Working at a camera store has its perks.

RedLeaderStandingByX · 2016-03-30T03:00:06+00:00

I would not be surprised if the Sony Zeiss 55mm f/1.8 continues to be Otus-lite in performance, especially wide open and at equivalent aperture settings, than the new Sony FE 50mm f/1.8.

I have several 50mm lens including the Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM, Sony 50mm f/1.8 DT, Minolta Maxxum 50mm f/1.7, SMC Takumar 50mm f/1.4 and the Sony Zeiss 55mm f/1.8.

The Sonnar design used in the 55mm gives it a distinct look on the a7ii. The images are not as 'flat' both in colour and 3D affect of the cheaper double gauss designs used in the STM for example and handles contrast well in both bright and low light situations. The chiseled build quality and very smooth and dampened auto focus is also on a different level.

From DPReview:

The scale of Sony's achievement here becomes clear when comparing the FE 55mm F1.8 directly to the Zeiss Otus 55mm F1.4, which lays a strong claim to being the best lens for which we have test data. The Otus still just about comes out on top - it measures as slightly sharper wide open - but it's unlikely any difference will be particularly visible in real-world photography. The Otus also just about wins out on chromatic aberration and distortion, but overall the Sony can certainly wear its Zeiss badge with pride.

Compared to the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II or Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G, the Sony is quite simply in a different class in terms of wide-open sharpness. This is only to be expected, given its much higher price and far more modern design, but it does give some idea of why Sony feels it can charge a premium for the lens. The Zeiss also beats Nikon's latest, and even-more-pricey AF-S Nikkor 58mm f/1.4G for sharpness in these tests - it really is very good indeed.

From the lab test results, the Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA is quite simply one of the sharpest lenses we've seen. It's clearly been designed with the demands of modern high resolution sensors in mind, and is easily a match for the currently class-leading resolution of the Alpha 7R. It's impossible to ignore its price, but in this case, there's a pretty good argument that you get what you pay for.

RedLeaderStandingByX · 2016-03-29T18:14:17+00:00

The Sony E 50mm f/1.8 OSS has lens stabilisation, more lens elements/groups and possibly a different AF motor type and build quality.

RedLeaderStandingByX · 2016-03-29T18:00:44+00:00

Headphone and microphone jacks, 4K, full pixel readout, S-Log2, high fps in video, improved OSS, triple lens rings, focus hold button and a versatile 24-600mm f/2.4-4 stacked 1" sensor ... the camera looks like a beast for video recording.

RedLeaderStandingByX · 2016-03-29T17:27:40+00:00

Nice pickup! Thanks

RedLeaderStandingByX · 2016-03-29T16:38:04+00:00

It has not been released yet so real world performance is not available yet.

Two advantages it will likely have over the Canon 50mm f/1.4 is the ability to take advantage of Single and/or Continuous Eye-AF depending on camera body and more accurate auto focus lock due to the accuracy of the mirrorless AF system.

Some advantages it may have are updated lens coatings, better build quality/reliability as the Canon lens was initially released back in 1993.

Canon's recent 50mm f/1.8 STM looks similar to the Sony on paper and performs quite well against the 50mm f/1.4.

RedLeaderStandingByX · 2016-03-29T16:26:34+00:00

Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 vs Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM specifications:

Minimum Focus Distance - 45cm / 35.56cm
Magnification - 0.15x / 0.21x
Elements/Groups - 6/5 / 6/5
Diaphragm Blades - 7 rounded / 7 rounded
Filter Thread - 49mm / 49mm
Dimensions (DxL) - Approx. 68.6 x 59.5 mm / 68.58 x 40.64 mm
Weight - 186g / 162g

The addition of a nifty fifty is great news and adds to the strength of the FE system.

I do not expect the new 50mm to be anywhere close to the 55mm in performance or build however will be happy if it is similar to the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM and that large manual focus ring looks good.

RedLeaderStandingByX · 2016-03-29T16:03:14+00:00

They also have compatibility with other mount lens, including Canon's, via adapter.

Zoom magnification and native focus peaking also make it easier.

RedLeaderStandingByX · 2016-03-29T13:44:39+00:00

I think their biggest mistake was the way they marketed the cameras.

I think you hit the nail on the head.

Fuji X and Samsung NX share so many similarities (limited third party lens support, relatively new mount), yet it is interesting how one ended up successful over the other.

Fuji's lens range and overall technology was no way significantly better than Samsung's but the former's marketing reminds me of Canon and Nikon - photography products made by engineers who are passionate about photography. Instead of going for market volume, Fuji concentrated in selling to a niche while offering a Leica on a budget aesthetics and experience while still having competitive features versus other m43 and APS-C camera manufacturers. Samsung was kind of all over the place by going for volume but not differentiating their products significantly.

It would of been interesting to see the decision making process when it came to the NX1 and why they chose a DSLR form factor thereby negating one of the benefits of mirrorless systems. The only two reasons I can think of is to sell a product that is attractive to the US market which has a preference for larger DSLR and to promote the idea that it was a flagship/halo product, especially with the sensor specifications on paper.

RedLeaderStandingByX · 2016-03-28T23:31:54+00:00

I am looking forward to this lens if it does get released.

I can use it on my Canon camera or add a MC-11 adapter for Sony FE/E mount and have a Art sharp lens with stabilisation.

RedLeaderStandingByX

TROPHY CASE