Sony 50mm f/1.8 for interviews? at DVinfo.net

David Banner · June 10th, 2015, 07:26 PM

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1001008-REG/sony_sel50f18_b_50mm_f_1_8_lens_black.html
This lens is very affordable. I want a lens to give me shallow depth of field when shooting interviews (sometimes through a telelprompter which cuts more light).
I might also use it some for low light weddings but it will be limited being a prime.

My concern is that the APS-C equiv will be 75mm which seems a bit long.
Thinking back I usually have to zoom in some on my interviews with my wide 28mm lenses so maybe it'd be okay. I know I have some digital zoom if I need it, but once you physically move back as far as you can, you can't make a lens go any wider :)
What do you guys think?

Michael Liebergot · June 10th, 2015, 10:07 PM

I would opt for the Sony 35mm 1.8 first for interviews, as with the APC sensor it equates to a more conventional 50mm lens. I have both lenses and prefer the 35mm as it's also a sharper lens.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/892387-REG/Sony_sel35f18_35mm_F_1_8_Optical_Steady.html

Chris Harding · June 11th, 2015, 02:05 AM

Even nicer is the Sigma 18-35 F1.8 .... gives you a nice range for framing and is a huge asset at wedding receptions. I sold my 50mm Sony as it was just too long at a crowded reception!!

Of course you would have to use manual focus on the zoom but it works well!

David Banner · June 11th, 2015, 09:00 AM

Thank you, Michael and Chris.

The Sony 35mm 1.8 looks really nice for sure. The Sigma 18-35 would be great except I'd have to also get an adapter for E-mount, so not sure whether A mount or what would be the best route. Also not sure about which adapter. Plus it costs more but gives me like 3 lenses in one though. I wish it came in E mount.

Oren Arieli · June 11th, 2015, 09:41 AM

I have the Sony 50mm f1.4 and it's my go-to for medium close-ups on interviews. I typically shoot at 6ft and around f2.2 or 2.8 for sharpness. The longer focal length really helps isolate the background...but you're right about it being a bit long otherwise.
I also have the 18-35 lens, but find that it falls a bit short at the 35mm length, especially if you're looking to get tight and emotional MCU's without having the camera come uncomfortably close.
A slower/softer but possibly more versatile suggestion is the Canon FD 35-105, which you can find used for under $100. Add a cheap adapter and you've got a versatile zoom that has the benefit of being Parfocal. At f3.5, it's not the fastest lens, but if I need one lens for an interview with flexibility, I go with that one.

The attached stills were all taken with the 50mm f1.4 on a RedRock Micro One Man Crew parabolic slider, which has to be exactly 6 ft. from the subject

Michael Liebergot · June 11th, 2015, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Banner

Thank you, Michael and Chris.

The Sony 35mm 1.8 looks really nice for sure. The Sigma 18-35 would be great except I'd have to also get an adapter for E-mount, so not sure whether A mount or what would be the best route. Also not sure about which adapter. Plus it costs more but gives me like 3 lenses in one though. I wish it came in E mount.

David I also have the Sigma 18-35 1.8 and LOVE it. It's sharp as a tack and works wonders in low light. I went with the Sony A Mount and went for the LA-EA4 as I wanted to keep it Sony. The adapter works flawlessly except for one thing in regards to auto focus. Since the LA-EA4 has a mirror in it you lose aa couple of stops of light when using auto focus, as the adapt stops any iris down to 3.5 anytime you use auto focus. Now you can run manual with no issue, but if you swap to AF on the camera the lens will stop down to 3.5. If you use push auto it stops down only until it focuses and them all is good again. But if you run AF all the time then you can't go higher than 3.5 on any lens.

You have full iris functionality which is most important to me.
If you don't want to deal with the AF stop down then go for the Canon EF mount and Metabones adapter.

Chris Harding · June 11th, 2015, 06:00 PM

If you are also working to a budget, Sigma make a fairly sharp 35mm lens that is e-mount so no adapters are required but from memory I think it's only F2.8

David Banner · June 14th, 2015, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oren Arieli

I have the Sony 50mm f1.4 and it's my go-to for medium close-ups on interviews. I typically shoot at 6ft and around f2.2 or 2.8 for sharpness. The longer focal length really helps isolate the background...but you're right about it being a bit long otherwise.
I also have the 18-35 lens, but find that it falls a bit short at the 35mm length, especially if you're looking to get tight and emotional MCU's without having the camera come uncomfortably close.
A slower/softer but possibly more versatile suggestion is the Canon FD 35-105, which you can find used for under $100. Add a cheap adapter and you've got a versatile zoom that has the benefit of being Parfocal. At f3.5, it's not the fastest lens, but if I need one lens for an interview with flexibility, I go with that one.

The attached stills were all taken with the 50mm f1.4 on a RedRock Micro One Man Crew parabolic slider, which has to be exactly 6 ft. from the subject

Those attached pics look good. Were those were taken with the 50mm which ends up being 75mm on an APS-C camera? I tend to shoot interviews around 6ft also.

Oren Arieli · June 14th, 2015, 05:45 PM

Yes, all photos were with the 50mm f1.4 from 6 ft. I'm reasonably sure I shot around f2.8 or f3.2, wide open is a bit too soft.
Shooting with a 35mm would not give you as shallow a DOF, and you'd have to get closer to the talent, possibly blocking your lights to get the same field of view.

Lee Berger · June 15th, 2015, 03:11 PM

I've been using the 50mm for over two years and find it to be excellent.

Lee Berger · June 15th, 2015, 03:22 PM

Here's one I shot with an 85mm Samyang f1.4

Scott Nocella · June 15th, 2015, 05:04 PM

Beautiful!!!

David Banner · June 16th, 2015, 01:51 PM

Thank you everyone. You guys are great!

Tom Van den Berghe · December 11th, 2016, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee Berger

I've been using the 50mm for over two years and find it to be excellent.

the SEL50MMF1.8 from sony with emount and OSS?

I have already the sony zeiss 24mm F1.8 which is a great lens (expensive but bought it second hand)

I also have the 85mm F1.4 (or F1.5) from samyang but I don't use this lens much because the fullframe 85mm is too much for more general use. I have to stand to far away from my subject.

So which 50mm lens must I buy for portraits?

I also read some good things about the old konica minolta 50mm F1.7

Oren Arieli · December 11th, 2016, 01:27 PM

The 50mm f1.4 is a re-badged Minolta 50mm f1.4, from what I've read. (Sony bought Minolta back in 2006). I recently picked up a Ukranian 58mm Helios 44-2 f2 lens for $20 (plus $20 shipping), which is noted for it's unique bokeh. Wide open, it flares quite a bit, so it's not ideal for every situation. But you'll find plenty of interesting options out there.

June 10th, 2015, 07:26 PM	#1
David Banner Major Player Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Bentonville, AR Posts: 239	Sony 50mm f/1.8 for interviews? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1001008-REG/sony_sel50f18_b_50mm_f_1_8_lens_black.html This lens is very affordable. I want a lens to give me shallow depth of field when shooting interviews (sometimes through a telelprompter which cuts more light). I might also use it some for low light weddings but it will be limited being a prime. My concern is that the APS-C equiv will be 75mm which seems a bit long. Thinking back I usually have to zoom in some on my interviews with my wide 28mm lenses so maybe it'd be okay. I know I have some digital zoom if I need it, but once you physically move back as far as you can, you can't make a lens go any wider :) What do you guys think?

June 10th, 2015, 10:07 PM	#2
Michael Liebergot Trustee Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,505	Re: Sony 50mm f/1.8 for interviews? I would opt for the Sony 35mm 1.8 first for interviews, as with the APC sensor it equates to a more conventional 50mm lens. I have both lenses and prefer the 35mm as it's also a sharper lens. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/892387-REG/Sony_sel35f18_35mm_F_1_8_Optical_Steady.html __________________ Michael www.lvpvideo.com

June 11th, 2015, 02:05 AM	#3
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Re: Sony 50mm f/1.8 for interviews? Even nicer is the Sigma 18-35 F1.8 .... gives you a nice range for framing and is a huge asset at wedding receptions. I sold my 50mm Sony as it was just too long at a crowded reception!! Of course you would have to use manual focus on the zoom but it works well!

June 11th, 2015, 09:00 AM	#4
David Banner Major Player Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Bentonville, AR Posts: 239	Re: Sony 50mm f/1.8 for interviews? Thank you, Michael and Chris. The Sony 35mm 1.8 looks really nice for sure. The Sigma 18-35 would be great except I'd have to also get an adapter for E-mount, so not sure whether A mount or what would be the best route. Also not sure about which adapter. Plus it costs more but gives me like 3 lenses in one though. I wish it came in E mount.

June 11th, 2015, 09:41 AM	#5
Oren Arieli Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 918	Re: Sony 50mm f/1.8 for interviews? I have the Sony 50mm f1.4 and it's my go-to for medium close-ups on interviews. I typically shoot at 6ft and around f2.2 or 2.8 for sharpness. The longer focal length really helps isolate the background...but you're right about it being a bit long otherwise. I also have the 18-35 lens, but find that it falls a bit short at the 35mm length, especially if you're looking to get tight and emotional MCU's without having the camera come uncomfortably close. A slower/softer but possibly more versatile suggestion is the Canon FD 35-105, which you can find used for under $100. Add a cheap adapter and you've got a versatile zoom that has the benefit of being Parfocal. At f3.5, it's not the fastest lens, but if I need one lens for an interview with flexibility, I go with that one. The attached stills were all taken with the 50mm f1.4 on a RedRock Micro One Man Crew parabolic slider, which has to be exactly 6 ft. from the subject Attached Thumbnails

June 11th, 2015, 06:00 PM	#7
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Re: Sony 50mm f/1.8 for interviews? If you are also working to a budget, Sigma make a fairly sharp 35mm lens that is e-mount so no adapters are required but from memory I think it's only F2.8

June 14th, 2015, 05:45 PM	#9
Oren Arieli Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 918	Re: Sony 50mm f/1.8 for interviews? Yes, all photos were with the 50mm f1.4 from 6 ft. I'm reasonably sure I shot around f2.8 or f3.2, wide open is a bit too soft. Shooting with a 35mm would not give you as shallow a DOF, and you'd have to get closer to the talent, possibly blocking your lights to get the same field of view.

June 15th, 2015, 03:11 PM	#10
Lee Berger Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 326	Re: Sony 50mm f/1.8 for interviews? I've been using the 50mm for over two years and find it to be excellent. Attached Thumbnails __________________ www.leebergermedia.com

June 15th, 2015, 03:22 PM	#11
Lee Berger Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 326	Re: Sony 50mm f/1.8 for interviews? Here's one I shot with an 85mm Samyang f1.4 Attached Thumbnails __________________ www.leebergermedia.com

June 15th, 2015, 05:04 PM	#12
Scott Nocella Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Long Island, USA Posts: 46	Re: Sony 50mm f/1.8 for interviews? Beautiful!!!

June 16th, 2015, 01:51 PM	#13
David Banner Major Player Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Bentonville, AR Posts: 239	Re: Sony 50mm f/1.8 for interviews? Thank you everyone. You guys are great!

December 11th, 2016, 01:27 PM	#15
Oren Arieli Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 918	Re: Sony 50mm f/1.8 for interviews? The 50mm f1.4 is a re-badged Minolta 50mm f1.4, from what I've read. (Sony bought Minolta back in 2006). I recently picked up a Ukranian 58mm Helios 44-2 f2 lens for $20 (plus $20 shipping), which is noted for it's unique bokeh. Wide open, it flares quite a bit, so it's not ideal for every situation. But you'll find plenty of interesting options out there.