Fred Miranda wrote:
I very much like the 50/1.4 ZA's rendering. At mid-distance, it's not as smooth compared to lenses like the CV 50/1.2 or Samyang 50/1.4 AF which are under-corrected for spherical aberration. The 50/1.4 ZA renders like a modern lens being well-corrected and sharp from wide open and across the field (with a slight mid-field dip)...In that sense, it reminds me of the FE 135/1.8 GM's look with fantastic contrast, high resolution, great color rendering and neutral bokeh.
If you are not a fan of the 50/1.4 ZA's rendering, stay away from the Samyang 45/1.8 AF.
About the 45mm, I wish you posted the comparison before I ordered it Bokeh is definitely not its strong point. I also posted a few pictures in the Samyang thread.
There is maybe a learning curve with the 50/1.4 for me, and I should have rented a few days instead of 1 day. I guess what really bothers me at the end is the weight/size/price/(average AF speed) and lack of wow factor when I started to look at the pictures. I didn't want any compromise on the rendering, and it's subjective here. The comparison you did between the CV50 and 1.4ZA is very helpful, I now have to try this new CV. (unfortunately it doesn't seem possible to rent it yet)
Another option to consider maybe is the Sigma 50mm ART. But it's about the same weight (820g vs 790g I think) as the Sony and it will probably won't be as smooth as the CV anyway.
I have both the Tamron 28-75 and the Sony ZA 1.4. It's an apples to oranges comparison, but at 50mm, I'd take the 50 ZA in a heartbeat.
I have also owned the Samyang/Rokinon 50mm 1.4, the Sony 50 1.8 FE, and currently own the Rokinon 45 1.8.
If I could only pick one lens from all of these lenses, it would always be the 50 ZA. The images it produces are truly special. The sharpness wide open, lack of CA, micro contrast and bokeh all lead to truly special images. Yes, the bokeh may not be as "dreamy"/smooth as the Rokinon 50mm 1.4, but it is still very nice, and it destroys the Rokinon in every other way. Btw, try disabling EFCS if you are shooting at very high (short) shutter speeds like 1/2000s for the best bokeh.
The bokeh my Tamron 28-75 produces in comparison to the 50 ZA is definitely harsher. Also, it's not a good comparison, at least for me, as the two lenses serve totally different purposes, and I am keeping both. The ZA excels as a 1.4 portrait and general purpose lens. It had produced some of my favorite photos of any lens I have owned so far in just a couple of months of ownership.
I haven't tried the CV 50, but MF is not an option for me as I primarily use my ZA to take portraits of my toddler and people at events. MF would be an exercise in frustration at large apertures, and the lens would end up becoming a toy at best.
I considered every option before splurging on the 50 ZA, and it has exceeded my expectations in every way. Combined with my Rokinon 45 1.8, I have the best of both worlds. Ultimate image quality, and the best portability.
Fboss wrote:
About the 45mm, I wish you posted the comparison before I ordered it Bokeh is definitely not its strong point. I also posted a few pictures in the Samyang thread.
There is maybe a learning curve with the 50/1.4 for me, and I should have rented a few days instead of 1 day. I guess what really bothers me at the end is the weight/size/price/(average AF speed) and lack of wow factor when I started to look at the pictures. I didn't want any compromise on the rendering, and it's subjective here. The comparison you did between the CV50 and 1.4ZA is very helpful, I now have to try this new CV. (unfortunately it doesn't seem possible to rent it yet)
Another option to consider maybe is the Sigma 50mm ART. But it's about the same weight (820g vs 790g I think) as the Sony and it will probably won't be as smooth as the CV anyway....Show more →
If you like smooth rendering, the Samyang 45/1.8 unfortunately does not deliver. (Unless shooting at close distance).
I don't mind dragging my FE 50/1.4 ZA even when traveling. It's a wonderful companion to the FE 24/1.4 GM imo.
Here are a couple from my latest trip to Porto, Portugal with the family. Even at mid-distance, bokeh is neutral and smooth enough for my taste.
Absolutely my favorite lens in my bag still to this day. Pretty much all the photos I see in the hands of good shooters with this piece are always stunning!
The portrait taken in Portugal indeed has a nice rendering. And I didn’t know it was also possible to get sunstars with it, with still some nice contrast with the sun facing the camera.
Fboss wrote:
The portrait taken in Portugal indeed has a nice rendering. And I didn’t know it was also possible to get sunstars with it, with still some nice contrast with the sun facing the camera.
Both FE 24/1.4 GM and 50/1.4 ZA can produce nice sunstars at small apertures but they will have 22 points from their 11-blade aperture. I like the look but still prefer the 10 or 12 straight blade aperture design from Cosina & Zeiss.
50mm ZA keeps knocking it out of the park Fred. When I was in Japan for two weeks, I found myself using it and my 24 GM. My oh my had it not been for the 100 degree weather with 100% humidity, my exploration of the temples would've mainly been shot by the same setup as your last post. I resorted to shooting with the 24 when I had to hike up a few mountains to shed some weight, but what I took with the 50mm was simply splendid!
daniel.in.la wrote:
50mm ZA keeps knocking it out of the park Fred. When I was in Japan for two weeks, I found myself using it and my 24 GM. My oh my had it not been for the 100 degree weather with 100% humidity, my exploration of the temples would've mainly been shot by the same setup as your last post. I resorted to shooting with the 24 when I had to hike up a few mountains to shed some weight, but what I took with the 50mm was simply splendid!
Yes, it's currently my favorite AF combo. (FE 24/1.4 GM + FE 50/1.4 ZA)
Great pictures of the family Fred. I hope to grab some of my kids with this lens soon too! Got a chance to try it out for a few days and I was really impressed. I know it’s been said many times before, but it’s so great having such a sharp lens wide open when it is combined with this incredible eye AF.
Surfnsun wrote:
Great pictures of the family Fred. I hope to grab some of my kids with this lens soon too! Got a chance to try it out for a few days and I was really impressed. I know it’s been said many times before, but it’s so great having such a sharp lens wide open when it is combined with this incredible eye AF.
Thank you! It's a great lens and a nice complement to my FE 24/1.4 GM.
Upper Falls at Old Man's Cave by J M, on Flickr]Upper Falls in Winter [/url]
Lens is stupid sharp at just about any aperture.. I had it for about a year but sold it for the Loxia 50f2 due to the weight. loved its rendering too but the Loxia is a better fit for me.
Bokeh is definitely not its strong point. I also posted a few pictures in the Samyang thread.
