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HomePhotographyLensesMirrorless LensesSony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA

Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA Lens

BH #SO5014FE • MFR #SEL50F14Z
82 reviews
Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA Lens
Key Features
  • E-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/1.4 to f/16
  • One AA Element & One Aspherical Element
  • One Extra-Low Dispersion Element
With its normal perspective, fast maximum aperture, and high-end design, the Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA Lens from Sony is easy to see as a go-to standard optic for full-frame E-mount shooters. The 50mm focal length excels as an all-around field of view, suitable for portraiture, landscapes, and more, and the bright design offers creative depth of field control and low-light performance.
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Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA Overview

  • 1Description
  • 2Fast and Sharp Normal Prime
  • 3ZEISS Optical Design
  • 4Autofocus and Handling
By B&H Photo's

Fast and Sharp Normal Prime

With its normal perspective, fast maximum aperture, and high-end design, the Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA Lens from Sony is easy to see as a go-to standard optic for full-frame E-mount shooters. The 50mm focal length excels as an all-around field of view, suitable for portraiture, landscapes, and more, and the bright design offers creative depth of field control and low-light performance.

ZEISS Optical Design

  • Based on the ZEISS Planar optical concept, this lens uses a design with 12 elements in 9 groups that helps achieve the large maximum aperture of f/1.4 while helping to minimize chromatic aberrations.
  • Fast f/1.4 maximum aperture benefits working in difficult lighting conditions and also offers a wealth of control over focus position when using shallow depth of field techniques.
  • Rounded eleven-blade diaphragm contributes to a pleasing bokeh quality when employing selective focus techniques.
  • ZEISS T* anti-reflective coatings have been applied to each lens surface to help minimize reflections in order to provide greater image clarity, contrast, and color fidelity.
  • One Advanced Aspherical (AA) and one aspherical element are incorporated into the optical design for effective control over astigmatism, field curvature, coma, and other spherical aberrations.
  • One extra-low dispersion element is featured in the lens design to help reduce chromatic aberrations and color fringing for improved clarity and color neutrality.

Autofocus and Handling

  • Ring drive Super Sonic wave Motor autofocus system and internal focus mechanism provides quick, quiet, and precise autofocus performance and also contributes to more natural, intuitive manual focus control.
  • AF/MF switch is located on the lens barrel for tactile control over focus modes.
  • Physical aperture ring can be de-clicked for smooth, silent aperture switching to benefit video applications.
  • Dust- and moisture-sealed design better permits working in inclement conditions and rubberized control rings benefit handling in colder temperatures.

Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA Specs

Focal Length50mm
Maximum Aperturef/1.4
Minimum Aperturef/16
Lens MountSony E
Lens Format CoverageFull-Frame
Angle of View47°
Minimum Focus Distance1.48' / 45 cm
Maximum Magnification0.15x
Optical Design12 Elements in 9 Groups
Diaphragm Blades11, Rounded
Focus TypeAutofocus
Image StabilizationNo
Filter Size72 mm (Front)
Dimensions (ø x L)3.29 x 4.25" / 83.5 x 108 mm
Weight27.5 oz / 780 g
Packaging Info
Package Weight2.5 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)7.6 x 4.9 x 4.7"

Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA Reviews

Usually Perfect

By Julian
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2021-07-13

On a a7riv this lens is incredibly sharp wide open. Chromatic aberrations are there, but rarely to the point where they detract from a photo in any non-pixel peeping scenario. Focus issues are the only thing that will occasionally hold this lens back. It is a bit slower and louder, compared to more modern FE lenses. My biggest gripe is that it will sometimes backfocus -- even when eye detect is locked onto the eye in a well lit portrait scenario I'll get results that are maybe an inch off. In a slower workflow, checking isn't too bad, but it could easily ruin a shot if you are working fast. I'm not sure many others have had this problem with the lens, so if buying through b&h it is worth the chance.

Amazing portrait lens!

By Taynara
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-02-13

This is one of my two go-to portrait lenses. Incredibly sharp and with great focus. Recommend! Worth the price!

Excellent Lens

By Devon
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-02-10

Very sharp images from this lens, also very well built

Excellent Lens

By Bob
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2020-11-15

I spent much more time than was necessary in selecting this lens. Ultimately, the three contenders were the 55 mm 1.8 Sony lens, Sigma 50 1.4 art lens, and this one. I also looked into several manual focus lenses that had possibilities but eliminated them on the grounds that they may have hampered situations where autofocus was near essential to get the shot. Ultimately, right or wrong, I eliminated the sigma based on several reviews but mostly because it was not a native Sony lens. It is a great pick and if I were not so brand loyal would be in my kit.   Now the decision is between the crispness of a 1.4 versus a 1.8, one lens, the 1.8 being older than the 1.4, the 1.4 being allegedly louder then the 1.8 and, a good difference in price. I bought the 1.4 knowing that I could return it until February 1, 2021 without an issue. Also, I have price protection until that time. So here is my review; I love the lens. The 1.4 is terrific. I can hear the motor, because I was looking to see if I could hear the motor due to other peoples reviews - but it is fine - not an issue - no second thoughts here. The weight of the lens is also OK by me. it is not my heaviest lens by any stretch of the imagination. The construction of the lens is very good. And, the pictures I’ve taken are very sharp. I will keep this lens. It is great. I had it out all day yesterday. I am looking and hoping that there are some discounts before February 1st, 2021.

Sharp as heck!

By Amber
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2020-11-08

I love this lens. I wish it had been the first lens I purchased for my sony because I am sure it would have been the last. It rarely leaves my camera.

The mother of all Primes and my new favorite portrait lens o

By Alfredo
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2020-11-02

Super sharp as you would expect with Zeiss... de-clickable F-stop with the easy access AF/MF switch. It truly creates a 3D texture and curve I do not get on the Sony G Masters ... I know the Zeiss this is a Sony poormans gimick marketing for geeks, but in this case it really delivers. Dying to try the 85mm now .

Great Glass

By Kori
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-07-13

Heavy, beautiful photos, well-built.

Best combination of attributes for a FE 50mm.

By Marc
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-03-21

Test show this lens is able to resolve the Sony A7R-IV's 61 meg sensor ... which the Sony/Zeiss 55/1.8 is unable to do. I can confirm that. The micro-contrast and beautiful fall off to OOF areas with a creamy bokeh makes it my favorite lens in my Sony FE system. The color is typical Zeiss ... natural and accurate. Focuses pretty close also.

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YOUR RECENTLY VIEWED ITEMS

question

Is the lens using focus by wire / electronic coupling of the focus ring?
Asked by: Anonymous
The lens uses electronic coupling for focus.
Answered by: Heather S.
Date published: 2018-08-27

question

The AF on my lens is way off. Manually focusing the produces very sharp image by comparison. I am using it in a Sony A7R II but the camera says micro adjust not available with this lens. Any suggestions? is it true that I can't make an AF micro adjustment to correct this issue?
Asked by: scott
This is an Auto Focus lens that should work very well with the Auto Focus System on the A7RII. If you are having issues with the auto focus please email us at [email protected] so we can help guide you in the right direction for additional assistance.
Answered by: Joseph P.
Date published: 2018-11-12

We rented this lens for two shoots - video, but ...

We rented this lens for two shoots - video, but also for portraits. Lens bokeh is terrific. However, we had a number of weird problems with autofocus using the A7s. Is this a software issue? I have read that there is a big firmware upgrade coming soon.
Asked by: Paul
This lens is very sharp , sometimes you need to micro adjust lens to your camera body
Answered by: vilson
Date published: 2021-01-14

question

Besides the focal length and minimum aperture difference, what makes this lens better/different than the Sony 55mm?
Asked by: Anonymous
The biggest difference between the two aside from the 5mm less and the maximum aperture is the physical aperture ring. The aperture ring better fits for traditional photographers who are use to older style lenses and film makers for it's declicking and smooth aperture transition. It is also incredibly larger, and yes sharper as well, but really around the center. At 1.8, it's about the same as the 55 1.8 ZA. But for those who want a nice priced 50, I would suggest going to the 55mm 1.8 ZA. If you like the aperture ring on lens or a film maker and of course want a 1/3 stop faster lens for either low light or bigger Bokeh, get the 50 1.4 ZA.
Answered by: Nicholas I.
Date published: 2019-09-22

What's the difference between this the G series ...

What's the difference between this the G series and the GM series? All these lenses are making my head spin!
Asked by: Emmanuel
All Sony "GM", "G", and "Sony-Zeiss" lenses produce higher-quality images with less distortion, chromatic aberration, and vignetting then the standard "consumer-grade" lenses available for Sony E-mount and A-mount cameras. The "GM" line of lenses are are considered Professional-Quality lenses. Sony "G" and "Sony-Zeiss" lenses are also higher-end lenses. However, they may not have the image quality, and durability as the "GM" series of lenses. I believe the Sony-Zeiss line of lenses were the company's early professional grade lenses for the Sony E-mount and A-mount systems before the "GM" and "G" series lenses were on the market. All of these lenses are high-quality Sony lenses.
Answered by: Michael
Date published: 2020-01-15

On the lens body, just above the Sony trademark ...

On the lens body, just above the Sony trademark stamp and beneath the aperture ring, there is a small button or something. Can somebody tell me what it is for?
Asked by: Ramin
Thanks for your responses. I actually know about the declick and AF/MF switches. There is a very little bump which I don't know if it is button or not, right between the aperture ring and the lens mount where the Sony trademark is located. I am wondering what that is for? I cannot post a photo here to show you what I am talking about. It is way smaller than the declick and AF/MF switches.
Answered by: Ramin
Date published: 2021-03-25

question

Is this lens made in Japan? Or Thailand?
Asked by: Daye Z.
The Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA Lens is manufactured in Thailand.
Answered by: Lawrence C.
Date published: 2018-08-27

question

For manual focus, does this lens change focus depending on the speed/acceleration in which the focus is pulled? Or is it constant regardless of the acceleration?
Asked by: Anonymous
The focus is constant.
Answered by: Heather S.
Date published: 2019-11-20
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