A high-quality 50mm lens with a wide aperture is one of the most versatile options a photographer can own, suitable for anything from portraits to events and more. Sony shooters have an overabundance of 50mm lenses to choose from, and this excellent video review compares two of them, the premium Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA and the more affordable but still impressive Samyang AF 50mm f/1.4 EF II.
Coming to you from Dustin Abbott, this great video review compares the Samyang AF 50mm f/1.4 EF II to the Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA lens. I was lucky enough to use the Sony lens for a few weeks back in 2018, and to this day, it remains the only 50mm lens I have even been excited about. I simply don't care much for the focal length and never feel particularly creative with it, but the images this particular lens put out were so sharp, contrasty, and clean that it was addicting to shoot with. That being said, it looks like Samyang has created an impressive challenger to the Sony 50mm in the meantime and at less than half the price. Check out the video above for Abbott's full thoughts on both lenses.
As far as AF the Zeiss have not impressed me. For eye af I believe him.
But the skin tones, the Sony is so much better in this test. No way I would be happy with the Samyang. Looks like the colors from the first A7 camera. Actually interesting difference can be that much.
Try to get a copy without a bubble in the glass elements....hard to find
I had to return my Samyang 50mm for focus issues. With eye focus on it would forward focus. The eyes were always soft and you could see the cheeks or part of the nose that was sharp. B&H took it back. I'm happy with my Zeiss 55mm and will get the 50mm 1.2 when my lens budget allows it. Oh, and it's available. lol