Quick Zeiss 55mm 1.8 Review

[@classic.cameras]

Its 2024. I just bought this lens. Was so bored of it but then did more and more research I decided to try it out. NOW? Wow I love this lens on my A7 IV. Its amazing and so lightweight.

[@chrismancini3781]

I managed to find a lightly used bargain and can’t put it down. Great for portraits and casual street shooting for me. Love it’s compression and separation in f2, also found it very sharp at f6. If you can find a used one well cared for, it’s a must have. However, at $1,000 new it’s a bit pricey, save up for the 50GM and never look back 👍

[@Lonnie.G]

Agree with all of this!

[@michaelajoseph6856]

Thank you for a great review! The lens has indeed the 3D pop which some of us appreciate. I like also the 35mm 2.8 ZA.

[@Lonnie.G]

I love the 35 too - I use it often

[@isabelladavis1363]

I use mine on a Sony a9 as well yes it has PERSONALITY the more I use this combo the more I love it ….will have to venture out into the world of film…thanks for sharing

[@cluckcluck2001]

This lens is AMAZEBALLS. For sure.

[@Lonnie.G]

One of my favs still

[@christopherrodriguez7223]

Nice man wasn’t expecting a new video this quickly!! Very awesome surprise. When I had the 55 I enjoyed it but settled on the 35 as it suited me more. Enjoying one camera one lens at the moment.

[@Lonnie.G]

I fall in and out of love with the 50mm field of view often so I get it. I only really take this one out if I have two camera bodies on me (28 or 35 on one and this 55 on the other). If I was going out with one lens it would definitely be a 28 or 35. Which 35 do you have?

[@christopherrodriguez7223]

@@Lonnie.G I have the 35gm I was lucky to find a few on BH and picked one within my condition tolerance. Can’t beat BH on return policy, price was reasonable at $1,100 a few weeks back.

[@Lonnie.G]

@@christopherrodriguez7223 niiiice. I’m a little jealous lol. I miss the aperture ring from shooting Fuji so I imagine one day my kit will evolve to a set of lenses with them. That 35 GM looks so nice

[@AI3Dorinte]

Hey man, thanks for this review. You put in more descriptive words what people usually refer to as micro contrast, or zeiss pop. I like the way you explained it and it's exactly what I like about the good zeiss lenses.

[@darryl_young]

Thanks for sharing, Lonnie. I enjoyed this video. I recently bought my first Sony camera (the α7 IV) and I’m looking for a good ~50mm lens. This seems perfect.

[@Lonnie.G]

Oh yeah it will be awesome with the new a7. Thanks for watching!

[@number1chiefROKKA]

you are the only other channel than Camera Conspiracies that talk about that "separation". he calls it 3D pop. I can see it so i think i might have to get this now.

[@classic.cameras]

Camera Conspiracies is what drove me to give this lens a try. And I can confirm the 3D pop!!!!

[@RonK]

love the video, keep it rolling, thanks!

[@Lonnie.G]

Thanks, will do!

[@craig_cunha]

Great quick review Lonnie and it matches my thoughts on this lens. I’ve had mine for about 5yrs and love the IQ. Doubt we’ll see an update to it ever, but if they did, I’d like an aperture ring. Shooting with an A7C these days, so would come on handy and I also prefer the tactile feel of lenses with one.

[@Lonnie.G]

Thanks for watching! I agree 100% with everything you said. Aperture ring and it’s perfect for my needs. I can dream!

[@TrevorMcGrathPhotography]

Nice review and I like your style, no time wasting. Thanks!

[@Lonnie.G]

Thank you!

[@phillmeredith]

Love this review and have owned this lens since launch. Can you do a similar short review of the 35mm 2.8 Zeiss?

[@YC305]

I have it and I agree with your review. This lens is very nice. You can get beautiful portraits and street photography.

[@Lonnie.G]

Still one of my fav lenses on Sony

[@torb-no]

It's interesting how you mention it seem to have subject separation beyond what you'd expect given it's aperture. I've sene people describe some other Zeiss standard focal length lenses like that too. For instance, some say that about the Zeiss Touit 32mm f1.8 as well. There I heard someone describe it as happening due a combination of color/tonality/microcontrast and how the out of focus renders (their claim was that it being *less* smooth counterintuitively made it give a look of more separation). I'd love to hear your thoughts on the Zeiss Touit 32mm, specifically for Fuji, but seems like you don't shoot Fuji anymore? In either case, it's also available for Sony APS-C. Regardless, thanks for making the video and sharing your thoughts!

[@carlibeguerie]

I have it, and I love it ! Agreed

[@prince2thethrone]

are you going to do a review on the 35mm 2.8? a I have a 6300 and was wondering what it would look like on the camera. thanks

[@Lonnie.G]

Yes I do plan on doing one. I originally had the 35 back in 2014 and have it now again so I should have a decent amount of samples. I don't think I've used it on an APSC camera (though I did use the Rokinon 35 2.8 on one). I still have an old Nex-5T Sony camera around so if I remember to I'll try and take a few shots on that so you can see how it would look.

[@prince2thethrone]

@@Lonnie.G good look'n out

[@greasyflight6609]

It's a slick lens...always in the bag

[@davidwebdesigner]

Greetings from Ecuador, I recently bought my A7iii with the kit lens and I plan to buy the Ziess 55mm as my first investment in lenses, I'm sure it will go well

[@Lonnie.G]

Great choice -- still one of my favorite lenses. it never disappoints

[@azriezar]

Nice review!! I've got the same lens and it is sharp.

[@Lonnie.G]

Super sharp! Thanks for watching!

[@iamdiegoye]

this is one of the best zeiss 55mm 1,8 reviews ive seen so far. question, did u use a7c for the entirety of this video?

[@Lonnie.G]

Thank you so much! I did!

[@iamdiegoye]

@@Lonnie.G i recently got an a7c coming from fuji (x user since 2011). the focusing speed and accuracy is ridiculous. when u said its at par in terms of picture quality with fuji 35mm 1.4, a lens i used since it came out, it immediately took my interest. im planning to get this one and this review sealed it. thanks man

[@DDHDTV]

Since you're liking aperture rings so much, have you ahd the chance to try the 50 2.5? or any other one from that series? :)

[@Lonnie.G]

I have not! Would love to but they overlap with everything else I currently own

[@gundamaction1201]

Great review Lonnie. I like the way you explained how this lens capture your attention and why it matters to you. You put it in a perspective that I can understand and see what you can achieve with that lens. I just started photography and planned to get this lens to join my 35mm prime lens. Along with the sony kit zoom lens, a 35mm f1.8, and finally this 55mm f1.8, I can take a lot of pictures in these focal lengths and take those lenses out with me without being then being too heavy. Just an extra question Lonnie, is there any free editing software that edit for raw photo format? Subscriptions for adobe stuff seems really expensive for me right now

[@Lonnie.G]

Thank you! Sounds like a great kit. I would check out capture one express for Sony. I think it’s still available if you Google it

[@gundamaction1201]

@@Lonnie.G Thanks Lonnie. I am using capture one now to test out the water. Finally be able edit the raw files.

[@DushnyiShu]

Good review, gonna get that little beauty beast used 👍 Man, please, tell the name of the track you used for this video. It sounds fantastic!

[@Lonnie.G]

Thank you! It’s still one of my favorites - just used it the other day with the a9 tracking my kids ice skating and it still performs! Thank you - the music on this one is a mix between beats made by my son and myself.

[@jeedelgado8643]

Great

[@Lonnie.G]

Thanks!

[@cameraprepper7938]

I miss an aperture ring and a AF/MF button.

[@Trigger-xw9gq]

In the "flaws" segment, it should be mentioned that this lens also suffers from lens flare quite badly.

[@tsizzle]

How’s the noise when changing aperture and auto focusing in photos A mode - AF-S focus mode setting to F22?

[@antoniosbarakos4949]

is this lense best choice for video? or 35?

[@Lonnie.G]

Which 35mm? I like the Sony 35mm 1.8 better for video personally

[@yevnv6292]

Not after Samyang released their 50 f1.4 II

[@shadda]

your background music is crazy annoying and distracting