FE 50mm F2.5 G | Enhanced clarity in pet shots | Review by MC Wong
An animal lover and winner of the Sony World Animals Contest (Hong Kong), MC Wong uses his Alpha 7C compact full-frame camera and G Master lenses to capture snapshots of animals at their natural, inquisitive and fascinating best.
The wonder of pet photography
The most wonderful moments may happen unexpectedly – especially when you're around your beloved pets.
That's why I love having my lightweight, compact and easy to manoeuvre Alpha 7C ready for action. My lenses of choice? I use the FE 50mm F2.5 G prime lens and FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS zoom lens, which give me a wide range of choices and shooting options.
Capture nature at its adorable best, with a prime lens
What I like best about pet photography is capturing fleeting moments of magic, so you'll always have treasured memories of your best (furry) friends. And the compact nature of a prime lens makes it indispensable for pet photography.
This is especially true if you enjoy snapping shots of your pet outdoors and in the countryside, like I do. In shooting environments like these, you really appreciate how a lightweight combination makes shooting intuitive and fun.
A prime lens is superb for indoor shots too. The high-resolution, fixed-focus FE 50mm F2.5 G lens enhances clarity in shots, making post-photoshoot editing easier.
Close-up pet portraits
I often use the FE 50mm F2.5 G for close-up shots like this one. Compared with standard lenses, the large F2.5 aperture produces softer and more natural-looking scattered scenes.
One theme I commonly use is focusing on the animal's facial expression. And this 50mm lens does brilliantly at capturing animals' expressions in a natural way – similar to shooting emotive portrait shots of a person.
Near or far, you're only a few steps away from your perfect shot
The 50mm focal length on this lens is quite adaptable, making it easy for you to take both close-ups and panoramic views of your pet by simply taking a few steps forward or back.
The magic is in the eyes
Pets have captivating, sparkling eyes. To capture this in your photos, I recommend shooting from the shortest focusing distance possible – with the FE 50mm F2.5 G lens, it's an impressive 0.35m. At this close distance, you'll get the full intensity of your pet's gaze, along with incredibly detailed fur.
Speaking of eyes, pet owners know that the unpredictability and energetic nature of animals can make it tricky to capture their expressions clearly. Thankfully, the Eye AF in the Alpha 7C works amazingly well on animals. With the fast and accurate focus of the FE 50mm F2.5 G, I don't have to worry about shots being out of focus anymore – and can concentrate on composing my shots.
Zoom. Prime. Why choose? Pick both.
When shooting photos and videos of pets, patience is key. Let the animal get used to the environment, and to you and the camera.
For pet photography shoots, the combination of the Alpha 7C with the FE 50mm F2.5 G prime lens and FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS zoom lens is an amazing combination that delivers professional results – while also being beginner-friendly.
Just remember to connect with the pets you're shooting by communicating with them, letting go of expectations, being patient and capturing the magic when it happens!
