Sony Alpha Blog

SongRaw 50mm F1.2 Moonlit

Published by

Marc Alhadeff

on

A Sony A7R camera body mounted with a 50mm lens, showcasing the lens's distinctive design and build quality.

in blue english / en noir en français

Table of Contents / Table des matières hide
1 Presentation
1.1 Specifications
1.2 AF performance Performances AF
2 Optical performances / Performances Optiques
2.1 Sharpness / Piqué
2.2 Vignetting , chromatic aberrations , distortion, flare, sunstars
2.2 Vignettage, aberrations chromatiques, distorsion, flare, effets d’étoiles
2.3 Bokeh / Color rendition – Bokeh / Rendu des Couleurs
3 Video
4 Comparison with other 50mm F1.2
4.1 Specifications
4.2 Sharpness / Piqué
4.3 Background Blur & Bokeh Balls / Flous d’arrière plan et Ronds de Bokeh
4.4 Portraits
4.5 Distortion / CA / Vignetting / Flare – Distorsion / AC / Vignettage / Flare
4.6 Video
4.7 Conclusion
5 Sample of Photos / Exemples de Photos
6 Conclusion (English)
6 Conclusion (Français)
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All photos , taken with Sony A7RIV & A1 are available in full size (61Mpix) in the following Flickr album suivant : SongRaw 50mm F1.2 Moonlit

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Toutes les photos de l’article, prises avec le Sony A7RV sont disponibles en pleine résolution (61Mpix) dans l’album flickr suivant : SongRaw 50mm F1.2 Moonlit

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1 Presentation

1.1 Specifications

  • Weight : 900g
  • Price : 999 $ / 1099 Euros
  • Aperture : F1.2 – F16
  • Length : 129mm
  • Filter : 72mm
  • Diameter 90mm
  • 13 blades aperture
  • Buttons : focus hold , clicks, AF/MF
  • Aperture ring with click or clickless
  • Weather sealed
  • Minimal focusing distance : 52 cm
  • Lens hood included
  • USB C port

SongRaw is a new Chinese company, their first lens is a 50mm F1.2 with AF which is very ambitious. The price is not cheap

Main competitors are the Sigma 50mm F1.2 DG DN (1500 euros) and the Sony 50mm F1.2 GM (2300 euros)

The lens is quite big and heavy. Build quality and ergonomics are excellent with an aperture ring that can be set to click or clickless. The only minor improvement could be a harder stop between F16 and the A position

The min focusing distance is average at 52cm

The lens firmware can be upgraded : check here for new version

The lens hood has a rubber ring. The focus ring is large and quite dampened

You can buy it here or on Amazon

Close-up image of the SongRaw 50mm F1.2 lens, showcasing its detailed design, aperture settings, and focus button.
Close-up view of the SongRaw 50mm F1.2 Moonlit lens, highlighting its sleek design and finish.
Close-up of the SongRaw 50mm F1.2 lens, featuring a sleek black design with a ribbed focus ring and controls for clickless aperture adjustment.
Front view of the SongRaw 50mm F1.2 lens with a lens hood attached, showcasing its black body and aperture details.
Close-up of the SongRaw 50mm F1.2 Moonlit lens showcasing its textured body and aperture markings.
  • Poids : 900g
  • Prix : 999 $ / 1099 euros
  • Ouverture : F1.2 – F16
  • Longueur : 129mm
  • Diamètre : 90mm
  • Filtre : 72mm
  • Protection tout temps
  • Diaphragme à 13 lamelles
  • Boutons : Focus hold, clics, AF/MF,
  • Bague d’ouverture avec ou sans clics
  • Distance minimale de mise au point : 52 cm
  • Pare soleil inclus
  • Port usb c pour les mises à jour

SongRaw est une nouvelle société chinoise , leur première optique est un 50mm F1.2 avec AF ! Une optique très ambitieuse avec un prix en conséquence

Les concurrents principaux sont le Sigma 50mm F1.2 DG DN (1500 euros) et le Sony 50mm F1.2 GM (2300 euros)

L’optique et large et lourde. La qualité de construction et l’ergonomie sont excellentes avec une bague d’ouverture avec ou sans clics. Le seul petit point d’amélioration aurait ate un passage plus dure entre la position F16 et la position A

La Distance min de mise est point est assez moyenne à 52cm

Le firmware peut être mis à jour ici

Le pare soleil est équipé d’un pourtour en caoutchouc comme sur les optiques haut de gamme. La bague de mise au point est large et un peu plus amorti que sur un Sony ou Sigma

On peut l’acheter ici ou sur Amazon

A Sony camera body with a mounted lens, showcasing the camera's ergonomic design and the lens's distinct features.
Sony camera with a 50mm lens attached, showcasing a sleek design and advanced features.

1.2 AF performance Performances AF

  • AF is moderately fast, silent and accurate for stills. For sports , it was very good in the beginning of a burst , but after 5 seconds at 8fps it often started to loose track (see below video). So very good for a first AF lens and not an issue for most of the case (portrait and street photography)
  • l’AF est modérément rapide, il est silencieux et efficace dans la majorité des cas. En sport sur des rafales soutenues de plusieurs secondes il a régulièrement perdu le point après 5 secondes de rafale à 8i/s. Mais ce n’est pas son usage principal , en Portrait ou photographie de rue aucun souci
A bustling urban scene with a person walking and another riding a bicycle. The background features modern buildings and colorful advertisements.
A cyclist wearing a pink jacket rides a small bike past a construction site in an urban area, with signage and barricades in the background.
Un cycliste portant un manteau rose pédale sur une allée, avec une arrière-plan flou de graffitis et d'arbres.
A blurred image of a cyclist in a park, with benches and graffiti in the background.
A woman riding a bicycle on a city street, wearing a green jacket and headphones, with a building backdrop.
A woman riding an electric bicycle in a city square, wearing headphones and a green jacket, with a blurred background of urban buildings.
A woman with headphones rides a black bicycle on a paved surface, wearing a green puffer jacket and blue backpack.
A woman riding a bicycle on a city street, wearing headphones and a backpack, with trees and buildings in the background.
A woman riding a bicycle in a city square, with blurred pedestrians and buildings in the background.
A woman riding a bicycle while two children on bikes ride nearby in a busy urban square with a historic building in the background.

2 Optical performances / Performances Optiques

The tests were made on a Sony A7RV  with its 61Mpix

Les tests ont été effectués sur un A7RV avec ses 61Mpix

Tableau comparatif des performances optiques du Sigma 50mm F1.2 DG DN à différentes ouvertures, avec des notes pour le centre et les coins.

2.1 Sharpness / Piqué

  • Performances are very good wide open and excellent as of F2, and reach outstanding grade at F4
  • The lens is very consistent from centre to corners
  • An excellent result at that price
  • Les performances sont très bonnes à pleine ouverture , excellente à F2 et superbe dès F4
  • L’optique est très consistante du centre aux coins
  • Une excellente performance à ce prix

Centre / Centre

A well-organized bookshelf with various books and decorative items, including a gnome figurine and a gold-colored object, set against a light-colored cabinet.
  • F1.2
  • F1.4
  • F2.8
  • F4
  • F5.6
  • F8
  • F11
  • F16

Corners / Coins

A close-up view of a bookshelf featuring various books, a decorative gnome, and a few ornaments, with a light-colored cabinet structure.
  • F1.2
  • F1.4
  • F2
  • F2.8
  • F4
  • F5.6
  • F8
  • F11
  • F16

Sharpness for close subjet / Piqué en mise au point proche

  • Very good at F1.2 and reaching excellence as of F2
  • Très bon à F1.2 et excellent dès F2
A close-up of a bookshelf displaying various cookbooks and culinary literature, with a 20 Euro banknote positioned in front.
  • F1.2
  • F1.4
  • F2
  • F2.8
  • F4
  • F5.6

Sharpness for distant subjet / Piqué en mise au point lointaine

  • Very good at F1.2 and reaching excellence as of F2 in the centre, top performance on the entire frame as of F4
  • Très bon à F1.2 et excellent dès F2 au centre , Superbe sur tout le champ dès F4
View of a modern glass skyscraper surrounded by trees and a pond.
Centre
View of a modern building with large glass windows surrounded by trees showcasing autumn foliage and a serene pond in the foreground.
Corner
Close-up view of a modern building facade with glass and concrete elements, showcasing clean lines and a minimalist architectural design.
Centre F1.2
Close-up of a glass building facade, highlighting reflections and architectural details.
corner F1.2
Detailed close-up of a modern building facade featuring glass windows and a textured concrete base.
centre F2.8
Close-up of a modern glass building facade, showcasing large glass panels and architectural details.
corner F2.8
Close-up view of a modern building's glass and metal facade, showcasing architectural details such as curves and lines.
centre F5.6
Close-up view of curved glass windows on a modern building, showcasing reflections and architectural details.
corner F5.6

Close-up view of ornate architectural details and windows featuring gold accents, intricate carvings, and decorated columns.
F1.2 centre
Statue of a golden figure holding a flag, located on top of a building against a gray sky.
F1.2 corner
Close-up view of a decorative building facade featuring intricate golden detailing and windows with wooden frames.
F2.8 centre
Golden statue of a figure holding a ribbon atop a building against a gray sky.
F2.8 corner
Close-up view of architectural details featuring ornate windows with golden embellishments on a building facade.
F4 centre
A golden statue of a figure holding a ribbon and a horn, standing atop a spherical base, against a pale sky.
F4 corner
A bustling square in Brussels with people walking and enjoying the atmosphere, featuring ornate historical buildings with decorative facades and umbrellas in the foreground.
full size

Sharpness for portraits / Piquépour les portraits

  • Sharpness for portraits is very good at F1.2, excellent as of F1.4excellent, outstanding as of F2.8, excellent rendering for skin tones and the right level of contrast
  • Le piqué pour les portraits est très bon à F1.2, excellent à F1.4 et superlatif dès F2.8, excellent rendu des tons chairs et bon niveau de contraste sans être trop dur
Portrait of a woman with a colorful scarf, smiling in a softly blurred urban background.
F1.2
Close-up of an eye with visible eyelashes and reflection.
Portrait of a woman wearing a colorful scarf, smiling softly in a blurred outdoor environment.
F1.4
Close-up of an eye showcasing detailed eyelashes and a warm brown iris reflecting an indoor scene.
A young woman smiling in a city street, wearing a colorful scarf and a beige coat, with blurred background showcasing pedestrians and shopfronts.
F2
Close-up image of a human eye with long eyelashes and a brown iris, showcasing fine details and reflections.
Portrait of a young woman with a colorful scarf standing in a shopping arcade, with blurred background and warm lighting.
F2.8
Close-up of a brown eye with eyelashes and reflections in the pupil.
Portrait of a woman with brown hair wearing a colorful scarf, smiling in a beautifully lit corridor with shops in the background.
F4
Close-up of an eye with visible eyelashes and a brown iris, reflecting light.
Portrait of a young woman smiling in a shopping gallery, with blurred background highlighting her features.
F1.2
Close-up shot of a human eye, highlighting the iris, eyelashes, and reflections in the pupil.
Portrait of a young woman smiling in a shopping arcade with blurred background.
F1.4
Close-up of a human eye, showcasing intricate details in the iris and eyelashes.
Portrait of a young woman smiling in a blurred urban setting, showcasing soft background and warm lighting.
F2
Close-up of a human eye showing details of the iris, eyelashes, and skin texture.
Close-up portrait of a young woman smiling in a hallway with blurred lights in the background.
F2.8
Close-up of a human eye, showcasing detailed eyelashes and the iris.
Portrait of a young woman smiling, wearing an orange sweater, blurred background with people in a public space.
F1.2
Close-up of a human eye, showcasing intricate details of the eyelashes, iris, and skin texture.
Portrait of a young woman with brown hair, wearing an orange sweater, smiling gently in a busy outdoor setting.
F1.4
Close-up of a person's eye with detailed eyelashes and reflections in the iris.
Portrait of a young woman wearing an orange sweater, standing outdoors with a blurred city background.
F2
Close-up of a human eye, showcasing detailed eyelashes, eyebrow, and iris coloration.
Portrait of a young woman smiling in an urban setting, wearing a textured orange sweater, with softly blurred background.
F2.8
Close-up of a human eye highlighting eyelashes and iris details.
Portrait of a young woman with long brown hair wearing an orange sweater, smiling in a bustling outdoor setting with blurred background.
F4

2.2 Vignetting , chromatic aberrations , distortion, flare, sunstars

  • Vignetting is strong at F1.2 , and disappear around F4
  • Distortion is low
  • Chromatic aberrations are low
  • LoCA are low
  • Sunstars are well visible at F16
  • Flare distance is good

2.2 Vignettage, aberrations chromatiques, distorsion, flare, effets d’étoiles

  • Le vignettage est très présent à F1.2 et disparait à F4
  • La distorsion est faible
  • Les aberrations chromatiques sont faibles
  • Les AC longitudinales sont faibles
  • La résistance au flare est bonne
  • Les effets d’étoiles sont présent vers F16
A well-organized bookshelf featuring stacked books of various sizes and colors, along with decorative items such as a gnome and a golden orb, all behind glass doors.
not corrected
A cozy bookshelf cabinet displaying a collection of books, a small gnome figure, and decorative items, captured through a glass front.
corrected
Close-up photograph of green leaves with soft focus, capturing natural light filtering through the foliage.
F1.2 CA / AC
Close-up view of green leaves with soft backlight, creating a dreamy, ethereal effect.
crop 100% CA / AC
Open book with pages displaying printed text, placed on a white surface.
LoCA F1.2
Close-up view of printed text on a page, featuring clear lines and details.
A close-up of green leaves with sunlight filtering through, creating a starburst effect in the background, alongside a building structure.
F16 flare and sunstars
Nighttime street view with illuminated lamps and parked cars along the sidewalk.
F16 sunstars

2.3 Bokeh / Color rendition – Bokeh / Rendu des Couleurs

  • The Bokeh balls are excellent : well circular at all apertures in the centre and with oval shape at the borders at F1.2. There are small visible trace of onion rings
  • The background blur is very smooth,
  • Color rendition is very good , very natural and with a good balanced contrast, maybe a bit cool (I adjusted a tiny bit the color temperature to a higher value in my post processing)
  • Les ronds de Bokeh sont excellents: bien circulaires à toutes les ouvertures et avec des ovales sur les bords à F1.2. On peut voir néanmoins quelques fines tranches d’oignons dans les ronds de bokeh
  • Le flou d’arrière plan est plaisant et très doux
  • Le rendu des couleurs est très bon: très naturel avec un bon contraste, avec une très légère tendance froide (j’ai augmenté très légèrement la température de couleur en post traitement)
A close-up of a Playmobil figure wearing a vest, standing atop a small red object, with a blurred, colorful background highlighting circular bokeh effects.
F1.2
Close-up shot of a Playmobil figure standing on a red cylindrical base, with a blurred and colorful bokeh background.
F1.4
A Playmobil figure stands on a red cylindrical object with soft, out-of-focus lights in the background, creating a bokeh effect.
F2
A Playmobil figurine standing on a red container with blurred lights in the background.
F2.8
A Playmobil figure dressed in a vest and pants stands on a red bottle top, with a blurred background featuring colorful bokeh lights.
F4
A Playmobil figure dressed in a suit stands on top of a red object, with blurred colorful lights in the background.
F5.6
  • F1.2
  • F1.4
  • F2
  • F2.8
  • F4
  • F1.2
  • F1.4
  • F2
  • F2.8
  • F1.2
  • F1.4
  • F2
  • F2.8
  • F4
  • F1.2
  • F1.4
  • F2
  • F2.8
  • F4
  • F1.2
  • F1.4
  • F2
  • F2.8
  • F1.2
  • F1.4
  • F2
  • F2.8
  • F4
  • F1.2
  • F1.4
  • F2
  • F2.8
  • F4
Close-up of green ivy leaves with a soft background blur, showcasing the texture and detail of the foliage.
Close-up of colorful leaves on a stone wall, showcasing shades of pink and green.
Close-up of a green leaf with water droplets on its surface, surrounded by other green foliage.
A vibrant display of multicolored bath products arranged on wooden tables, showcasing various shapes and sizes with price tags.
Vibrant pink bath products shaped like raspberries, displayed on a wooden shelf among colorful bath bombs.
Photo of various colored stainless steel water bottles on a wooden shelf, featuring shades of blue, green, and pink with wooden caps.
A close-up image of a variety of fresh strawberries neatly arranged in clear plastic containers.

3 Video

  • Excellent results in term of sharpness , bokeh, background blur smoothness and color rendition in video, Superb rendering for portraits
  • The aperture ring that can set to clickless is very convenient
  • AF works perfectly
  • Focus breathing is moderate
  • Excellent résultats en vidéo avec un excellent piqué un flou d’arrière plan très doux, de beaux ronds de Bokeh et un rendu des couleurs très naturel, globalement de superbes portraits peuvent être obtenus
  • La bague d’ouverture qui peut être sans clics est très pratique
  • L’AF fonctionne parfaitement
  • Focus breathing moyen

Focus Breathing

A Playmobil figure standing on a lens mounted on a table, with a blurred background of bookshelves.
A blurred foreground with a figurine in focus, set against a bookshelf filled with various books and decorative items, including a gnome and a golden object.

4 Comparison with other 50mm F1.2

The main competitors are / Les principaux concurrents sont

Comparison of Sigma 50mm F1.2 DG DN lens on the left and Sony 50mm F1.2 GM lens on the right, showcasing their design and features.
Comparison of Sigma 50mm F1.2 DG DN lens on the left and Sony 50mm F1.2 GM lens on the right, showcasing their design and features.
Two camera lenses positioned side by side, one is a Sigma lens on the left and the other is a Sony lens on the right. Both lenses are shown with their lens hoods.

4.1 Specifications

SongRaw 50mm F1.2Sigma 50mm F1.2 DG DNSony 50mm F1.2 GM
Price / Prix999 $ / 1099 euros1500 euros2300 euros
Weight / Poids900g745g779g
Length / Longueur129mm108,8mm108mm
Diameter / Diamètre90mm81mm87mm
AF++++++++++
Buttons / RingAF/MF Focus hold buttonClick/Clickless Aperture ringAF/MFBouton focus holdBagued’ouverture clics/sans clicsAF/MF Focus hold buttonClick/Clickless Aperture ringAF/MFBouton focus holdBagued’ouverture clics/sans clicsAF/MF
Focus hold button
Click/Clickless Aperture ring
AF/MF
Bouton focus hold
Bague
d’ouverture clics/sans clics
Min focusing distance / Distance min de mise au point52cm40cm40cm
Build Quality / Quality de construction+++++++++++
Aperture blades / Lames de diaphragme131311
Filter / Filtre727272
Weather Sealing / Protection tout tempsYesYesYes

From a specifications perspective, The SongRaw is the biggest (20% more) and heaviest (20% more) but its price 33% less than the Sigma and 60% less than the Sony

Ergonomics and build quality are similar. The main difference will be the min focusing distance , which is significantly longer on the SongRaw and AF speed for sports

D’un point de vue spécifications, le SongRaw est plus lourd de 20% et plus grand de 20% par rapport aux Sigma et Sony. Il est 33% moins cher que le Sigma et 60% moins cher que le Sony !

L’ergonomie et la qualité de construction sont similaires. La différence se fait sur la distance min de mise au point beaucoup plus longue bien que normale sur le SongRaw et sur l’AF en sport qui sera bien meilleur sur le Sony

4.2 Sharpness / Piqué

Comparison table of lens performance ratings at various apertures for Songraw 50mm F1.2 Moonlit, Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM, Sigma 50mm F1.2 DG DN, and Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG DN.
  • Although the Sony and Sigma are above the SongRaw on 61Mpix , the SongRaw is doing as good as the Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG DN which is an excellent performance on 61Mpix
  • Bien que le Sony et le Sigma font mieux sur 61Mpix, le songRaw se défend très bien et est au niveau du Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG DN sur du 61Mpix, ce qui est excellent

4.3 Background Blur & Bokeh Balls / Flous d’arrière plan et Ronds de Bokeh

  • All have a very smooth background blur and excellent bokeh balls. The key difference e will be the longer min focusing distance of the SongRaw , which results in smaller bokeh balls. Note the color rending was a little bit cooler on the SongRaw
  • Toutes les optiques ont un très beau bokeh et flou d’arrière plan très doux, la différence principale sera sur la plus longue distance min de mise au point du SongRaw qui fournira des ronds de bokeh plus petits. A noter le rendu des couleurs légèrement plus froid sur le SongRaw
A close-up of a Playmobil figurine standing on a small red platform, with a blurred background featuring soft, colorful bokeh lights.
SongRaw 50mm F1.2
A Playmobil figure dressed in a vest and trousers stands on top of a Leofoto tripod head, with a soft, blurred background featuring colorful bokeh lights.
Sony 50mm F1.2 GM
A Playmobil figure in a stylish outfit standing on a black circular base, with a colorful, blurred background featuring circular bokeh lights.
Sigma 50mm F1.2 DG DN @ F1.2

A Playmobil figure dressed in a suit stands on a circular base, with blurred colored lights in the background, creating a soft bokeh effect.
Sony 50mm F1.4 GM
A Playmobil figure dressed in a suit stands on a red surface, with a blurred background featuring colorful bokeh lights.
Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG DN

4.4 Portraits

  • The below portraits show the rendering difference between the lenses
  • Globally the Sony 50mm F1.2 GM is the best followed by the Sigma 50mm F1.2 DG DN and very closely by the SongRaw
  • Les portraits ci-dessous montrent les différences de rendu entre les optiques
  • Globalement le Sony 50mm F1.2 GM est le meilleur suivi du Sigma 50mm F1.2 DG DN et du SongRaw de très près
Portrait of a young woman smiling, wearing an orange sweater, set against a blurred background of people in an outdoor setting.
SongRaw 50mm F1.2
Close-up of a human eye showcasing detailed eyelashes and reflections in the iris.
Portrait of a young woman smiling, wearing headphones, with a blurred shopping street in the background.
Sigma 50mm F1.2 DG DN @ F1.2
Close-up of a person's eye, highlighting the iris colors and details.
Portrait of a young woman with long hair, wearing an orange shirt and a brown jacket, smiling softly in a blurred outdoor setting.
Sony 50mm F1.2 GM
Close-up of a human eye showing detailed textures of the skin, eyelashes, and iris. Light reflection is visible in the eye.
crop 100%

Portrait of a woman with red hair smiling in a bustling street setting, wearing a black coat.
Sony 50mm F1.4 GM
Close-up of a human eye showing detailed iris patterns and eyelashes.
A close-up portrait of a young woman smiling softly, with a blurred background that suggests an outdoor setting.
Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG DN
Close-up of a human eye with detailed eyelashes and a reflective pupil.

4.5 Distortion / CA / Vignetting / Flare – Distorsion / AC / Vignettage / Flare

A wooden bookshelf filled with various books and decorative items, including a gnome figurine and a golden object, viewed through a glass door.
SongRaw 50mm F1.2
A bookshelf filled with various books, decorative items, and skincare products, partially enclosed by glass doors.
Sony 50mm F1.2 GM
A bookshelf displaying various books and decorative items, including a small gnome-like figure and a couple of decorative objects, all arranged behind glass doors.
Sigma 50m mf1.2 DG DN
Sunlight filtering through the bare branches of a tree, creating a hazy effect.
Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG DN crop 100%
Silhouettes of bare tree branches against a bright background, creating a moody and abstract composition.
Sigma 50mm F1.2 DG DN crop 100% F1.2 CA /AC
Close-up of green leaves and small buds against a soft, cloudy background, showcasing natural details and textures.
Sony 50mm F1.2 GM : crop 100% F1.2 – CA /AC
Street view with tall buildings and a bright sun shining overhead, creating lens flare effects.
Sigma 50mm F1.2 DG DN F16 Flare and sunstars
A bright sun shining in a blue sky filled with fluffy white clouds, with some leafy branches in the foreground.
Sony 50mm f1.2 GM – F16 : sunstars & flare

4.6 Video

All the 4 lenses are excellent and with very good video ergonomics (clicks/clickless aperture ring) , but the Sony ones benefit from breathing compensation on latest Sony bodies

The Sigma 50mm f1.4 DG DN has an important focus breathing

Les 4 optiques sont excellentes en video et ont toutes une bague d’ouverture avec ou sans clics. Les Sony sont les seules à bénéficier de la compensation du focus breathing sur les derniers boitiers

Le Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG DN souffre d’un important focus breathing

4.7 Conclusion

The best overall stay the Sony 50mm F1.2 GM , the second one depends on your criteria, in term of rendering it will be the Sigma 50mm F1.2 DG DN , but in term of sharpness it is by a tiny hair the Sony 50mm F1.4 GM. The best quality for the money is the Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG DN

Le meilleur reste le Sony 50mm F1.2 GM , pour le second cela dépend de vos critère : ent ere de rendu c’est le Sigma 50mm F1.2 DG DN , mais en terme de piqué c’est le Sony 50mm F1.4 GM d’un cheveu. Le meilleur rapport qualité prix reste le Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG DN

5 Sample of Photos / Exemples de Photos

Excellent results in all situation : Excellent sharpness, very smooth background blur , color rendering is very pleasant, skins are very well rendered, AF was very good

Excellent résultats en toute situations : Excellent piqué, flou d’arrière plan est très doux , très beau rendu des couleurs, très naturel. Le rendu des peaux en portrait est très bon. AF très bon

  • F1.2
  • F1.4
  • F2
  • F2.8
  • F1.2
  • F1.4
  • F2
  • F2.8
  • F4
A street view showcasing modern store fronts with large glass windows, featuring signs for various businesses including 'Hairdis' and 'Proximus'. Pedestrians stroll along the paved sidewalk, with one person on a scooter. The background includes a tall building displaying 'Altitude'.
Close-up view of a colorful crosswalk featuring rainbow stripes in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple, with visible pavement cracks.
Image showing a close-up of a display rack featuring postcards of Brussels, with a blurred background highlighting the visual appeal of the cards.
Three different types of waffles displayed in trays, topped with banana and chocolate, strawberries with chocolate sauce, and strawberries with whipped cream.
A close-up view of pink flowers surrounded by various green and reddish foliage.
A man walking across a colorful striped crosswalk with a Starbucks building in the background.
Colorful mural on a building in an urban alley, surrounded by narrow streets and residential buildings.
A busy street scene featuring shops and pedestrians, with decorative lights hanging above in a European city.
An indoor view of a stylish arcade featuring seated patrons at tables and various shops along the walls. Elegant architecture with lights illuminating the space, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
Inside a vibrant toy store featuring a 'Pick & Build' wall filled with colorful building blocks. Several customers are browsing the store with an emphasis on playful design elements.
Un flou d'arrière-plan avec des feuilles vertes nettes au premier plan et une personne floue marchant sur un trottoir urbain en arrière-plan.
A person walking on a city sidewalk, surrounded by trees and urban scenery, wearing a gray jacket and holding a smartphone.
Two people walking on a shopping street lined with shops and buildings, with a cloudy sky.
A bustling city street with pedestrians walking, featuring a mix of shops and buildings in the background. Two people in the foreground, a man in a blue jacket and a woman in a brown coat, are holding hands, while other shoppers are seen in the distance. The scene has an overcast sky, typical of a cloudy day.
A couple walking hand in hand down a pedestrian street lined with shops, featuring a blurred background and vibrant storefronts.
Three young women standing close together on a cobblestone street, with a historic building in the background, wearing casual winter clothing.
A couple standing together in a covered arcade, both smiling at the camera. The man is wearing a blue jacket and the woman is dressed in a beige coat with a colorful scarf. The background features elegant architecture and decorations.
A couple standing closely together in a covered shopping arcade, dressed in winter clothing, with a festive atmosphere in the background.
A lively café scene featuring people sitting at tables, engaged in conversations and enjoying their meals, with bookshelves in the background and plants hanging from the ceiling.
A street scene featuring a pedestrian area lined with shops, showcasing a mix of modern and traditional architecture. People are walking along the street, and storefronts are visible on both sides.
A street view showcasing an ornate yellow building with a 'DRUG' sign and a cozy café below, lined with shops and pedestrians on a cloudy day.
A festive shopping arcade decorated with large gold and red ornaments, showcasing storefronts and visitors walking through the area.
View of a city square featuring a historic building with large digital signage on top, surrounded by modern architecture and trees, with people walking in the foreground on a cloudy day.

6 Conclusion (English)

The SongRaw 50mm F1.2 Moonlit (999$ /1099 euros) is an excellent lens for its price. Their first lens make no compromise : excellent build quality, ergonomics, very good to outstanding sharpness, very good AF (except for sports), bokeh balls, background blur & color rendition.

On 61Mpix it is not as tack sharp wide open as the Sony but its cost 60% less and the difference won’t be noticeable wide open if you have less than 50Mpix

The size and weight are 20% higher than Sony and Sigma which stays reasonable for a F1.2 lens. The min focusing distance is 52cm vs 40cm for the Sigma and Sony

You can buy it here or on Amazon

Recommended

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Pros

  • Very good sharpness wide open and Excellent sharpness as of F2, Outstanding as of F2.8
  • Excellent on the entire field as of F2.8
  • Very good corners wide open
  • Very good contrast
  • Excellent Bokeh balls
  • Very color rendition
  • Excellent rendering for portrait and skins
  • Excellent build quality
  • All Weather resistance
  • Excellent ergonomics (with click / clickless aperture ring)
  • Very goodAF in most situations
  • Price
  • Low CA
  • Low Distortion
  • Good resistance to flare

Average

  • Average min focusing distance
  • Size and weight
  • Focus breathing
  • Vignetting at f1.2 quite strong

Cons

  • AF for sports
Sony A7 camera with a 50mm lens attached, showcasing the camera body and lens details.

6 Conclusion (Français)

Le SongRaw 50mm F1.2 Moonlit (999$ / 1099 euros) est une excellent optique pour son prix. La première optique de SongRaw ne fait aucun compromis sur la qualité : excellente qualité de construction et ergonomie , piqué très bon à superbe, très bon AF (sauf en sports) très beau flou d’arrière plan, bokeh et rendu des couleurs

Sur 61Mpix on est très bon à pleine ouverture et donc on est légèrement inférieur au Sony GM mais pour un prix 60% inférieur avec une différence qui ne sera pas visible en dessous de 50Mpix

Le pods et la taille sont supérieur de 20% par rapport au Sony et Sigma , ce qui reste très raisonnable pour une optique à F1.2. La distance min de mise au point est à 52cm au lieur de 40 pour les Sony et Sigma

A recommander

On peut l’acheter ici ou sur Amazon

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Pour

  • Très bon piqué à pleine ouverture, excellent à F1 et superbe à F2.8
  • Excellent piqué sur tout le champ dès F2.8
  • Très bons coins dès la pleine ouverture
  • Très bon contraste
  • Flou d’arrière plan très doux
  • Excellent ronds de bokeh
  • Très bon rendu des couleurs
  • Excellent rendu pour les portraits
  • Excellent qualité de construction
  • Excellente ergonomie (bague d’ouverture avec ou sans clics)
  • Protection tout temps
  • Distance min de mise au point assez courte
  • Très bon AF dans la plupart des cas
  • Prix
  • Faible AC
  • Faible distortion
  • Bonne résistance au flare

Moyen

  • Poids et taille
  • Vignettage élevé à F1.2
  • Focus breathing
  • Distance min de mise au point moyenne

Contre

  • AF pour le sport

2 responses to “SongRaw 50mm F1.2 Moonlit”

  1. Alan Adler Avatar
    Alan Adler

    I find the difference in images shot at f2 or f1.8 to be insignificant and not perceivable when compared to f1.2 or f1.4. The former lenses are 1/4 or 1/3 the price and weight. So why lug a f1.2 monster when it’s images are not perceivably better than f1.8?

    Reply
    1. alain Avatar
      alain

      1.2 vs 1.8 will produce noticeable difference.
      even 1.4 vs 1.8 when compared side to side. lens design make a huge difference too

      for exemple samyang 50mm 1.4 v2 at F2 produce more blur and more softer blur than zeiss 55mm 1.8 at F2 too, same framing

      Reply

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