1000 for f1.8
I initially also hesitated, but since it is a steep price for a 55 fixed focal length with only f1.8. Did my first Nikkor 50 / f1.4D adapted and was quite pleased.
Still, I kept the FE55 in the eyes and let all the tests I could find carefully. In recent weeks, some comparative test came with the Zeiss 55mm f1.4 Otus (3500, -) out. For those who is now not a concept: The Otus was announced by Zeiss as the best lens in the world and so far has wiedersprochen nobody Zeiss. Still, it's big, heavy and very expensive, also waived Zeiss thereby on the AF.
Now in the latest issue of the magazine photo FE55 in terms of image quality has been classified as the Otus better!
In the pixel counters of DxOMark (dot) com it was considered the best AF lens (incl. Canon, Nikon,) that they have ever tested, classified! And the guys test lenses even really thoroughly put through its paces
My first experience
The lens for two weeks I use now on my A7R and am absolutely thrilled. On the first day I photographed a friend, against the sun (!!!), at maximum aperture. All the guy fills a maximum of half the image height and yet you can still see the zipper of his jacket teeth individually count. The contrast at maximum aperture is almost on the same level as dimmed. The sharpness is amazing and, no, knackscharf not only in the center of the picture from corner to corner. In addition, the vignetting also holds back openly. Slightly dimmed and there is no more visible vignetting.
Another photo, a portrait with flash, aperture f8, one can see at 100% view of the finest capillaries in the eye, as in a macro shot. Not only rudimentary, no, razor sharp. Astray!
That bothers no f1.4 in reality little, mainly because the thing right from the start (f1.8) is fully operational.
Equipment and processing
In addition to the lens covers and the lens hood Sony lays still in a quality, leather lens case. The lens is small and light, just as the Sony is A7R.
The build quality is beyond any doubt, is the only disturbing that the filter thread is made of plastic. That does not really bother, but at this price you would not expect. Image Stabilizer there nor Blenenring, AF / MF switch, distance scale or otherwise irgentwas. Only the focus ring can be bediehnt on the lens. When manually focusing distance is displayed on the display and Mimics not necessarily the true focal point distance. It really is basically not so bad if you know it. Found I had it when I shot the week fireworks photos, and of course had everything to manual, the focus to infinity (there is no stop). The first pictures were all blurry, despite f11! Had easy rowing back on and go about 100m (blatant that it even exists so ne setting). After that I shot more than 300 super-sharp photos.
+/- List
+++ Super sharp from corner to corner from f1.8
+++ Almost as good as the Otus (only for almost a quarter of the price and including AF)
++ Contrast very well f1.8
++ Slight vignetting at f1.8 f2.8 at virtually no +
+ Very good workmanship
+ Faster AF
+ Nice Boket
+ Small and light
- Filter size plastic
- Only F1.8
Conclusion:
A Sony A7 (r) and no FE55, it's like having a Porsche and not to drive on the highway.
A colleague has a Zeiss 55mm f1.4 Otus on a Canon and we want to make a comparison sometime soon shoot. Will, whatever the outcome, reported here about