Impression of the New Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM

Wednesday 22 February 2023, 10:20 by Nando Harmsen | 4,514 views | 0 comments

This article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.

If you like a standard lens, the new Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM will certainly appeal to you. This fast lens replaces the ZA model and promises a major improvement in speed and image quality.

A 50mm lens has been called a standard lens for decades for good reason. Its image rendering matches what we see with our eyes. So a photo taken at 50mm has a very natural appearance.

A 50mm focal length is ideal for portrait photography. But 50mm is suitable for many more types of photography. (Sony A1 with ZA 50mm f/1.2 GM)
Sony has a whole range of 50mm lenses available. Think of the FE 50mm F1.8, the FE 50mm F2.5 G, the FE 50mm F2.8 Macro Lens, the FE 50mm F1.2 GM and the FE 50mm F1.4 ZA. It will be immediately clear that this new 50mm lens replaces the last one.

The Sony ZE 50mm f/1.4 GM
The new Sony ZA 50mm f/1.4 has the G-Master designation, which means you can expect the highest quality. The lens weighs 516 grams and measures 80.6 x 96mm.
It is therefore smaller and more compact than the ZA 50mm f/1.2 GM (778 grams, 87 x 108mm). All this makes the lens very pleasant to use, and it balances well on the Sony A7 IV body.

It is a compact lens that provides a good balance on any camera body. This is the ZE 50mm f/1.4 GM on a Sony A7 IV)
The ZA 50mm f/1.4 GM has an aperture ring that can be locked using the iris lock button. You can disable the audible clicks, which is perfect for video use. There is also an AF/MF switch and two programmable buttons.

An overview of the ZE 50mm f/1.4GM
As expected, this lens shows little distortion and mild vignetting at f/1.4. The 11 aperture blades produce beautiful bokeh.

The bokeh (at f/1.4) is very beautiful thanks to the 11 aperture blades. There is hardly any sign of the ugly union rings effect. The cat's-eye distortion at the sides is a natural effect with this type of large aperture.
You can see the FE 50mm f/1.4 GM as the alternative to the f/1.2 version. That lens gives you roughly half a stop more light. The downside is a much larger and heavier lens, and at nearly 2,300 euros it is considerably more expensive.

The only alternative in the GM series is the f/1.2 version of this lens. It is larger, heavier and more expensive.
Unless you really need the f/1.2, or simply want it, and have the money available, it is of course a fantastic lens. The new FE 50mm f/1.4 GM is probably a much more interesting lens for most photographers.

The FE 50mm f/1.4 GM is a fantastic lens and a good choice for any photographer.

Thanks to Sony for making this new lens available.

You might also like

• 

  Review: Sony FE 16-25mm and FE 24-50mm f/2.8 G lenses

  by Nando Harmsen

• 

  Review: Sony FE 50-150mm f/2 GM

  by Nando Harmsen

• 

  Sony introduces the new FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II

  by Nando Harmsen

• 

  Review: Sony FE 1.4/85mm GM II

  by Nando Harmsen

• 

  Review: Sony FE 2.8/16-35 GM II lens

  by Nando Harmsen

• 

  First impressions of the Sony FE 20-70mm f/4 G

  by Nando Harmsen

0 comments

Have your say

Please note: Articles older than a week can only be commented on by signed-in visitors.
Would you still like to comment? sign in or create a free account.