The Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro (Amazon, B&H) is primarily a photography lens, though it will be used for video.
In this article let’s take a comprehensive look at the important features and specifications of the Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro and see how good it will perform specifically for video, cinematography and filmmaking.
The aim of this article is to provide you with enough information and perspective so you can decide for yourself whether this lens is right for your film or video.
Important: This article is a comprehensive overview of the lens with available information; and an analysis based on our experience shooting for almost two decades. It is not a hands-on review. If and when we get hold of the lens we’ll be sure to publish a detailed review. If this is not your cup of tea you can stop reading.
Click to what you want quickly:
- TLDR;
- Sony FE 50mm f/2.5 G vs Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 vs Sony 50mm f/2.8 Macro
- Features:
- Control:
- Basics:
- Alternatives to the Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro
TLDR;
What you need to know for video work about the Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro (Amazon, B&H):
- The Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro is a great normal focal length macro lens. .
- The f/2.8 aperture is good enough for low light work.
- It’s small and lightweight compared to its alternatives, making it a preferred lens for gimbal or drone work.
- Focus by wire only lens.
- 7 blade aperture for a smooth bokeh.
- The lens doesn’t have Optical Steady Shot (OSS), but you will get some stabilization with a Sony a7S III or the Sony Alpha 1 with IBIS.
- It has a maximum magnification ratio 0f 1.0x for macro shots.
- It exhibits breathing.
The lens can be great for most types of filmmaking:
- Documentary filmmaking
- Product videography
Sony FE 50mm f/2.5 G vs Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 vs Sony 50mm f/2.8 Macro
| Lens | Sony FE 50mm f/2.5 G | Sony 50mm f/1.8 | Sony 50mm f/2.8 Macro |
| Filter Thread | 49mm | 49mm | 55mm |
| Size | 68mm x 45mm | 68.6mm x 59.5mm | 70.8mm x 71mm |
| Weight | 174g | 186g | 236g |
| Closest focusing distance | 0.35m / 1.15ft (AF) 0.31m / 1.02ft (MF) | 0.45m / 1.48ft | 0.16m / 0.53ft |
| Max. Aperture | f/2.5 | f/1.8 | f/2.8 |
| Min. Aperture | f/22 | f/22 | f/16 |
| Aperture Blades | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Angle of View (Diagonal) | 47° | 47° | 47° |
| Max. Magnification Ratio | x0.18 (AF) x0.21 (MF) | x0.14 | x1 |
| Price | $598 | $248 | $548 |
The Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro (Amazon, B&H) is the biggest and heaviest of the lot. The Sony FE 50mm f/2.5 G is the lightest and smallest.
The Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 (Amazon, B&H) gives you some extra light compared to the rest. But that also comes with a farther minimum focusing distance than the other two lenses.
Being a macro lens, the Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro does have the closest minimum focusing distance. The FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro also has a magnification ratio of 1:1 for macro shots.
Sony has released the FE 50mm f/2.5 G as a series of lenses (along with the Sony FE 40mm f/2.5 G and the Sony FE 24mm f/2.8 G). These lenses are of roughly the same size, weight and possess the same qualities.
Being of the same dimensions, the Sony G series might be a preferable lens series to use on gimbals or drones.
With these new lenses, you can switch the lens and keep shooting. Hopefully, Sony might release more focal lengths but for now it’s a tough call.
Here’s a resolution comparison:
According to the charts 50mm f/1.8 is clearly the worst in all departments. You get what you pay for.
For those who need a macro lens, there is no doubt, but otherwise the new 50mm f/2.5 G seems to be the best. We’ll have to test for sure for aesthetic abilities, though.
Features
Coverage
The Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro (Amazon, B&H) is a full frame lens. It is designed to completely cover a sensor the size of 36mm x 24mm.
If you are considering this lens for an APS-C sensor or other cinema camera, check out this article:
Focal Length
The focal length is 50mm. This is considered normal on a full frame 35mm sensor.
This focal range is very useful for medium shots, interviews, and close ups. Thanks to its macro feature, this lens will also help you to achieve those macro shots.
Aperture
The maximum aperture is f/2.8 and the minimum aperture is f/16.
The lens is missing an aperture ring for riding the aperture.
Having f/2.8 is good enough for low light but you might not get the smoothest bokeh and blurred background.
The Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro (Amazon, B&H) has 7 circular diaphragm blades. One expects a smooth bokeh, but it’s not always a given. To know more about bokeh:
Resolution
From Sony’s official MTF charts:
The Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro (Amazon, B&H) really shows its age here. The lines at f/2.8 have an early fall off, you really get what you pay for. To be honest at f/2.8, you would expect a much better corner to corner performance.
If you really want this lens at its sharpest you’re better off stopping down to f/3.5 for best results.
If you are curious and want to read the MTF chart for yourself. Here’s a guide on how to read them easily.
Close Focus
The closest focusing distance is 0.16 meters or 0.53 feet. That’s fantastic for your macro shots, you can really get up close and personal with this lens.
It has two focus limiter switches:
- For macro: 0.16m – 0.3m
- For normal use: 0.3m – infinity
- Full: 0.16m – infinity
It also has magnification and distance scales on the lens for an easy convenience to check your magnification ratio at specific distances.
Magnification and distance scales enhance convenience with precise numeric indications that can be an important aid in achieving the desired magnification and focus for macro photography.
Sony
Image Stabilization
The Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro (Amazon, B&H) lens doesn’t have Optical Steady Shot (OSS).
Using the lens on cameras with IBIS, like the Sony Alpha 1 or the a7S III can provide it with some image stabilization. Sony has made great strides in this department.
Control
Manual focus system
The focus ring on the Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro (Amazon, B&H) can turn infinitely one way or the other. This is one of the unfortunate Sony lenses to have focus by wire as the default and the only setting.
What is the meaning of focus by wire and fly by wire?
Focus by wire: Let’s say you turn the focus ring to change focus from point A to B. You’d expect the focus to shift accordingly. When you stop point B will be in focus. Now bring the focus point back to A and try again, but at a different speed. Slower or faster, doesn’t matter. Now, even if you precisely rotate to the exact same degree, the focus will not be on point B! The speed of rotation determines which point it is focused on. That’s just completely useless for follow focus work. If an actor or person moves at a different speed, evens lightly, you’ll never get the same focus. Avoid focus by wire lenses like the plague (for video work).
Fly by wire: The distance of focus shifted is directly proportional to the speed at which the ring is turned. This is how a manual focus ring is supposed to operate for video and cinematography.
This decision to exclude fly by wire or linear MF by Sony in the Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro can turn away cinematographers and videographers.
Autofocus system
Sony’s Autofocus is, without a doubt, one of the most revered video autofocus systems in the world. However, being a bottom of the barrel lens, the FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro does not claim to support Eye AF. This can easily be very problematic issue for many.
The lens has a switch on the body to switch between manual focus and autofocus.
Basics
Filter Thread
The Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro (Amazon, B&H) has a filter thread diameter of 55mm. This is an ucommon filter diameter.
Build Quality
The majority of the lens exterior is plastic, but it doesn’t feel poorly built.
The optical design consists of 8 elements in 7 groups.
Size and Weight
The Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro (Amazon, B&H) has a diameter of 70.81mm and a length of 71mm. It weighs around 236 grams. This is definitely on the lighter side.
Weather resistance
Sony claims that this lens is dependable in harsh weathers, but let us keep in mind that this is not a G Master lens. The official word is
A sealed dust and moisture-resistant design provides extra protection and ensures reliable operation in challenging environments. Shoot with confidence in light rain or windy conditions.
Sony
However in fine print, Sony mention this:
Not guaranteed to be 100% dust- and moisture-proof.
Sony
What’s in the box
This is what you get in the box (other than the lens):
- Lens front cap: ALC-F55S
- Lens rear cap: ALC-R1EM
That is all, no hood and no soft case pouch. Sony has chose to not be very generous here.
Alternatives to the Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro Lens
The Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro (Amazon, B&H) is an affordable macro lens. There is no actual alternative to it at this focal length, but if you are willing to omit the macro feature there are many better alternatives, if you are willing to pay for it:
- Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art DG HSM (B&H, Amazon) – Bigger aperture, expensive, heavier.
- Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA (Amazon, B&H) – Smaller aperture, farther minimum focusing distance, cheaper.
- Recommended: Sony FE 50mm f/2.5 G (Amazon, B&H) – Compact, Part of a series of lenses, bigger aperture, G series performance, linear manual focus, almost the same price.
- Expensive: Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM (Amazon, B&H) – Bigger aperture, will burn your wallet, the best image quality, fly by wire only, more blades.
I hope you found this overview of the Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro (Amazon, B&H) useful. If we have missed out on something, please let us know in the comments below.
