For Sony fans, it has been a while for new FE 35mm F1.4 to be in the hands of reviewers. However, it has been well worth the wait. Adding to the existing 38 full-frame E-mount lenses, the new Sony FE35mm F1.4 GM lens is an ideal addition to the line up of primes. There has been a gap in the marketing with the Zeiss-branded lens being the only condenser to fill the Sony void for many shooters.
Who Is The Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM Lens For?
The Sony 35mm F1.4 GM lens is the ideal lens for enthusiasts or pro photographers needing a do-all addition to their kit. The lens sports outstanding image quality, delicious bokeh and lighting fast autofocus. Plus, with a minimum focusing distance of just 27cm and a maximum magnification of 0.23x, you can get in nice and close to your subjects. What’s more, all of this comes in a robust yet compact and lightweight body fitting of the Sony GM range.
The lens’s construction is almost perfect compared against non-GM lenses in Sony’s lineup. Below are some of the stand-out features we believe this lens has over the competition.
- Sony E-mount
- Filter size: 67mm
- Image Stabilization: Steadyshot (body-integrated)
- 52.5mm (equivalent)
- 14 Elements in 10 Lens Groups
- 63° Angle of view (35mm)
- Maximum magnification ratio: x 0.23 (AF) x 0.26 (MF)
- Minimum Focus distance: 0.27m (AF), 0.25m (MF)
- Size: 76mm x 96mm
- Weight: 524g
The Resolution You Should Expect with Sony’s FE 35mm F1.4
Sony has termed the phrase ‘stunning resolution’, and we believe they are correct in referring to the lens in this way. With two XA (extreme aspherical) elements in a G Master design take advantage of the short mirrorless flange-back distance to deliver stunning contrast and resolution in a compact lens.
A further two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements help suppress chromatic aberration. In addition to enhancing the mix of glass, Sony’s second generation of Nano AR Coating helps maintain near-perfect image clarity even when the lighting conditions become difficult. The newer Nano AR Coating is evenly spread to the entire element surfaces to minimise flare throughout the resulting picture.
When you capture images with the Sony FE 35mm F1.4 lens, consider the advanced optical technology that takes advantage of the short mirrorless flange-back distance. The result is a smaller lens that reduces the overall length and diameter to ensure you can take the lens anywhere with you.
Sony GM Quality Made Portable
It is astonishing to behold the new Sony 35mm F1.4 GM lens. Sony has outdone themselves in the design and manufacturing process to produce a lens that is both compact and an outstanding performer. This truly neat and compact GM lens will tuck away neatly into any photographer’s kit bag.
When mounted to an Alpha body, the lens delivers an excellent balance thanks to its size and weight of only 524g. As a result, you can take this brilliant lens with you to any shoot in any conditions. Plus, thanks to a combination of dust and moisture resistance, and the fluorine-coated front element, the Sony 35mm F1.4 GM will stand up to most conditions.
Beautiful Bokeh Every Time
True to the G Master series’s optical brilliance, the Sony 35mm F1.4 GM is a master of bokeh. The pair of XA elements combined with the 11-blade aperture suppress onion-ring bokeh distortion experienced in other lenses. The Sony 35mm delivers delicious subject separation and unmistakable circular bokeh through aberration control design. Regardless of shooting a close up portrait wide open or a foreground element in a landscape, the bokeh will be a stand-out feature.
Never Miss a Moment
Sony’s impressive autofocus system is ideal in almost any lighting environment. If you are utilising any form of a7 series or a6000 series camera, you can expect the Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM lens to perform. Thanks to a pair of Sony’s Extreme Dynamic (XD) Linear Motors, this GM lens guarantees a fast, accurate and super quiet focusing performance that is vibration-free.
Never miss a single moment in either MF or AF thanks to the lens’s focusing performance. The 35mm F1.4 GM includes a handy focus hold button for optimal focus control. Plus, this button can be assigned to a range of function in-camera.
Best Cameras for Sony 35mm f1.4
The Sony 35mm F1.4 GM lens is a delight to use on any Sony alpha Full-Frame bodies from the a7 range. These enthusiast and pro-level bodies are feature-packed to deliver optimal image and video quality. But, don’t let that hold you back as thanks to Sony’s one-mount approach, the 35mm GM lens will fit neatly with any of the a6000 APSC camera bodies too.
Final Thoughts On The Sony 35mm F1.4 GM
The Sony 35mm F1.4 GM lens arrives as yet another gold-medal piece of glass. With outstanding optics, image quality, and focus performance, the only limitation placed on the lens is your imagination. Drop this light and compact prime on any of Sony’s alpha camera bodies, and the possibilities are endless. Landscape, portrait or even street photographers will delight in the results the Sony 35mm F1.4 GM lens delivers every single time.
