Between all the reviewers that shoot flat sharpness charts, run down spec sheets or just plainly talk too much, you have some of the most well rounded lens reviews out there. Honest, and relevant to the actual profession of photography. Agreed on the caracter of the 55 - it has all the "modern" sharpness while retaining the "legacy" character. I'd say that justifies the price going up - many of the modern high end lenses today are 'over'-corrected to prevent sharpness falloff due to chromatic abberation, giving good but kind of clinical images.
@WesPerry4 жыл бұрын
Thanks! Always hoping to fill my own niche. And shooting charts is both boring to watch, And boring to shoot anyway 😏
@tbeiber09 Жыл бұрын
I used this lens as an only lens for a wedding last year out of necessity and ended up being super impressed and surprised by it. Those are still some of my favourite photos
@stevecraig93845 жыл бұрын
My first prime lens I bought about 4 years ago and it is still my favorite lens in my collection.
@BridONeill5 жыл бұрын
The first full frame mirrorless lens I bought. Have it few years now and love it. So sharp
@danielcrotty86975 жыл бұрын
I love the 55mm/1.8. While it’s a bit of a misnomer in terms of focal length, the optical quality and size are great. I think the best uses of this lens are environmental portraits and small group shots of maybe 2-3 people. Either way, it’s like you said: it just has that special quality to it!
@sadenb5 жыл бұрын
Misnomers are good for character.
@poman9114 жыл бұрын
Out of my Batis 18f2, 24GM1.4, 35Gf1.8, 85f1.8 and 135GM1.8, this lens is my favorite: my photos pop and especially in video it's beautiful with a smooth bokeh. I can see it clearly that it's definitely different from the other lenses. It has a known problem with the glue holding the autofocus elements internally but whatever it's still working for me after 4 years.
@juhanyman18025 жыл бұрын
Great review and I totally agree with what you said. I've had this lens for almost 2 years and this always ends up in my camera bag wherever I go. Best thing about the lens is the character.
@chryseass.51435 жыл бұрын
Enjoyed your review, Wes. I bought the 55 f1.8 along with my Sony a7iii back in August even though I had the kit lens to get me started . Although it seemed like a lot of money for a prime, I haven't regretted picking it up.
@lassepetersen6844 жыл бұрын
I was looking for some information on this lens as i was considering this or the Sony 1.4. I found (by accident) that you had made a video about it. Perfect! You are by far my most favorite gear/photography youtuber. Your videos are super pleasant, to the point with filled with useful information. What really tick the boxes for me is that your not sponsored and not trying to peddle something. You should really make a lot more of these videos! I just love them.
@WesPerry4 жыл бұрын
I make as many as I can. But being “not sponsored”, and living in a country that doesn’t have a good lens rental service, it’s a bit difficult to get my hands on a lot of stuff. So I mostly just review things I’ve been using for work anyway. Hopefully one day I’ll have enough subs to be able to broaden my scope a bit ;) Thanks!
@lassepetersen6844 жыл бұрын
To me it validates your opinion that you have worked with the products you are reviewing. It also underlines that you are not trying to sell them to "us" which i think is pretty fantastic. You have some pretty amazing video production going and i am always in awe of your audio setup, i dont know what you are using but man it just works. So I recommend you to everyone. Keep up the great work and those subs will trickle in for sure. Ohh and to end things on a gear note. I dont know if you have it, but if you havent tried the 135 1.8 G master you are in for a treat!
@WesPerry4 жыл бұрын
Yeah, I’ve been looking to borrow that one directly from Sony sometime this summer. It’s a good focal length for social distancing at the very least 😂
@lassepetersen6844 жыл бұрын
@@WesPerry hahaha yeah it is that for certain :D
@patrickryan31413 жыл бұрын
Just purchased this lens and should have it sometime this week. Looking forward to using it on my Sony 7 aiii!
@joe2snj3 жыл бұрын
Makes for a great portrait lens, I also use mine for street where stopping it down you get a razor sharp piece of glass.
@andgainingspeed5 жыл бұрын
Bought mine new off the gray market and would go used now if I had to buy it again. Between the sharpness, size and weight it will always have a place in my travel kit. Yes, it is pretty good in the streets at night.
@joselara43925 жыл бұрын
I bought mine gray market as well, at the time I didn't know what gray market was just thought I was getting a good deal lol.
@astasuleo2 ай бұрын
it is the 1 legentary sharp lens ever. No matter what, it always give you this interesting and different Zeiss special contrast and sharpness. Nowadays the cost is around 700 euros which makes it a VFM.
@james68252 жыл бұрын
i had this lens before and i sold it. i bought it back , i love this lens
@TomKaszuba5 жыл бұрын
Your reviews are extremely entertaining and well done. I own this lens. Your description is dead on accurate to mine. I love the lens. It has a special look.
@WesPerry5 жыл бұрын
Thanks, Tom!
@iamwannabefilmmaker3 жыл бұрын
That with the T stop of the lens! No idea of that, never heard it this is close to the 1.4 lenses 😮 thanks for that
@shadda3 жыл бұрын
I got my copy for $400 on ebay, great condition. Pairs very well with the 35mm 2.8 zeiss.
@WesPerry3 жыл бұрын
That’s a great price!
@Anarki2U4 жыл бұрын
An update version with a button for AF on/off will be nice, aperture ring will be very nice, maybe a GM version !?
@WesPerry4 жыл бұрын
That seems unlikely, as the 50 1.4 ZA is still the “flagship lens” of this focal length.
@markytyz67535 жыл бұрын
I found this review really helpful and well structured with a lot of relevant information. I have recently switched to the Sony full frame system from Fuji. Sold all my lenses. Felt that I would be happy with just the Sony 24 to 105 mm but decided it was just too big to walk around with all day. So I have just bought the 55 as well. Looking forward to trying it out at a friend’s 40th party. I am wondering, though, whether, because of its fact that it is now quite an old lens, I should have bought the 35mm. A depleted camera bag is making me feel uneasy and the choices that need to be made without re-mortgaging the house are overwhelming. Ha ha
@WesPerry5 жыл бұрын
I find 55 a bit tight for use indoors at times. Depends on the size of the house, though. Looking forward (as many are) to Sony or Anyone releasing a 35 1.8. It’s a rather glaring hole on their lineup.
@fonzefalcon Жыл бұрын
Hopefully soon there is an update for this lens ! I just love the 55mm ... will be waiting for a sony new 55 1.4
@WesPerry Жыл бұрын
Oh I doubt there will be a follow up. The 50 1.4 is essentially its “replacement”
@MMm-hz6hl2 жыл бұрын
Love ur videos and quality..ur reviews are treat and soo informative..cheers
@gregbphotography5 жыл бұрын
Great review Wes. I rented this lens and it's absolutely awesome. CA is fairly easy to fix in post but the sharpness is insane. I also had a Sigma ART 50 1.4 (no adapter). I did not like it, mainly due to size. It's very front heavy and the CA is absolutely awful. Also, I don't know if it was my unit, but autofocus was not good, at all. It would always hunt for the subject or not focus at all.
@WesPerry5 жыл бұрын
The 50 Art is older, and doesn’t work great with Sony emount, adapted or straight. The newer 105mm and 40mm art lenses are just about as good as native, though.
@jbello93983 жыл бұрын
I just bought it second hand cheap and like new condition, and it is excellent!!😃
@WesPerry3 жыл бұрын
Nice!
@blacktazzie25094 жыл бұрын
Man I like your style, you got my sub!
@huwjones58794 жыл бұрын
I'm not a huge fan of lenses around this focal length though so as this lens really does hold its value used i've not picked one up yet as even though the images look really good I would not use it often enough. Nice review, love that easy going style.
@josephcullen58725 жыл бұрын
Great video again Wes! I remember watching so many reviews about this lens and not seeing much difference then I got the 50mm f/1.8 and just did not like it at all. Sold it after a couple of months and bit the bullet and got the Zeiss 55. My word what a lens, such a beautiful image rendition. It comes with me every shoot no matter what. My only gripe with it is the hood. What the heck that thing never stays on!
@WesPerry5 жыл бұрын
I’ve never had trouble with the hood, myself. But...my first 35 1.4, also no trouble with the hood. So I thought, what’s with all these people wanting locking lens hoods? They never fall off! The replacement 35 1.4 Sony gave me? Falls off if you look at it wrong 🤬 So it seems to very much be a hood to hood issue. Just the shape of the plastic ring when it comes out of the mold or something.
@josephcullen58725 жыл бұрын
@@WesPerry I actually rather the small size on an A7iii with no hood or grip. It's a neat little package. But yeah genuinely the momentum from turning the camera from portrait to landscape is enough to make the hood come off since the day I got it. It's crazy! Picked it up for 650 bucks new in Europe so I'm happy with the price in this case. Will you be doing a round up of all your long term reviews?
@WesPerry5 жыл бұрын
A roundup? Hmm, I hadn’t even thought of that. I have so many other ideas in the pipe already. Haha
@josephcullen58725 жыл бұрын
@@WesPerry well you've already given them all scores, might as well see which one comes out on top 😂
@MrRaychard1235 жыл бұрын
One major problem with these lens is the minimum focusing distance needed. I was a bit disappointed not able to go near a subject and able to focus. Unlike my sigma 50 art, even old 85 1.8 afs Nikon can focus much closer
@WesPerry5 жыл бұрын
Yeah, you’re right there. I’ve gotten used to it now, but it used to trip me up all the time.
@MrRaychard1235 жыл бұрын
@@WesPerry one can used the the apsc crop mode just to get a closer shot
@WesPerry5 жыл бұрын
Nah, I want all 24mp for the most part. 10mp just isn’t quite enough. On the a7Riii it would be fine, though.
@stevenuseda63175 жыл бұрын
Wes Perry I’ve been using some cheap extension tubes I bought on amazon that do the trick. Sure it’s not ideal to put on and take off but if you need macro capabilities on a Sony e mount camera, there’s no cheaper way to do it at around $20.
@WesPerry5 жыл бұрын
That’s actually what I did for macro work before I got the 90mm G lens. Worked pretty well, but manually focusing those focus by wire lenses is tricky. It’s sharp enough to be used as a macro for sure.
@buleulek51534 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much ! Great honest review.
@morgankarno7335 Жыл бұрын
I adapt this lens to my full spectrum Nikon z7ll it is wonderful for infrared.
@WesPerry Жыл бұрын
Well that’s unexpected. Why not just use the Nikon 50 1.8?
@morgankarno7335 Жыл бұрын
@@WesPerry worlds difference in IR performance.
@WesPerry Жыл бұрын
@@morgankarno7335 oh wow, very interesting. Evan you explain in more detail?
@morgankarno7335 Жыл бұрын
@@WesPerry it renders the sky and colors in infrared almost perfectly it is the best IR lens you can buy and blows away the Nikon z prime for this application
@jeje78222 жыл бұрын
Love your videos
@sadenb5 жыл бұрын
For me , the 50 mm isn't suited . So I will mostly use my kit lens if I use that focal length. I love the range of 35 and 85 , so I got the primes for that range. But this is a fantastic lens.
@WesPerry5 жыл бұрын
I think I operate along the same lines. At most events where I'm actually working, I have a body with the 35 and a body with the 85. If I'm just doing street or family photography, anything that's just for me, I have one body with the 55 on it. It's my favourite lens, but unfortunately I don't get to use it quite as much as I'd like to.
@felixbrandau47513 жыл бұрын
Could you review the Sony 24mm G ?
@honestnerd4 жыл бұрын
Awesome video, but I still can't decide between this and the 35 1.8 :(
@WesPerry4 жыл бұрын
They’re really quite different lenses. The 55 has a very vintage flair to it, while the 35 is much more modern and clinical. Both very sharp and quick lenses though. But the focal lengths are different enough that your particular application might be the deciding factor.
@oldtexasblues36054 жыл бұрын
I got the sony 35mm 1.8 and the 85 1.8, still can't decide if I should get this 1, it is a fantastic lens no questions about it, but having those 2 lenses, do I really need a 55mm focal lenth? This question is killing me lol
@WesPerry4 жыл бұрын
Seems unlikely, unless you’ve seen something you must have in the sample images 😏
@oldtexasblues36054 жыл бұрын
@@WesPerry nah the problem is that us photographers want all the lenses of the world lol
@WesPerry4 жыл бұрын
Trying not to enable you here. Haha
@oldtexasblues36054 жыл бұрын
LOL
@joanmedina28865 жыл бұрын
Zeiss 50mm 1.4 is a beast. My second best lens
@WesPerry5 жыл бұрын
What’s number 1 then?
@joanmedina28865 жыл бұрын
My new 24mm GM... Just can't seem to take it off my camera lately.@@WesPerry
@WesPerry5 жыл бұрын
Ah yes. That one definitely looks like a winner.
@brianknight72085 жыл бұрын
I have wanted to buy this lens for awhile now. Waiting for it to go on sale, but it never does.
@WesPerry5 жыл бұрын
In Europe it does for some reason, everywhere else it just slowly increases in price.
@shavindraperera29344 жыл бұрын
Nice review! I got this lens with my new A73 and absolutely love with its sharpness. However I have noticed an aperture noise when turning on/off the camera. Have you noticed it before? Or is it normal?
@WesPerry4 жыл бұрын
Yeah, that’s normal with a lot of E-mount lenses (as long as it’s not Super loud). With DSLR’s, the aperture stays open when the camera is off, but on mirrorless it closes down to protect the sensor from getting burned accidentally, as there is no mirror in the way to protect it from light (say you set it down lens facing up, and it can see the sun, that’d be no good!).
@DjimmyTrovy4 жыл бұрын
Do you think it's worth buying it for 500 usd used but in excellent condition?
@WesPerry4 жыл бұрын
Definitely! Good condition used ones generally sell for about $640USD presently.
@DjimmyTrovy4 жыл бұрын
@@WesPerry Thanks for replying.
@charruaporelmundo5 жыл бұрын
I think all this Je nais sais quoi you mentiones is the Microcontrast. I'm wondering if I should sell my voigtlander nokton 50 mm 1.5 for this. I'm happy with it,...just that I need the techart pro for af, and of course...isn't as fast.
@WesPerry5 жыл бұрын
I’m not totally sure that I buy the microcontrast hype. Or at least that modern/wide aperture lenses don’t have it. I do plan on attempting a bit of an investigation into it at some point, though 😉 I’m hoping to get the Voigtlander 35 1.4 for E-mount eventually. I definitely haven’t looked at enough image samples yet to really make an informed decision, but I just love the classic but minimalist design.
@charruaporelmundo5 жыл бұрын
@@WesPerry It is real, you can notice that once you use voigtlanders lenses , zeiss or leica of course I used a many of them already (voigt 58 1.4, 40 mc 1.4, the 1.2, ultron 35 1.7, nokton 50, heliar 50), I love them, but are to be use when you don't need so fast af. I'm keeping the ultron 35 mm 1.7 and the Heliar 50 3.5 to be used with techart. Microcontrast is how accurate differents tonalities of the same colors range are depicted . thank you for replying.
@Williamk4924 жыл бұрын
Nice review! 👍🏻
@WesPerry4 жыл бұрын
Thanks, Will! 👍🏻
@alisamaan5 жыл бұрын
Great videos man. Do you do workshops teaching photography?
@WesPerry5 жыл бұрын
Not at present. I live in a relatively remote area (eastern Canada), so I’d have to have a bigger following to be able to sell a workshop in another city or something. One of these days...
@SuperFrise3 жыл бұрын
@4:59 there is a cat making a face right beside the bride's head.
@barambelong24334 жыл бұрын
which one is sharper ... zeiss 55 f1.8 or Sony fe 35mm f1.8 ... please answer ... thank you
@WesPerry4 жыл бұрын
I'm afraid I can't answer that one for you. I haven't used the 35 1.8 myself, and can't find anything super empirical comparing the two online. Kindof a shame that DxO is now a shadow of its former self. I would guess, though, that the 55 1.8 is sharper in the centre, while the 35 1.8 gives it a run for it's money further out. But that's just a guess.
@stevenuseda63175 жыл бұрын
I think this lens is better value if you pick it up used. I just bought mine to replace my sigma 50mm 1.4 art. Paid $625 on eBay for one in immaculate condition.
@WesPerry5 жыл бұрын
That's a surprisingly good price! There weren't many floating around on the used market when I bought mine a few years ago. And those that were were selling for about the same price as a new one anyway.
@peter-hansduivenvoorden32765 жыл бұрын
I did buy mine yesterday for 450 Euro (500 US dollar). Lucky me. 😉
@manydreams1life3155 жыл бұрын
Rock solid entertainment. You’ve got a way ...
@WesPerry5 жыл бұрын
Rock solid comment 👌🏻😏
@Eddie87Grant5 жыл бұрын
I love the little joker but however I would like the 55 or 50 in 1.2. C’mon Sony do it then us give us the 85 1.2
@WesPerry5 жыл бұрын
I’m sure they can do it, it would just be expensive. But canon apparently isn’t afraid of that. Haha
@Eddie87Grant5 жыл бұрын
LOL. I'm hoping because then I can sell my Canon version. Yep Canon is no stranger to high prices for incremental improvements on camera bodies either which pretty much explains why I'm in the Sony camp and selling my Canon gear.
@APPLECROFT75005 жыл бұрын
Wes I like your reviews, but must you have that distracting music in the background all the time?
@WesPerry5 жыл бұрын
Yes, I must. Until I get a better mic setup (one of these days). The music obscures the echo from the room, sounds of the house, and the line noise of the only adequate mic that isn’t really designed to be so far from my mouth.
@jmjmjeddah5 жыл бұрын
@@WesPerry As always nice entertaining video... btw, what's the title of that jazzy tune on your intro? Thanks.
@Waresy234 жыл бұрын
I dig the background music. I think it works well with your reviews.
@paunpaun69885 жыл бұрын
Did you ever try Mitakon 50mm f 0.95?
@WesPerry5 жыл бұрын
I’d love to, but I’m afraid not.
@charruaporelmundo4 жыл бұрын
What about the Planar?, for your review I was about to buy the 35 1.4, but due the recently launched 1.8 I went for that one. Well, if you are planning to review the planar, it will be very welcome :)
@WesPerry4 жыл бұрын
After having and loving the Sonnar, I don’t really have much compelling reason to get the Planar (especially the $$$). I don’t use the 50mm focal length for professional work much. I’m mostly at 16/35/85 for everything. The 55 usually sits on my camera for personal work, as it’s a good all rounder, and nice and light/unobtrusive.
@charruaporelmundo4 жыл бұрын
Wes Perry I see, well actually I’m more a 35 person too, just wondering about the planar, but maybe, for me is even good enought the fe 50 1.8 🤦🏻♂️😁
@WesPerry4 жыл бұрын
I’m not sure that I would recommend that one...I haven’t heard great stuff about it’s autofocus system. But then again the 85GM isn’t amazing for autofocus, and I still love it 😏
@ancaardiansyah72065 жыл бұрын
Great Video.... how about FE 35f1.8 :)
@WesPerry5 жыл бұрын
Waiting for my review copy...I think I’m pretty low on the list ;)
@GoProMeetsAeon5 жыл бұрын
Loving your videos! Could you do one for the Tamron 28-75?
@WesPerry5 жыл бұрын
I wish! They’re still super hard to come by in Canada.
@mariuszkedzior15415 жыл бұрын
I have that lens and I am happy about it but the most important phrase I heard today is that probably French one (because for me it sounds like a French, because English is not my first language ), and I would like to know how to write it, and understand, and know what I can say about my lens to other people (how to describe how great that lens is 😊)
@WesPerry5 жыл бұрын
“Je ne sais quoi.” It’s just french for “I don’t know what.”, but it’s used as a colloquialism to express any concept that is too hard to define in English.
@mariuszkedzior15415 жыл бұрын
@@WesPerry Nice. Thank you for quick response. I think that it is time to go outside and check that T stop 😉 All the best. See you soon, even you actually don't see me 😁
@felixbrandau47513 жыл бұрын
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
@dpfreedman5 жыл бұрын
I bought mine on June 19, 2015. I'm sorry you made me look that up because I see I paid $758 USD for it. Ouch! Ah, well. I still have it and absolutely love it. Now don't make me look up what I paid for my Zeiss 35mm f2.8, the other Sony diminutive overachiever.
@WesPerry5 жыл бұрын
I’d love to have a 35mm version of this lens, at f/1.8. The 35 1.4 is just too big for a lot of work. Overkill. But still I use it all the time.
@sokcheabomnong87785 жыл бұрын
Dude your video is hurting my eye Anw nice review
@WesPerry5 жыл бұрын
Uhhh wut?
@vladimirivanov63533 жыл бұрын
You are so CooL 😍
@WesPerry3 жыл бұрын
High praise coming from the best dad ever. 😏
@mjesalva5 жыл бұрын
annoying bg music
@cryhavoc383 жыл бұрын
Pittsburgh dad music
@WesPerry3 жыл бұрын
🤔
@kimimwah41864 жыл бұрын
Man, this is the first video of yours I've watched. I will not be watching any others. You just sound indifferent and negative. Even when you say something technically positive, you use tend to use grammar that mutes any positivity.
@WesPerry4 жыл бұрын
Interesting. Pretty much the opposite of what everyone else says. 🤔
@Old_Man_Jay4 жыл бұрын
What the hell are you talking about? Did you actually watch the video?? He gave this lens so much praise!
@royfernando3487 Жыл бұрын
The conclusion : “ i dont know” hahhA useless review!
@WesPerry Жыл бұрын
Am I supposed to tell you what to think? That would be unfortunate. I’m just here to provide information/observations and let you decide for yourself.