Sony 85 F2.8 SAM  reviews

sharpness: 4.5 

color: 5 

build: 3 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: Aavo   review date: April-26-13  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Sony 16-80Zeiss, Sony 50/1,4

price paid:

250 euro (new)

positive:

Great sharpness and color

negative:

comment:

Great little lightweight lens for portraits and with +4 an +10 filters for close-ups. Build quality and and plastic mount are not problem with such a low prise.
If you have sony 16-80Zeiss, then this lens is probably less useful.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: havoc315   review date: April-18-13  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Minolta 50 1.7
Minolta 50 2.8
Minolta 70-210 f4
Sony 18-70

price paid:

195usd (used)

positive:

Sharp
Great Bokeh
Light

negative:

Plastic (though that helps keep it light)
No SSM

comment:

My new favorite portrait lens. Sharp even wide open at 2.8.
No noticeable distortion or light fall off.
Amazing bokeh.
The optical quality of this lens is truly top notch.
The lens is plastic, it doesn't feel particularly solid, but on the plus side, it is very compact and light. It may earn a permanent spot in my bag.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 3 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: foo_machi   review date: December-11-12  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Tamron 17-50
Sony 16-50
Canon 85 1.8

price paid:

350 USD (new)

positive:

Sharp, relatively cheap, lightweight, and compact

negative:

So-so build

comment:

This lens is sharp wide open. Very capable and reliable. It makes an excellent complement to either a Tamron 17-50 or Sony 16-50 mounted on another body. That's like 16-85 in 2.8. Perfect for events and all around shooting.

I only wish it was made a little better. I paid quite a bit more since I bought it locally (should have gotten it in the US!). The outer plastic material is quite prone to scratches, the flat black finish easily exposes fingerprints and smudges. The lens barrel/ focus ring has a little play to it, but should not raise any concern optically.

Compared to the competition's (canikon) offering, this lens is rather slow. However, what I value is the fact that it becomes stabilized when mounted on our Alphas. It makes a lot of difference in real world shooting.

Over all I'm a satisfied customer.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: Fivepin   review date: November-30-12  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

sony 16 - 50
zeis 16 - 80
sony 35 dt
minolta 50

price paid:

176 CAD

positive:

Price
Weight
Sharpness

negative:

plastic
sam not ssm

comment:

I bought this lens used to fill a portrait hole in my lens line up. I also own the sony 35 dt f1.8 easy choice. I love the 35 and the new 85mm sam was an excellent addition to my line up of lenses. This lens is identical to the 35 in size and weight. In your bag you will not be able to tell them apart. Image quality is fantastic. Sharp from corner to corner. The plastic lens is sturdy enough. Most of us know how to care for our equipment and it may even survive a drop. I am not going to test this theory. :) For the money you cannot beat the easy choice lenses. After all it is about picture quality right. I have been a wedding shooter for 18 years and this lens is now part of my working line up.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: mike77   review date: September-30-12  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

price paid:

€97

positive:

sharpness, contrast, colors
price
weight

negative:

none

comment:

I bought this lens NEW for €97. It was demo unit, but in like-new condition with full warranty. Excellent bargain.

The wide open sharpness of this lens is remarkable. Stopping down not required. Colors & contrast excellent, no CA.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 3 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: mgjsmith   review date: September-28-12  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Minolta 50/1.7

price paid:

£196

positive:

Light, Sharp and inexpensive.

negative:

Lenshood marks very easily.

comment:

I bought this lens shortly after purchasing the Sony 30 Macro having been very impressed with that lens. I have been very pleased with the quality of the images produced by this lens, and with the Sony Summer cash back deal well worth the money paid - £166 after the cashback of £30.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: Hols52   review date: September-23-12  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Sony 50 F1.4
Sony 35
Sony 16-50
Sony 16-105

price paid:

£190

positive:

IQ, weight

negative:

None

comment:

Another excellent lens in the "cheap" series. I love this lens as much as I do the Sony 35 F1.8 and Sony 50 F1.4. IQ excellent, focuses quick enough for all my purposes. Light and easy to carry around. The build quality seems absolutely fine to me - again on a par with the other two primes I have mentioned. There really is nothing not to like with this lens - if you like this focal length I cannot see a huge reason to spend about £1000 more for the Zeiss equivalent. I own and use the Zeiss 24mm F2 which I have reviewed here and yes it is an outstanding lens. But if the Zeiss 85mm is as good as that lens it still would not be worth my while or pennies to spend an extra £1000 and "upgrade" to the Zeiss. That is how good this lens is, rather than saying anything negative about the Zeiss 85.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: Swan White   review date: August-05-12  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

- 50 mm 1.7
- 16 - 50 mm 2.8

price paid:

159 euro (new)

positive:

- light
- small
- sharp
- no distortion
- great value

negative:

- non

comment:

sharpness: 4 

color: 4 

build: 3 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: Dan Berke   review date: May-14-12  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Samyang 85mm

price paid:

£140

positive:

small and light
quite sharp

negative:

colours a little flat
cheap build (but okay really)

comment:

Basically it is an 'easy choice' lens and if you want a light carry round for travel portraits and low light it is fine.
The build is okay and again light weight and non-intrusive.
However....it is a bit boring. The colours aren't special, the contrast not wonderful. The Samyang eats it for breakfast.

sharpness: 5 

color: 4 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: tengdoy   review date: April-26-12  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

minolta 50 1.4
sigma 18-50 f2.8 EX DC

price paid:

$200 (used)

positive:

sharp
light weight

negative:

so plastic
not fast AF

comment:

mine has excelent condition although it is second hand.
this will be my another walk around lens..hehe

the shrapness is very good ^__^

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: CharlesMorrison   review date: January-07-12  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Rokinon 85 F1.4
Min 28 F2.8
Min 50 F1.7
SONY 18-55
SONY 18-70
TAMRON 70-300
MIN 135 F2.8

price paid:

225

positive:

Good color
Fast Lens
Sharp

negative:

It's plastic

comment:

The reviews by Kurt Munger on this lens are correct. It's sharp and a great lens on APS-C.
It focuses in near darkness, good corners, no vignetting and very sharp. Just have to get used to the narrow DOF.
How can such a tiny lens beat out the bigger lenses ? It does.

On Sale at B&H until tomorrow ! $224

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 3 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: Guy   review date: January-02-12  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

- Minolta 50/1.4
- Minolta 50/1.7
- Minolta 135/2.8

price paid:

150 EUR

positive:

+ as sharp as needed from wide open
+ bokeh rendition is pleasing to my eye
+ cheap

negative:

- SAM

comment:

Firstly a comment on the price. I scored a practically new item soon after it's release, but it had a destroyed front cap and the hood is fairly scratched as well.

I like this lens a lot on FF. It produces very pleasing pictures with nice bokeh - perfect for portraiture.
As mentioned I dislike the SAM motor, mainly because I like to override the AF and with SAM you have to flick the switch on the lens - makes it unusable for what I want. Still, the price more than makes up for it. The build is in my opinion not problematic, since it's a very small and light lens and thus easy to carry anywhere.
The choice to buy it was really easy - as sony calls it ;)

UPDATE:
Had a chance to test this in movie mode on the A77 in both MF and AF mode.
It is a real joy to use this lens for amateurish videography. I enjoyed the MF a lot, and the AF was surprisingly slow and almost silent. I just like this even more than I did!

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: BioPeek   review date: October-29-11  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Sony 75-300
Tokina 70-210
Minolta MD f/3.5 35-70 (macro)

price paid:

130 GBP

positive:

Just brilliant. Bokeh is creamy and superb. Beautiful little telephoto that will bring your portraits to live. Great for street photography too.

negative:

None.

comment:

So it has a plastic mount... so what! If you look after your kit, it doesn't matter. This is a diamond lens. Full of character. It brings portraiture, proper portraiture photography to everyone. Affordable and wonderful. My previous favourite for portraits was the MD f/3.5 35-70mm (macro) lens, used with a glass fitted adapter, no longer, this little lens has replaced that brilliant piece of glass.

sharpness: 4 

color: 5 

build: 3 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: Ovas   review date: September-05-11  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

MINOLTA 24-85mm, MINOLTA 100mm f2.

price paid:

400 USD (new)

positive:

Light weights nerly nothing compared to f1.4 version.

negative:

Not as sharp at f 2.8 and 4.

comment:

This is a funny little lens. It is good but not super. Not sharp at 2.8 better at 4 and needs 5.6 to be sharp all over on FF. At APS-C it is much better, sharp from f4. Has nice colors and contrast.

Makes a very good walk-around companion on my A450!

It gave very good results on my 7D.

I do not use it on my A900 as the MINOLTA 100mm f2 is that way much better.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: dumbasadoorknob   review date: August-29-11  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Min 85/1.4G

price paid:

205 usd used

positive:

small size
good colors
light weight
inexpensive

negative:

bayonet hood
inadequate barrel info

comment:

A remarkably pleasant and high quality lens. It lacks the halo effect of the much faster, larger and heavier 85/1.4G, but I do not notice any difference in edge sharpness or contrast at mid-ranges. The 85/1.4G is perfect for people: this lens is good for everything.

I'm not particularly keen on the lens shade -- and, where the lens shade is circular (as here) I much prefer a clip-on version over the bayonet version as being easier to use.

I like the clear orange dot for attaching the lens (and I always paint a similar dot on the bottom lens cap, since my close vision is not as good as it once was.) I really like the compact size and the light weight: this lens can be put into a pocket easily (and that can't be said of the 85/1.4G.)

The SAM motor is no different to my ear than the normal screw-drive: it may be slightly slower then the 85/1.4G, which I've found really responsive, but it's not an impediment to use. I encountered an annoying tendency to run through the entire focal range when focus is lost when I first started with the lens, but this may just have been clumsiness on my part, since I haven't experienced it recently.

It's light weight because it is plastic -- but tough plastic. I get a feeling that the lens would bounce, safely, if I dropped it, which is reassuring. I'd like more info on the lens body and at the 55mm filter ring. I prefer Minolta's informative style in this respect to Sony's blankness.

This lens is extraordinarily good value. I once used the 85/1.4G for everyday use, but now prefer this lens because it is so much lighter (and one doesn't worry about the front element as much.) I pair it with my 24/2.8 for travelling light -- and now I want a 180/3.5 to go with it. If only that lens existed...

sharpness: 4.5 

color: 4 

build: 2 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: sonolta   review date: August-16-11  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Minolta AF 50/1.7
Minolta AF 70-210/4

price paid:

200 Euros

positive:

image quality
low price
very light

negative:

cheaply built
2.8 is a bit slow for a prime
very slow AF

comment:

The good thing about this lens is its image quality. For a lens that cheap it is really astonishing what images it is capable to produce. Even when underexposing the images come out really good when slightly lighting up on the computer. Better image quality than beercan on 85mm imo.
But everything else about this lens is pretty bad. Completely made of plastic you have to take good care of it. I call it Barbie and I do not think it will last as long as the 80ies Minolta lenses. Autofocus is VERY slow and if you want a prime for low light photography this is pretty useless with F2.8. The AF/MF switch on the lens is a bit confusing and pretty useless since Sony Alpha cameras have this switch built in the body.
If you want a cheap tele prime because of greater image quality compared to a zoom you can try this one out. But it is not made for fast situations because of the damn slow AF. This can ruin many of your photos. If you want a prime for low light better save your cash for the Minolta AF 85/1.4.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: derekw   review date: August-13-11  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Minolta 50mm f1.7
Sigma 50mm f2.8 macro
Minolta 35-105 (original)

price paid:

165 GBP

positive:

Sharp at f2.8
Colours
Lightweight and small

negative:

Optics deserve better build

comment:

If you dont mind plastic, the build is adequate.

Sharp at f2.8, but from f4 the original 35-105 (@85 mm) is just as good with the exception of minimum focussing distance.

Very good lens for the price.

sharpness: 4 

color: 4 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: Dryce   review date: May-02-11  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Sony 35mm F1.8
Minolta 50mm F1.7
Sony 24-105mm F3.5-F4.5

price paid:

150 GBP (new)

positive:

Cheap and lightweight.

negative:

Colour fringing at F2.8 and F4.

comment:

It's cheap and small - just like the 35mm F1.8. On high contrast black/white boundaries there is a distinct green or magenta boundary fringe up at F2.8 and F4 on mine.

A comparison with my 24-105mm zoom at 80mm and the 85mm prime is distinctly sharper up to F8 in direct side by side comparisons - but it doesn't feel that much sharper in actual use - which I suspect is down to a loss of contrast because of the colour fringing.

So I'd sum up by saying that I'm somewhat wary of this lens at the moment - I'd think twice about mounting in place the 24-105 until I get to understand it better whereas I don't hesitate to use the 35mm F1.8 when I think it will suit.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 3 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: Crayfish   review date: April-04-11  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

minolta 85 1.4

price paid:

250 USD (new)

positive:

very light weight
very well images

negative:

plastic
want more than f2.8

comment:

In short: it's a great lens for its price. Light, quick and makes very good images. Just as mentioned in negative: I want more than f2.8. Sometimes it's not enough, I guess f1.8 would be more interesting.
Replaced it with minolta 85 1.4.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: manukaing   review date: January-27-11  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

positive:

negative:

comment:

It a sharp lens..
really light weight and small, its easy to carry it anywhere..
produce a beautiful color and bokeh..
but the build quality is not that good..really feels like plastic..

sharpness: 4.5 

color: 5 

build: 3 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: Arni Swarni   review date: January-17-11  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

CZ85mm F1.4

price paid:

217EUR

positive:

-Cheap!
-really sharp
-light weight

negative:

-all-plastic-feel
-slow AF in low light

comment:

I've tested this lens against the CZ85 F1.4 on the NEX5 to make sure the focussing is absolutely perfect. (AF on the nex is slow but very, very accurate!)

Although I like plastic, the combination of SAM and the plastic extending tube makes you think how long this lens will survive :P

Conclusions on sharpness: This little lens is really sharp on any aperture, only the EXTREME corners are slightly soft at F2.8, but does retain enough detail to make it almost perfect with a little sharpening! (I used RAW for all shots and applied same low sharpning) It was a real surprise!

Compared to the CZ it's almost as sharp (the CZ is better, but you would only see the real difference when comparing the shots next to each other). It only loses clearly at F2.8 in the extreme corner. At F4 they are about the same, although the SAM has a lot less bokeh CA at any aperture. You could make both lenses equally sharp post-processed, but in general the CZ is a bit sharper.

AF is rather crappy in low light, although I find the focus being less faulty compared to the CZ in broad daylight.
Build quality is mediocre, but at the price given (and with the superb optics) there is nothing to complain about! (Perhaps same price, 2/3 stop faster?)

sharpness: 4 

color: 5 

build: 2 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: Aleksey463   review date: December-13-10  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Sony 50 F1.8 SAM
Sony 35 F1.8 SAM
Minolta 35-70 F4

positive:

Weight
Color and contrast like other Sony primes.

negative:

Wide open is less sharp than 50 mm and 35 at 1.8
both 35 and 50 mm is sharper at any aperture.
My new copy is non-symmetrically built- it's can well seen at landscapes- usually left side is strongly less sharp than right side(about Minolta zoom at 70 F4).

comment:

Before buy check lens.
35, 50 and 85 mm is a good light and fast travel set.

sharpness: 4.5 

color: 4 

build: 3 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: nori   review date: December-01-10  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Minolta 50mm 1.7
Minolta 135 2.8

price paid:

270 GBP (new)

positive:

Sharp
Rich colours
Bokeh
Small and lightweight

negative:

Hunts in low light

comment:

If you're looking for a small, cheap, and reliable portrait lens then this is the one for you. It delivers nice warm colours, sharp details and minimal distortion. People wouldn't even notice that you have a medium length lens for it's small built so it's perfect for candid shots on the streets. Focus is considerably fast and accurate, the only drawback is that sometimes it hunt for focus in low light situation but hey, it's 2.8 people. Overall it's a bang for the bucks.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: mediman30   review date: October-31-10  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

price paid:

£199

positive:

Sharp even wide open, light, compact, small, nice bokeh and pleasing colours

negative:

AF a bit slow and noisy,

comment:

I highly recommend this lens as a cheaper alternative if you are looking for the 85mm focal length. Considering its price, it is an amazing lens.

sharpness: 5 

color: 4 

build: 3 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: MKoziara   review date: October-18-10  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

50/1.8 SAM
Beercan
MAF 135/2.8

price paid:

299 USD (new)

positive:

Sharp even wide open
Precise AF
Nice bokeh
Cheap
Small & light (esp. for NEX)

negative:

Sloooow AF
Plastic (not very important to me)
CA

comment:

For this price, it is a very good lens. Small, light, sharp wide open, with nice bokeh and quite nice colours. Works fine, bot slowly with my A700, still I have to say that AF is very accurate. On NEX-3 camera AF works only a bit slower...
Still the picture it produces is very nice and for portraits it is a very good choice.
EDIT: on A850 the vignetting wide open is significant.

sharpness: 4.5 

color: 4 

build: 3 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: Stinus   review date: October-15-10  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8

price paid:

€189 (new)

positive:

Very precise autofocus
Bokeh
Weight
Sharpness

negative:

Autofocus is slow and noisy
Doesn't feel very sturdy (all plastic)
Chromatic aberration wide open

comment:

This is a nice, lightweight lens that's pretty sharp and has nice bokeh. Wide open there's some chromatic aberration visible, but that improves when stopped down.

Compared to the Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 it hass less vignetting (tested on APS-C), but more CA and slower (but more accurate) autofocus. In sharpness, the 85mm is slightly better.

sharpness: 4 

color: 4 

build: 3 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 3 

user: NLPIX   review date: October-14-10  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Sigma 24mm 2.8
Minolta 28mm 2.8
Sony 50mm 1.4
Ninolta 28-85 3.5-4.5

price paid:

199,00 EURO

positive:

Light
Compact
Sharp
Nice bouque

negative:

CA

comment:

I love Minolta and Sony primes for the are so small and light.
When the 85 2.8 was released i had to get one.

Yes it is plastic, but who cares. It is so light the mount has nothing to carry an it has no zoom so you will heardly touch it.

Yes is has CA in contrast rich images, but who cares.
CA is easely removed with software like lightroom 3. and in prints you mostly dont se it any way.

Yes it is slow, and noisy. Sometimes it need a whole second to focus. But for portrets an product photography high speed AF is no requirement.

It is a great portret /product lens on the A900 for studio work and other controlled enviroments. And even as a pocket size closeup lens it works wel (85mm at 60 cm)

For the price it is also a great oppertunity for many photographers to explore working with prime lenses, and overcome the urge to work with zooms.

And is the Sony 85 mm 1.4 optical realy that much better that is word over a 1000,00 more. Dont think so. For me the 85 mm 2.8 is a winner.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 3 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 5 

user: eelke   review date: October-10-10  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Sony 50/1.4
Sony 100/2.8 MACRO
Minolta 28-75/2.8
Sigma 70-200/2.8 APO DG EX

price paid:

189 EURO (new)

positive:

Light
Sharp
Accurate focus (when it focusses)
Cheap
Small (compared to F1.4 alternatives)

negative:

Substandard build quality
Slow focus
Sometimes hunts for focus

comment:

First the bad news it's made from plastic which doesn't have to be a really bad thing but in this case the plastic is a bit to thin to my taste as I can feel it distorting when I grip it firmly. Also the bajonet is plastic I really would like to see steel there. The double extension barrel also has more play then I like.

The focusing is quite accurate but sometimes it hunts and often it's slow. My A700 body is set to slow focus so I may have to try it on fast but my other lenses work perfectly with that settings and I do prefer accuracy over speed. Manual focusing is easy as it takes have a turn from min to max. People with big fingers might like a wider focus ring.

The good news is that the image quality is excellent especially for the price. It is slightly softer at 2.8 then stopped down but still better then most zooms stopped down.

The bokeh is what you might expect from a cheap prime, way better then most zooms but it has some CA issues but this is not very noticable.

As long as there is no more sturdy alternative (which isn't to heavy) I will keep this lens as the image quality is up to my standards. But I would like Sony to know that I wouldn't mind paying a little more (and loosing the SAM) for atleast the build quality off the 50/1.4.

sharpness: 4.5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: RogerK   review date: October-07-10  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

SAL50F14
SAL1680CZ
SAL28F28
Min. 35-105 Beercan series
Tamron 70-200 F28
Min.70-300

price paid:

EUR 149

positive:

Quite sharp
Light
Good colours
Price

negative:

Slow AF
SAM
Noise
Feels plasticky and not well built

comment:

This lens feels very plastic and not very well built, but it may suprise me as it is only one week old. It hunts in low light and the motor is noisy. I wasn't too happy in the beginning, but after a day at the beach with my currently almost three year old son I found it takes very nice pictures and the colours are good and it will perform, stopped down at least one stop and in ample light. Given the price this lens is fine. I will save however for the CZ 85 1.4. No vignetting one APS-C (A500). Sharpness ok.

sharpness: 5 

color: 4 

build: 4 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: bill_bly_ca   review date: September-16-10  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

70-200G
50mm M(o) 1.4

price paid:

250 CDN

positive:

Price
Weight
Bokeh
SAM (Original review had as negative- Now I think positive)

negative:

Vignetting from hood
CA

comment:

I have had this lens for 2 days now so I may find "something else"

So far it is sharp in access of expectation for the price. Have a fire hydrant photo in the examples section that illustrates that. Bokeh is pleasing to me for back ground, foreground OOF is a little harsh (to my eye).

Hood causes Vignetting. Possibly not at all focus lengths have yet to verify. I seen it at 6' specifically.

DxO stated there will be a module for this lens and the 850/900 in Dec. Hopefully that clears up the CA

Tested on Maxxum 7D - Works great..