Tech Talk – Sony 50mm Prime Lens

So last week I reviewed the Sony 28-70mm Lens (SEL2870) that goes with my Sony a7ii mirrorless DSLR Camera, which I reviewed the week before. So this week I will post my review of the Sony 50mm prime (SEL50F18F). This is a fabulous lightweight lens, with a wide aperture. At first, I wasn’t over the top happy, as I cannot focus as close as I can with my Nikon 50mm Prime (0.5m focus distance), it was annoying and frustrating. Full specs available from Sony here.

Basic Specifications

Lightweight and compact 35mm Full Frame standard lens (6.06oz or 186grams)
F/1.8 wide aperture
Beautiful Bokeh
Great in low light*
And I have always had a prime (True not a specification of the lens, but me)

Some sample images taken with this lens;

You May notice I predominately use this lens for Close-ups of faces, this is because I do. I love the wide open aperture, the soft bokeh. It picks up the sparkle in the eyes and provides a beautiful connection with my subject. However, you need to stand at least 0.5m (1.5ft) from your subject to focus and much further than that to get a full body shot I usually cannot get further enough back in the studio for that. I also have this thing where I do not like to take images from too far away, I feel like I am losing my connection with my subject.

SO as much as I did not really like this lens at first, I am beginning to appreciate the nuances it offers. Like my other Sony Lens, while everything is perfectly in focus they are slightly softer than my Nikon, but I am beginning to appreciate the dreaminess this offers.

~ Julz

* While this lens works brilliantly in low light, the Sony sometimes struggles to focus in REALLY low light situations.