Published: January 13, 2021
The newest addition to the Sony G Master full-frame lens series features outstanding image quality and more in a compact design
SAN DIEGO, CA – January 13, 2020 – Sony Electronics Inc. announces the FE 35mm F1.4 GM ($1,398) – the newest addition to its acclaimed G Master full-frame lens series – delivering first-class image quality and beautiful bokeh in a compact and lightweight design. When paired with an E-mount camera body, the lens offers Sony’s industry-leading AF (autofocus) capabilities – perfect for a wide range of uses such as shooting landscapes, portraits and street photography, for both stills and video.
“At Sony, our purpose is to fill the world with emotion through the power of creativity and technology so we designed the FE 35mm F1.4 GM to perfectly capture the moments that need to be saved forever,” said Neal Manowitz, deputy president for Imaging Products and Solutions Americas at Sony Electronics. “With exquisite resolution and intelligent focusing technology, all in a small, lightweight design, this is an indispensable lens that does not compromise on image quality.”
Outstanding Resolution In A Compact Lens
Sony’s advanced optical design and manufacturing technology brings extraordinary resolution, beautiful bokeh, and precise focusing performance to a compact lens that fits comfortably in the palm of your hand, weighing just 18.5 ounces (524 grams) and measuring 3 inches dia. x 3 ⅞ inches (76 mm dia. x 96 mm) with a filter diameter of Φ67mm. The FE 35mm F1.4 GM features advanced optical technology that delivers stunning contrast and superb resolution. Two XA (extreme aspherical) elements effectively maintain excellent resolution throughout the image area. Thanks to an ED glass element and other optical refinements, the new FE 35mm F1.4 GM performs well in difficult lighting by effectively suppressing chromatic aberration and purple fringing for breathtaking results.
Beautiful Bokeh
The FE 35mm F1.4 GM delivers an almost circular aperture thanks to its 11-blade construction – a rare level of quality for a compact lens. Spherical aberration control at both the design and the manufacturing stages contributes to beautiful bokeh – a signature characteristic of Sony’s G Master lens lineup.
Two innovative XA elements contribute to impressive close-ups with smooth, creamy background bokeh. The combination of F1.4 maximum aperture and the flexibility to choose the perfect shooting distance (minimum focusing distance of just 10.6 inches (27cm) with a maximum magnification of 0.23x in autofocus mode) allows for ultimate control and stunning bokeh when shooting both stills and video.
Advanced Focus For Enhanced Imagery
Two of Sony’s XD (extreme dynamic) Linear Motors provide the high thrust efficiency needed for precise AF (autofocus) and tracking – resulting in outstanding resolution at any distance. State-of-the-art control algorithms, developed specifically for the XD Linear Motors, improve control response and precision while minimizing vibration and noise for fast, smooth and silent AF performance.
Advanced focusing can also be achieved when shooting at a high frame rate.
Linear Response MF ensures the focus ring responds to subtle control when focusing manually and is ideal for creative focusing effects when shooting video. The focus ring rotation translates directly to a corresponding change in focus, so control feels immediate and precise.
Professional Control And Reliability
The FE 35mm F1.4 GM offers full professional control including an aperture ring with switchable click stops, a customizable focus hold button and a focus mode switch that all support smooth, efficient operation. The focus hold button can be assigned to several other functions via a camera body menu, providing direct access to functions that are vital to both photographers and videographers.
When mounted to an APS-C or Super 35 camera, the compact and lightweight FE 35mm F1.4 GM can be used as a standard lens equivalent to 52.5mm full-frame equivalent angle of view, making the it the perfect choice for creating videos. Additional video advantages include the de-clickable aperture, fast linear AF and linear response manual focus.
The FE 35mm F1.4 GM features a dust and moisture resistant[i] design and a fluorine front element coating that repels water, oil and other contaminants.
Pricing And Availability
The new FE 35mm F1.4 GM will be available in February and will be sold for approximately $1,399.99 USD and $1,899.99 CAD. It will be sold at a variety of Sony’s authorized dealers throughout North America.
Specs
Focal Length: 35mm
Maximum Aperture: f/1.4
Minimum Aperture: f/16
Lens Mount: Sony E
Format Compatibility: Full-Frame
Angle of View: 63°
Minimum Focus Distance: 9.8″ / 25 cm
Maximum Magnification: 0.26x
Optical Design: 14 Elements in 10 Groups
Diaphragm Blades: 11, Rounded
Focus Type: Autofocus
Image Stabilization: No
Filter Size: 67 mm (Front)
Dimensions (ø x L): 3 x 3.8″ / 76 x 96 mm
Weight: 1.2 lb / 524 g
Published: April 3, 2021
Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,398 from B&H Photo | Amazon | Adorama) is an ideal lens for street and documentary photography offering a fast F1.4 maximum aperture, lightning fast autofocus and compact form factor.
As a G Master lens, it offers advanced optical design for well-corrected imagery with a high degree of sharpness and clarity. Two XA (eXtreme Aspherical) elements and one extra-low dispersion element reduce a variety of aberrations, color fringing, and distortion, and the optics are complemented by a Nano AR II coating that also suppresses flare and ghosting for improved contrast.
XD Linear Motor system that uses two separate focusing motors to deliver especially quiet, precise, and quick autofocus performance in a compact form factor. It’s dust- and moisture-sealed design and fluorine-coated front lens element to support shooting in inclement weather.
FIELD TEST:
Sony a7R IV + FE 35mm F1.4 GM • 1/400 • F4.5 • ISO 320
Sony a7R IV + FE 35mm F1.4 GM • 1/640 • F4 • ISO 320
Sony Alpha 1 + FE 35mm F1.4 GM • 1/3200 • F1.4 • ISO 100
Sony Alpha 1 + FE 35mm F1.4 GM • 1/20 • F2.8 • ISO 100
Sony Alpha 1 + FE 35mm F1.4 GM • 1/80 • F1.4 • ISO 100
Sony Alpha 1 + FE 35mm F1.4 GM • 1/80 • F1.4 • ISO 500
Sony Alpha 1 + FE 35mm F1.4 GM • 0.8 sec • F16 • ISO 100
Sony Alpha 1 + FE 35mm F1.4 GM • 1/25 • F1.4 • ISO 500
SPECS:
SIZE:
Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM measures 3 x 3.8″ / 76 x 96 mm (diameter x length)
WEIGHT:
Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM tips the scales at 1.2 lb / 524 g
FILTERS:
Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM has a 67mm Front Filter Tread
LENS CONTROLS:
Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM includes customizable Focus Hold button, AF/MF Switch
WEATHER SEALING:
Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM is dust- and moisture-sealed for working in inclement weather.
IMAGE STABILIZATION:
There is no optical stabilization on this lens. Many Sony camera bodies have built-in sensor-shift stabilization.
AUTO FOCUS:
Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM features two XD Linear Focus actuators for extremely fast and precise focus tracking and responsive Eye AF.
MINIMUM FOCUS DISTANCE:
Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM minimum focus distance is 9.8″ (25 cm) and maximum magnification of 0.26x
APERTURE:
Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM has 11 rounded aperture blades for smooth, rounded bokeh
APERTURE RING:
Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM has a de-clickable aperture ring
FORMAT:
Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM covers full frame sensor and smaller.
OPTICAL DESIGN:
Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM features an advanced optical design of 14 Elements in 10 Groups including a series of XA, aspherical, Super ED, and ED elements, which combine to reduce a variety of aberrations and distortions for a high degree of sharpness, accurate rendering, and notable color accuracy. An updated Nano AR Coating II has also been applied, which suppresses flare and ghosting for greater contrast when working in bright and backlit conditions.
LENS CHARTS:
IN THE BOX:
Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM comes with front & rear lens caps, lens hood & a padded lens pouch.
PRICE:
Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM has a street price of $1,398 USD
LENS COMPARISONS
Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM -vs- Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA
| Lens | Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM | Sony FE 35mm F1.4 ZA |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions (ø x L) | 3.0 x 3.8″ / 76 x 96 mm | 3.1 x 4.4″ / 78.5 x 112mm |
| Weight | 1.2 lb / 524 g | 1.39 lb / 630 g |
| Filter Size | 67mm (Front) | 72mm (Front) |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 9.8″ / 25 cm | 11.81″ / 30 cm |
| Maximum Magnification | 0.26x | 0.18x |
| Optical Design | 14 Elements in 10 Groups | 12 Elements in 8 Groups |
| Diaphragm Blades | 11, Rounded | 9, Rounded |
| Aperture Ring | Yes | Yes |
| Focus Type | Dual XD Linear Motors | XD Linear Motor |
| Image Stabilization | No | No |
| Price (USD) | $1,398 | $998 |
Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM ($1,398) and Sony FE 35mm F1.4 ZA ($998) both offer excellent optical performance but the GM offers considerably better corner sharpness. Thanks to its four XD Linear AF motors, the Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM offers faster autofocus and much smoother bokeh due to use of two XA (eXtreme Aspherical) elements. Sony dropped the price of the FE 35mm F1.4 ZA $600 after the release of FE 35mm F1.4 GM so the GM will set you back $400 more than its Zeiss brother.
Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM -vs- Sigma 35mm f/1.2 DG DN Art
Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM ($1,398) and Sigma 35mm f/1.2 DG DN Art ($1,499) both offer excellent optical performance. The Sigma 35mm F1.2 Art is half a stop faster, but considerably larger and double the weight at 2.4 lbs. Thanks to its four XD Linear AF motors, the Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM offers faster autofocus and much smoother bokeh due to use of two XA (eXtreme Aspherical) elements. Sigma 35mm F1.2 Art will set you back a hundred bucks more.
| Lens | Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM | Sigma 35mm f/1.2 DG DN Art |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions (ø x L) | 3.0 x 3.8″ / 76 x 96 mm | 3.5 x 5.4″ / 88 x 136mm |
| Weight | 1.2 lb / 524 g | 2.4 lb / 1090 g |
| Filter Size | 67mm (Front) | 82mm (Front) |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 9.8″ / 25 cm | 11.81″ / 30 cm |
| Maximum Magnification | 0.26x | 0.19x |
| Optical Design | 14 Elements in 10 Groups | 17 Elements in 12 Groups |
| Diaphragm Blades | 11, Rounded | 11, Rounded |
| Aperture Ring | Yes | Yes |
| Focus Type | Dual XD Linear Motors | Rotational Stepping Motor |
| Image Stabilization | No | No |
| Price (USD) | $1,398 | $1,499 |
Order Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM Lens from B&H Photo | Amazon | Sony
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