Introduction
If you are looking for a versatile and affordable prime lens for your Sony E-mount full-frame or APS-C camera, you might want to consider the Sony – FE 50mm F1.8 Standard Lens (SEL50F18F). This lens offers a classic focal length that is ideal for portraiture, street photography, and general-purpose shooting. It also has a bright F1.8 maximum aperture that enables beautiful defocusing effects and low-light performance. In this article, I will provide you with more details about the product features, benefits, application of the crowd, similar products comparison, and some representative product reviews. I hope this article will help you decide whether this lens is the right choice for you.
Product Details
The Sony – FE 50mm F1.8 Standard Lens (SEL50F18F) is a compact and lightweight lens that measures 2.7 x 2.34 inches and weighs only 6.56 ounces. It has a metal mount that adds durability and a sophisticated feel. It comes with a hood, a front cap, and a rear cap. The lens has a 49mm filter thread and accepts standard screw-on filters.
The lens has a simple optical design that consists of 6 elements in 5 groups, including one aspherical element that controls spherical aberration and coma. The lens has a double-gauss configuration that suppresses field curvature and distortion. The lens has a 7-blade circular aperture that creates smooth and natural bokeh. The lens has a minimum focus distance of 1.48 feet and a maximum magnification ratio of 0.14x.
The lens has a DC motor autofocus system that drives all lens groups. The autofocus is reasonably quick and accurate, but not very quiet. The lens does not have image stabilization, so you will need to rely on your camera’s in-body stabilization or use a tripod for handheld shooting. The lens has a fly-by-wire focus ring that enables smooth and precise manual focusing.
Product Features
The Sony – FE 50mm F1.8 Standard Lens (SEL50F18F) has some notable features that make it a great option for many photographers. Here are some of them:
– F1.8 maximum aperture: The lens has a large aperture that allows you to capture more light and create shallow depth of field effects. You can isolate your subject from the background and achieve a pleasing bokeh. You can also shoot in low-light situations without raising the ISO too much or using a flash.
– 50mm focal length: The lens has a standard focal length that is equivalent to 75mm on APS-C cameras. This focal length is versatile and suitable for a variety of subjects and situations. You can use it for portraits, landscapes, street scenes, weddings, events, and more. You can also get close to your subject and capture fine details.
– Compact and lightweight design: The lens is small and light, making it easy to carry and use. It does not add much bulk or weight to your camera, and it does not attract too much attention. You can use it for travel, hiking, or everyday shooting without feeling tired or conspicuous.
– Aspherical element: The lens has one aspherical element that reduces spherical aberration and coma, which are common optical flaws that cause blur and loss of contrast. The aspherical element improves the image quality and sharpness across the frame, especially at wide apertures and close distances.
– Double-gauss optical design: The lens has a double-gauss configuration that consists of two symmetrical groups of elements. This design helps to minimize distortion and field curvature, which are optical defects that cause straight lines to appear curved and the image to lose focus at the edges. The double-gauss design ensures that the image is sharp and accurate throughout the frame.
Product Benefits
The Sony – FE 50mm F1.8 Standard Lens (SEL50F18F) has some benefits that make it a valuable addition to your lens collection. Here are some of them:
– Affordable price: The lens is the most affordable Sony lens available for full-frame E-mount cameras. It costs less than $200, which is a fraction of the price of other Sony prime lenses. It offers a great value for money and a low entry point for beginners and enthusiasts who want to explore prime lenses and fast apertures.
– Impressive image quality: The lens delivers very good image quality, especially when stopped down to f/2.8 or smaller. The lens is sharp, contrasty, and colorful, with minimal chromatic aberration and flare. The lens also produces beautiful bokeh, with smooth and natural transitions and circular highlights.
– Compatible with full-frame and APS-C cameras: The lens is designed for full-frame E-mount cameras, but it can also be used on APS-C cameras with a 1.5x crop factor. This means that you can use the lens on different cameras and get different results. On full-frame cameras, you get a standard perspective that is close to the human eye. On APS-C cameras, you get a short telephoto perspective that is ideal for portraits and isolating subjects.
Application of the Crowd
The Sony – FE 50mm F1.8 Standard Lens (SEL50F18F) is a lens that can appeal to a wide range of photographers, from beginners to professionals, and from hobbyists to enthusiasts. Here are some of the types of photographers who can benefit from this lens:
– Portrait photographers: The lens is perfect for portrait photography, as it has a flattering focal length and a large aperture that create a shallow depth of field and a smooth bokeh. You can capture the expressions and emotions of your subject, and make them stand out from the background. You can also use the lens for environmental portraits, where you include some of the surroundings to tell a story or show the personality of your subject.
– Street photographers: The lens is also great for street photography, as it has a compact and discreet design that does not draw too much attention. You can capture candid moments and scenes of everyday life, and use the large aperture to create a sense of depth and drama. You can also use the lens for street portraits, where you approach strangers and ask for their permission to take their photo.
– General-purpose photographers: The lens is also versatile and suitable for general-purpose shooting, as it has a focal length that can handle a variety of subjects and situations. You can use the lens for landscapes, architecture, weddings, events, and more. You can also use the lens for close-up and macro photography, as it has a minimum focus distance of 1.48 feet and a maximum magnification ratio of 0.14x.
Similar Products Comparison
The Sony – FE 50mm F1.8 Standard Lens (SEL50F18F) is not the only 50mm prime lens available for Sony E-mount cameras. There are some other options that have different features, performance, and price. Here is a comparison table of some of the similar products:
| Product Name | Focal Length | Maximum Aperture | Minimum Aperture | Optical Design | Diaphragm Blades | Focus Type | Image Stabilization | Filter Size | Dimensions | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony – FE 50mm F1.8 Standard Lens (SEL50F18F) | 50mm | f/1.8 | f/22 | 6 elements in 5 groups (1 aspherical) | 7, rounded | Autofocus (DC motor) | No | 49mm | 2.7 x 2.34 in | 6.56 oz | $198 |
| Sony – FE 55mm F1.8 ZA Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* Lens (SEL55F18Z) | 55mm | f/1.8 | f/22 | 7 elements in 5 groups (3 aspherical) | 9, rounded | Autofocus (linear motor) | No | 49mm | 2.54 x 2.78 in | 9.91 oz | $998 |
| Sony – Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA Lens (SEL50F14Z) | 50mm | f/1.4 | f/16 | 12 elements in 9 groups (2 aspherical, 1 ED) | 11, rounded | Autofocus (ring motor) | No | 72mm | 3.29 x 4.25 in | 27.52 oz | $1498 |
| Sigma – 50mm F1.4 DG HSM Art Lens for Sony E | 50mm | f/1.4 | f/16 | 13 elements in 8 groups (3 aspherical, 1 SLD, 1 HRI) | 9, rounded | Autofocus (HSM) | No | 77mm | 3.36 x 3.93 in | 28.7 oz | $949 |
As you can see from the table, the Sony – FE 50mm F1.8 Standard Lens (SEL50F18F) is the cheapest, smallest, and lightest option among the four lenses. It also has the smallest filter size, which means that you can use cheaper and more common filters. However, it also has the simplest optical design, the slowest and noisiest autofocus system, and the least number of diaphragm blades. The other lenses have more complex and advanced optical designs
Link direct:
