Sony 50mm 2.5G(em) | Lens that made me love nifty fifty

Hello photographers!
In this episde I`m reviewing a unusual nifty fifty from Sony - the 50mm 2.5 G lens. What is so special about it and how it made me, a 35 mm lover, enjoy the 50mm focal lenght? Find out in this video.
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My IG: portrame

[@35mmpersecond9]

Always happy when your new video pops out. The wholesomeness of your videos is just so nice! Keep it up photographer!

[@DigitalRetro]

Thank you so much!

[@lucase.8065]

Rav cool intro! Keep it up man, you're willing to face your fear and change the to a better version of yourself!

[@DigitalRetro]

Thank you for the kind words mate!

[@photobeard4505]

Great review as usual! Love the personal feel you put in the experience.

[@DigitalRetro]

Thanks man 🕶Glad you feel it this way

[@satejonetsu]

Sweet and to the point, I love it. Thanks for sharing your perspective and great photos!

[@HenrikoMagnifico]

How is this lens compared to the cheaper Sony 50mm f1.8?

[@michaelneumann1865]

Well done! Totally enjoyed your work here!!! Thank you! I do own the 50mm 2.5 and the 40mm 2.5. I love them both. BUT.....the 40mm 2.5 has some kind of magic that's missing in the 50mm. It might just be the closer focus and wider view combo. I too love 35mm lenses like you. The 50mm is such tremendous quality and solid performance. I just miss the character I really get from the 40mm. I'm a bit shocked actually. I know it's really similar to the 35mm. But it's really special. Thanks again!

[@DigitalRetro]

Thank you man! I totally get you. The 40mm hits different than 50 - the rendering is somewhat more "artsy" where the 50mm is more "proper". The only reason I didn`t get it was the 35`s I already own and Ricoh GRIIIx with it`s 40mm equivalent. Otherwise the 40 2.5 is a great choice.

[@voffair]

Notice this channel from "7Artisans 35mm 1.4". I really love your work. I got an aha moment that I also have the same reason for starting my channel (although I'm not persistent enough) I'm happy to see other people overcome their shyness :) So inspired again!

[@DigitalRetro]

Thank you so much for your kind words! I`m happy you like the channel and yes, it is a way to gain more confidence. Although sometimes it`s hard to find time and inspiration when you work a regular job, it is definitely worth to share your passion. Keeping my fingers crossed for your content! Stay safe!

[@originalbumbu]

very nice review, made me make up my mind between 40,mm and 50mm. thanks.

[@DigitalRetro]

Thanks mate! Glad to be of any help!

[@sdhute]

Good points especially for street photography. Most mfg do not offer these smaller primes. I like doing street portraits and I’m never needing a 1.8, or 1.2. I always want to include some background. I’ve also found it easier to get a street portrait when you appear like a photographer. When using my GRiii it was almost strange to ever ask for a street portrait when that small camera portrays a different image. Similar to trying to take pics of someone with a cell phone. 👍

[@DigitalRetro]

Thank you! Yeah I agree completely that having something bigger than GR, yet smaller than typical DSLR looking makes street portraits more easy. GR is great for stealth photography, but looks kinda ridiculous if you ask for a portrait and pull up Ricoh. For me, XT30ii and A7C make the perfect size of a camera and they look "pro" enough, yet not like "scary pro".

[@SilatShooter]

I'm a fan as well of this lens. It's super underrated in my opinion. I have shot it against GM lenses and to my eye every bit as good, and the size is just amazing.

[@Hunders1984]

Im selling my 50 1.4 GM to replace it with this lens, which should be here in a couple of days! Even though the 1.4 isnt huge, it is hesvy enough to make me not want to take my camera on trips out. The 2.5 should work wonderfully for me

[@POVwithRC]

Did it work out well in the end?

[@Hunders1984]

@@POVwithRC It's hard not to miss the wider aperture in low light situations. 12,800 vs 4000 ISO is a big difference! However the 50mm 2.5 is so light that I actually want to take my camera with me and it's not burdening in the slightest. Image quality is great and DOF is shallow enough on a full frame sensor. I don't regret my decision 👍

[@garfieldmtify]

NICE VIDEO! I also like the 35mm I amd GM f/1.4. Which ones do you have? Interesting you picked the 50mm f/2.5 G. I have considered that lens as well. I have also considered the GR III since I would like to do street work as well. I kind of lean more toward a 24mm. I am not sure if I actually have fav focal length, dunno. 35mm seems to be the distance I use although I like the 24mm. I would be interested in perhaps a 30 and see if I like that. Now that I am writing you (wait, what's your name) and thinking out loud, I will try shooting with my 24-70 at 30mm and see how that feels and also try 40mm and see if I like those focal length. Maybe that I can forget about a pocket camera (for now) and pick up smaller lens then start using my A1 more. Thanks for the video, I liked it.

[@gilbertoenriquez8345]

Think this lense is comparable to the the 50mm GM? Those pictures are insanely clear!

[@DigitalRetro]

I guess It's a little less sharp than GM, but still insanely sharp. Compared to it's brother, the 40mm 2.5G it's a clinical lens!

[@paramini08]

Hows it for some night photography?

[@CamperIV]

Awesome video dude, I like this style. It's not just a boring technical review of a lens but more an expression about how this lens makes you FEEL while shooting which is what matters i think, not the specs. Btw wait til you try the "not so nifty 85mm" :D If you love 50mm you will most likely love 85 too

[@DigitalRetro]

Thanks man! I did own the 85 1.8 - really enjoyed this lens for portraits. I`m considering the Samyang 85 1.4 II in the future for that extra bokeh 📷

[@zabuzaao8445]

I love how you make A7ii a great camera for the style you shoot and edit

[@DigitalRetro]

Thanks! Much appreciated. The A7ii is still a great cam for photography lovers and it’s really a great deal in terms of price and available lenses📷

[@adventure_photo]

It’s such a great little lens! Totally agree with!

[@jacksonjackson9474]

Perfect. Thanks for this.

[@iraklikordzaia]

Thank you for the video. Tell me, what Sony camera do you use this lens on?

[@DigitalRetro]

Hi there! I use Sony A7II.

[@iraklikordzaia]

@@DigitalRetro Thank you. You don’t know how it will behave on the 33 MP matrix of the Sony A7 IV? Will there be any problems?

[@DigitalRetro]

@@iraklikordzaiaI don`t think so. This i s a great resolution lens - it`s designed for newer, compact cameras, like A7C/A7CII which has 33mpix sensor as well.

[@panhradu]

I think 2.5 is enough. Modern cameras have exceptional low light ability and if you depends too much on bokeh it just means you are not very good photographer anyway. Which is not a case of this fella.

[@jeromeh3605]

I always have this lens on my A7C. :-)

[@cozygentlenight]

for travel?

[@ThomasPhamKESAT]

I wonder how this lens compares to the Samyang 45mm f1.8 FE.

[@DigitalRetro]

Hi - I`ve made a review about Samyang 45 1.8 on my channel, you can check it out! Personally I think Samyang has much better character where the Sony is more clinical and has way better AF and build quality. But I did love the samyang 45 1.8.

[@pk6221]

świetna PP zdjęć, lubię bardzo Twoje filmy, this lens is a bit too slow for a mid-distance shots (f2 is a minimum for a convenient work).

[@DigitalRetro]

Thank you! The F2 would be nice indeed if this lens could keep it`s size. However I really don`t mind the 2.5 aperture anymore, especially for video.

[@SilatShooter]

@@DigitalRetro I initially thought the same but after using it, that concern disappeared immediately. It has nice out of focus area. Sharpness is excellent as well.

[@caviardiamonds]

Amazing video

[@soholingo]

3:44 How did you get this look? What did you do in post? How did you shoot it in camera? Thanks, subbed, liked and commented.

[@DigitalRetro]

Thank you for the support! 3:44 was shot on F4 and I used the Ilford HP5 preset from VSCO pack for post editing. Cheers!

[@ernstvandijk6342]

Who still owns an a7II these days?

[@VictorChu-n4d]

Bokeh looks better on this than the 1.8

[@nocommentnoname1111]

I'd rather have the Zeiss 55 1.8.

[@POVwithRC]

Oh man. I own the 24 in this series and it is a banging video lens which renders colors well above its price point. I suspect the 50 will do no worse. Now where did I leave the extra money to put a 50 G on an A7CR and finally be happy 😂

[@DigiDriftZone]

But why this lens over the F1.8 version? - the faster lens can be picked up at 1/3 the price of this one and it's only 2.5cm difference in length. The pricing of this just doesn't make sense for an inferior lens.

[@DigitalRetro]

The price is crazy, but Sony makes sales and cashback as well, so it`s possible to buy it cheaper. I wouldn`t say this lens is inferior to 1.8. The AF is way way better and the rendering is more "modern", so this lens is a great choice for photo/video combo on a smaller body like A7C due to it`s compact build. It`s a really good choice for creators. This lens and 35 1.8 is really good combo IMO.

[@DigiDriftZone]

@@DigitalRetro Thank you, that makes sense. My ZV-E1 just arrived and compactness would be nice :) - But F1.8 vs F2.5 is near enough a full stop, so it's half as much light on the more expensive lens, that hurts for the price lol - I'll see if there are any sales.

[@DigitalRetro]

@@DigiDriftZone ah the zv-e1 - good choice! Would love to have this cam for video work. Dont forget the 2.5g series has declickable aperture ring which is nice in this case 🙃

[@miguelestupinan8899]

@@DigiDriftZone Comparing these by just their numbers is a bad idea. The 50/2.5 G is a premium quality lens, tack sharp, great image quality (Easily comparable to Zeiss optics), great ergonomics, metal construction, fast and precise autofocus with barely any vignetting and with a ultra portable form factor. Did I mention how good it is for video and street photography? On the contrary the 50/1.8 lens while OK in image quality it lacks the portability, fast autofocus, features, construction and form factor of the G lens. This lens seriously took my photography to the next level. The 50mm/1.8 while giving me some extra aperture was clunky, slow and surely not fun to use. It didn’t last long in my collection. Price is definitely not cheap, however you get what you are paying for. Aperture it’s not everything in my opinion. (I believe this is something you ultimately realize later on in the game, in my case it took a while)

[@DigiDriftZone]

@@miguelestupinan8899Thank you for the detailed reply, those are all good point! - Speaking from a video shooter's perspective, in terms of aperture, I am leaning in the opposite direction. I used to think it doesn't matter so much, but the difference jumping from F4 to F2.8 is as big as going from APS-C to Full Frame. It's less pronounced with F2.5 vs F1.8, especially at this focal length, but that is nearly half the light going into the lens and it does noticeably impact your background/foreground separation. I guess it depends on how often you shoot wide open, arguably less often at this kind of focal length. With this said, now that I have the F1.8 I do agree with you, the slow loud focus, the cheap feeling construction, the "ok" image quality (though for video use it's less of an issue), etc, it's not very inspiring to use. But I also would still miss the F1.8 for certain shots if I had F2.5. I think I will keep the F1.8 for now as 50mm is not my favourite focal length generally but it's useful to have sometimes.

[@milchbubixy]

😂😂😂 f2,5 😂😂😂👎👎👎

[@Prahatech]

Many of your clips are out of focus.

[@jamesmlodynia8757]

I recently purchased the Sony A7II from Adorama camera, the camera body and 28-70 kit lens was discounted and sold as a lightly used open box unit for 860 tax and shipping included. I have been involved in digital photography for 16 years, I started with Pentax DSLR's and over the years added Panasonic, Olympus, Fujifilm, Nikon and lastly the Sony A7II. I wanted a compact full frame camera and the first lens I added was the 24 mm from your video, I will add most likely the 5omm plus a few Sigma i series lens.

[@DigitalRetro]

Nice. The kit lens can be sold for a decent price and you should definitely go for the primes! Also consider the 35 1.8 FE - it's sharp, fast and works great with A7II in terms of AF!

[@ДмитрийПопов-г7п]

Thanks bro! What color preset on the photo 2.34? So retro, so fuji, so good!