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Sony 50mm E-mount is a GREAT Portrait Lens!

Started Jul 3, 2012 | Discussions
Bill McClung
Bill McClung Veteran Member • Posts: 3,364
Sony 50mm E-mount is a GREAT Portrait Lens!

I have been getting a lot of "keeper" images, using my NEX-7 with the Sony 50mm E-mount lens for informal portraits. Images from that combination are VERY sharp.

Here's an example: ISO 100. Aperture priority (set @f/2.8). Standard color. Automatic white balance.

http://www.pbase.com/image/144480523

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Bill McClung (a.k.a. 'NC BILL')
Image galleries at http://www.pbase.com/nc_bill

NEVER BE AFRAID TO TRY SOMETHING NEW.
REMEMBER, AMATEURS BUILT THE ARK.
PROFESSIONALS BUILT THE TITANIC!

Sony Alpha NEX-7
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Vaughn T.Winfree
Vaughn T.Winfree Veteran Member • Posts: 4,041
Re: Sony 50mm E-mount is a GREAT Portrait Lens!

Yes it is... Having a 75mm equivalent focal length is great and being the 50mm E-Mount is a f/1.8 OSS, it really is a great lens to have in your bag.

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Vaughn T. Winfree

'Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening.
Love like you've never been hurt and live like it's
heaven on earth.' --Mark Twain

'See what the camera see's. Let the lens interpret what can be. Capture a moment in time telling a story.'--Vaughn T. Winfree

 Vaughn T.Winfree's gear list:Vaughn T.Winfree's gear list
Sony Alpha NEX-7 Canon PowerShot G11 Canon PowerShot S100 Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS +1 more
Docno Veteran Member • Posts: 5,251
Re: Sony 50mm E-mount is a GREAT Portrait Lens!

D@mn, that looks great. Please don't make me buy another lens!!
--
Galleries: http://picasaweb.google.com.au/glennjude

Sony a900, a700; CZ135mm, CZ24-70mm, SAL70-300mmG, 50mm F1.4, 100mm F2.8 macro, KM17-35mm, CZ16-80mm, KM11-18mm, SAL18-250mm

 Docno's gear list:Docno's gear list
Sony RX1 Sony RX100 IV Sony a7R II Sony a7 IV Sony FE 24-70mm F4 OSS +9 more
NexStef New Member • Posts: 20
Tell me about it! (attached pic)

Taken in my backyard, was laying down, looking thru the viewfinder (was sunny that day), hand-held with one hand only.

Really enjoying the NEX-7, that lens, and the kit lens for that matter.
--

  • NexStef

 NexStef's gear list:NexStef's gear list
Sony Alpha NEX-7 Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm F1.8G Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS Sony DT 55-300mm F4.5-5.6 SAM +2 more
El Matadurr
El Matadurr Veteran Member • Posts: 5,018
Re: Sony 50mm E-mount is a GREAT Portrait Lens!
 El Matadurr's gear list:El Matadurr's gear list
Sony Alpha NEX-7 Sony a6500 Carl Zeiss Touit 1.8/32 +1 more
zubs Regular Member • Posts: 449
Re: Sony 50mm E-mount is a GREAT Portrait Lens!

Love it, one from me

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Keep It snappy

 zubs's gear list:zubs's gear list
Sony RX100 III Sony SLT-A57 Sony DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM
FuzzyQball
FuzzyQball Senior Member • Posts: 1,683
Re: Sony 50mm E-mount is a GREAT Portrait Lens!

So good it's almost criminal! Really enjoying working with my 5n. The sensor is amazing!

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Glenn

 FuzzyQball's gear list:FuzzyQball's gear list
Sony Alpha NEX-5N Sony a6000 Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS Sony E 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 PZ OSS +1 more
Kraigmac New Member • Posts: 21
Re: Sony 50mm E-mount is a GREAT Portrait Lens!
1

Really dig this lens, not for every situation, but it is still my favorite.

Bill McClung
OP Bill McClung Veteran Member • Posts: 3,364
Re: Sony 50mm E-mount is a GREAT Portrait Lens!

Thanks to all for the kind words and additional sample images. The lens is a SURE winner! Here's another one of my favorites:

http://www.pbase.com/nc_bill/image/144268616

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Bill McClung (a.k.a. 'NC BILL')
Image galleries at http://www.pbase.com/nc_bill

NEVER BE AFRAID TO TRY SOMETHING NEW.
REMEMBER, AMATEURS BUILT THE ARK.
PROFESSIONALS BUILT THE TITANIC!

AdrianGray Regular Member • Posts: 119
Re: Sony 50mm E-mount is a GREAT Portrait Lens!

Here's a couple from me:

People often say that 50mm APS-C (75mm equivalent) is a weird focal length. Yes, it can be awkward taking a full length shot of someone in a confined space (like a club or normal sized bedroom). Yes, it will have some perspective distortion if you do a close-up portrait of just someone's face (whether that's good or bad is a matter of taste).

Nevertheless, it seems to be a great focal length for head+shoulders or head+torso, and showing some of the environment in the composition.

Lng0004 Senior Member • Posts: 2,602
Re: Sony 50mm E-mount is a GREAT Portrait Lens!

Hah! Nothing beats my 85mm for portraits! ;P

J/k. One thing the SEL50f18 has all legacy lenses beat is... auto-focus. Your keeper rate will soar.

Bill McClung
OP Bill McClung Veteran Member • Posts: 3,364
Re: Sony 50mm E-mount is a GREAT Portrait Lens!

YES! Absolutely spot-on observation!

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Bill McClung (a.k.a. 'NC BILL')
Image galleries at http://www.pbase.com/nc_bill

NEVER BE AFRAID TO TRY SOMETHING NEW.
REMEMBER, AMATEURS BUILT THE ARK.
PROFESSIONALS BUILT THE TITANIC!

zelli Forum Member • Posts: 64
Re: Sony 50mm E-mount is a GREAT Portrait Lens!

Lng0004 wrote:

Hah! Nothing beats my 85mm for portraits! ;P

J/k. One thing the SEL50f18 has all legacy lenses beat is... auto-focus. Your keeper rate will soar.

For sure a great statement of fact! Love my FD 50 1.4, but since I bought the SEL50f18 it gets put on the 5N more often due to auto focus and touch screen focus. The picture below of my brother was "point and press" instant in the moment.

win39 Veteran Member • Posts: 5,560
Re: Sony 50mm E-mount is a GREAT Portrait Lens!

That is terrific.

yairmarx Forum Member • Posts: 78
Re: Sony 50mm E-mount is a GREAT Portrait Lens!

I have my fingers crossed that sony will release an e mount 35mm 1.8 w/OSS as good as this lens!

Old Pirate Senior Member • Posts: 1,521
I agree, even when shot wide open at 1.8

 Old Pirate's gear list:Old Pirate's gear list
Sony a1 Sony a7R V Sony FE 90mm F2.8 macro Sony FE 24-105mm F4 Sony FE 200-600 F5.6-6.3 +7 more
Rossi46 New Member • Posts: 21
Re: Sony 50mm E-mount is a GREAT Portrait Lens!

It seems that de ISO-info of the cat picture is not correct? I mean, I don't have a ISO-2000 setting on mij 5N

Anyway, it still is a great picture! Nice cat

Bruce Bowman Contributing Member • Posts: 572
Re: Sony 50mm E-mount is a GREAT Portrait Lens!

Great shots Bill. The 50/1.8 really is a great lens!

And I think I can see a trend starting already... today Colby is wearing a hoody, but in a few years he's going to graduate to heavy leather armor and a chain saw!!
--
Bruce

 Bruce Bowman's gear list:Bruce Bowman's gear list
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 Panasonic LX100 II Panasonic FZ1000 Sony Alpha NEX-7 Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS +16 more
Bill McClung
OP Bill McClung Veteran Member • Posts: 3,364
Re: Sony 50mm E-mount is a GREAT Portrait Lens!

An observation probably not that far off. Check out this image. Colby picked up a large stick, told me it was his sword and that he was going to climb to the top of the rocks to "kill all the bad guys"!

http://www.pbase.com/nc_bill/image/144206564

Then, after climbing the rocks, he slashed a bit with the "sword". Then, he threw the sword down and did this:

http://www.pbase.com/nc_bill/image/144460698

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Bill McClung (a.k.a. 'NC BILL')
Image galleries at http://www.pbase.com/nc_bill

NEVER BE AFRAID TO TRY SOMETHING NEW.
REMEMBER, AMATEURS BUILT THE ARK.
PROFESSIONALS BUILT THE TITANIC!

Focus Breather
Focus Breather Senior Member • Posts: 1,407
Re: Sony 50mm E-mount is a GREAT Portrait Lens!

Rossi46 wrote:

It seems that de ISO-info of the cat picture is not correct? I mean, I don't have a ISO-2000 setting on mij 5N

Anyway, it still is a great picture! Nice cat

You can not chose ISO 2000, but your camera can, if set to Auto ISO.
Agree, Nice pics, Nice cat

 Focus Breather's gear list:Focus Breather's gear list
Sony a7 III Samyang 12mm F2.0 NCS CS Samyang AF 85mm F1.4 FE Sigma 24-70 F2.8 DG DN
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