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Shooting Portraits and Landscapes with the New AF 50mm F1.4 FE II

Alyssa Zalabai

Photographer from England

zoom
LENSES AF 50mm
F1.4 FE II
CAMERA SONY
ILCE-7RM3A
DIAPHRAGM F1.4
SPEED 1/500 sec
ISO 100
EXPOSURE Manual
PHOTOMETRY 50mm
BRIGHTNESS -
PHOTOMETRY -

When I opened my Photography business, the very first Samyang lens I owned was the Samyang AF 50mm F1.4 which I use mainly for newborn and family portraits. A 50mm focal length is indeed a popular first prime lens for many people such as myself as it’s great for many types of photography such as portraiture and landscape.

Now, Samyang has released a new and much better 50mm, the Samyang AF 50mm F1.4 FE II which got me excited as their previous 50mm established what kind of photos I want to take and have followed through my style even to this day. To demonstrate the diversity of this lens, me and my husband, Peter, teamed up for a review to showcase its strength since we both do different photography genres… two birds with one stone as the saying goes.

From a Portraits Photographer View

On top of the list is using it for portraits. I didn’t think of it much as I have mentioned, I did use the previous Samyang 50mm and so my expectations are based on that experience. But I was utterly amazed as to how this lens has performed and I’m going to list them as I go through.

zoom
LENSES AF 50mm
F1.4 FE II
CAMERA SONY
ILCE-7M4
DIAPHRAGM F1.4
SPEED 1/2000 sec
ISO 200
EXPOSURE Aperture
priority
PHOTOMETRY 50mm
BRIGHTNESS -
PHOTOMETRY Multi
segment

Build Quality

The build quality of this lens has a premium feel and is much lighter and compact compared to the first one, a perfect representation of a nifty fifty. The focus grip is texturized rubber which turns smoothly when focusing and it has the Samyang signature custom switch which allows you to change the focus ring to an aperture ring. In a field test,
I love that is lightweight as I’m always on the move when shooting portraits.

zoom
zoom
LENSES AF 50mm
F1.4 FE II
CAMERA SONY
ILCE-7RM3A
DIAPHRAGM F1.4
SPEED 1/3200 sec
ISO 100
EXPOSURE Manual
PHOTOMETRY 50mm
BRIGHTNESS -
PHOTOMETRY -
zoom
LENSES AF 50mm
F1.4 FE II
CAMERA SONY
ILCE-7RM3A
DIAPHRAGM F1.4
SPEED 1/3200 sec
ISO 100
EXPOSURE Manual
PHOTOMETRY 50mm
BRIGHTNESS -
PHOTOMETRY -

Autofocus Performance

The AF ability is superb! I used the Sony A7RIIIa with it and I have no issues with eye AF apart from a heavily backlit situation which is going to be the same for many lenses out there. Now, Samyang added a special glass for this lens, making its bokeh smooth and creamy which I live for! The first few snaps I did kind of reminded me of the bokeh of the
Samyang AF 85mm on close-up shots. Even at full body shots, it retains a good subject separation which still focuses on your subject and does not get lost together with the surrounding. At heavily backlit situation, it retains its contrast and has a well-controlled lens flare.

zoom
LENSES AF 50mm
F1.4 FE II
CAMERA SONY
ILCE-7RM3A
DIAPHRAGM F1.4
SPEED 1/500 sec
ISO 100
EXPOSURE Manual
PHOTOMETRY 50mm
BRIGHTNESS -
PHOTOMETRY -

This lens is great for portrait photography as you can create different types of images with just one lens. It’s very enjoying to use from its lightweight, well-balanced on camera down to its sharpness and amazing bokeh will surely tickle your creativity.

From a Landscapes Photographer View

As I’ve mentioned, Samyang AF 50mm F1.4 FE II is a versatile lens which you can also use for landscape photography. Now this is when the weight is much more important because in our trip to Snowdonia, we had to hike for 8hrs around Lyn Idwal Circular in Gwynedd, Wales. It’s a massive mountain terrain, perfect for nature trips, birdwatching and well of course, Landscape photography. The stunning open sky overlooking the huge mountains and breathtaking views of the lake, it’s a playground for people like my husband, Peter who adores landscape photos.

zoom
LENSES AF 50mm
F1.4 FE II
CAMERA SONY
ILCE-7RM3A
DIAPHRAGM F6.3
SPEED 1/50 sec
ISO 100
EXPOSURE Aperture
priority
PHOTOMETRY 50mm
BRIGHTNESS -
PHOTOMETRY -
zoom
LENSES AF 50mm
F1.4 FE II
CAMERA SONY
ILCE-7RM3A
DIAPHRAGM F8
SPEED 1/160 sec
ISO 100
EXPOSURE Aperture
priority
PHOTOMETRY 50mm
BRIGHTNESS -
PHOTOMETRY -

50mm Focal Length with High Resolution

Using this focal length for landscape photos will make you focus only on the important areas, forcing you to be creative in your composition. It’s also perfect to use this lens in panorama especially when you find yourself in a situation when it’s a bit too tight in space. Stitching images together can create an amazing wide-angle shot with a much better resolution compared to a single image taken with a wide-angle lens.

zoom
LENSES AF 50mm
F1.4 FE II
CAMERA SONY
ILCE-7RM3A
DIAPHRAGM F1.4
SPEED 1/500 sec
ISO 100
EXPOSURE Manual
PHOTOMETRY 50mm
BRIGHTNESS -
PHOTOMETRY -

Its compact size does make a huge difference when you go on long travels especially when you are also carrying other gears in your bag. There is no doubt that this lens brings a whole package that allows you to take different genres of photography with only a single lens and come home with crispy sharp images.

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Samyang’s Guide to Achieving the Optimal Angle of View

The perfect spacing and distance are always necessary when shooting all kinds of subjects, including people, to give them a proper relationship with the beautiful space around them. So, what’s the exact distance that helps you best appreciate a work of art, or a photo?

The correct answer is the diagonal length of the full frame of a subject.

표준화각 자료 이미지
표준화각 자료 이미지

The best standpoint from which to appreciate the full view of a subject is the distance of the diagonal length of the subject frame. This wider angle is superior to standing closer at a 50 degree angle to get a more detailed view. This notion of an ideal distance or view point is also applicable in the world of photography.

For still images, keeping a distance equal to the diagonal length of the full image surface is recommended. The full frame sensor of a digital camera is 36 x 24mm and the diagonal length is 43.26mm so any distance close to this number is nearer to the ideal than the currently accepted industry standard of 50mm.

Back when film cameras were common, 45mm was the industry standard and this continued as reflex cameras needed extra space to fit a mirror. However, as mirrorless cameras become more popular again, there has been a need to return to this industry standard…which is the impetus for the Samyang AF 45mm F1.8 FE. With less distortion than a 35mm lens and wider angles than a 55mm lens, the Samyang AF 45mm F1.8 FE is a perfect lens for portraits, landscapes, architecture photography, and pictures of pets.

What is Preset Aperture Control Function?

On the Preset Aperture Control function, the aperture blade operates smoothly like a "De-clicked lens", which is advantageous for video recording.
Fujifilm cameras are engineered to control the aperture according to the minimum exposure value(F-stop), so when the camera controls the aperture, it blinks momentarily to set the proper exposure.

AF 75mm F1.8 X intentionally disconnects the communication with the camera body and the lens itself on the Preset Aperture Control function, so it is possible to smoothly adjust the exposure without flickering. ISO and shutter speed are adjusted according to the changed exposure by controlling the aperture, so the exposure value can be changed even with the 1/2 F-stop.

What is Preset Aperture Control Function?

On the Preset Aperture Control function, the aperture blade operates smoothly like a "De-clicked lens", which is advantageous for video recording.
Fujifilm cameras are engineered to control the aperture according to the minimum exposure value(F-stop), so when the camera controls the aperture, it blinks momentarily to set the proper exposure.

AF 75mm F1.8 X intentionally disconnects the communication with the camera body and the lens itself on the Preset Aperture Control function, so it is possible to smoothly adjust the exposure without flickering. ISO and shutter speed are adjusted according to the changed exposure by controlling the aperture, so the exposure value can be changed even with the 1/2 F-stop.

What is Recommended Settings for Preset Aperture Control Function?

The Preset Aperture Control function operates only when shooting video(Movie mode) and the focusing mode of the camera is set to AF mode. Please set the aperture at f/1.8 before switching the "Custom Switch" to "Mode 2. It is recommended to set the "Exposure mode" as A mode (Aperture Priority AE) or M mode (Manual Exposure).

* How to use the “Preset Aperture Control” function?

1) Camera Body Setting
      AF Mode → Video Mode ('A' or 'M' mode) → Set the Aperture @F1.8
(2) Lens Setting
      Switch your "Custom Switch” to “Mode 2(M2)"
(3) Now, you're ready to use the Preset Aperture Control function with your focus ring

What is Recommended Settings for Preset Aperture Control Function?

The Preset Aperture Control function operates only when shooting video(Movie mode) and the focusing mode of the camera is set to AF mode. Please set the aperture at f/1.8 before switching the "Custom Switch" to "Mode 2. It is recommended to set the "Exposure mode" as A mode (Aperture Priority AE) or M mode (Manual Exposure).

* How to use the “Preset Aperture Control” function?

1) Camera Body Setting
      AF Mode → Video Mode ('A' or 'M' mode) → Set the Aperture @F1.8
(2) Lens Setting
      Switch your "Custom Switch” to “Mode 2(M2)"
(3) Now, you're ready to use the Preset Aperture Control function with your focus ring

[What is Dolly Shot? How to Shoot Easily]

[What is Dolly shot?]

A dolly shot, also referred to as a tracking shot or trucking shot, is a camera movement technique used by cinematographers to track and follow a subject in motion. To achieve this, the camera is mounted on a device called a "dolly," which facilitates smooth tracking movement. The dolly can move in front of, behind, or alongside the subject, which can be a person, a location, a product, or any other object of focus in the frame. Through this, you can control the emotional distance between the subject and the viewer by highlighting the audiovisual and dramatic effects.

[How to take a Dolly Shot simply by handheld]

Tip. If the moving distance is long, the camera may shake, so please shoot at a focal length between 35 and 100mm.
1. Stand at a distance of about 1.5 to 2 meters away from the subject.
2. Set the custom switch to MF and Mode 3 and adjust the focal length to about 100mm.
3. After focusing on the subject, set the aperture to F8~16.
4. Slowly turn the zoom ring to the left (towards the wide-angle end) while using your upper body and arms to move the camera toward your subject.
5. Dolly Shot complete!
※ When shooting from a farther distance from the subject, use a cart or gimbal for more stable shooting.

DSLR / Full Frame
1D X Mark Ⅱ
1D X
1Ds Mark Ⅲ
1Ds
5DsR
5Ds
5D Mark Ⅳ
5D Mark Ⅲ
6D Mark Ⅱ
6D
DSLR / APS-H
1D Mark Ⅲ
1D
Mirrorless / APS-C
M6
M5
M10
M3
M2
DSLR / APS-S
7D Mark Ⅱ
7D
80D
70D
60D
30D
D60
D30
77D (9000D)
760D (8000D / Rebel T6s)
1300D (Kiss X80 / Rebel T6)
1200D (Kiss X70 / Rebel T5)
200D (Kiss X9 / Rebel SL2)
800D (Kiss X9i / Rebel T7i)
700D (Kiss X9i / Rebel T7i)
100D (Kiss X7 / Rebel SL1)
650D (Kiss X6i / Rebel T4i)
600D (Kiss X5 / Rebel T3i)
550D (Kiss X4 / Rebel T2i)
500D (Kiss X3 / Rebel T1i)
1000D (Kiss F / Rebel XS)
450D (Kiss X2 / Rebel X냐)
DSLR / Full Frame
D850
D5
D810A
D4S
D810
D750
Df
D610
D4
D800
D800E
D600
D3s
D3x
D700
D3
DSLR / APS-C
D7500
D3400
D500
D5600
D7200
D5500
D3300
D7100
D5300
D5200
D7000
D300s
D300
DSLR / Full Frame
Z6
Z7
D810A
D4S
D750
D810A
DSLR / APS-C
D7200
D500
D3300
D5500
D5600
D3400
D7500

* Cameras released within 5 years from 2019 are tested.

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