A few thoughts - My experience with the 55 1.8 was that it was at least as sharp - very sharp, and much better than the 50 1.8 in other ways. The 50 1.8 was my first FE lens, it was the next and first I got rid of. It was Noisy and Slow. I loved my 55mm, which was sharp and light. I used it for astro. It was sharp enough. I sold it to a friend and I miss it! Last year I bought the 50mm 1.4 Sony Zeiss because I couldn’t justify the 50 1.2. My version of the 50mm 1.4 Sony Zeiss is sharp and pretty amazing. Astrophotographers use it because it is sharp (enough) across the frame. I picked mine up from keh around 800. I have an observation after buying and selling through KEH over the years: lenses that were beat up and cheaper (bargain to excellent) can be a fantastic value - they may have been used by a pro, and kept and used because they are sharp. My wish list - I love the idea of that 50mm 2.5 for a walk around travel lens, so with an unlimited budget I’d get that and the 1.2 as well. Great suggestion. Thank you for your review - I always enjoy and appreciate your perspectives!
You chose the best without even knowing it. The 1.8/55 Sony-Zeiss and the 2/50 APO ASPH from Voigtlander are the two best lenses you can buy on E mount. There are currently no better lenses for Sony E mount. Both are much better than even most of the GM lenses. You pick up the Zeiss if you want/need autofocus and you pick up the Voigtlander if you want slightly better image quality. Almost everyone who primarily shoots Hasselblad or PhaseOne and owns a Full Frame Sony body, including myself, will always pick up either the 1.8/55ZA or the 2/50 APO ASPH Voigtlander, along with the ''new'' 1.8/135GM almost as a rule - because these three lenses make your work look like you shot the images with a MF sensor and a MF lens. First thing I did after buying Sonys ''new'' a1, was order the 1.8/55ZA and the 1.8/135GM lenses. Images I take with the a1 and these lenses are almost identical to the images from my hasselblads (x1d ll and my new x2d) - minus the detail in shadows and the softer color transitions - but that's just because of the bigger sensor.
What I've always liked about 55 is the metal construction. Not the plastic that every big MFR is using these days and charging $1000s for, but a real cold to the touch metal. There are not many of these metal lenses being released these days... two come to mind are Fuji X mount Viltrox 23/1.4 and 75/1.2.
I got the 40mm F2.5g to my 55mm f1.8. Both are sharper than the 50mm F2.5g I testet. The 40mm with lenshood is not really smaller than the 55mm without lenshood. But it's a superb and fun lens, and you can use it with gloves in the winter.
@nelo maratone I bought the FE55mm f1.8 on it's release. It's excellent at smaller apertures but at 1.8 the CA is very bad. Bought the 50mm f1.2. Unbelievable. And so it should be for the money. But make no mistake, it's leagues ahead of the 55mm.
@@nogerboher5266 Agree 100% Not sure if Tony got a dropped abused old copy or what, but my ZA55 1.8 is just an awesome little lens, and this is coming from someone who sprung for the 70-200 2.8 GM OSS II, so it's not about the money... I just like the thing and think it's small size and sturdy build, along with stellar sharpness even into the corners on my copy, make it one of my favorite go-to lenses. There is always room in my bag for the 55mm 1.8, and that also makes it a winner. Sure it can get a little CA in extreme lighting, but that is what shooting RAW is for. The bokeh on mine is smooth, if he's getting crunchy bokeh like some people say, I think it has a lot more to do with their over sharpening habits in their PP software, not the lens itself.
Yeah the 50ZA is a much better lens than your compromised copy led you to believe. It’s a very sharp lens, has very good contrast and rendering. I know it well, because I used it before the 50/1.2GM came around, which was an even better lens. But in your field i would only pick the two GM 50s over the 50ZA. Maybe the 50/2.5G for travel. But the ZA is easily in the top 5 when it comes to AF 50mm lenses for e-mount.
Well when I saw the za 50/1.4 I thought that they would go as down as testing the first Sony (Minolta revamped) 50/1.4 It's not especially sharp at 1.4 but from 1.8 it blows the yongnuo and even being the bang for bucks 2nd hand at less than 100usd. I bought myself a copy of this one to use with the 99ii that's cool to have the 399 AF points with this thing.
Putting the Zeiss 55mm f1.8 in 9th place completely calls this ranking into question. Zeiss' optical design produces beautiful images with great microcontrast and depth. Color reproduction is great, it's sharp enough wide open and nice and sharp stopped down one notch, produces beautiful bokeh/separation, and the only real flaw is that CA can be bad in certain lighting conditions.
From The reviews i read about it there's no way it would rank 9th place and they missed the sony 50mm f2.8 macro quite good better than some of the lenses on review with a price tag right on the Middle
Yeah it's a strange choice. They also clearly have a terrible copy of the 50mm f/1.4 ZA, since in almost any other testing than their own it's very sharp wide open.
I definitely agree, the samyang 45mm was complete hogwash compared to the image quality of the 55 (samyang was right after) and they put the samyang above it? I do agree that the price is too steep but it’s a sharp lens and it’s small and light. I didn’t expect it to be high on this list but there’s definitely some lenses it should be above. I’ve had mine for 10 years and I’d be hard pressed to see a samyang or the Sony 50 1.8 last that long. The AF motors in the 55 are very fast too. The only issue I can complain about is the CA but it’s all correctable in post.
I recently bought the 55 at full price and I love it. I couldn’t find a bad word about it anywhere on TH-cam going back years or recently. Everyone who owns it says no matter what they’ll never get rid of theirs. They speak of it like it’s their baby..
He literally just proved that it is in the video though lmao. The 55 is great, I've owned one, but it's definitely not "Wow" and is pretty average nowadays in terms of sharpness. You can check other reviews like Christopher Frost, same conclusion iirc. The 50 1.2 GM is a lens that makes you say "Wow"
For this to be the ultimate ultimate test you need to include: Rokinon mark 1, the sigma 45 f2.8, viltrox f1.8 and the sony f2.8 macro. At least in the spreadsheet if you can
@@benjamin5126 2.5 is effectively the same, so if the 2.5 is there, the macro 2.8 should be as well. Especially considering, sometimes macro lenses do provide excellent optical quality. Dont know about the 50, but hey, if it were in the video, i would now. But alas.
Wanna know how good the Sony Planar 50mm F1.4 really is? Ask other TH-camrs: Dustin Abbott, Julia Trotti, Christopher Frost, Steve Huff Photo & HiFi, Felix Jaeger, Stewart Media Digital, Gerald Undone, Chris Turner Photograper, Matt Jackson, Georges CamerasTV, PM-R TV. Even if Tony & Chelsea keep using the same bad copy I don't understand how its all metal and glass 'Zeiss Planar' build scores just 4/10 compared to some of these plastic lens in Design & Size. It also scored 100% (based on 37 photos) in their 'Sports test' but only got 5/10 score which doesn't make sense.
I switched from the 24 mm F1.4 GM and the 85 mm F1.8 to the 50 mm F1.2 GM and never looked back. I love the 50 mm focal length and paired with the A7C it's my perfect camera setup that I literally bring everywhere. I'm not bothered about the weight so I take it with me on Hikes, Travels, Holidays etc. That background separation is just so perfect with the F1.2 model and I love the feel and hefty weight of it. Plus that autofocus for fast shots of dogs and sharpness is really nice when cropping
Thanks for the interesting comparison, I agree with the conclusions. For a manual focus 50mm, I really like the Voigtlander 50mm f2 Apo Lanthar, incredible lens.
As important price is as a factor (THE factor for many), it gets in the way during comparisons. Comparison ratings should be decided on the fictive assumption of "you can have either one of theses lenses one year for free, but you have to give it back at the end, cannot sell it and cannot have one of the others during this period. What would be your rating or choice then?" rather than ending every column with "but it's xyz bucks more expensive" or "not sure if this bokeh is worth zyx extra dollars". Otherwise price becomes THE only factor and you may omit the rest of the comparison. Consider price only after you found your top three liked lenses without looking at price. OR - you consider a probable reselling value after three years and compare costs rather than initial buying price.
Awesome review! I agree if I was to have two 50mm Sony lenses it would the f1.2 GM and the f2.5 G Compact. I have the 40mm f2.5 and absolutely love the little gem, it performs so well, and is very versatile. I hope Sony releases an updated (new) 85mm f1.2 GM this year
I'm new to Sony and tempted to get the 50mm 1.4 GM and the 40mm 2.5, but wondering if they're too similar. The 40mm would be more of a walkaround lens.
AVOID THE SAMYANG/ROKINON 50 1.4 II LIKE THE PLAGUE! lol, I dropped my camera 1 1/2 feet, with the lens hood ON and the mounting ring SNAPPED. The mounting ring was in my camera and the rest of the lens was on the ground. The four lens mount screws anchor approximately 1/16th" into PLASTIC. I checked my other 5 lenses and ALL of them anchor into metal. I love this lens and have used it for many weddings, events, and sports (I think a firmware update happened after this video). It's never let me down in any other way 😢
in my experience the 50mm f1.4 ii feels like a bit wider than 50mm and the AF quite slow. for wedding maybe its kinda acceptable but for commercial it isnt the one
@ the lens is good, but it’s built too cheaply. If you ever bump it into anything / drop the camera it will break in half. Rokinon / Samyang will not repair it, they’ll offer you a replacement for $420 😂
I have both the 1.2 and the 2.5, I use the 2.5 way more. Its such a fun and pleasant experience, also cute. The 1.2 is a photoshoot machine, but I wish I had the 1.4GM personally as maybe then I'd take it out more often.
@@WS-bk7uu uhhh the 1.4 is a better dedicated portrait lens but the 2.5 is, to me, a better all around lens. Yes the 2.5 is more than good enough for portrait work but your depth of field won't be as shallow and have less of that so called 'dreamy' look to it. Personally I think it's an overplayed look anyway but up to you
As always, extremely helpful information and very useful, thank you. I'm currently shooting an A1. I have the 50mm 2.5 and took it to Italy last spring. I think your combined final thoughts are spot on. I'm debating whether to invest in the new 50 1.4, but leaning toward not. The results I achieved with the 50 2.5 in Italy were amazing. The light kit, especially when walking for days, literally, made a huge difference. I don't recall more than a couple of shots where I might have wished for 1.4 - but the end, didn't need it. You probably just saved me $1,298. For now :)
Samyang 45mm 1.8 may be slower than the Sony 50mm f1.8, but sharpness and character for portraits, not sports, Is wayyy better, a consistent point on these reviews is to ALWAYS favor native, more expensive lenses, thanks for the review, just my 2 cents 😊
If you're a pro, the 1.2/1.4 will have its place but otherwise avoidddddddd. The 1.4 isn't that bad but the moment you put it on, you will miss the tiny 2.5 lol
THAT's such a value adding video for anyone considering a 45-55mm 👨🎓👍 PLEASE do that with all common focal lengths😍 What about next: common portrait primes ~85mm (75-90mm)? And after that, all common wider angle primes? as time permits😉
The zeiss 55 1.8 is one of the sharpest lens ever made it should me number 3 About the sigma design 3/10 ? It feels actually as premium as the gm, at least they tell the image quality was as good as the Sony 1.4 gm. It was also weird to see the 2.5 before the sigma and the zeiss 1.8 😅
Thank you for this, a lot of work went into the information and the video and this is the best comprehensive review on the 50mm lenses I've been able ot find. Thanks again, you both are awesome!
Definitely in love with the f/1.2 GM. Depth of field is a compositional element. Love shooting portraits with it, shooting through foreground flowers and foliage, and at the same time, blurring out distracting backgrounds. Creates really 3 dimensional images
Love the video . Wow you've now given yourselves a lot of future videos I.e. comparison of the 24s , 85s, 135s . Etc , but I will look forward to seeing them . Good luck.
I'm a Canon shooter so I'm biased, but a comparison between all EF and RF 85mm (Canon/Sigma/Tamron/etc) or even 50mm lenses would be nice! I'm personally quite happy with my EF 85mm F1.8 USM right now, but more light or closer and faster focusing and IS would all be great for portraits or product photography and especially for doubling as a night time wildlife lens
phew I own the 55 1.8 ziess and that's my bread and butter lens, I also have owned the cheap 250$ sony 1.8 lens and no shot that my ziess 55 is just a hair better its unreal better. people would even said its one of the sharpest lens and I would agree
Thank you for an awesome comparison. You are the best! I had a used Sony za 55 and I didn’t get the results people are talking about. Many images were slightly blurrred or misfocused. Recently I bought Sony 50 2.5 and the focus is fast and precise, micro contrast is excellent, it has very good colors and it has character. Plus it’s small and light. Button and aperture ring are a bonus. Dustin Abbott review of this lens is spot on.
I have the Zeiss Planar 1.4 and Samyang/Rokinon 45mm f1.8. The first blows away the plastic FE 50mm 1.8 any day, no doubt… It is a lemon Zeiss for sure. The Planar is little softer than GMs but a vastly superior optics than the others. The Samyang 45 is better optically and much faster in AF departament than the clunky FE 50mm f1.8, specially with the last Samyang firmware update. While I enjoy travel with size and weight of Samyang 45, the Zeiss much better optically.
I already have the 1.2. And I bought it used from a fellow Sony photographer at a bargain price close to the price of the 1.4 GM. But if I didn’t already have the 1.2, I’d definitely buy a 1.4.
Same, bought mine at Christmas when there were a lot of sales going on, bought it almost at the price of the now new 50 1.4, prolly would have bought this one instead too…
My first Sony lens was the 50 mm 1.8 and it was a good option to start with, now I have the Sony 50mm 1.4 GM and I am happy with the result, that lens is amazing
But these are NOT all the AF 50-ish lenses for Sony? What about Viltrox AF 50 f/1.8, Sony FE 50mm F2.8 Macro, Sigma 45mm F2.8 DN DG (since you included the 45mm Samyang)?
My favorite Canon EF lens was the 50mm f/1.2. It is almost as good as the modern Sony 50mm f/1,2 GM. If not for the adapter trouble, I could have lived with the Canon. They are the best of their era, both.
Thanks for the comparison Tony. We are just finalizing our own review of the Samyang 50mm f/1.4 MKII and our corner sharpness looks way better. I suspect you got a bad copy because our sample is very sharp even at f/1.4 (we were kind of surprised actually by how good it was wide open especially compared to the old 55mm Sony Zeiss in the corners...).
It's entirely possible! If so that speaks to poor quality control... Which is really scary because it means our reviews don't necessarily reflect what the consumer will receive. I purchased that lens brand new for this test.
Also, focus distance affects sharpness a lot. T&C test lenses at pretty close focus distance which is often not related to sharpness at farther distances. Best example is the old A-mount ZA 50mm, which is way better at infinity than close focus. And for corner sharpness field curvature matters a lot. I don't know if T&C refocus their corner tests
@@TonyAndChelsea I agree. 3'rd party lenses can have huge differences in QC. We will publish our look at the Samyang in a few hours - have a look at the corner sharpness test (I'll ping this post when its up) - the difference from what you showed is really night and day (if it was the other way around and I would get bad results and you would get good ones I would re-check my results but when you get really sharp results it's hard to argue).
@@MegaWeitzel Oh - I didn't know this. Tony - at what distance did you check the sharpness of the lenses? In our test, we separate close focus sharpness and "normal" distance sharpness (close distance is as close as the lens can focus manually, and normal is what fits our huge Imatest chart - its 1.5m wide so especially with normal or tele lenses we are talking at least 1.5 or 2 meters away if not more). The Samyang is a very bad close-up but much much better at normal work distances - so this can explain the results Tony got. Just watch our review (this makes more sense than QC - thanks MegaWizel!).
@@LensVid you see their test shots at some points during the video. It is basically three books wide. Their book is 20cm wide, so the scene is 60cm wide? So the focus distance is 80-90cm? But there is a lot of guessing here
Nice. I like these comparison videos. Your #9 lens (Zeiss 55mm) is the #2 ranked 50mm for sharpness by DXO, behind only the Zeiss 50 / 1.4, and behind by only a single point on their scale. Just sayin' . (I concur - it's incredible on my a7rII)
I have the Zeiss 55mm, and think DXO got it wrong. It's my least used because the 24-105mm f/4 G lens is better even though it lets a bit less light in.
I love the 55 1.8 and it’s my goto lens on my A7R II! Can’t beat the combination of sharpness and weight! My 24-105 f/4 was my favorite in the past but the extra light gathered with the 1.8 made the transition easy! It should be within the top 5 lenses at least.
Quality control was really bad with that lens, so there is significant copy-to-copy variation. That's a real risk to consumers, because you never know what you'll get. But DxO doesn't test AF, handling, etc, nor do they consider price.
@@TonyAndChelsea Good to know about variation, and agree that DXO lacks testing other lens qualities. I feel lucky to have a sharp copy to use for landscape panos
I keep ALMOST pulling the trigger on the new Sigma DG DN. But I’m tempted by the new GM. I just wish the Sigma was a bit smaller, with a bit less CA. In some reviews I’ve watched, it can be pretty intense.
I have the 1.8 and admittedly it is on an a7 mark one, but one problem I am always had with it focus hunting. It can be excruciatingly slow if you find focus.
Perfect timing! I am traveling to Europe in the next few weeks and do not want to take my heavier cameras/lenses as this isn't that kind of trip. I can't possibly travel without some kind of camera so I picked up a gently used Sony A7C and am now looking for a lightweight but decent 50mm lens to plant on it. I have heard/read such great things about the 55mm, and now that you give the 50mm 2.5 such high marks, I may look into that. Thanks, Chelsea and Tony, for a great overview of the "50's"!
Rokinon 50 1.4 II is amazing, its my favorite 50 for the sony should had been higher up imo but great video otherwise! And one thing that rokinon has over the sony is that Rokinon has pretty much no focus breathing while the sony ones breathe heavily, so its great for video.
I’m pretty certain several of the lenses you tested are defective (not just quality control, some of these rental units get abused by people and end up being in the condition you found). There’s no way the Sony Zeiss 50mm F1.4 and 55mm F1.8 are nearly as bad as you have described. I’ve tested probably 12 copies of the 55mm and 7 copies of the 50mm F1.4 and they were all razor sharp.
I got the Sony 50mm 2.5G, have had the 55mm some years ago. I have to say, its really sharp, its super fast, it's awesome! This videos helped me choose, I would have not gotten it if it was not for this video and I would most likely have gotten a slower lens which honestly wouldnt fit my needs as much as the 2.5G does.
Has the Sony 50mm 2.5 felt like a step down from the Zeiss 55mm 1.8? The build quality of the 2.5 is great, I just worry it might not be as good for portraits.
@@WS-bk7uu Haven't really been able to compare side by side but I like the 2.5 much more, smooth, quiet, great focus, sharpness etc. Would not get the 1.8 again vs the 2.5 for my use.
2,5G It's the best choice for shooting video on a gimbal. Together with the 24G2.8 and the 40G2.5, you don't need to rebalance the gimbal when swapping lenses.
This was an awesome review. I wonder if you got a bad copy or a damaged copy of the size 55 because compared to the Sony 50 1.8 it's leaps and bounds ahead after using an working shooting situations.
Maybe it's mine, but I found the autofocus on the Sony 50mm f/1.8 slow and hunts to the point of almost making it unusable. One missed is the Mitakon Zhongyi Speedmaster 50mm f/0.95, there's a couple of variants, they're manual focus but there's nothing as fast as f/0.95 in your list. That said, it does spend a lot of time in the dry cab. as it's weight and manual only limitations do mean it's not a great walking around lens and only used when you specifically need it, also quite soft, especially wide open and you do get some odd artifacts (however, if you're aware of them, they can add character and artistry to an image).
Also, not sure if it technically counts, but the Sirui 50mm T2.9 1.6x Anamorphic is a great fifty, I mean, technically it's the width you'd see on something around 35mm but with the top and bottom cut off, but it has a great effect and makes some beautiful video (photos less so, but can still be interesting when used right).
I'm very curious to understand what kind of sports and at what distance from the subject a 50mm can be used for? Even indoors 135 is for me way too short. Now obviously if the idea is to shoot a skater jumping from beneath him, then even a 15-30 will do, but that's not common situation at all...
I have the Zeiss 55 and the baby Sony 1.8. I’m actually using the little Sony most of the time as I’m going smaller and lighter and probably destined for the A7C. Flying around in airplanes means light and small. No issues with the lens everyone loves to hate.
I shoot wedding ceremonies in harsh sunlight… I’m talking harsh beach sunlight in CA that I cannot help. My Sony GM and Sigma glasses are trash in harsh lighting. My go-to is the Sony Zeiss 1.4 ZA Planar. I’m surprised it’s last place on your list lol. Would love to have you both cover subjects in harsh sunlight as a category.
It’s CRAZY how many people are romanticizing the ZA 55. People need to get out of their heads that Zeiss is some sort of quality badge. I do think Tony/Chelsea ZA 50 is a bad copy, but the ZA 55 is right in line w/ other reviews and from my own personal experience. The lens came out almost 10 yrs ago, it’s ok if it’s not the best by today’s standards
Thanks Tony and Chelsea for this very interesting review! And interesting that your Sony Zeiss 55mm f1.8 didn't do well in your sharpness test, because mine is very sharp and a favorite in my kit. I have the older A mount ZA 50mm f1.4 and Minolta Macro 50mm f2.8 D. which I have pair with the LA-EA5. These days the ageing me prefers smaller and lighter so if I were in the market for a 50mm now I would go with that 50mm f2.5 G! Actually I prefer the 40mm focal length. My Zeiss 40mm f2 Batis is one of my most used prime lenses.
Interesting! I always thought that there might be slight sample variations as some other reviews place the 50mm f1.4GM ahead of the f1.2? The f1.4GM is on my 'buy soon' list - I'm just waiting for a good deal as it's currently almost the same cost as the f1.2 GM here in the UK. The reduced weight and heft (f1.4 vs f1.2) for just a slight loss of speed/bokeh are a good trade off IMO. I also heard that the edges were as good as the f1.2, but clearly not with your examples and tests? If/when I buy then I might retire/sell my 55mm f1.8. I may now need to look again at more tests between the f1.2 vs 1.4, but had thought the matter decided in my own mind. I bought my 55mm Zeiss f1.8 5 years ago on switching to Sony. I like it a lot (compact size and always seemed sharp) but not used for 1-2 years now and from memory the close focus shooting range was disappointing and limiting. I passed on buying a GM 24-70 mk1 (heft, cost, perceived indifferent performance) and instead bought a 24-105 G (mainly travel/convenience) but typically packed the 55mm too, for low light capability. But, after buying a 35mm F1.4 GM (lovely sharp lens, esp. for environmental portraiture) I tended to use that or my 24mm f1.4 prime instead of the 55mm. After the 24-70 GM mk2 came out, I bought that as my 3rd 'trinity zoom' (excellent) sold my 24-105 and haven't used my55mm since. So now I'm looking for a really great 50mm and had thought the f1.4 GM a better choice, on balance, than the f1.2 GM. Absolute cost isn't an issue for me, although I won't just pay any old 'asking' price and try to 'buy smart'. I suspect if smaller/lighter then it might just get packed and together with my 35mm GM prime may mean I don't always travel with a 'default' 24-70 zoom. I guess I'm lucky to have choices.
Thanks for the detailed comparison! Last week, I ordered a used 50mm f/1.2 using money I got from selling other lenses I didn't use as much, including my old 55mm f/1.8. I also had way too many 35mm lenses, so I sold all of them as well, except for the 35mm GM and the 16-35mm GM. I'm really excited to walk around at night with the 1.2!
Sony 50 1.2 GM is my go to prime. Super sharp, super fast and it produces super images in the studio and in natural light!! I also love my 35 1.4 GM. However, I did return my 85 1.4 GM to B&H. It sounded like a chain saw when the ridiculously slow focus motors churned away. Also had a horrible time getting it to lock focus in only moderately low light :( I am wondering if I got a bad copy of the 85?
nope, trust me, the 85 1.4 is BAD ! I tested all the 85s lenses a few months ago and the Sigma 85 is much better ! The 85 1.4 gm is the worst GM lens by far and badly needs replacement !
My picks, the f2.5 and f1.2. The 2.5 for street is amazing and the faster 1.2 for portraits is just amazing. I was surprised at how good the 2.5 is and night scenes on a full frame is still very good. Agree with your round up. Didn't like Sony 50mm f1.8. Good cheap option but isn't as fun as the 2.5.
Beware the Sony 50 1.8 AF performance on bodies before 3rd Generation, it's bad in good light and borderline unusable in low light. Other than that it's a great lens for the price. My copy of the Samyang 45 1.8 was way sharper than my Sony 50 1.8 and on my A7rii also much faster focusing. Loved the Samyang, crisp images with nice rendering.
Sorry but claiming the Zeiss Planar having least sharpness must be a flaw of your copy. I use it for weddings and portraits and some clients even claim my pictures where too sharp for them (too many wrinkles visible 😄 ) The portraits i take in my studio are also always razer sharp! If someone needs proof i happily provide a gallery! Seeing the results of the 50mm 2.5G really annoy me, why didn't sony make this at least F2 or 1.8. It would be the "pro" version of their cheapo 1.8 we need.
The 50mm f1.2 is a magical lens. Sharpness, micro contast, tonality and colour. It has it all. I picked up mine in the UK for £1500. Considerably cheaper than the £2000 RRP
I tend to shoot more macro and extreme telephoto than the normal focal length lenses, but I'm in the market for a nifty fifty for video on Sony full-frame. This video is a great primer in the available options. Thanks Tony & Chelsea!
That 50 2.5G is definitely the travel lens choice from Sony. Hmm, but I currently own an APSC 50mm F1.8 from Sony and sometimes I use it for make-shift portrait lens when I just need a shot or a 50mm backup lens. I am still kinda waiting for Sigma F/2 if it will come out at a later time. I have been using sigma 35mm f/2 C but ya, it will be so great if Sigma C series lens for the 50mm can have a iris click lock all-in-one-switch with a string bolt insertable for the magnet lens cap and comes with a tri-switch design and a body slightly bigger or around same size of the 35mm C then I would just grab that future lens.
Love the extensive video, though I'm surprised (shocked!) by you're rating of the famous 55/1.8... my copy was outstandingly sharp, and I used it extensively the first 2 years of my career.... Oh, and by the way, Tony, your look at the camera when Chelsea was saying 'it's-so-cute, it's-so-cute!' was classic LOL
I have been looking around for the sharpest I can get withing my budget. Would love the Sony 50mm 1.2 but a little out of my price range at the moment. Based on your spreadsheet it looks like the Sigma for me.. Maybe sell it after I save enough for the Sony 1.2.
I passed on all those lenses and went for a Sony FE 40mm F2.5 G. My only uses for this focal length is for street and landscape, so I wanted something small and with minimal distortion.
I traded my kit lens for the 35 f1.8 DX (50mm FX equivalent) and it’s on my camera most of the time. Only comes off when I use the telephoto or wide angle lens, which isn’t very often.
Thanks guys! How about a video on the best lens collection? Is the holy trinity still the best option? I always use a 2 body set up so I'm toying with the idea of replacing my 24-70 & 70-200 with the Tamron 35-150. Or maybe 3-4 prime lenses (I had a last minute job and I only had a 24mm, 50mm and 85mm on me - really enjoyed it).
The low-light score is a relative measurement of the real T-stops of the lens. I don't have the equipment to give an absolute T-stop measurement (almost nobody does!), but I shot the same scene on all lenses, compared the brightness of the resulting image by adjusting the exposure of the raw files until they were equivalent, and used that data to create the low-light score.
You missed one auto focus lens. SONY 50 f2.8 Macro. That one is my go to travel Len, and I’m wondering how it compares to others especially to Sony 50 f 2.5G
The Sony FE F1.8 is going for £120, the F2.5 version is going for £360 - 3x the price. It's super cute, but it's only a 2.5cm difference between the two for a slower lens. I just don't understand the pricing of that one.
People discount the AF advantages of the more recent first-party lenses. Even the lowly FE 1.8/50 supports higher AF-C rates than the older FE 1.8/55 ZA.
In general the 50mm f2.5 G would higher build quality (it's all metal), have more features (aperture ring, focus hold button), be lighter, be smaller, be sharper, and have faster AF than most zooms
I have the 50/1.2GM and I love it for the images it creates, but less happy about the form and weigth factors, hence I tend to reach to my Voigtlander 50/2 APO when subject movement is not a concern. Of course I know I have to optimise the choice for the purrpose, nevertheless, I tend to use the much smaller and lighter APO more often without sacrificing image quality for a moment.
6:30 its 2023, they still don't know that Bokeh balls have to do more with the size of the front element that with the aperture.Any how, thanks for putting this video together, bought a 50mm back in Dslr day and never used, but now I want one for the mirrorless, that I might not used too.
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I am just a hobbyist and a dad. I own 50 1.2 but my go to lens is the 55 1.8, i like the pop and color contrast that it brings out.
A few thoughts - My experience with the 55 1.8 was that it was at least as sharp - very sharp, and much better than the 50 1.8 in other ways. The 50 1.8 was my first FE lens, it was the next and first I got rid of. It was Noisy and Slow. I loved my 55mm, which was sharp and light. I used it for astro. It was sharp enough. I sold it to a friend and I miss it! Last year I bought the 50mm 1.4 Sony Zeiss because I couldn’t justify the 50 1.2. My version of the 50mm 1.4 Sony Zeiss is sharp and pretty amazing. Astrophotographers use it because it is sharp (enough) across the frame. I picked mine up from keh around 800. I have an observation after buying and selling through KEH over the years: lenses that were beat up and cheaper (bargain to excellent) can be a fantastic value - they may have been used by a pro, and kept and used because they are sharp. My wish list - I love the idea of that 50mm 2.5 for a walk around travel lens, so with an unlimited budget I’d get that and the 1.2 as well. Great suggestion. Thank you for your review - I always enjoy and appreciate your perspectives!
You chose the best without even knowing it. The 1.8/55 Sony-Zeiss and the 2/50 APO ASPH from Voigtlander are the two best lenses you can buy on E mount. There are currently no better lenses for Sony E mount. Both are much better than even most of the GM lenses. You pick up the Zeiss if you want/need autofocus and you pick up the Voigtlander if you want slightly better image quality. Almost everyone who primarily shoots Hasselblad or PhaseOne and owns a Full Frame Sony body, including myself, will always pick up either the 1.8/55ZA or the 2/50 APO ASPH Voigtlander, along with the ''new'' 1.8/135GM almost as a rule - because these three lenses make your work look like you shot the images with a MF sensor and a MF lens. First thing I did after buying Sonys ''new'' a1, was order the 1.8/55ZA and the 1.8/135GM lenses. Images I take with the a1 and these lenses are almost identical to the images from my hasselblads (x1d ll and my new x2d) - minus the detail in shadows and the softer color transitions - but that's just because of the bigger sensor.
What I've always liked about 55 is the metal construction. Not the plastic that every big MFR is using these days and charging $1000s for, but a real cold to the touch metal. There are not many of these metal lenses being released these days... two come to mind are Fuji X mount Viltrox 23/1.4 and 75/1.2.
I got the 40mm F2.5g to my 55mm f1.8. Both are sharper than the 50mm F2.5g I testet. The 40mm with lenshood is not really smaller than the 55mm without lenshood. But it's a superb and fun lens, and you can use it with gloves in the winter.
@nelo maratone I bought the FE55mm f1.8 on it's release. It's excellent at smaller apertures but at 1.8 the CA is very bad. Bought the 50mm f1.2. Unbelievable. And so it should be for the money. But make no mistake, it's leagues ahead of the 55mm.
@@nogerboher5266 Agree 100% Not sure if Tony got a dropped abused old copy or what, but my ZA55 1.8 is just an awesome little lens, and this is coming from someone who sprung for the 70-200 2.8 GM OSS II, so it's not about the money... I just like the thing and think it's small size and sturdy build, along with stellar sharpness even into the corners on my copy, make it one of my favorite go-to lenses. There is always room in my bag for the 55mm 1.8, and that also makes it a winner. Sure it can get a little CA in extreme lighting, but that is what shooting RAW is for. The bokeh on mine is smooth, if he's getting crunchy bokeh like some people say, I think it has a lot more to do with their over sharpening habits in their PP software, not the lens itself.
Yeah the 50ZA is a much better lens than your compromised copy led you to believe. It’s a very sharp lens, has very good contrast and rendering. I know it well, because I used it before the 50/1.2GM came around, which was an even better lens. But in your field i would only pick the two GM 50s over the 50ZA. Maybe the 50/2.5G for travel. But the ZA is easily in the top 5 when it comes to AF 50mm lenses for e-mount.
Well when I saw the za 50/1.4 I thought that they would go as down as testing the first Sony (Minolta revamped) 50/1.4
It's not especially sharp at 1.4 but from 1.8 it blows the yongnuo and even being the bang for bucks 2nd hand at less than 100usd.
I bought myself a copy of this one to use with the 99ii that's cool to have the 399 AF points with this thing.
Putting the Zeiss 55mm f1.8 in 9th place completely calls this ranking into question. Zeiss' optical design produces beautiful images with great microcontrast and depth. Color reproduction is great, it's sharp enough wide open and nice and sharp stopped down one notch, produces beautiful bokeh/separation, and the only real flaw is that CA can be bad in certain lighting conditions.
Agreed. An all-time favorite lens with great performance, character, and just a little off-beat focal length that suited me.
9th place is a joke.
Yes, that's outright silly.
From The reviews i read about it there's no way it would rank 9th place and they missed the sony 50mm f2.8 macro quite good better than some of the lenses on review with a price tag right on the Middle
Yeah it's a strange choice. They also clearly have a terrible copy of the 50mm f/1.4 ZA, since in almost any other testing than their own it's very sharp wide open.
The 55/FE is still an all-time favorite lens.
There is no way the 55 is worse than the 50 1.8 . There 55 is superior in all scenarios with very crisp images.
I agree i have the 55 mm 18 and it is really sharp
I don't know anyone who's ever been disappointed in the 55. Solid choice for any photographer.
I definitely agree, the samyang 45mm was complete hogwash compared to the image quality of the 55 (samyang was right after) and they put the samyang above it? I do agree that the price is too steep but it’s a sharp lens and it’s small and light. I didn’t expect it to be high on this list but there’s definitely some lenses it should be above. I’ve had mine for 10 years and I’d be hard pressed to see a samyang or the Sony 50 1.8 last that long. The AF motors in the 55 are very fast too. The only issue I can complain about is the CA but it’s all correctable in post.
I recently bought the 55 at full price and I love it. I couldn’t find a bad word about it anywhere on TH-cam going back years or recently. Everyone who owns it says no matter what they’ll never get rid of theirs. They speak of it like it’s their baby..
He literally just proved that it is in the video though lmao. The 55 is great, I've owned one, but it's definitely not "Wow" and is pretty average nowadays in terms of sharpness. You can check other reviews like Christopher Frost, same conclusion iirc. The 50 1.2 GM is a lens that makes you say "Wow"
For this to be the ultimate ultimate test you need to include: Rokinon mark 1, the sigma 45 f2.8, viltrox f1.8 and the sony f2.8 macro. At least in the spreadsheet if you can
Yeah surprised the 50mm macro isn’t on here. Especially since it’s a Sony lens
@@EricRamz Maybe it's because it isn't faster than a f2.8 zoom lens so for many it would't be worth carrying this lens extra
@@benjamin5126 Its a lot cheaper, but otherwise its outclassed by the 2.5 completely
@@benjamin5126 2.5 is effectively the same, so if the 2.5 is there, the macro 2.8 should be as well. Especially considering, sometimes macro lenses do provide excellent optical quality. Dont know about the 50, but hey, if it were in the video, i would now. But alas.
@@kaimelis I agree, that‘s true. Maybe the f2.5 was included because it‘s so small, but idk.
Wanna know how good the Sony Planar 50mm F1.4 really is? Ask other TH-camrs: Dustin Abbott, Julia Trotti, Christopher Frost, Steve Huff Photo & HiFi, Felix Jaeger, Stewart Media Digital, Gerald Undone, Chris Turner Photograper, Matt Jackson, Georges CamerasTV, PM-R TV.
Even if Tony & Chelsea keep using the same bad copy I don't understand how its all metal and glass 'Zeiss Planar' build scores just 4/10 compared to some of these plastic lens in Design & Size. It also scored 100% (based on 37 photos) in their 'Sports test' but only got 5/10 score which doesn't make sense.
For your next test, can you compare all the auto-focusing Tamron and Sigma lenses for the Canon RF mount? It shouldn't take you too long.
I switched from the 24 mm F1.4 GM and the 85 mm F1.8 to the 50 mm F1.2 GM and never looked back. I love the 50 mm focal length and paired with the A7C it's my perfect camera setup that I literally bring everywhere. I'm not bothered about the weight so I take it with me on Hikes, Travels, Holidays etc. That background separation is just so perfect with the F1.2 model and I love the feel and hefty weight of it. Plus that autofocus for fast shots of dogs and sharpness is really nice when cropping
Thanks for the interesting comparison, I agree with the conclusions. For a manual focus 50mm, I really like the Voigtlander 50mm f2 Apo Lanthar, incredible lens.
As important price is as a factor (THE factor for many), it gets in the way during comparisons. Comparison ratings should be decided on the fictive assumption of "you can have either one of theses lenses one year for free, but you have to give it back at the end, cannot sell it and cannot have one of the others during this period. What would be your rating or choice then?" rather than ending every column with "but it's xyz bucks more expensive" or "not sure if this bokeh is worth zyx extra dollars". Otherwise price becomes THE only factor and you may omit the rest of the comparison. Consider price only after you found your top three liked lenses without looking at price. OR - you consider a probable reselling value after three years and compare costs rather than initial buying price.
Awesome review! I agree if I was to have two 50mm Sony lenses it would the f1.2 GM and the f2.5 G Compact. I have the 40mm f2.5 and absolutely love the little gem, it performs so well, and is very versatile. I hope Sony releases an updated (new) 85mm f1.2 GM this year
If they released 50 mm 1.4 85mm 1.2 is a must for them to release
+1 for the 85 1.2 and also the 85 1.4, who needs replacement ASAP (even the half priced Sigma 85 1.4 beats it lol)
I'm new to Sony and tempted to get the 50mm 1.4 GM and the 40mm 2.5, but wondering if they're too similar. The 40mm would be more of a walkaround lens.
AVOID THE SAMYANG/ROKINON 50 1.4 II LIKE THE PLAGUE! lol, I dropped my camera 1 1/2 feet, with the lens hood ON and the mounting ring SNAPPED. The mounting ring was in my camera and the rest of the lens was on the ground. The four lens mount screws anchor approximately 1/16th" into PLASTIC. I checked my other 5 lenses and ALL of them anchor into metal.
I love this lens and have used it for many weddings, events, and sports (I think a firmware update happened after this video). It's never let me down in any other way 😢
in my experience the 50mm f1.4 ii feels like a bit wider than 50mm and the AF quite slow. for wedding maybe its kinda acceptable but for commercial it isnt the one
What are you saying, avoid the lens, but later you say, you love it? that you did use it a lot? could you please clarify? thanks
@ the lens is good, but it’s built too cheaply. If you ever bump it into anything / drop the camera it will break in half. Rokinon / Samyang will not repair it, they’ll offer you a replacement for $420 😂
Such a pity you couldn't include the Sigma 50mm F/2 DG DN Contemporary in the comparison. Maybe in a future update of this ranking? :)
I am currently agonizing over whether I want a 50mm prime, and which one to get. This is very clear and helpful! Thanks!
I have both the 1.2 and the 2.5, I use the 2.5 way more. Its such a fun and pleasant experience, also cute. The 1.2 is a photoshoot machine, but I wish I had the 1.4GM personally as maybe then I'd take it out more often.
I'm new to Sony and torn between the 50mm 1.4 GM and the 50mm 2.5 G. Is the 2.5 good enough for portraits?
@@WS-bk7uu uhhh the 1.4 is a better dedicated portrait lens but the 2.5 is, to me, a better all around lens. Yes the 2.5 is more than good enough for portrait work but your depth of field won't be as shallow and have less of that so called 'dreamy' look to it. Personally I think it's an overplayed look anyway but up to you
As always, extremely helpful information and very useful, thank you. I'm currently shooting an A1. I have the 50mm 2.5 and took it to Italy last spring. I think your combined final thoughts are spot on. I'm debating whether to invest in the new 50 1.4, but leaning toward not. The results I achieved with the 50 2.5 in Italy were amazing. The light kit, especially when walking for days, literally, made a huge difference. I don't recall more than a couple of shots where I might have wished for 1.4 - but the end, didn't need it. You probably just saved me $1,298. For now :)
Samyang 45mm 1.8 may be slower than the Sony 50mm f1.8, but sharpness and character for portraits, not sports, Is wayyy better, a consistent point on these reviews is to ALWAYS favor native, more expensive lenses, thanks for the review, just my 2 cents 😊
If you're a pro, the 1.2/1.4 will have its place but otherwise avoidddddddd. The 1.4 isn't that bad but the moment you put it on, you will miss the tiny 2.5 lol
At ~$250 the Sony 50mm f1.8 cannot be beat. Anything better is 4-5 times the price or more
THAT's such a value adding video for anyone considering a 45-55mm 👨🎓👍
PLEASE do that with all common focal lengths😍
What about next: common portrait primes ~85mm (75-90mm)?
And after that, all common wider angle primes? as time permits😉
This really helped, I'm actually goin for Sony 50mm F1.8..🙏
I know it would have lost on autofocus, but would have been nice to know where the 50mm macro Sony lens would've fallen.
The zeiss 55 1.8 is one of the sharpest lens ever made it should me number 3
About the sigma design 3/10 ? It feels actually as premium as the gm, at least they tell the image quality was as good as the Sony 1.4 gm.
It was also weird to see the 2.5 before the sigma and the zeiss 1.8 😅
Thank you for this, a lot of work went into the information and the video and this is the best comprehensive review on the 50mm lenses I've been able ot find. Thanks again, you both are awesome!
Definitely in love with the f/1.2 GM. Depth of field is a compositional element. Love shooting portraits with it, shooting through foreground flowers and foliage, and at the same time, blurring out distracting backgrounds. Creates really 3 dimensional images
I have the 50mm1.2 G-Master and i am blown away by it since the Beginning. Great Video. Thanks for making it.
You guys are just great to watch. Makes a bad day a good for me...another great video.
Love the video . Wow you've now given yourselves a lot of future videos I.e. comparison of the 24s , 85s, 135s . Etc , but I will look forward to seeing them . Good luck.
I'm a Canon shooter so I'm biased, but a comparison between all EF and RF 85mm (Canon/Sigma/Tamron/etc) or even 50mm lenses would be nice! I'm personally quite happy with my EF 85mm F1.8 USM right now, but more light or closer and faster focusing and IS would all be great for portraits or product photography and especially for doubling as a night time wildlife lens
such a well done video, you two are true masters of the craft. I don't even shoot Sony and I still watched all the way through!
phew I own the 55 1.8 ziess and that's my bread and butter lens, I also have owned the cheap 250$ sony 1.8 lens and no shot that my ziess 55 is just a hair better its unreal better. people would even said its one of the sharpest lens and I would agree
Thank you for an awesome comparison. You are the best! I had a used Sony za 55 and I didn’t get the results people are talking about. Many images were slightly blurrred or misfocused. Recently I bought Sony 50 2.5 and the focus is fast and precise, micro contrast is excellent, it has very good colors and it has character. Plus it’s small and light. Button and aperture ring are a bonus. Dustin Abbott review of this lens is spot on.
I love the Sony 2.5 for everyday use, easy to carry. Probably more than the 1.2 BUT there are some instances where the 1.2 comes in handy.
I have the Zeiss Planar 1.4 and Samyang/Rokinon 45mm f1.8. The first blows away the plastic FE 50mm 1.8 any day, no doubt… It is a lemon Zeiss for sure. The Planar is little softer than GMs but a vastly superior optics than the others. The Samyang 45 is better optically and much faster in AF departament than the clunky FE 50mm f1.8, specially with the last Samyang firmware update. While I enjoy travel with size and weight of Samyang 45, the Zeiss much better optically.
I love the f1.2 GM. But, if I didn't already have that lens, I would buy the f1.4 GM.
Can you elaborate? Is it the size?
@@Deathignator Not much difference between 1.2 and 1.4 for me. But, buy the one that suits you.
12:08 you said the 50/1.2 AF hit rate is better with better motors, but in the spreadsheet the 50/1.4 has 100% hit rate vs 91% for the 50/1.2
Yes but the 50 F1.2 has more total shots. The A1 does focus priority so slower focusing cameras yield lower FPS but not necessarily worse ratios.
I already have the 1.2. And I bought it used from a fellow Sony photographer at a bargain price close to the price of the 1.4 GM. But if I didn’t already have the 1.2, I’d definitely buy a 1.4.
Same, bought mine at Christmas when there were a lot of sales going on, bought it almost at the price of the now new 50 1.4, prolly would have bought this one instead too…
My first Sony lens was the 50 mm 1.8 and it was a good option to start with, now I have the Sony 50mm 1.4 GM and I am happy with the result, that lens is amazing
But these are NOT all the AF 50-ish lenses for Sony? What about Viltrox AF 50 f/1.8, Sony FE 50mm F2.8 Macro, Sigma 45mm F2.8 DN DG (since you included the 45mm Samyang)?
So if the Sony 55/1.8 Zeiss is say.... less than $400, would this be the best value?
My favorite Canon EF lens was the 50mm f/1.2. It is almost as good as the modern Sony 50mm f/1,2 GM.
If not for the adapter trouble, I could have lived with the Canon. They are the best of their era, both.
Thanks for the comparison Tony. We are just finalizing our own review of the Samyang 50mm f/1.4 MKII and our corner sharpness looks way better. I suspect you got a bad copy because our sample is very sharp even at f/1.4 (we were kind of surprised actually by how good it was wide open especially compared to the old 55mm Sony Zeiss in the corners...).
It's entirely possible! If so that speaks to poor quality control... Which is really scary because it means our reviews don't necessarily reflect what the consumer will receive. I purchased that lens brand new for this test.
Also, focus distance affects sharpness a lot. T&C test lenses at pretty close focus distance which is often not related to sharpness at farther distances. Best example is the old A-mount ZA 50mm, which is way better at infinity than close focus. And for corner sharpness field curvature matters a lot. I don't know if T&C refocus their corner tests
@@TonyAndChelsea I agree. 3'rd party lenses can have huge differences in QC. We will publish our look at the Samyang in a few hours - have a look at the corner sharpness test (I'll ping this post when its up) - the difference from what you showed is really night and day (if it was the other way around and I would get bad results and you would get good ones I would re-check my results but when you get really sharp results it's hard to argue).
@@MegaWeitzel Oh - I didn't know this. Tony - at what distance did you check the sharpness of the lenses? In our test, we separate close focus sharpness and "normal" distance sharpness (close distance is as close as the lens can focus manually, and normal is what fits our huge Imatest chart - its 1.5m wide so especially with normal or tele lenses we are talking at least 1.5 or 2 meters away if not more).
The Samyang is a very bad close-up but much much better at normal work distances - so this can explain the results Tony got. Just watch our review (this makes more sense than QC - thanks MegaWizel!).
@@LensVid you see their test shots at some points during the video. It is basically three books wide. Their book is 20cm wide, so the scene is 60cm wide? So the focus distance is 80-90cm? But there is a lot of guessing here
Nice. I like these comparison videos.
Your #9 lens (Zeiss 55mm) is the #2 ranked 50mm for sharpness by DXO, behind only the Zeiss 50 / 1.4, and behind by only a single point on their scale. Just sayin' . (I concur - it's incredible on my a7rII)
Plus you can buy it at 400-500 bucks… considering size and all, it’s definetely my favorite
I have the Zeiss 55mm, and think DXO got it wrong. It's my least used because the 24-105mm f/4 G lens is better even though it lets a bit less light in.
I love the 55 1.8 and it’s my goto lens on my A7R II! Can’t beat the combination of sharpness and weight! My 24-105 f/4 was my favorite in the past but the extra light gathered with the 1.8 made the transition easy! It should be within the top 5 lenses at least.
Quality control was really bad with that lens, so there is significant copy-to-copy variation. That's a real risk to consumers, because you never know what you'll get.
But DxO doesn't test AF, handling, etc, nor do they consider price.
@@TonyAndChelsea Good to know about variation, and agree that DXO lacks
testing other lens qualities. I feel lucky to have a sharp copy to use for landscape panos
I keep ALMOST pulling the trigger on the new Sigma DG DN. But I’m tempted by the new GM. I just wish the Sigma was a bit smaller, with a bit less CA. In some reviews I’ve watched, it can be pretty intense.
I have the 1.8 and admittedly it is on an a7 mark one, but one problem I am always had with it focus hunting. It can be excruciatingly slow if you find focus.
Perfect timing! I am traveling to Europe in the next few weeks and do not want to take my heavier cameras/lenses as this isn't that kind of trip. I can't possibly travel without some kind of camera so I picked up a gently used Sony A7C and am now looking for a lightweight but decent 50mm lens to plant on it. I have heard/read such great things about the 55mm, and now that you give the 50mm 2.5 such high marks, I may look into that. Thanks, Chelsea and Tony, for a great overview of the "50's"!
Rokinon 50 1.4 II is amazing, its my favorite 50 for the sony should had been higher up imo but great video otherwise! And one thing that rokinon has over the sony is that Rokinon has pretty much no focus breathing while the sony ones breathe heavily, so its great for video.
thank for the video.
please make all 85mm sony lenses comparison next.
I’m pretty certain several of the lenses you tested are defective (not just quality control, some of these rental units get abused by people and end up being in the condition you found).
There’s no way the Sony Zeiss 50mm F1.4 and 55mm F1.8 are nearly as bad as you have described. I’ve tested probably 12 copies of the 55mm and 7 copies of the 50mm F1.4 and they were all razor sharp.
Final selections are exactly what I had in my mind :) 1.2 for Work and 2.5G for Travel!
I got the Sony 50mm 2.5G, have had the 55mm some years ago. I have to say, its really sharp, its super fast, it's awesome! This videos helped me choose, I would have not gotten it if it was not for this video and I would most likely have gotten a slower lens which honestly wouldnt fit my needs as much as the 2.5G does.
Has the Sony 50mm 2.5 felt like a step down from the Zeiss 55mm 1.8? The build quality of the 2.5 is great, I just worry it might not be as good for portraits.
@@WS-bk7uu Haven't really been able to compare side by side but I like the 2.5 much more, smooth, quiet, great focus, sharpness etc. Would not get the 1.8 again vs the 2.5 for my use.
@@philipwiberg992 Thanks Phillip! I tried one today and loved the build quality, just unsure about it's use for portraits.
2,5G It's the best choice for shooting video on a gimbal. Together with the 24G2.8 and the 40G2.5, you don't need to rebalance the gimbal when swapping lenses.
This was an awesome review. I wonder if you got a bad copy or a damaged copy of the size 55 because compared to the Sony 50 1.8 it's leaps and bounds ahead after using an working shooting situations.
Maybe it's mine, but I found the autofocus on the Sony 50mm f/1.8 slow and hunts to the point of almost making it unusable.
One missed is the Mitakon Zhongyi Speedmaster 50mm f/0.95, there's a couple of variants, they're manual focus but there's nothing as fast as f/0.95 in your list.
That said, it does spend a lot of time in the dry cab. as it's weight and manual only limitations do mean it's not a great walking around lens and only used when you specifically need it, also quite soft, especially wide open and you do get some odd artifacts (however, if you're aware of them, they can add character and artistry to an image).
Also, not sure if it technically counts, but the Sirui 50mm T2.9 1.6x Anamorphic is a great fifty, I mean, technically it's the width you'd see on something around 35mm but with the top and bottom cut off, but it has a great effect and makes some beautiful video (photos less so, but can still be interesting when used right).
I'm very curious to understand what kind of sports and at what distance from the subject a 50mm can be used for?
Even indoors 135 is for me way too short. Now obviously if the idea is to shoot a skater jumping from beneath him, then even a 15-30 will do, but that's not common situation at all...
I have the Zeiss 55 and the baby Sony 1.8. I’m actually using the little Sony most of the time as I’m going smaller and lighter and probably destined for the A7C. Flying around in airplanes means light and small. No issues with the lens everyone loves to hate.
I own, not the 50mm, but the 40mm f/2.5 and it hasn't disappointed me once - so sharp, incredibly fast af, love it 〜
I shoot wedding ceremonies in harsh sunlight… I’m talking harsh beach sunlight in CA that I cannot help. My Sony GM and Sigma glasses are trash in harsh lighting. My go-to is the Sony Zeiss 1.4 ZA Planar. I’m surprised it’s last place on your list lol. Would love to have you both cover subjects in harsh sunlight as a category.
You should have tried a different Sony 50mm 1.4 Ziess Planar, before totally trashing the lens. I get the impression that you guys hate Ziess.
It’s CRAZY how many people are romanticizing the ZA 55. People need to get out of their heads that Zeiss is some sort of quality badge. I do think Tony/Chelsea ZA 50 is a bad copy, but the ZA 55 is right in line w/ other reviews and from my own personal experience. The lens came out almost 10 yrs ago, it’s ok if it’s not the best by today’s standards
Thanks Tony and Chelsea for this very interesting review! And interesting that your Sony Zeiss 55mm f1.8 didn't do well in your sharpness test, because mine is very sharp and a favorite in my kit. I have the older A mount ZA 50mm f1.4 and Minolta Macro 50mm f2.8 D. which I have pair with the LA-EA5. These days the ageing me prefers smaller and lighter so if I were in the market for a 50mm now I would go with that 50mm f2.5 G! Actually I prefer the 40mm focal length. My Zeiss 40mm f2 Batis is one of my most used prime lenses.
Interesting! I always thought that there might be slight sample variations as some other reviews place the 50mm f1.4GM ahead of the f1.2? The f1.4GM is on my 'buy soon' list - I'm just waiting for a good deal as it's currently almost the same cost as the f1.2 GM here in the UK. The reduced weight and heft (f1.4 vs f1.2) for just a slight loss of speed/bokeh are a good trade off IMO. I also heard that the edges were as good as the f1.2, but clearly not with your examples and tests? If/when I buy then I might retire/sell my 55mm f1.8. I may now need to look again at more tests between the f1.2 vs 1.4, but had thought the matter decided in my own mind.
I bought my 55mm Zeiss f1.8 5 years ago on switching to Sony. I like it a lot (compact size and always seemed sharp) but not used for 1-2 years now and from memory the close focus shooting range was disappointing and limiting. I passed on buying a GM 24-70 mk1 (heft, cost, perceived indifferent performance) and instead bought a 24-105 G (mainly travel/convenience) but typically packed the 55mm too, for low light capability. But, after buying a 35mm F1.4 GM (lovely sharp lens, esp. for environmental portraiture) I tended to use that or my 24mm f1.4 prime instead of the 55mm. After the 24-70 GM mk2 came out, I bought that as my 3rd 'trinity zoom' (excellent) sold my 24-105 and haven't used my55mm since. So now I'm looking for a really great 50mm and had thought the f1.4 GM a better choice, on balance, than the f1.2 GM. Absolute cost isn't an issue for me, although I won't just pay any old 'asking' price and try to 'buy smart'. I suspect if smaller/lighter then it might just get packed and together with my 35mm GM prime may mean I don't always travel with a 'default' 24-70 zoom. I guess I'm lucky to have choices.
Thanks for the detailed comparison! Last week, I ordered a used 50mm f/1.2 using money I got from selling other lenses I didn't use as much, including my old 55mm f/1.8. I also had way too many 35mm lenses, so I sold all of them as well, except for the 35mm GM and the 16-35mm GM. I'm really excited to walk around at night with the 1.2!
I have the rokinon 35mm 1.8 (and the 18f2.8) and love em. Haven't noticed any problems with either.
Sony 50 1.2 GM is my go to prime. Super sharp, super fast and it produces super images in the studio and in natural light!! I also love my 35 1.4 GM. However, I did return my 85 1.4 GM to B&H. It sounded like a chain saw when the ridiculously slow focus motors churned away. Also had a horrible time getting it to lock focus in only moderately low light :( I am wondering if I got a bad copy of the 85?
nope, trust me, the 85 1.4 is BAD ! I tested all the 85s lenses a few months ago and the Sigma 85 is much better ! The 85 1.4 gm is the worst GM lens by far and badly needs replacement !
My picks, the f2.5 and f1.2. The 2.5 for street is amazing and the faster 1.2 for portraits is just amazing. I was surprised at how good the 2.5 is and night scenes on a full frame is still very good. Agree with your round up. Didn't like Sony 50mm f1.8. Good cheap option but isn't as fun as the 2.5.
Beware the Sony 50 1.8 AF performance on bodies before 3rd Generation, it's bad in good light and borderline unusable in low light. Other than that it's a great lens for the price. My copy of the Samyang 45 1.8 was way sharper than my Sony 50 1.8 and on my A7rii also much faster focusing. Loved the Samyang, crisp images with nice rendering.
Sorry but claiming the Zeiss Planar having least sharpness must be a flaw of your copy. I use it for weddings and portraits and some clients even claim my pictures where too sharp for them (too many wrinkles visible 😄 ) The portraits i take in my studio are also always razer sharp! If someone needs proof i happily provide a gallery! Seeing the results of the 50mm 2.5G really annoy me, why didn't sony make this at least F2 or 1.8. It would be the "pro" version of their cheapo 1.8 we need.
thank you so much. It's really helpful for a new guy like me. Cant wait to see 35mm sony list
The 50mm f1.2 is a magical lens. Sharpness, micro contast, tonality and colour. It has it all. I picked up mine in the UK for £1500. Considerably cheaper than the £2000 RRP
I tend to shoot more macro and extreme telephoto than the normal focal length lenses, but I'm in the market for a nifty fifty for video on Sony full-frame. This video is a great primer in the available options. Thanks Tony & Chelsea!
will you be updating the list with the sigma 50 1.2?
I have the 50 1.2 GM and I love this lens.
That 50 2.5G is definitely the travel lens choice from Sony. Hmm, but I currently own an APSC 50mm F1.8 from Sony and sometimes I use it for make-shift portrait lens when I just need a shot or a 50mm backup lens. I am still kinda waiting for Sigma F/2 if it will come out at a later time. I have been using sigma 35mm f/2 C but ya, it will be so great if Sigma C series lens for the 50mm can have a iris click lock all-in-one-switch with a string bolt insertable for the magnet lens cap and comes with a tri-switch design and a body slightly bigger or around same size of the 35mm C then I would just grab that future lens.
the manual focus loawa 45mm f0.95
is my winner
Shame you didn’t rate this bokeh king
Love the extensive video, though I'm surprised (shocked!) by you're rating of the famous 55/1.8... my copy was outstandingly sharp, and I used it extensively the first 2 years of my career.... Oh, and by the way, Tony, your look at the camera when Chelsea was saying 'it's-so-cute, it's-so-cute!' was classic LOL
I have been looking around for the sharpest I can get withing my budget. Would love the Sony 50mm 1.2 but a little out of my price range at the moment. Based on your spreadsheet it looks like the Sigma for me.. Maybe sell it after I save enough for the Sony 1.2.
I passed on all those lenses and went for a Sony FE 40mm F2.5 G. My only uses for this focal length is for street and landscape, so I wanted something small and with minimal distortion.
I traded my kit lens for the 35 f1.8 DX (50mm FX equivalent) and it’s on my camera most of the time. Only comes off when I use the telephoto or wide angle lens, which isn’t very often.
Thanks guys! How about a video on the best lens collection? Is the holy trinity still the best option? I always use a 2 body set up so I'm toying with the idea of replacing my 24-70 & 70-200 with the Tamron 35-150. Or maybe 3-4 prime lenses (I had a last minute job and I only had a 24mm, 50mm and 85mm on me - really enjoyed it).
The Sigma 50mm f2 and the Samyang 50mm f1.4 are some good, more affordable options not included here.
6:30 A T-stop comparisson would be interesting in terms of low light ability, but kind of deep into detailes. Thanks again!
The low-light score is a relative measurement of the real T-stops of the lens. I don't have the equipment to give an absolute T-stop measurement (almost nobody does!), but I shot the same scene on all lenses, compared the brightness of the resulting image by adjusting the exposure of the raw files until they were equivalent, and used that data to create the low-light score.
Thank you, T&C for sharing wisdom.
You missed one auto focus lens. SONY 50 f2.8 Macro. That one is my go to travel Len, and I’m wondering how it compares to others especially to Sony 50 f 2.5G
I think the only lens missed from this lineup is the 56mm f1.4 from sigma to show the top end of the apsc lineup !
The Sony FE F1.8 is going for £120, the F2.5 version is going for £360 - 3x the price. It's super cute, but it's only a 2.5cm difference between the two for a slower lens. I just don't understand the pricing of that one.
The 50mm 1.4 ZA - You have a bad copy. I can send you some raw files if you want.
People discount the AF advantages of the more recent first-party lenses. Even the lowly FE 1.8/50 supports higher AF-C rates than the older FE 1.8/55 ZA.
The Samyang is a bang for buck 1.4, most other cheaper 3rd parties are F1.8
In my region the f1.4gm has already reduced the f1.2gm's resell by ~10-20% the options are too good to choose lol
You should first got good copies. My 50 zony 1.4 is incredibly sharp.
Nicevidro, thanks. You forgot the sony fe 50 mmf 2.8 macro...
thankute professors! I am going to buy my first fullframe fifty soon
Don’t forget the most fun of them all imo.
Sony 50mm 2.8 1:1 macro
Only because you rated the 50 f2.5 so highly, I'm curious how one of the f2.8 zooms compare.
In general the 50mm f2.5 G would higher build quality (it's all metal), have more features (aperture ring, focus hold button), be lighter, be smaller, be sharper, and have faster AF than most zooms
must be a bad copy of Zeiss 1.4 Planar T. I've it, its sharpness is pretty darn good.
I have the 50/1.2GM and I love it for the images it creates, but less happy about the form and weigth factors, hence I tend to reach to my Voigtlander 50/2 APO when subject movement is not a concern. Of course I know I have to optimise the choice for the purrpose, nevertheless, I tend to use the much smaller and lighter APO more often without sacrificing image quality for a moment.
What about the Viltrox 50mm f1.8? That was one I was considering when I was shopping this focal length.
Hmm strange the Zeiss 55mm F1.8 scored so low, every time I see it mentioned people praise it so much.
6:30 its 2023, they still don't know that Bokeh balls have to do more with the size of the front element that with the aperture.Any how, thanks for putting this video together, bought a 50mm back in Dslr day and never used, but now I want one for the mirrorless, that I might not used too.
Great vid! Although tbh I preferred the separation at f/5.6 to the f/1.2 at the beginning.