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Lensbaby Velvet 56 vs Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM

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Lensbaby Velvet 56

Standard Prime | Sony Alpha

Lensbaby Velvet 56
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Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM

Standard Prime | Sony Alpha

Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM
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BUY from B&H PHOTO

Lensbaby Velvet 56 vs Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing Lensbaby Velvet 56 and Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM, two Standard Prime lenses from Lensbaby and Sony.

We will start with briefly looking and the main specs of these two lenses and in the section, we will start analyzing in more detail and list the pros and cons of each lenses.

Lensbaby Velvet 56 Key Specs

  • 56mm Focal Range
  • F1.6 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 62mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Sony Alpha Mount
  • Weight: 400g.
  • Diameter: 72mm
  • Length: 86mm
  • Min Focus Distance:5m

Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM Key Specs

  • 50mm Focal Range
  • F1.8 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 49mm
  • Max Format: APS-C / DX
  • Sony Alpha Mount
  • Weight: 170g.
  • Diameter: 70mm
  • Length: 45mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.34m
  • Max Magnification:0.2x

What type of photography are the Lensbaby Velvet 56 and Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Lensbaby Velvet 56 and the Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Lensbaby Velvet 56 Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM
Bird/WildlifeFairFair
SportsAverageAverage
PortraitExcellentExcellent
TravelGoodAverage
StreetVery GoodGood
WeddingExcellentExcellent
Walk AroundGoodAverage
VloggingGoodAverage
LandscapeGoodAverage

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Lensbaby Velvet 56 is the longer of the two lenses at 86mm. The Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM with a length of 45mm is 41mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Lensbaby Velvet 56 also has a larger diameter of 72mm compared to Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM's 70mm diameter.

Weight of a lens is as important as its external dimensions, especially if you are planning to hand hold your camera and lens combination for longer periods. Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM weighs 170g, 57% (230g) lighter than the Lensbaby Velvet 56's weight of 400g.


Below you can find the dimension and weight table of the 'Standard Prime Lenses in Sony Alpha Mount for size comparison purposes.

Standard Prime Lenses in Sony Alpha Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Sony 50mm F1.4 Lens Sony 50mm F1.4
43mm
66mm 222g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM Lens Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM
59mm
77mm 430g Amazon B&H Photo
Sony Carl Zeiss Planar T 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM Lens Sony CZ T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM
72mm
81mm 518g Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD Lens Tamron 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD
92mm
80mm 520g Amazon B&H Photo
Lensbaby Burnside 35 Lens Lensbaby Burnside 35
70mm
70mm 374g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM Lens Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM
68mm
85mm 505g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM A Lens Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM A
100mm
85mm 815g Amazon B&H Photo
Samyang 50mm F1.4 AS UMC Lens Samyang 50mm F1.4 AS UMC
75mm
82mm 535g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both Lensbaby Velvet 56 and Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM has the same Sony Alpha lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Sony Alpha lenses are Sony A99 II, Sony A68 and Sony A77 II.

Lensbaby Velvet 56 is also available in Canon EF , Fujifilm X, Micro Four Thirds, Nikon F (FX), Pentax KAF3, Samsung NX and Sony E mounts.

Focal Range

Lensbaby Velvet 56 is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 56mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 84mm.
Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 50mm which has an effective (full-frame 35mm equivalent) focal range of 75mm when used on a APS-C / DX format camera.

Reasons to choose Lensbaby Velvet 56 over Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM

Focal Length - Tele 56mm vs 50mm 6mm more Tele coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 1.6 vs 1.8 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 1.6 vs 1.8 Wider aperture at tele end
Aperture Ring Yes vs No able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Max Sensor Coverage 35mm FF vs APS-C / DX covers larger sensors

Reasons to choose Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM over Lensbaby Velvet 56

Focal Length - Wide 50mm vs 56mm 6mm Wider coverage
Diaphgragm Blades 7 vs Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Autofocus Yes vs No Easier, faster and more accurate focusing
Weight 170g vs 400g 230g lighter
Diameter 70mm vs 72mm 2mm smaller in diameter
Length 45mm vs 86mm 41mm shorter
Filter Thread 49mm vs 62mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance 0.34m vs 5m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.2x vs x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Common Strengths of Lensbaby Velvet 56 and Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM
Distance Scale Yes vs Yes Distance Scale to assist focusing
Common Weaknesses of Lensbaby Velvet 56 and Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM
Image Stabilization No vs No Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization
Weather Sealing No vs No not safe under rain and dust



**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Lensbaby Velvet 56 vs Sony DT 50mm F1.8 SAM Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Lensbaby Sony
Lens Type Prime Prime
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Standard Prime Standard Prime
Lens Mount Sony Alpha Sony Alpha
Max Format 35mm FF APS-C / DX
Focal Range 56mm 50mm
Image Stabilization No No
Colour Black Black
Zoom Method No Zoom No Zoom
Power Zoom No No
Zoom Lock No No
Zoom Ratio 1.0X 1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture F1.6 F1.8
Min Aperture F32.0
Aperture Ring Yes No
Diaphragm Blades unknown 7
Optics
Optical Elements unknown 6
Optical Groups unknown 5
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 5m 0.34m
Max Magnification unknown 0.2X
Autofocus No Yes
AF Motor Type No AF Micromotor
Full Time Manual Yes No
Focus Method Extending front Unit
Distance Scale Yes Yes
DoF Scale No No
Distance Scale Yes Yes
Focus Distance Limiter Unknown Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight 400g 170g
Diameter 72mm 70mm
Length 86mm 45mm
Materials Unknown Plastic barrel, plastic mount
Weather Sealing No No
Filter Thread 62mm 49mm
Filter Notes - -
Hood Supplied No No
Hood Code Unknown Unknown
Tripod Collar No No
Optional Accessories - -
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