Camera Labs

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Sony Alpha A300
Sony DT 16-105mm
Tamron 70-300mm Di Ld Macro 1:2
Tamron AF SP 90mm Macro 1:1
Sony 50mm f/1.4
Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC
Kenko Pro 300 1.4X TC
Sony HVL-F58AM Flashgun
Flickr Photostream

Both are very sharp, stopped down, but the 1.4 gets sharper, sooner. So, at f/2 will look much sharper on the 1.4 than the 1.8. On an APS camera you can't go wrong either way, but I would go for the 1.4.

The 1.8 also has an SAM motor built in, so its not screw-drive AF. They will both be very zippy fast in AF speed, but the 1.8 would be quieter. Sony may release an SAM updated 1.4, I am not sure when to expect something like that though

Also, since you plan on going full frame in the future, I'd just get it now. Personally, I've wasted some cash on DT lenses, and since I hope to go full frame soon, I feel like I should have bought the FF lenses in the first place.

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I wish there was a way to randomly cycle through click-able thumbnails of my most recent images :'(

http://www.laroygreen.com (under construction)

Yep, go for the f/1.4. It's more expensive for a reason. Build quality is significantly better.

Can you use normal fonts next time, please?

- Bjorn -

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Street and documentary photographer | Google+ | Twitter | Blog | Tumblr

Leica M9-P (my article on Camera Labs) | Leica D-Lux 5 | 50mm Summilux

Thank you all. I am more inclined to f/1.4 because of its quality may be. I saw photographs from both of them in Flickr...here are the links

For 50mm f/1.4
http://www.flickr.com/groups/sal50f14/

For 50mm f/1.8
http://www.flickr.com/groups/sal50f18/

If I look at them , it is clear that f/1.4 is way sharper than f/1.8. I need your opinion regarding this. It may be the photographer, still they look better than taken from f/1.8. Bjorn, sorry about the font size, I will remember your advice in future post.
thank u all!!!

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Sony Alpha A300
Sony DT 16-105mm
Tamron 70-300mm Di Ld Macro 1:2
Tamron AF SP 90mm Macro 1:1
Sony 50mm f/1.4
Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC
Kenko Pro 300 1.4X TC
Sony HVL-F58AM Flashgun
Flickr Photostream

I know the 50mm f/1.4 is a very sharp lens, having used it myself for quite some months now. And it's great value too, well worth its pricetag.
I played around with the 50mm f/1.8 in a store not too long ago, and it felt very cheap and plasticky. Then again, it is cheap. And the glass is good, which is what matters. But, it's at DT lens, so if you buy it now, it might be useless in a couple of years...

- Bjorn -

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Street and documentary photographer | Google+ | Twitter | Blog | Tumblr

Leica M9-P (my article on Camera Labs) | Leica D-Lux 5 | 50mm Summilux

Yes! That is true. Do you think sony uses same glass for both of them? I dont think so, i mean of them are same quality lens in terms of glass....because look at the price tag. It cant cost cost $200 extra just for a metal mount and build quality, there has to be something extra in glass. right?

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Sony Alpha A300
Sony DT 16-105mm
Tamron 70-300mm Di Ld Macro 1:2
Tamron AF SP 90mm Macro 1:1
Sony 50mm f/1.4
Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC
Kenko Pro 300 1.4X TC
Sony HVL-F58AM Flashgun
Flickr Photostream

And the 50mm f/1.4 is full frame compatible, which means higher pricetag and other glass. Glass quality is most likely different too.

For some direct comparisons, if you haven't seen them already, scroll down to Bonus section! on this website:
http://kurtmunger.com/sony_dt_50mm_f_1_8_samid147.html

That should make it more than clear the 50mm f/1.4 is the one to go for.

- Bjorn -

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Street and documentary photographer | Google+ | Twitter | Blog | Tumblr

Leica M9-P (my article on Camera Labs) | Leica D-Lux 5 | 50mm Summilux

At the end of the day, it's down to what you can afford. And it goes without saying that "You get what you pay for"

If you want superb image quality, then go for the f/1.4. If you want to save the $200 towards another top end lens because you're not too bothered on the difference, then go for the f/1.8.

I'm personally going for the f/1.8, purely because it's the lens I want. I could afford the f/1.4 but in my opinion, I don't think it'd make that much difference to me. I can afford the cheaper easily, and there's always Photoshop to make the images sharper. I also have no desire to go Full Frame, so if I bought the f/1.8 I wont be losing out.

I'm going to buy the 50mm f1.8 in the next couple of weeks and hopefully put it through it's paces to make sure I know how to use it! Be sure that I'll post the results here!

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Phil Diggle - Freelance Graphics Designer, Full Time University Student and Novice Photographer!

Camera Kit - Sony A200K 18-70 DT | Minolta 70-210 AF 'Beercan' | Sony 50mm f/1.8 | Jessops Flash Gun

http://www.phildiggle.co.uk | Flickr Photo Portfolio - Working Progress

Thanks Bjorn and PhilDiggle. Yes, u guys are right. I believe I would get what I pay for. Thats why f/1.4 is much superior than f/1.8. PhilDiggle, I will be waiting for your images from f/1.8, plz do not forget to post them here when you get the lens. At this point, my next big target is either Sony 70-300mm G or sony 70-400mm SSM G and both of them are out of my reach. so, I am not dreaming about them . I have already two nonsense kit lenses, got with the camera, which I do not use. I don't want to buy FF for at least next 2-3 years, I want its price to be down around $1000 or so, so that I can afford them very easily, it depends, I might also go for a very good APS-C in that price range if the FF is not that competitive, But no new DSLR until for next three years. First I decided to buy f/1.8 but after looking at their photographs I personally believe f/1.4 got something better inside than its younger sibling(f/1.. Image quality is important for me. If f/1.8 gives me same IQ as my Sony DT 16-105mm provides, then the whole purpose of buying this lens would be meaningless and the $149 would be in waste. Sony DT 16-105mm gives me very good IQ, and I am very happy with this Lens.

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Sony Alpha A300
Sony DT 16-105mm
Tamron 70-300mm Di Ld Macro 1:2
Tamron AF SP 90mm Macro 1:1
Sony 50mm f/1.4
Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC
Kenko Pro 300 1.4X TC
Sony HVL-F58AM Flashgun
Flickr Photostream

Two must see videos!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCPXoHSw14c&fmt=22
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASqVTbPr2Zo&fmt=18

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flickr

Sony α300
Sony HVL-F58AM Bounce-Shift Flash
Tamron SP 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF)
Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di
Sony 50mm F/1.4 SAL-50F14
Sony 100mm Macro F/2.8 SAL-100MF28

No, even if it does give the same IQ, it is still over 3 stops faster than the 16-105 @ 50mm, it is also very very small, much more pleasant to carry around and shoot with (being smaller and lighter). Even just those would make it worth the money and set it apart from your 16-105, but, at low apertures particularly you should expect even the 1.8 to outperform your 16-105, its a prime, and it will be sharper than your zoom.

I'd look also at the 1.7, which is FX compatible, super sharp, super fast AF. Its also a great choice - I would have purchased the 1.4, but the 1.7 has been everything I need in a 50. Some day when I just feel like throwing an extra few hundred for a half stop, I may. Some people are neurotic and or nervous about buying used lens though, if you know what you're doing I wouldn't worry about getting used lens. KEH.com has some of them in stock at ~ $120

Right then, let the fun begin

Just been and bought my 1.8 lens as my student loan went in today (yup, spent it straight away lol)

Here are two shots that I've quickly taken with it just to see. Only had it on the camera 2 mins and getting shots like these... Must say, I'm impressed....



And testing the DOF...

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Phil Diggle - Freelance Graphics Designer, Full Time University Student and Novice Photographer!

Camera Kit - Sony A200K 18-70 DT | Minolta 70-210 AF 'Beercan' | Sony 50mm f/1.8 | Jessops Flash Gun

http://www.phildiggle.co.uk | Flickr Photo Portfolio - Working Progress

Nice one Phil! Enjoy your 50 mil!

- Bjorn -

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Street and documentary photographer | Google+ | Twitter | Blog | Tumblr

Leica M9-P (my article on Camera Labs) | Leica D-Lux 5 | 50mm Summilux

I'm dying to go out and use it properly, but alas the weathers permitting a bit and I'm a bit stuck on ideas on places to go. Hopefully something will come up soon

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Phil Diggle - Freelance Graphics Designer, Full Time University Student and Novice Photographer!

Camera Kit - Sony A200K 18-70 DT | Minolta 70-210 AF 'Beercan' | Sony 50mm f/1.8 | Jessops Flash Gun

http://www.phildiggle.co.uk | Flickr Photo Portfolio - Working Progress