This was my favorite lens when I bought my a7iii. Then sold everything because work but when I bought an A7iv for personal, this was the first thing I picked back up. Can’t live without it.
I had this lens since 2017 and I will keep it for many years to come. By far my favorite 50ish lens... compact, fast AF, silent and the imagery that comes out of this glass is beautiful. Also for gimbal work is amazing as well since it's so compact.
I love this video - reminds us that we sometimes have the best gear already rather than always being swayed by newness. Also, that glass is sometimes more important than the camera. I had to choose between this and its 85mm counterpart years ago and chose this mainly because it would serve me well as an all-rounder not only for portraits but a general walkaround 50 too.
Proves again that photography is art and glass is the best investment. I think the camera companies sway our opinion based on marketing BS. So many great lenses are old and are still relevant. Great take. I love the 55 as well every time I used it. One of the first lenses for alpha and it still kicks tail
I’ve been collecting the best lenses for Sony A-mount for several years, but then Sony introduced E-mount, all my Zeisses and G-masters turned into just a few kilograms of glass and steel. Adapters are not a silver bullet. A-mount lenses with E-mount bodies cannot be even compared with them mounted on A99II. The best investment)
Sony`s 55mm is a legend already! Definitely one of my favourite lenses of all time. I actually saw once a comparison video showing that the autofocus in this lens performs faster than in Sony 50mm 1.4 GM. Its price is hefty but I think it's still better value overall than some GMs.
Well, if you shoot portraits, you're gonna be hanging around f2.8 or higher anyway about 80-90% of the time, especially in a studio or indoors. So buying a 1.4 or 1.2 lens is literally a waste of money, unless all you do is limited bokeh compositions. Modern lenses are made by focusing on sharpness, reduced vignetting and reduced aberrations, all at the cost of reduced contrast/micro contrast and tonality. With this Zeiss lens, you're not paying premium for branding or sharpness (although, the lens is pretty sharp too!), you're paying premium for the unique micro contrast, tonality and saturation that only Zeiss, Leica, Hasselblad, Contax, Voigtlander and Nikon can reproduce. This Zeiss 55mm has better micro contrast, tonality and saturation than most lenses made in the past 15-20 years, including all of the GM and other ten times more expensive lenses. This lenses micro contrast and saturation is almost as good as it is on legendary Leica Summicron M 50mm f2 and Carl Zeiss Planar T 50mm f2 ZM lenses. Which by the way, for those of you who don't know, micro contrast and saturation performance is what gives lenses that ability to make images come to life aka. the so called ''3D pop.'' Not many lenses have that, most lenses with this characteristic are really old manual focus lenses from 1900's.
@@nogerboher5266 I somewhat disagree. There are a lot of portrait photographers creating stunning compositions that pretty much always shoot wide open at f/1.4. Indoors, with natural light, it is especially helpful having a wide aperture. If someone shoots 80-90% at f/2.8 or higher, I'd strongly recommend that person just by a zoom lens. I am one of those that likes to shoot mostly wide open, however, and this lens produces beautiful results at f/1.8. But I am not sold on the whole micro contrast or 3D pop argument. My cheap Samyang 45mm f/1.8 lens produces sharper results, with equal contrast as this lens, and certainly better than the legacy glass I own. The main reason I currently have this lens on my camera and not the Samyang is that it just produces more pleasing results being 55mm, with smoother bokeh (the metal build also just feels way better in the hand).
Just bought one as well for 590 euros. Love it so far, the only thing that bothers me a bit is CA like you said. But its easily fixable in post. Zeiss 35mm F2.8 is another one i can easily recommend.
I have the Sony Zeiss Sonnar 55mm 1.8 which I use on Sony A7RIV and I can highly recommend it, right NOW you can get it new from 649 Euro in Europe. November 2023, you can get it used for US$358 (taxes included !), I even saw one for $179 (taxes included) !
I’ve noticed there’s a huge difference in how sharp it is once I go from either f1.8 to f2.5, or even from F2.2-f2.5. This wasn’t the case when I first got the lens, I’ve had it for two years. Really unsure why this might be?
Una pregunta hermano. QUE LENTE ES RECOMENDABLE PARA UN DOCUMENTAL DE FAUNA TERRESTE, OSEA PARA GRABAR ANIMALES. PARA CANON ME REFIERO. GRACIAS Y Cordial saludos desde una ex colonia Española en el golfo de Guinea, África
Is it really underrated when nearly everyone (95%+) who reviewed this lens gives it positive reviews? Wasn’t this the number one choice for a nifty fifty before the 50mm 1.2 GM?
I watched your 2016 video on SSD upgrading but wasn't able to find the raid button on the utility menu. Running on Catalina, I have two 1 TB SSDs of the same brand on my MacBook pro 2012 but its only operating on 1 SSD. I've read comments on reddit that you have to go into the terminal and write commands because of the latest OS... just wanted to know if you had suggestions for a reliable reference/reading if that's the case.
This lens destroys the 50 1.8 and yes it is worth the price difference if you can find it used for around $600. I got mine used for around 550. I was worried about the focusing speed that some have mentioned about this lens but I find it to be fast. Much faster than the 50 1.8, but slower than today's top of the line. Either way it still focuses fast.
SONY T*FE 55MM F/1.8 SONNAR vs Sony SEL50F25G FE 50mm f/2.5 G Prime Lens , There Is No Video on RUclips If U have Time Make One Thnx Which Has Better Auto Focus For Video
Good vid but I lol when I see titles with “underrated” about lenses that are some of the most highly regarded and highly rated in the entire ecosystem 😂
I'd say it's an overrated lens. Yes, it's small, lightweight and sharp. However in my opinion the strong longitudinal ca somehow ruins the images of this lens. I'd pick the Sony Zeiss 50mm 1.4 (or of course the 50mm 1.2 GM) over the 55mm 1.8 any time.
This was my favorite lens when I bought my a7iii. Then sold everything because work but when I bought an A7iv for personal, this was the first thing I picked back up. Can’t live without it.
I had this lens since 2017 and I will keep it for many years to come. By far my favorite 50ish lens... compact, fast AF, silent and the imagery that comes out of this glass is beautiful. Also for gimbal work is amazing as well since it's so compact.
I love this video - reminds us that we sometimes have the best gear already rather than always being swayed by newness. Also, that glass is sometimes more important than the camera. I had to choose between this and its 85mm counterpart years ago and chose this mainly because it would serve me well as an all-rounder not only for portraits but a general walkaround 50 too.
Proves again that photography is art and glass is the best investment. I think the camera companies sway our opinion based on marketing BS. So many great lenses are old and are still relevant. Great take. I love the 55 as well every time I used it. One of the first lenses for alpha and it still kicks tail
I’ve been collecting the best lenses for Sony A-mount for several years, but then Sony introduced E-mount, all my Zeisses and G-masters turned into just a few kilograms of glass and steel. Adapters are not a silver bullet. A-mount lenses with E-mount bodies cannot be even compared with them mounted on A99II. The best investment)
These are 469 dollars brand new at e-infin now. Absolutely insane value. Thanks for the review btw, I ordered one.
Sony`s 55mm is a legend already! Definitely one of my favourite lenses of all time. I actually saw once a comparison video showing that the autofocus in this lens performs faster than in Sony 50mm 1.4 GM. Its price is hefty but I think it's still better value overall than some GMs.
Well, if you shoot portraits, you're gonna be hanging around f2.8 or higher anyway about 80-90% of the time, especially in a studio or indoors. So buying a 1.4 or 1.2 lens is literally a waste of money, unless all you do is limited bokeh compositions. Modern lenses are made by focusing on sharpness, reduced vignetting and reduced aberrations, all at the cost of reduced contrast/micro contrast and tonality. With this Zeiss lens, you're not paying premium for branding or sharpness (although, the lens is pretty sharp too!), you're paying premium for the unique micro contrast, tonality and saturation that only Zeiss, Leica, Hasselblad, Contax, Voigtlander and Nikon can reproduce. This Zeiss 55mm has better micro contrast, tonality and saturation than most lenses made in the past 15-20 years, including all of the GM and other ten times more expensive lenses. This lenses micro contrast and saturation is almost as good as it is on legendary Leica Summicron M 50mm f2 and Carl Zeiss Planar T 50mm f2 ZM lenses. Which by the way, for those of you who don't know, micro contrast and saturation performance is what gives lenses that ability to make images come to life aka. the so called ''3D pop.'' Not many lenses have that, most lenses with this characteristic are really old manual focus lenses from 1900's.
@@nogerboher5266 Cool.
@@nogerboher5266 I somewhat disagree. There are a lot of portrait photographers creating stunning compositions that pretty much always shoot wide open at f/1.4. Indoors, with natural light, it is especially helpful having a wide aperture.
If someone shoots 80-90% at f/2.8 or higher, I'd strongly recommend that person just by a zoom lens. I am one of those that likes to shoot mostly wide open, however, and this lens produces beautiful results at f/1.8. But I am not sold on the whole micro contrast or 3D pop argument.
My cheap Samyang 45mm f/1.8 lens produces sharper results, with equal contrast as this lens, and certainly better than the legacy glass I own. The main reason I currently have this lens on my camera and not the Samyang is that it just produces more pleasing results being 55mm, with smoother bokeh (the metal build also just feels way better in the hand).
Anyone watching the video now. The lense is currently 680!!!! I scooped it immediately
Nice!!
I ended up second shooting a whole wedding day on the 55mm. those are still some of my favorite shots and are on my opening page on my website
Just bought one as well for 590 euros. Love it so far, the only thing that bothers me a bit is CA like you said. But its easily fixable in post. Zeiss 35mm F2.8 is another one i can easily recommend.
I have the Sony Zeiss Sonnar 55mm 1.8 which I use on Sony A7RIV and I can highly recommend it, right NOW you can get it new from 649 Euro in Europe.
November 2023, you can get it used for US$358 (taxes included !), I even saw one for $179 (taxes included) !
I like the long term review! It’s definitely a lens I’ve always thought about picking up.
Literally just did a video about this lens for street photography. Awesome little lens 👌
This was the first lens I got with my A7iii. Its actually my least used lens but at the same time I love it and won't sell it. Its great
Very underrated lens. One of my favorite lenses and I love mine. One of the few lenses that has a concave front element.
I've had it since 2018 over 4 cameras ago. Love it.
Nice lens! Yeah I have a few old stuff that I sue too on my Canon that just works as my go to lenses up until today, and I love em!
Thx a lot. "it makes the subject out of background"! This is a light fallen in to my heart'
When i switch from 6d to Sony A7 II (2015) it was my first lens i buy and yes…very very Sharp and good bokeh 📸👌🏽
Thank you for this video. New to Sony and no clue which ‘50’ to get but know I’m not dropping $2K on one. This will be perfect for my uses. Cheers.
Back when I had an a7rii this was the only lens I had, great results at that resolution too 😘👌🏽✨
It’s still such a great lens
Not sure about other countries. In Vietnam, where I live, this lens still one of good glasses for sony and is quite popular
Germany also
This lens is the only thing I miss when I switched from Sony to Canon. I loved that lens.
This Lens is the E Mount GOAT to me 🙏
Pulling the trigger. Found a local deal to get this for $500 used. I have a 35 and 85 and now I might have the perfect I'm between for the A7c.
I've seen a couple of these break in half, but I still love the look of it at closer focusing distances. dat sonnar
I’ve noticed there’s a huge difference in how sharp it is once I go from either f1.8 to f2.5, or even from F2.2-f2.5. This wasn’t the case when I first got the lens, I’ve had it for two years. Really unsure why this might be?
The AF module here holds onto the glue drop.
Dope review as always! Make a review on your contax zeiss lenses for video but maybe for photo too!
I did. Cinematic Filming & Modding Vintage CONTAX ZEISS Lenses
ruclips.net/video/jKrke2FXA5o/видео.html
Una pregunta hermano. QUE LENTE ES RECOMENDABLE PARA UN DOCUMENTAL DE FAUNA TERRESTE, OSEA PARA GRABAR ANIMALES. PARA CANON ME REFIERO. GRACIAS Y Cordial saludos desde una ex colonia Española en el golfo de Guinea, África
got one love it love it love it....sharp as a razor its the best
You are right, I do have the GM and this one. I will trade the GM for the sigma 70-200 2.8 the day sigma will launch it, but I will keep this 55.
I just ordered this used for $450 Australian dollars, about $US300, upgrading from the 50mm 1.8. I can barely contain my excitement.
Really useful review. Thanks.
It’s been living on my FX3 lately
Why do some people complain about focus hunting with this lens?
Is it really underrated when nearly everyone (95%+) who reviewed this lens gives it positive reviews? Wasn’t this the number one choice for a nifty fifty before the 50mm 1.2 GM?
Lol true
I watched your 2016 video on SSD upgrading but wasn't able to find the raid button on the utility menu. Running on Catalina, I have two 1 TB SSDs of the same brand on my MacBook pro 2012 but its only operating on 1 SSD. I've read comments on reddit that you have to go into the terminal and write commands because of the latest OS... just wanted to know if you had suggestions for a reliable reference/reading if that's the case.
This lens destroys the 50 1.8 and yes it is worth the price difference if you can find it used for around $600. I got mine used for around 550. I was worried about the focusing speed that some have mentioned about this lens but I find it to be fast. Much faster than the 50 1.8, but slower than today's top of the line. Either way it still focuses fast.
Faster than the 50 1.4 gm ?
Thanks for the eye detection test
I'm curious how FE50 f2.5 stand against this Zeiss 55mm. 🤔
SONY T*FE 55MM F/1.8 SONNAR vs Sony SEL50F25G FE 50mm f/2.5 G Prime Lens , There Is No Video on RUclips If U have Time Make One Thnx
Which Has Better Auto Focus For Video
Sir I am from India....i purchased Sony aiv cemara..pls ryou suggested whith lence is the best all of all ...I am a Indian Army ❤
I have Batis 85 sonnar 1.8 And this baby Batis 55. Both top.
One of my favorite lenses.
Love this lens! 😍
How’s the noise when changing aperture and auto focusing in photos A mode - AF-S focus mode setting to F22?
Does it make a lot of noise when focusing or changing aperature?
you can get this lens for under $500 now...insane for the quality you get
exactly, well said.
Love that lens to death when I was with Sony. Excellent lens for stills but does focus breathe for video!
Yeah unfortunately it’s not one of the lenses that the a7iv focus breathing compensation works on. But maybe they will add it down the road
Have it love it but too much chromatic Abberation
How is the focus breathing compensation the A7iv with this lens ?
It’s not a supported lens (yet)
@@LeeZavitz great video … I pulled the trigger on a used one for 700.00 off BNH with a 9+ rating ! Stoked … I’ve heard so many good things about it
I love my 55 👍
I'll have a Zeiss 55 F/1.8!!!
Let’s gooo
it‘s a great lens
Good vid but I lol when I see titles with “underrated” about lenses that are some of the most highly regarded and highly rated in the entire ecosystem 😂
It’s underrated compared to the 50mm f1.2. That’s all you ever hear people talk about. But this lens is right up there optically imo.
Zeiss 55mm is lightning in a bottle
Do you have the 50 1.2?
No. But I reviewed it. Super nice lens
That is my favorite
My 55 is my best len
Underrated like Messi or Ronaldo!😁
The Zeiss pop tho.
Dude this has never been underrated..
Since when this lens get underrated....?
Since the 50mmf1.2 came out
😘🇻🇳👍
underrated and overpriced
I'd say it's an overrated lens. Yes, it's small, lightweight and sharp. However in my opinion the strong longitudinal ca somehow ruins the images of this lens. I'd pick the Sony Zeiss 50mm 1.4 (or of course the 50mm 1.2 GM) over the 55mm 1.8 any time.