New Zeiss 50mm FE versus the new Samyang-Rokinon 50mm FE autofocus lens. Image by Bruno Labarbère

LesNumeriques (Click here) posted a comparison review between the new Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 Planar and the Samyang-Rokinon 50mm f/1.4 FE autofocus lens. And the result seems to be quite strange as according to their tests the Samyang has a better sharpness performance:

and…

The google translated text from the original French article says:

“From the outset, hot, first finding emerges: in all openings, the Samyang leading the debate, with a center always has a better resolving power. The maximum dive is for both goals achieved at f / 8, but again, be it in the center, on the outskirts or in the corners, the Sony lets himself be dominated. Also, on our first tests, vignetting of Planar seems more marked us, which is not necessarily aesthetically unpleasant. Intuition specify when our field tests.”

I am not sure but I think they maybe got a wrong calibrated lens sample from Sony? I find it almost impossible the Samyang can be better than the new Zeiss! Also because just recently Lensrentals said about the Zeiss 50mm FE that “the center sharpness in particular is unheard of in a 50mm lens“. So please take the Lesnumeriques test results with a grain of salt….

Samyang 50mm f/1.4 FE autofocus lens is now available for preorder through BHphoto.
Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 FE Planar preorders at BHphoto, Amazon, Focuscamera. Calumet.de. Cyberport.de. PhotoPorst. Jessops. WexUK.

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All new Sony FE lenses and wireless products are now listed on one single page at BHphoto (Click here).

USA:
Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA Lens at BHphoto, Amazon, Focuscamera.
Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Focuscamera.
Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Focuscamera.
Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Focuscamera.
Sony FA-WRC1M Wireless Radio Commander at BHphoto, Focuscamera.
Sony FA-WRR1 Wireless Radio Receiver at BHphoto, Focuscamera.
Sony VMC-MM1 Multi Terminal Cable at BHphoto, Focuscamera.
Europe:
Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA Lens at Calumet.de. Cyberport.de. PhotoPorst. Jessops. WexUK.
Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens at Calumet.de. Amazon Germany. Cyberport.de. PhotoPorst. Jessops. WexUK.
Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter at PhotoPorst. Jessops.
Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter at PhotoPorst. Jessops.

The new Samyang 50mm f/1.4 FE autofocus lens is now available for preorder through BHphoto (Click here).

Yes, suddenly we have plenty of FE lenses to choose in the 50mm focal length range. We have the superb 55mm FE, the “cheap” 50mm f/1.8 FE, the new Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 and the new Samyang 50mm f/1.4. The latter just got reviewed by ePhotozine:

“Samyang’s lenses have always looked interesting. Now, with the arrival of AF, they move into new territory and this first offering is a beautiful lens that performs to a very high standard. The cost has been a fairly large and relatively heavy lens, but that may be a small price to pay for an optic that can deliver such beautiful results.”

Links to all current 50mm FE lenses:
Zeiss 55mm f/1.8 at [shopcountry 37736].
Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 at [shopcountry 49848].
Sony 5omm f/1.8 at [shopcountry 49849].
Samyang/Rokinon 50mm f/1.4 FE autofocus lens at BHphoto.

DxOmark (Click here) tested the new Sony A68 A-mount camera:

With some of the best features of the SLT Alpha 77 II and a competitive price, the Sony SLT Alpha 68 looks promising on paper. However, while the sensor is a good performer on the whole, being particularly suited to landscape work or any work at or close to base ISO, it’s less impressive at higher sensitivities where rivals have an advantage. That’s somewhat at odds with the pro-level features, and where the performance of the SLT Alpha 77 II sensor is a little stronger. While Sony’s translucent mirror technology is a limiting factor in that respect, the benefits of adopting a fixed mirror more than likely outweigh the slight disadvantages in the SLT Alpha 68, which still puts in a good performance at this price level.

The Sony A68 was originally scheduled to ship in USA in May. But due the Kumamoto Sony sensor facility damage the camera will now ship on August 4 according to BHphoto.

Sony A68 store links: [shopcountry 47723]

DxOmark posted the full RX10m3 sensor review. The sensor performance as good as the rest of the RX cameras. But there is more than just sensor performance to take into account on the RX10m3:

At first glance, the RX10 III looks like a simple upgrade, but after a quick look at the specifications (and particularly those of the lens), it is so much more than that.  While rivals are still scarce in this segment, the new Sony can be thought of as challenger to both the Canon PowerShot G3 X and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000. The Sony offers the best features of both models, such as the high-ratio zoom, EVF, and 4K video capabilities, and marries those with the class-leading 1”-type BSI CMOS found on the RX10 II and RX100 IV. At $1500 or thereabouts, it’s not a casual purchase, but given the potential,s it is a tempting option when space and weight are restricted.

[shopcountry 48252]

The size comparison between the new 50mm FE and the 55mm FE

Dpreview compared the new Sony FE 50mm F1.4 ZA vs the 55mm F1.8 ZA. When it comes to sharpness they write:

“The new 50/1.4 does not retain this sharpness across the field as well as the 55/1.8, which offers better field uniformity at all apertures. By F2, though, the new 50/1.4 ZA matches the 55/1.8 in central sharpness, and surpasses it at all smaller apertures. Considering the high bar set by the 55/1.8 ZA, this is very impressive.”

This goes against Lensrentals tests finding where the new 50mm FE center sharpness was higher than the 55mm FE. That’s why Dpreview writes:

“We can’t rule out the possibility that our copy of the 50/1.4 slightly under-performed relative to the average, perhaps due to decentering”

So basically we can’t be sure about Dpreview scores yet :) The final conclusion is:

It’s clear that Sony is trying to cement itself as a real option for pros, and the new FE 50mm ZA helps further that goal. We have no reservations recommending this lens. That said, if you can spend the extra time processing out the axial CA in post, don’t mind onion-ring bokeh in out-of-focus highlights, aren’t bothered by coma, and don’t need the extra isolation or light-gathering capability of F1.4, the 55/1.8 is a compelling alternative that is lighter and cheaper, while offering smooth background bokeh and impressive, if not necessarily much greater, sharpness wide open. It also focuses significantly faster than the 50/1.4.* But for subject isolation that puts medium format to shame, while retaining respectable sharpness and contrast even far off-center wide open (and particularly by F2), the FE 50mm 1.4 ZA is the lens to own.

Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 FE Planar preorders at BHphoto, Amazon, Focuscamera. Calumet.de. Cyberport.de. PhotoPorst. Jessops. WexUK.

The really superb Zeiss Batis 18mm FE lens got reviewed by Mark Galer (video above) and Mirrorlessons (video below). Can’t wait to see what’s coming next in the Batis range…a tele lens? ;)

Batis 18mm lens at [shopcountry 47045].

Zeiss 50mm FE (left) vs Zeiss Otus 55mm (right). Image via Lensrentals.

Lensrentals (Click here) tested the new Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 FE lens. And they compared it with the best lens of the world, the 55mm Zeiss Otus. The results is absolutely impressive:

“The Sony is phenomenally good in the center; just absolutely superb. The Sony, though, is clearly better than the Otus in the center, and just as good as the Otus away from the center as well. There is a little sag of the Sony’s MTF halfway to the center but then improvement out to the edges.”

So far the new Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 FE lens didn’t get a lot of “Love”comments from SAR readers. The price may have created some emotional “barrier”. But now that you get that kind of feedback from Lensrentals things will change. A Zeiss Otus alike quality for almost a third of the lens and with autofocus? Now it starts to sound like a bargain :)  Lensrentals writes:

“it’s worth the money; it’s really superb. The center sharpness in particular is unheard of in a 50mm lens.”

Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 FE Planar preorders at BHphoto, Amazon, Focuscamera. Calumet.de. Cyberport.de. PhotoPorst. Jessops. WexUK.

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All new Sony FE lenses and wireless products are now listed on one single page at BHphoto (Click here).

USA:
Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA Lens at BHphoto, Amazon, Focuscamera.
Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Focuscamera.
Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Focuscamera.
Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Focuscamera.
Sony FA-WRC1M Wireless Radio Commander at BHphoto, Focuscamera.
Sony FA-WRR1 Wireless Radio Receiver at BHphoto, Focuscamera.
Sony VMC-MM1 Multi Terminal Cable at BHphoto, Focuscamera.
Europe:
Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA Lens at Calumet.de. Cyberport.de. PhotoPorst. Jessops. WexUK.
Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens at Calumet.de. Amazon Germany. Cyberport.de. PhotoPorst. Jessops. WexUK.
Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter at PhotoPorst. Jessops.
Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter at PhotoPorst. Jessops.