The Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA (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 Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA 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 Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA vs Sigma Art 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM
- Features:
- Control:
- Basics:
- Alternatives to the Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA
TLDR;
What you need to know for video work about the Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA (Amazon, B&H):
- The Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA is a great normal focal length lens. This lens should work great in low light.
- The f/1.4 aperture is great for low light work.
- It’s very small and lightweight compared to its alternatives, making it a preferred lens for gimbal or drone work.
- Zeiss T Coating will supposedly enhance color and contrast output.
- 11 blade aperture for softer, better bokeh.
- Aperture ring on the lens itself will make it easier to ride the aperture.
- The lens doesn’t have Image Stabilization, but you will get some stabilization with a Sony a7S III or the Sony Alpha 1 that has IBIS.
- Great Eye AF autofocus for video.
- It exhibits breathing.
Can be great for the following types of filmmaking:
- Wedding filmmaking
- Documentary filmmaking
- Low budget music videos
- Gimbal use
- Corporate videos and low budget commercials
Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA vs Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art DG HSM
| Lens | Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA | Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art DG HSM |
| Filter Thread | 72mm | 67mm |
| Size | 83.5mm x 108mm | 85.4mm × 125.9mm |
| Weight | 778g | 755g |
| Closest focusing distance | 0.45m / 1.48ft | 0.4m / 1.31ft |
| Aperture Ring | Present, De-Clickable | Absent |
| Max. Aperture | f/1.4 | f/1.4 |
| Min. Aperture | f/16 | f/16 |
| Aperture Blades | 11 blades | 9 blades |
| Angle of View (Diagonal) | 47° | 47° |
The Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art DG HSM (B&H, Amazon) is bigger than the Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA (Amazon, B&H) but surprisingly lighter. This makes the Sony 50mm slightly better for gimbal and handheld use.
The Sony 50mm has more aperture blades than the Sigma 50mm for a theoretically smoother bokeh.
Upon comparing the official MTF charts of both the lenses you can infer that the Sony is far better when it comes to corner to corner sharpness. However, the Sigma renders images better (subjective preference), so there’s hardly anything separating the two.
Features
Coverage
The Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA (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 mid shots, interviews, and close ups.
Aperture
The maximum aperture is f/1.4 and the minimum aperture is f/16.
There is an aperture ring on the lens. The aperture can be de-clicked with the turn of a switch on the lens. This helps you ride the aperture in a smooth manner to control exposure during a shot.
Having f/1.4 is great for low light.
The Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA (Amazon, B&H) has 11 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 Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA (Amazon, B&H) is sharp in the center and stays consistent throughout.
The ZEISS® T* Coating is an important contributing factor, effectively suppressing spurious reflections that can degrade overall image quality. Flare and ghosting are reduced for enhanced colour and contrast that give images a deep, three-dimensional feel.
Sony
With the variance in the Sagittal and Tangential lines, you can infer (somewhat) that the bokeh won’t be proportionally smooth as the best prime lenses on the planet.
If you really want this lens at its sharpest you’re better off stopping down to f/2 or even f/2.8 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 0.45 meters or 1.47 feet. That’s nice for this focal length because you can also use it for close ups.
Image Stabilization
The Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA (Amazon, B&H) lens doesn’t have Image Stabilization. Being one of the first FE lenses, this can be forgiven. Using it with the Sony Alpha 1 or the a7S III can provide it with some Image Stabilization.
Control
Manual focus system
The Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA (Amazon, B&H) has an infinite focus ring that can turn infinitely one way or the other.
The manual focus system is focus by wire only.
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). Sadly, the Sony 50mm Fe does not have the option to switch from focus by wire. You’re stuck with it.
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.
Sony’s decision to use focus by wire for majority if its lenses makes it disadvantageous for projects that require follow focus and rack focus work.
Autofocus system
Sony’s autofocus is, without a doubt, one of the most revered video autofocus systems in the world. There is a switch of the lens to toggle between autofocus and manual focus.
Basics
Filter Thread
The Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA (Amazon, B&H) has a filter thread diameter of 72mm. This is a common filter diameter.
Build Quality
The majority of the lens exterior is plastic, though the lens doesn’t feel cheap.
The optical design consists of 12 elements in 9 groups, including two aspherical elements, which consists of one precision Sony AA (advanced aspherical) element and an ED (extra low dispersion) element .
Size and Weight
The Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA (Amazon, B&H) has a diameter of 83.5mm and a length of 108mm. It weighs around 778 grams. It is on par for its class and lens construction.
Weather resistance
Sony claims that this Zeiss lens is weather resistant. But again this only holds true if the camera body you will be using is also weather sealed. No camera or lens is truly and officially weather sealed, so the best you can hope for is reliable weather resistance.
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…
Although the design is dust and moisture-resistant, absolute protection from dust and moisture is not guaranteed.
Sony
What’s in the box
This is what you get in the box (other than the lens):
- Hood (ALC-SH143)
- Lens front cap (ALC-F72S)
- Lens rear cap (ALC-R1EM)
- Case
The hood might be useful for photography, but the shape and design makes it mostly vestigial for video work. Some people like to put it on to protect the front element in case of a fall. The hood takes the impact and shatters, but saves the lens. I’d keep it on unless you have good reason not to.
Alternatives to the Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA Lens
The Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA (Amazon, B&H) is a decent normal lens. The only alternatives are:
- Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art DG HSM (B&H, Amazon) – Same aperture, cheaper but heavier and bigger. Image rendering is great though it focus breathes like a dragon.
- Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 (Amazon, B&H) – Cheaper, no aperture ring, and worse image quality. But you’ll still get blurry out of focus shots.
I hope you found this overview of the Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA (Amazon, B&H) useful. If we have missed out on something, please let us know in the comments below.
