![]() A 2011 first, it’s still relevant as only the high-end APS-C A6500 features a SteadyShot Inside, making the E 50mm f/1.8 OSS useful for those shooting run-and-gun videos with the A6300 or lesser cameras or those shooting low-light photos without a tripod. The built-in stabilizer is another technology yet to be seen on DSLR’s “50mm f/1.8” lenses, except maybe for the slightly wider Tamron 45mm f/1.8 Di VC USD. It’s also possible the adjust advanced settings on the A6500, like focusing automatically on the subject’s eye – not only its face – for picture perfect portraits every time. But as the Sony A6500 features a mandatory “hybrid” focus (phase + contrast detection), the focusing is invariably precise, hardly making any mistakes, much better than the front/back focusing prone phase-detection-only modules from DSLRs. What’s interesting to see is how these “low-cost” motors lack torque, never being totally instant to focus like higher end USM systems. This can be achieved quickly, as long as the motor doesn’t make a big change in position (like from total infinity to minimum focusing distance that will take a full second, as bad as Canon’s STM). When the subject is greatly lit and showing lots of contrast, the camera doesn’t “hunt” back and forth, going straight to the correct focus. ![]() Tested on Sony’s flagship APS-C A6500, the 4D Focus with 425 phase-detection points and 169 contrast detection areas delivered mixed results from the E 50mm f/1.8 OSS. However this makes possible to implement a linear focusing motor, that works just like Fujifilm’s “ LM” lenses: instead of a rotational motor, found on most AF lenses (that can be noisy and generate vibrations), a linear motor uses tracks and magnetism to produce energy and motion for smooth and instant focusing, is a portable design. The focusing ring works fly-by-wire via an electronic brush, not mechanically coupled to the internal focusing group, lacking the precision (and speed) of mechanical lenses. For manual focus there’s a Dynamic Manual Focus (DMF) option, that works similarly to Canon’s “full time manual”, allowing for further adjustments in focus after the motor + camera measured the distance. Given the lack of button or switches, the manual/auto focus adjustments must be set virtually on the camera’s menu. It’s certainly an alternative for photographers wanting to get rid of the chores of larger cameras, and it’s the APS-C advantage fully realized on the mirrorless market: compact, lightweight and full-featured.įocusing is achieved via two ways: manually using the 1” metal ring or automatically using the all-internal linear motor. Mounted on the Sony A6500 it’s all very small without being uncomfortable, great to shoot with the OLED EVF at eye level, everything weighting at less than 600gr putting those used to shooting with full frame 85mm lenses (the SEL50F18 equivalency) to shame. ![]() In your hands the ergonomics are perfect with mirrorless cameras, portable in nature, asking for smaller lenses to keep the balance. The usability is completely electronic with no buttons nor switches, also lacking a rubberized focusing ring, opting for an all-metal groove. The E 50mm f/1.8 is indeed one of the most robust 50mm on the market despite its lightness, ready to be with you at all times. The build quality is also far superior to the el-cheapo plastic-fantastic nifty fifties, opting for a metal external finishing matching premium “Alpha” cameras, with a finely textured cover. Although not as short as Canon’s or Nikkor’s offerings on the full frame format, the Sony E 50mm is really small for 1) an all-internal focusing lens and 2) a stabilized prime, not offered by other brands. ![]() ![]() At 6.2 x 6cm of 202g of mostly plastics and metals, the Sony E 50mm f/1.8 OSS is a small and light prime lens, typical of the “50mm f/1.8” market. ![]()
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