'd get RX1RIII or GFX100RF for EDC, for more budget friendly solution there is Ricoh GRIII/IV(x) cameras or X100VI as the carry around camera.
p.1 #18 · What is the smallest fast (2.0 or better) 30-50mm AF lens with excellent rendering?
Just want to recommend that having the Sigma 45 is like the first threshold of purposely visually dialing into the situation, whereas the Samyang 35 provides a first opening out to the vastness. Not a bad combination to select from. If you want a 40 that's fine, and none of those will be wasted.
p.1 #19 · What is the smallest fast (2.0 or better) 30-50mm AF lens with excellent rendering?
Lukacs wrote:
I'd get RX1RIII
@chiron mentioned he is drawn to shooting situations and scenes that have limited light. For this purpose, I wouldn't buy a camera without IBIS.
Lukacs wrote:
or GFX100RF
@chiron mentioned aperture 2.0 or larger.
p.1 #20 · What is the smallest fast (2.0 or better) 30-50mm AF lens with excellent rendering?
Lukacs wrote:
I think the smallest fast prime with AF in this range is the Samyang 45 1.8. Camera Size Comparison
Only Zeiss 35 f2.8 can compete with RX1RIII in compactness, but it's a stop slower and lower resolution lens. IMHO any faster than f2.5 (40G) lens is not suitable for EDC like RX1RIII. So at the end of the day I'd stick with 35 f2.8 or 40G for EDC, and GM prime for serious photography on A7CR with the grip. If money is no object I'd get RX1RIII or GFX100RF for EDC, for more budget friendly solution there is Ricoh GRIII/IV(x) cameras or X100VI as the carry around camera....Show more →
I do like the RX1RIII and I would like it for my purposes, except that the absence of IBIS is a significant negative for me given the way I like to shoot. As @Nifty Fifty notes, I do often shoot in limited light.
