Recently after saying I would not recommend a 50mm-ish AF FE lens I then went on to kind of recommend a lens when a friend inadvertently called me out by asking for a recommendation. Without much consideration, I recommended the Sony Sonnar T* FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA… used.
I go into why in that last post but when purchased used it provides an excellent IQ and AF performance in a small, well built package for a reasonable sum (here and here). With so many clean used copies on the market I would not spend $500 more for a new copy.
He made the purchase and while it is on its way to him I decided to confirm my selection by taking it out for a spin while out and about. And once again it did not disappoint. Here are the pics below.
Parting thoughts.
I would not say that this lens is better than the 40mm f/2.5 I tend to use for a daily driver. They are different animals to me. But it is a solid option when you are looking for a bit more subject isolation and it is a better choice for people pics given the lessened distortion of the longer focal length.
But I will say that I do not see this lens discussed as much as it should be as compared to more recently released lenses. While the 50mm f/1.2 is another different animal discussion, I would select this lens over all of the other f/1.4 to f/1.8 lens options out there regardless of brand. It is fast enough, more compact, and packs a secret weapon. That certain ZEISS IQ something that I can not deny, even if I do struggle to adequately quantify it in words.
Now finally purchased because I could since it has depreciated sufficiently I can admit something.
If things had gone differently, like the price point being lower initially or if I were not so cheap… frugal my long history pursuing a Sony 50mm lens or sufficient solution elsewhere would have been short-lived.
Happy capturing.
-ELW
Eric L. Woods 