Product Description

An ultra-bright standard lens for fast, accurate shooting by available light. For quick candid shots that capture the decisive moment, this lens provides superb clarity and visual accuracy even with fully open aperture when working indoors or in low-light and twilight conditions. Mounted on the Sony DSLR-A100 camera, this lens provides midrange telephoto 75mm focal length (35mm equivalent) and takes advantage of the in-camera Super SteadyShot(R) image stabilization system to minimize blur from shaky hands. Focal Length 35mm Equivalent - 50 mm Min Focus Distance - 1 feet 6 inches (45 cm) Aperture Maximum - f1.4 Aperture Minimum - f22 Maximum Magnification - 0.15x Lens Construction - 7 elements in 6 groups with 7 aperture blades Filter Diameter - 55 mm Dimensions - 2 9/16 x 1 11/16 inch (65.5 x 43 mm) Weight - 7 3/4 ounces (220 grams)

Product Details

• Brand: Sony
• Model: SAL50F14
• Released on: 2006-08-01
• Dimensions: 2.00" h x 2.00" w x 4.00" l, 8.00 pounds

Features

• Ultra-bright standard 50mm lens with f/1.4 maximum aperture for Sony Alpha digital SLR cameras
• Provides superb clarity and visual accuracy even when shooting at fully open apertures indoors
• Employs in-camera Super SteadyShot image stabilization system to minimize blur from camera
• Circular aperture for low-light shots; 1.5-foot minimum focus distance; 55mm filter diameter
• Measures 2.56 inches in diameter and 1.69 inches long; weighs 8 ounces

From the Manufacturer
An ultra-bright standard lens for fast, accurate shooting by available light. For quick candid shots that capture the "decisive moment," this lens provides superb clarity and visual accuracy even with fully open aperture when working indoors or in low light and twilight conditions. Mounted on the Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 camera, this lens provides midrange telephoto 75mm focal length (35mm equivalent) -- and takes advantage of the in-camera Super SteadyShot image stabilization system to minimize blur from shaky hands.

Lens Features

Superb sharpness in available light
In conjunction with the Super SteadyShot image stabilization system of the Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 camera, this lens achieve pinpoint sharpness, even working with hand-held cameras by available light.

Bright f1.4 aperture
The ability to capture more light in dark environments gives you a superb lens for hand-held shooting without flash, to preserve the mood or in locations where flash is not permitted.

Circular aperture
Conventional lenses close their apertures with blades that can create multi-sided shapes -- but the aperture blades of this superb wide-angle lens form a near circle at the wide openings you’ll use for low-light shots, so spot-light sources have a pleasing circular defocused effect.

Customer Reviews

Great investment
I bought this lens because I needed a "portrait" lens for my K/M 7D when my Sigma 28-70 f/2.8 EX "Pro" lens took a dump on me. The lens hasn't been dropped or anything like that (that I'm aware of) but it suddenly is always out of focus and won't focus at infinity at all ... but that's a problem for the Sigma people, so I digress.

In need of a good "portrait" length lens for my 7D I opted for this Sony 50 f/1.4. I'd had a Maxxum 50 f/1.4 years ago but had gotten rid of it shortly after getting a zoom lens. Big mistake. In any case, because my Sigma lens mentioned above was in need of repair and I had a portrait shoot coming up, I got this lens and I must say it's been a worthwhile investment.

Wide open the lens is tack sharp at point-of-focus. Stopped down between f/2.8 and f/4, doing head and shoulder shots of an average-sized adult the lens provides fantastic portraits ... nice contrast, beautiful color and of course very sharp with beautifully de-focused backgrounds.

I shoot a lot of film with Medium format Mamiyas (RZ67 and 7II) and have very high expectations for image quality. With the purchase of this 50 f/1.4 I realized I've been compromising image quality on my 35mm cameras (film and digital) by using "off brand" lenses like Tokina and Sigma. Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that Tokina and Sigma make flat-out junk. Just that I didn't realize that the image quality could be better in my 35mm cameras.

Up to now I'd thought that the sensor in the K/M 7D was just mediocre. And, I'm sure that some would say it still is. But, I'm here to tell you that this 50 f/1.4 proved to me that the problems I've thought were all in the body were in actuality all in the lenses.

I'm in the process of replacing all my off-brand "Pro" lenses with Sony/Minolta and Sony/Zeiss lenses. Today (14Nov07) I purchased a Sony 16mm f/2.8 lens (SAL-16F28) to replace my 17mm Tokina lens. The Tokina lens just doesn't cut it when it comes to image sharpness and resolution. I'm hoping this 16mm will perform on-par with my 50 f/1.4. If it does then the next step is a Sony/Zeiss 85 f/1.4 and eventually a Sony/Minolta 80-200 f/2.8 (to replace my Tokina 80-200 f/2.8 ATX PRO).

I know some people aren't as critical as I may be about image sharpness, resolution and contrast. And for those people I say ... to each his own. But, my experience and expectations are very high and I feel there is no reason to compromise. Spend the extra money and buy the best glass you can ... because it does make a difference.

Sharp, bright, light, and versatile
One of the best prime lenses ever made, and an excellent update by Sony to keep it in the lineup. A great choice for various portrait work even professional, indoor/low light shooting, and for landscapes when a wide angle isn't needed or you prefer to stitch several images together (distortion free images help with this greatly).

Will be an excellent lens for full frame as well, whether by film or the new upcoming A900.

Highly recommended.

[..]

Sony is doing a good job with SLR
I bought this lens a while ago and have used it a lot, mainly doing portrait shots. I must say it surprised me, it's better that I had hoped. It's very bright, delivering clear and sharp pictures with great colors. I must say that compared to the Canon lenses of similar class, the Sony lens comes out victorious. I really think that the guys at Sony are doing a great job with their SLR camera.
(P.s. I'm not working for Sony or anything like that, I'm just really happy with my lens :)