I have a new appreciation for 50mm FOV - SEL 35 for my NEX-7?

[Ken Ford]

I'm considering picking up a 50mm-e for my NEX-7. The Touit 32 is out of budget, and I've seen reviews of the SEL 35/1.8 that were less than flattering when describing sharpness. I tend to like clinical.

Does anyone here have first hand experience with this lens on an NEX-7 that can comment?

 

[peterm1]

Not with this specific lens but I have read the reviews too.

An alternative to think about is the Sigma 30mm f2.8. Like you I tend to veer towards the clinical when looking for most lenses and for this reason do not much like Sony's standard zooms for NEX cameras which are barely adequate in my experience. And I have not heard good things about Sony's 35mm for the NEX either. I have found the Sigma 30mm to be of moderate build quality (but certainly OK for the price) but optically it is excellent. The Sigma has a reputation for being significantly better than the Sony 35mm and my experience suggests this is likely to be so as I have found the lens to be very nice, very sharp. My other standard lens for this camera is the Sony 50mm f1.8 which is also superb, perhaps a tiny bit less sharp wide open at f1.8, but about the same at f2.8 as the Sigma lens.

A test of the Sigma can be found below and it demonstrates just how sharp it is from wide open. If you have not used the site before, click on the little graph thing and it will open a larger version. Then slide the aperture slider back and forth to see how the lens performs at different apertures. The lower down the blue rectangle is the better.

http://slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/1483

The Sony 35mm has not been tested on this site but the Sony 50mm has. I can attest to the fact that it's excellent in use but its test results are not quite as good as the Sigmas at full wide open as noted above but also bear in mind its a faster lens. It makes up for it with its bokeh and by the fact that by f2.8 its about as sharp as the other lens.

If you like "clinical" either lens will serve you well. Trust me! I bought the Sigma 30mm as it was cheap and because sometimes 50mm is just a tad too long on an NEX body. The two together make a great combo. BUt if you want one lens and you want wide go for the Sigma. If you want longer go for the Sony but be prepared as its about double the cost.

http://slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/1451/cat/82

 

[pvdhaar]

I'm considering picking up a 50mm-e for my NEX-7. The Touit 32 is out of budget, and I've seen reviews of the SEL 35/1.8 that were less than flattering when describing sharpness.

From a handling point of view, the Sony wins hands down with its OSS and super fast quiet focussing. In real world situations, the lack of camera shake induced blur that OSS gives, more than compensates for small differences in resolution. And scroll down to the comparison part and see the video of how these lenses attain focus: http://matthewdurrphotography.com/2013/07/02/lens-review-zeiss-touit-32mm-f1-8/
My conclusion: the Touit is a one trick pony, one that needs a tripod in a controlled environment to excel. If you can only afford the Sony, get it, and don't look back.

 

[peterm1]

I think I have just realised that we are talking about the same lens the Sony 50mm f1.8 OSS for the NEX.

If we are, then the answer is yes, I do have experience of it and I think its superb. (See my other post below)

I would say buy it. But be aware that there is one small problem with the lens on my NEX 5 and NEX 3. Sometimes it can "hunt" for no apparent reason. Not a deal breaker - more a nuisance that takes a bit of gloss off an otherwise near flawless lens.

 

[Ken Ford]

... An alternative to think about is the Sigma 30mm f2.8. ...

I'm actually an early adopter of the Sigma 30/2.8, and it's my normal. I was thinking about the Sony 35 because of the OSS, the extra stop + and the slightly longer FL. I do like how my Sigma renders (a lot!), and my concern is that the Sony may not be to my tastes - which you are confirming.

From a handling point of view, the Sony wins hands down with its OSS and super fast quiet focussing. In real world situations, the lack of camera shake induced blur that OSS gives, more than compensates for small differences in resolution. And scroll down to the comparison part and see the video of how these lenses attain focus: http://matthewdurrphotography.com/2013/07/02/lens-review-zeiss-touit-32mm-f1-8/
My conclusion: the Touit is a one trick pony, one that needs a tripod in a controlled environment to excel. If you can only afford the Sony, get it, and don't look back.

That was one of my thoughts - that the OSS would be of a benefit to how I shoot. I enjoy shooting under challenging light, so stabilization and the extra speed would be welcome.

I think I have just realised that we are talking about the same lens the Sony 50mm f1.8 OSS for the NEX...

No, the 35/1.8. I've seriously considered the 50/1.8, but then I'd want a 24/1.8 so I could duplicate my normal M kit and budget rears its ugly head. I'm instead trying to decide if a single 50mm-e lens would work for me most of the time in a move toward simplification.

Thanks for the comments, guys!

 

[Ken Ford]

I'm really leaning toward getting the Sony 35mm. I think I can live with the lens character. As a matter of fact, I'm seriously considering selling off all the Sigmas and getting just one lens, the Sony 35 - I'm remembering the discipline I get from using one and only one lens.

 

[pvdhaar]

As a matter of fact, I'm seriously considering selling off all the Sigmas and getting just one lens, the Sony 35 - I'm remembering the discipline I get from using one and only one lens.

Colleague of mine has one, amongst a couple of other lenses, and for the most part, it's the only one he really uses. The images are impressive and show that it's a very versatile lens. Needless to say, it's on my short-list as well.. I just have to wait a bit for my piggy bank to recover from the 10-18, it's

 

[Ken Ford]

I have a $300 service award coming from work in a few weeks and need to decide how to apply it. I'm fairly certain I'll use it for a NEX-7 lens, but which one? Do I go with the 35 and try working with a one lens kit, or do I apply it against a 50/1.8 or even a 24/1.8? Decisions, decisions...

 

[Ken Ford]

The new Photozone review just posted makes me feel better about trying the Sony 35: http://www.photozone.de/sony_nex/849-sony35f18nex

Hopefully my service award will come through soon so I can get some autumn shooting in with it!

 

[Ken Ford]

OK, I did it - I applied the service award to a new 35/1.8 while they were on sale. It arrived yesterday, hopefully I can get out at lunch today and start getting a feel for it. I want to see how I do reverting to a single lens.

 

[cz23]

Ken, please share your impressions, especially compared to your Sigma. I love my Sigma, but after a trip to dusty India the focus action is gritty, so I might be in the market.

John