The Zeiss 35mm F1.4 Sony lens has been the preferred choice for those who appreciate the wide-angle capabilities that a prime with moderately large apertures offers. This lens can be used for street photography, documentary, environmental shots, as well as candid photos. This focal length is a favourite among family photographers, photojournalists and event professionals alike. Sony has a new model, the FE35mm F1.4 GM (1,399.99). This is a significant update that makes it easier to use optically, and also less costly at first introduction. These factors make the FE 35mm F1.4 GM our Editors Choice, which we recommend for customers looking for a 35mmF1.4.
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G Master Suplants the Zeiss line
Sony's best-selling lens, the G Master series, has the FE 35mm F1.4 GM. The FE 35mm F1.4 GM has replaced the Zeiss-branded Sony lenses at the top, although the Zeiss FE35mm F1.4 ZA is still available. The price has been reduced by a substantial amount, dropping from $1,599.99 to $999.99.
The new lens is a bit smaller and lighter than the Zeiss, but it's not a significant reduction. The FE 35mm F1.4 GM measures 3.8 by 3.0 inches (HD), weighs 1.2 pounds, and supports 67mm threaded filters. As you'd expect it's heavier than the Sony FE 1.8 G (9.9 ounces) and lighter than Sigma's exotic 35mm F1.2 DG DN Art (2.4 pounds).
The design language matches that of other GM primes. The barrel is matte black polycarbonate and includes Sony's signature orange-backed G badge—only GM glass gets the orange—along with an on-lens function button, aperture ring, and full dust, splash, and anti-smudge fluorine protection. An optional lens hood can also be purchased.
On-lens controls are solid. The aperture ring can be set to turn freely and silently from f/1.4 through f/16, or to turn and click at third-stop settings. The former is a useful for keeping things quiet when recording in-camera audio, while the latter is preferable for photo work. A toggle switch engages or disengages the click stops.
There's also an AF/MF switch, a programmable function button, and manual focus control ring. Autofocus is quick and reliable, and the manual focus experience is excellent too. Sony gets close to the feel of a mechanical focus system by way of a well-damped focus ring and immediate, linear response.
There is one downside to this effect: it can cause visible breathing. It is distracting for videos where your focus changes. The angle of the view shrinks and blooms when you focus. For video, the FE35mm F1.8 G is a better choice as it displays almost no view change when focusing.
It can lock onto subjects as close as 9.8 inches, good enough for 1:3.8 life-size reproduction. It's not quite a macro—you won't be able to get close-up shots of insects and jewelry, but it's very useful for less ambitious close-up work.
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The Lab
In the field, I paired my FE 35mm F1.4 GM lens with the 60MP a7R III in the lab. The lens produces excellent clarity even when taken wide open (Imatest opens in a new browser) with very little contrast around the frame edges, which are areas that can be defocused at large apertures.
Detail remains in the excellent range at f/2 and f/2.8, and crosses over to outstanding at f/4. It's just about as sharp as you can get with the a7R IV through f/8 (5,300 lines). It shows a moderate loss of clarity at f/11 and f/16, an unavoidable result caused by optical diffraction. Light particles scatter as they pass through the very small aperture. It's something that happens with virtually every camera lens.
This lens can be used at any aperture and produces clear images across the focus plane, regardless of whether it is using Sony's high resolution image sensor. At wider apertures you'll be able to get sharper results with a shallow depth-of-field and smooth defocused backgrounds. Moderate settings will produce stunning images.
The rounded aperture blades do a good job creating circular highlights when the lens is stopped down a bit, and there's only a slight cat's eye bokeh effect toward the edges of photos shot with the aperture open at f/1.4.
Landscape photographers that love the look of the sunstar are also a great choice with the FE35mm. Some points will be visible around the sun when you take daytime photos. At f/8, they take on a more defined form.
Distortion is controlled—there's no measurable barrel or pincushion distortion effect evident in photos. There is a natural vignette, visible at images made at f/2 and wider settings. Your camera's Peripheral Illumination Correction feature compensates for it when working in JPG mode—it brightens edges and corners to better match the central area of the frame.
Sony's Best 35mm Prime
While Sony consoles are not in great supply, 35mm prime lenses can be purchased for their camera system. This focal length is available in a variety of sizes and prices from companies such as Rokinon and Sigma.
The FE 35mm F1.4 GM stands above them all as the best choice for pros and serious hobbyists. It's incredibly sharp, quick to focus, and delivers images with pleasingly blurred backgrounds. Its debut price is a couple hundred dollars less than Sony's previous flagship 35mm, and while the older Sony Zeiss 35mm F1.4 ZA remains on sale (now for just $1,000), I'd recommend spending the extra money here if you can manage it. That's especially true if you're using an a1 or high resolution a7R model.
You have premium options to choose from. Sigma 35mm F1.2 DG DN Art features a wider f-stop, which allows for deeper focus. However, it is twice as heavy and therefore better for studio use than field. The price is around $1,500.
If you can't manage spending $1,000 or more on a lens the Sony FE 35mm F1.8 G is an excellent alternative for $750, but it does omit the aperture ring. The Sigma 35mm F2 DG DN Contemporary is a good way to go if you prefer setting the f-stop via the lens. And if you're on a tight budget, the $230 Rokinon 35mm F2.8 AF is worth a look, though it's by no means a professional lens.
For professionals, the FE35mm F1.4 GM camera is perfect. The FE 35mm F1.4 GM is a high-quality camera that does not compromise on image quality, autofocus performance or construction. It's a costly prospect, but it is still a lot less expensive than the Zeiss 35mm F1.4 at its introduction. The FE35mm F1.4 GM lens is our Editors Choice. It is available in 35mm.