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Fast and smallish normal prime

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liopleurodon

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I basically use two lenses with my a7 III, the Tamron 28-75 and the Zony 35/2.8. I picked up the Zony for its size/weight when I want to travel light. I've been hoping for a 40mm f/2 lens from someone but it hasn't materialized (outside of the monstrous Batis). I like my 35/2.8 but I find that it's a one trick pony for me. I could deal with a bit more size for a faster aperture and thus a more versatile lens that I would use more often. It would be used for stills and video.

The choices (with approximate best prices I've found)
  • Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 - Used for $480
  • Rokinon FE 45mm f/1.8 - Used for $300
  • CV 40mm f/1.2 Nokton - Used for $700
The Rokinon is 5mm to narrow, the Sony 5mm too wide. I like the Sony's extra programmable button, AF performance, and basic weather sealing. I like the Rokinon's smaller size, but worry about the AF performance and noise based on my experience with their 35/2.8.

The Nokton is the interesting candidate here; I love 40mm. It's not a chonk like the Batis. However the lens is a little expensive for something that wouldn't be my daily driver and manual focus might be an issue for me. I have a Petzval 55/1.7 so I know where my manual focus abilities lie; they're not that great. I can't keep up with my kids movements unless I stop way down (they don't really stand still even when they try to). Perhaps some of that is the Petzval's field curvature making it more challenging to focus.

Anyone with experience shooting all this glass have any opinions for me?
 
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I don't have experience with all that glass except the Samyang AF 45/1.8.

I have these 40mm lenses:

Minolta 40/1.7

Konica AR 40/1.8

Pentax-M 40/2.8

Canon EF 40/2.8 STM

The Canon is the best of those four, but the Samyang is much better.
 
Where can you find this at that price?

Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 - Used for $480
 
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Jakegsxr11 said:
Where can you find this at that price?

Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 - Used for $480
Click to expand...
Used listing from Map Camera on eBay. It's a Japanese seller and I'm assuming Japanese market lens.
 
I went through this hunt a couple weeks ago as I am going to France in March/April and need a "church" lens to pair with my 24-105 f4. I would have preferred something at 40mm (my experience with the Panny 20 when I was primarily shooting m4/3 was outstanding) but like you didn't want to drop the dollars necessary for the fast primes at that length. I ended up choosing the Samyang 45mm 1.8 from BH Photo for $349 new over the Sigma 2.8 (not enough improvement in speed over the zoom) and the Sony 35mm 1.8 ( like the available 40mm options, too pricey for a specialty use lens). I've only been out with it once so far but already I am really impressed with the AF, the center sharpness, the color rendering and the quality of the bokeh. Form factor wise its a joy to use on my A7ii as I am used to the beast size and weight of the 24-105.

I will be putting it to much more comprehensive testing this weekend and will let you know if it doesn't perform as expected.
 
RaymondR said:
I went through this hunt a couple weeks ago as I am going to France in March/April and need a "church" lens to pair with my 24-105 f4. I would have preferred something at 40mm (my experience with the Panny 20 when I was primarily shooting m4/3 was outstanding) but like you didn't want to drop the dollars necessary for the fast primes at that length. I ended up choosing the Samyang 45mm 1.8 from BH Photo for $349 new over the Sigma 2.8 (not enough improvement in speed over the zoom) and the Sony 35mm 1.8 ( like the available 40mm options, too pricey for a specialty use lens). I've only been out with it once so far but already I am really impressed with the AF, the center sharpness, the color rendering and the quality of the bokeh. Form factor wise its a joy to use on my A7ii as I am used to the beast size and weight of the 24-105.

I will be putting it to much more comprehensive testing this weekend and will let you know if it doesn't perform as expected.
Click to expand...
Thanks! I always value the opinions of other photographers on this forum.
 
the Samyang 45 1.8 is a keeper for me. I tested it this past weekend under the sort of conditions I would typically intend to use it (inside dimly lit historic churches and museums) by taking it to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and The Cleveland Museum of Natural History. The center sharpness is strong and the edges were actually better than I expected based on the reviews. The color rendition on my Sony a7ii is nice and the lens produces bokeh that I like a lot. I mostly shot at between f/2 to f/3.5 and ISO 800 since my main lens is the 24-105 f4 and getting the Samyang allowed me to sell off my Fuji x100T, which is what I primarily relied on for church and museum shooting. I may have to boost my ISO ceiling to 1600 to get the shutter speed I need for crisp images. the Sony IBIS is good but once I got down below 1/13 avoiding shake was tough for me and at f/20 ISO 800 was slowing me down to 1/6 or even longer.
 
Everything is a compromise of those mentioned I personally prefer the Sony 35mm f/1.8
 
RaymondR said:
the Samyang 45 1.8 is a keeper for me. I tested it this past weekend under the sort of conditions I would typically intend to use it (inside dimly lit historic churches and museums) by taking it to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and The Cleveland Museum of Natural History. The center sharpness is strong and the edges were actually better than I expected based on the reviews. The color rendition on my Sony a7ii is nice and the lens produces bokeh that I like a lot. I mostly shot at between f/2 to f/3.5 and ISO 800 since my main lens is the 24-105 f4 and getting the Samyang allowed me to sell off my Fuji x100T, which is what I primarily relied on for church and museum shooting. I may have to boost my ISO ceiling to 1600 to get the shutter speed I need for crisp images. the Sony IBIS is good but once I got down below 1/13 avoiding shake was tough for me and at f/20 ISO 800 was slowing me down to 1/6 or even longer.
Click to expand...
Thanks for sharing your experience! I decided to buy the 45 1.8 and 35 1.8 to evaluate. Both purchased second hand. Haven't had a chance to shoot with either yet, but I'm looking forward to it.
 
I haven't tried the Samyang 45 1.8, but it looks like an excellent lens!

However, I used the Zony 35mm 2.8 extensively, and, while I really like that lens, it often limits me in my shooting. It's only f2.8 so in the dark, it's not optimal, also sometimes I wish I had more background separation, and lastly, the AF is good but not amazing.

So, I bought the Sony 35mm 1.8 recently, and I found the size and weight to be good enough, at least without the lens hood. And it solves all other problems: dark + background + AF.
 
pollup said:
I haven't tried the Samyang 45 1.8, but it looks like an excellent lens!

However, I used the Zony 35mm 2.8 extensively, and, while I really like that lens, it often limits me in my shooting. It's only f2.8 so in the dark, it's not optimal, also sometimes I wish I had more background separation, and lastly, the AF is good but not amazing.

So, I bought the Sony 35mm 1.8 recently, and I found the size and weight to be good enough, at least without the lens hood. And it solves all other problems: dark + background + AF.
Click to expand...
The boat I find myself if in is that it isn't really any better than my Tamron 28-75 is at 35mm and it isn't any faster. I have no issues with AF on my a7 III, but my body isn't as demanding on a lens as your a9. I initially bought the lens for its compactness, but I find myself wishing it offered something my Tamron doesn't while remaining small and compact.

I bought both the Sony 35 1.8 and Samyang 45 1.8 used. I'll try them both for a while and sell the one that doesn't work as well for me.
 
Did you consider the Samyang/Rokinon 35 mm f/1.4?

Not 40mm, but very fun lens to shoot with. And cheap.
 
liopleurodon said:
RaymondR said:
the Samyang 45 1.8 is a keeper for me. I tested it this past weekend under the sort of conditions I would typically intend to use it (inside dimly lit historic churches and museums) by taking it to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and The Cleveland Museum of Natural History. The center sharpness is strong and the edges were actually better than I expected based on the reviews. The color rendition on my Sony a7ii is nice and the lens produces bokeh that I like a lot. I mostly shot at between f/2 to f/3.5 and ISO 800 since my main lens is the 24-105 f4 and getting the Samyang allowed me to sell off my Fuji x100T, which is what I primarily relied on for church and museum shooting. I may have to boost my ISO ceiling to 1600 to get the shutter speed I need for crisp images. the Sony IBIS is good but once I got down below 1/13 avoiding shake was tough for me and at f/20 ISO 800 was slowing me down to 1/6 or even longer.
Click to expand...
Thanks for sharing your experience! I decided to buy the 45 1.8 and 35 1.8 to evaluate. Both purchased second hand. Haven't had a chance to shoot with either yet, but I'm looking forward to it.
Click to expand...
I'm very much in the same position as you, consider having a lightweight fast prime with my A7R3 and 24-105mm.

I've been satisfied with 35mm on DX so I've mainly looked at sub $500 primes in the 50mm-ish area. The Samyang 45mm 1.8 looks like a strong contender.

But the 55mm 1.8 Zeiss can be found secondhand within the budget. A bit bulkier, less versile as it's more narrow and more expensive. But I get a better lens, better build quality and it will mostly likely hold value better if I decide to get rid of it.

How do you compare the 35mm and 45mm
 
Kim Are Gabrielsen said:
liopleurodon said:
RaymondR said:
the Samyang 45 1.8 is a keeper for me. I tested it this past weekend under the sort of conditions I would typically intend to use it (inside dimly lit historic churches and museums) by taking it to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and The Cleveland Museum of Natural History. The center sharpness is strong and the edges were actually better than I expected based on the reviews. The color rendition on my Sony a7ii is nice and the lens produces bokeh that I like a lot. I mostly shot at between f/2 to f/3.5 and ISO 800 since my main lens is the 24-105 f4 and getting the Samyang allowed me to sell off my Fuji x100T, which is what I primarily relied on for church and museum shooting. I may have to boost my ISO ceiling to 1600 to get the shutter speed I need for crisp images. the Sony IBIS is good but once I got down below 1/13 avoiding shake was tough for me and at f/20 ISO 800 was slowing me down to 1/6 or even longer.
Click to expand...
Thanks for sharing your experience! I decided to buy the 45 1.8 and 35 1.8 to evaluate. Both purchased second hand. Haven't had a chance to shoot with either yet, but I'm looking forward to it.
Click to expand...
I'm very much in the same position as you, consider having a lightweight fast prime with my A7R3 and 24-105mm.

I've been satisfied with 35mm on DX so I've mainly looked at sub $500 primes in the 50mm-ish area. The Samyang 45mm 1.8 looks like a strong contender.

But the 55mm 1.8 Zeiss can be found secondhand within the budget. A bit bulkier, less versile as it's more narrow and more expensive. But I get a better lens, better build quality and it will mostly likely hold value better if I decide to get rid of it.

How do you compare the 35mm and 45mm
Click to expand...
What I noticed:
  • The Rokinon is notably lighter on paper and you can feel the difference in the real world as well. But the Sony 35 still feels very light.
  • Both lenses have virtually silent AF motors
  • Eye AF is more reliable on the Sony
  • Comparing raw files there's way more purple fringing with the Sony 35
  • At f/1.8 both are sharp in the center but the Sony is sharper and it is pretty sharp across the entire frame
  • Both have no issues resolving plenty of detail on my 24mp sensor; not sure how they'd perform on your denser R III
  • The programmable button on the Sony 35 is very nice to have
  • Should you want to manually focus either lens the Sony 35 feels pretty linear for a focus by wire lens.
I ended up keeping the 35 for three reasons: I like the focus hold button, I wanted the sharper frame, and I found 35 better to shoot than 45. Tamron has a patent for an FE 40mm f/2.0 lens; should that ever become a real product I'll be first in line to try it. You can't really go wrong with either though.
 
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liopleurodon said:
Tamron has a patent for an FE 40mm f/2.0 lens; should that ever become a real product I'll be first in line to try it.
Click to expand...
That patent is likely for the Zeiss Batis that has been available for over a year.
 
Last edited:
liopleurodon said:
Kim Are Gabrielsen said:
liopleurodon said:
RaymondR said:
the Samyang 45 1.8 is a keeper for me. I tested it this past weekend under the sort of conditions I would typically intend to use it (inside dimly lit historic churches and museums) by taking it to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and The Cleveland Museum of Natural History. The center sharpness is strong and the edges were actually better than I expected based on the reviews. The color rendition on my Sony a7ii is nice and the lens produces bokeh that I like a lot. I mostly shot at between f/2 to f/3.5 and ISO 800 since my main lens is the 24-105 f4 and getting the Samyang allowed me to sell off my Fuji x100T, which is what I primarily relied on for church and museum shooting. I may have to boost my ISO ceiling to 1600 to get the shutter speed I need for crisp images. the Sony IBIS is good but once I got down below 1/13 avoiding shake was tough for me and at f/20 ISO 800 was slowing me down to 1/6 or even longer.
Click to expand...
Thanks for sharing your experience! I decided to buy the 45 1.8 and 35 1.8 to evaluate. Both purchased second hand. Haven't had a chance to shoot with either yet, but I'm looking forward to it.
Click to expand...
I'm very much in the same position as you, consider having a lightweight fast prime with my A7R3 and 24-105mm.

I've been satisfied with 35mm on DX so I've mainly looked at sub $500 primes in the 50mm-ish area. The Samyang 45mm 1.8 looks like a strong contender.

But the 55mm 1.8 Zeiss can be found secondhand within the budget. A bit bulkier, less versile as it's more narrow and more expensive. But I get a better lens, better build quality and it will mostly likely hold value better if I decide to get rid of it.

How do you compare the 35mm and 45mm
Click to expand...
What I noticed:
  • The Rokinon is notably lighter on paper and you can feel the difference in the real world as well. But the Sony 35 still feels very light.
  • Both lenses have virtually silent AF motors
  • Eye AF is more reliable on the Sony
  • Comparing raw files there's way more purple fringing with the Sony 35
  • At f/1.8 both are sharp in the center but the Sony is sharper and it is pretty sharp across the entire frame
  • Both have no issues resolving plenty of detail on my 24mp sensor; not sure how they'd perform on your denser R III
  • The programmable button on the Sony 35 is very nice to have
  • Should you want to manually focus either lens the Sony 35 feels pretty linear for a focus by wire lens.
I ended up keeping the 35 for three reasons: I like the focus hold button, I wanted the sharper frame, and I found 35 better to shoot than 45. Tamron has a patent for an FE 40mm f/2.0 lens; should that ever become a real product I'll be first in line to try it. You can't really go wrong with either though.
Click to expand...
Thanks for reporting back. Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 - Used for $480 is definitely a steal!

Cheers
 
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