Sony 50mm f/1.8 SAM DT Lens for Sony Alpha Digital SLR Cameras

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Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 4.8 x 4.7 x 4.1 inches ; 7.7 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0029U0X24
• Item model number: SAL50F18
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
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  Camera & Photo > Lenses > Digital Camera Lenses

• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 17, 2009

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The Sony DT 50mm F1.8 Smooth Autofocus Motor (SAM) lens is a compact, lightweight, high-quality lens with a 50mm focal length (35mm format camera equivalent: 75mm) that is ideal for portraits and general-purpose photography. It is designed exclusively for use with a digital SLRs incorporating an APS-C type image sensor.

Compact and weighing only 170g (approx.), the DT 50mm F1.8 SAM reduces the need to carry heavy gear when shooting, yet offers crisp, natural imaging that is ideal for everything from portraits to scenic photos and snapshots. It also boasts a large, bright F1.8 maximum aperture and a circular aperture mechanism for smooth background defocusing. Distinguished by ultra-sharp imaging across the focal plane, the DT 50mm F1.8 SAM also features a minimum focusing distance of 0.34m and a maximum magnification ratio of 0.2. In addition, the newly-developed Smooth Autofocus Motor is used to drive the focusing lens group.

Bright, F1.8 maximum aperture
With a maximum aperture of F1.8, the DT 50mm F1.8 SAM delivers outstanding image quality in a wide range of shooting situations. And because the aperture range extends from F1.8 to F22, it provides users with expanded control over depth of field and dynamic expression. As a result, it offers a valuable of range of photographic expression that goes beyond what users can experience with the DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM (SAL1855) zoom lens kit. In addition, the DT 50mm F1.8 SAM's large maximum aperture setting can be used in tandem with camera body integrated SteadyShot INSIDE image stabilization to assure excellent low-light shooting performance.

Compact size and low weight
The DT 50mm F1.8 SAM (SAL50F18) is exceptionally light and compact, with a weight of only 170g (approx.) and dimensions of 70mm (max. diameter) x 45mm (length), and boasts excellent portability and operability that make it an ideal introductory-level portrait lens for a DSLRs with an APS-C type sensor. Filter size is 49mm.

Circular aperture mechanism
A circular aperture mechanism assures smooth background defocusing when shooting at larger apertures, making subjects stand out from the background more prominently when shooting portraits.

High contrast, resolution, and image quality
The DT 50mm F1.8 SAM is an ideal choice for first-time fixed focal length lens buyers. In addition to excellent color balance, it offers crisp, natural imaging across the focal plane, with high contrast and resolution even at the periphery of the image frame. Straightforward optical design positions 6 elements in 5 groups for exceptionally clear imaging and a range of expression that is distinctly different from lenses like the a DT 18-55mm F3.2-5.6 SAM zoom.

Newly-developed Smooth Autofocus Motor (SAM)
The DT 50mm F1.8 SAM's focusing lens group is driven by a new Smooth Autofocus Motor (SAM) in the lens itself, instead of a motor in the camera body. Responding instantly to AF drive control signals from the camera, the motor delivers power with smoothness and precision.

0.34m minimum focusing distance, 0.2 maximum magnification ratio
At 0.34m, the DT 50mm F1.8 SAM has one of the shortest minimum focusing distances in its class, with a maximum magnification ratio of 0.2x that makes it usable for macro shooting, too.

Product Description

DT 50mm F1.8 SAM is a compact, lightweight, high-quality lens with a 50mm focal length (35mm format camera equivalent: 75mm) that is ideal for portraits and general-purpose photography. It is designed exclusively for use with a digital SLRs incorporating an APS-C type image sensor. Compact and weighing only 170g (approx.), the DT 50mm F1.8 SAM reduces the need to carry heavy gear when shooting, yet offers crisp, natural imaging that is ideal for everything from portraits to scenic photos and snapshots. It also boasts a large, bright F1.8 maximum aperture and a circular aperture mechanism for smooth background defocusing. Distinguished by ultra-sharp imaging across the focal plane, the DT 50mm F1.8 SAM also features a minimum focusing distance of 0.34m and a maximum magnification ratio of 0.2. In addition, a developed Smooth Autofocus Motor (SAM) is used to drive the focusing lens group.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The sharpest lens in my bag!, July 17, 2009

By	Christopher J. Jurado (Oahu Hawai'i) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

Things I like:
1. Sharp and great colors! I've been using my kit lens for a while, and I wanted a lens for portraits. The quality of the images make it my preferred lens, and I only resort to my kit zoom lenses during events where I am unable to get close.
2. Light. Agreed that it is mostly plastic, but it is sturdy and looks good. I do not regret this purchase at all due to build quality.
3. Fast! Indoor photos can be shot by hand with natural light due to the large f1.8 aperture. Built in steady shot in every Sony Alpha makes this even better. Shutter speed indoors using just natural light (no flash!) shooting away from the windows can range between 1/8 to 1/120 of a second from ISO 100 to 400. Moving to higher ISO values (which my zooms would have done in order to get similar shots) would probably match the speed, but would have introduced much more noise.
4. Smooth bokeh. None of this hexagonal stuff you see in other lenses.

Things I don't like.
1. AF/MF switch. I have one on my camera, I don't need one on my lens. In order to attain full manual focus I need to swith both the lens and body.
2. 49mm filters. Why not the usual 55mm?
3. Not full frame. If you don't own an A900, and don't ever plan of upgrading to one - this doesn't matter to you.

I would recommend this lens to EVERYONE! It is cheap, and the quality of the images are superb! Furthermore, the fixed focal length forces a photographer to be more aware of how he/she is composing photographs. The lazy method of zooming in and out to fit the subject is no longer applicable. You have to move, and take into consideration objects around the subject. So in the end - you will be a better photographer - or a frustrated one due to the lack of zoom.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars excellent low light indoor lens., July 7, 2009

By	PNFJR "Sachem" (boston) - See all my reviews

the sony 50 mm takes excellent pictures indoors if you use the A- aperture setting and dial down to 1/8 great sharp pictures without the need for a flash. But everyone should have a 50 mm in their kit. it is also great for portraits as to the wider aperature. Well worth the money and takes great pictures.

4.0 out of 5 stars A good choice of walk-around fixed focus lens, February 6, 2010

By	Steve Zhou (Virginia) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

I pair this up with my sony A350 and I am quite pleased with the outcomes. It is sharp when stoppoing down to 2.0. There is also a 1.4 version. Of course you have to pay for the improvement. Have said that, this lens is not for full-frame, so think about it if you are gonna upgrade your gears. If you are just looking for a walk-around portrait lens, get it.