SongRaw AF 50mm F1.2 Moonlit

The SongRaw AF 50mm F1.2 Moonlit is a full frame autofocus standard prime with a maximum aperture of f/1.2 from the young lens brand SongRaw. It is sold for Sony E and Nikon Z. Leica L mount was announced by the maker but is not listed by retailers at the time of writing. The lens is aimed at portraits, night scenes and video, with Eye AF support on compatible cameras and a click or de-click aperture ring.

Optical design

According to B&H, the lens has 15 elements in 10 groups, including 2 aspherical, 2 extra-low dispersion and 7 high-refractive-index elements. The maker's own sources are not fully consistent on the special glass, as dpreview pointed out at the announcement. The diaphragm has 13 blades, and the aperture range is f/1.2 to f/16. The closest focus distance is 52 cm with a magnification of 0.13x. An HD nano coating is meant to reduce glare, reflections and ghosting.

Autofocus and handling

A stepping motor (STM) drives the internal focusing, with an AF/MF switch, a programmable Fn button and eye tracking on compatible bodies, according to SongRaw. The aperture ring can be de-clicked for silent, stepless adjustment, which is useful in video. A USB-C port in the mount allows firmware updates. The lens has no image stabilization. B&H lists a dust and splash-resistant design.

Build and size

The construction is all metal. B&H gives a diameter of 90 mm, a length of 129 mm and a weight of 900 g. That makes it a large and heavy 50 mm lens, comparable to many autofocus f/1.2 lenses from established brands. The filter thread is 72 mm. The data are the same for the E and Z versions in the retailer's listing.

Where it fits

Direct competitors are the Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM, the Sigma 50mm F1.2 DG DN Art for Sony E and L mount, and the Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm F1.2 S. The SongRaw positions itself against them with a lower price. A silver "MS" version without an aperture ring has been introduced with the same optical formula, according to CineD.

Pros and cons

Pros

• f/1.2 maximum aperture with 13 blades
• 15 elements with ED, high-refractive-index and aspherical glass
• Aperture ring with de-click switch, Fn button and USB-C
• All-metal construction with dust and splash resistance
• Offered for Sony E and Nikon Z

Cons

• Heavy at about 900 g and 129 mm long
• STM motor rather than a linear or voice coil motor
• No image stabilization
• Brand with a short track record

Verdict

The SongRaw AF 50mm F1.2 Moonlit is an f/1.2 autofocus standard lens for photographers who want a bright aperture at a lower price than the big brands and accept the weight. It is a lens for portraits and low-light shooting rather than for light travel.