Sony 35mm f/1.4 G lens tested on SLRgear
SLRgear tested the Sony 35mm f/1.4
My suggestions is to take a look at the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM Lens (click here to see the lens on amazon)
Click here to read the review: SLRgear.com
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Comment from James: I own one of these, I bought it because ...Comment from admin: Very interesting B shaw. I will ask SLRg...
Comment from b shaw: The reviewer goofed up - For some reason...
Comment from e_dawg: Sony definitely needs to come out with a...
Dulaney Ward
2 years ago |The widely-used Dyxum lens database shows that users have rated this lens at 4.82 out of 5.00–one of the highest ratings given to any Sony lens. It has also been professionally reviewed quite well. For example, Kurt Monger concluded that the lens performed very well on his tests. But the question he had was whether it was worth the substantial premium one pays for it over & above getting a Sony 50/f1.4 instead. He said that yes, it would be, if you really need the wider coverge–for example if you are a journalist who uses the lens daily.
As to sharpness, that may not be the strongest suit of the lens, but other copies have reviewed a lot better than the current review would indicate.
ZVK
2 years ago |Yes, but the old Minolta 35mm/F2 gets the same overall rating: 4.82, and sharpness rating of 4.98 !!
http://www.dyxum.com/lenses/Minolta-AF-35-F2_lens68.html
So maybe SONY needs NEW replacement for the 35/1.4 lens to match today’s quality standards for this price tag.
Chris
2 years ago |I had the Sigma 30mm F1.4 (non-HSM) and now own the 35mm G lens. The G may not be as sharp but the Sigma colors and image coherence leave me cold. The Sigma is very clinical. I have not noticed a real drop-off in sharpness with the G and colors and images captured are much better. I was lucky and got a good copy on flea-bay for $900. My favorite lens on my A550 by far. For whatever reason it focuses much better than anything else I have. Love it.
Evo
2 years ago |“Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC” is not comparable at all.
First, it’s not HSM. Even it states HSM on some of the post from Amazon.com, they are not! I don’t think Sigma did release any “Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC” for Sony with the HSM at all.
Second, Image quality of the “Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC” cannot even compete with it’s brother “Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM”
Third, “Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC” is not full frame.
In my opinion, Overall I would rather spend money on old Minolta optics than Sigma optics.
“Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM” is the only exception.
mike
2 years ago |just some FYI
like all lenses that have large apertures if you miss focus it can be soft, if you nail focus it will be sharp.
you can’t focus and recompose when shooting at f1.4
i’m just saying….
vladR10
2 years ago |it is an old lens. I used it on my 9000xi and 9ti. it has the same optics as the Minolta version launched at the end of the 1980′s. I believe only design and electronics – ADI – have changed. As many other old lenses designed for film, it lacks sharpnes compared to the better in its class, and not only at 1,4. though I must say colour is superb and it’s a great lens for film, or was.
e_dawg
2 years ago |Sony definitely needs to come out with a modern version of the 35/2. This is a fundamental focal length to support for a camera system, and there is no no option for full-frame except for the 35/1.4G. This is a big gap that needs to be filled. Have a nice sharp, compact 35/2 for most applications, and people can use the 35/1.4G for specialized applications.
b shaw
2 years ago |The reviewer goofed up – For some reason, probably an accident, the reviewer changed camera settings when they took the shot of the VFA target – The EXIF for the VFA target showed that he shot at 1/20s, +1EV bias, used the “Clear” creative control, and on the creative setting adjustments, apparently he greatly decreased the contrast, saturation, and brightness settings. Plus, he manually focused the image – because he goofed on the settings, it puts into question his ability to focus the camera properly. – If the EXIF is reliable, of course the image appears soft, he set the camera that way!
Here is an image of the EXIF data as reported by ExifTool – http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/942989933_RFXqy-O.jpg
admin
2 years ago |Very interesting B shaw. I will ask SLRgear what happened!
James
2 years ago |I own one of these, I bought it because of what I read on Dyxum and some photos other people had taken with the earlier versions. Its in a class of its own in every way, sure it is not tack sharp at 1.4 but its useable. @ f2 its pretty sharp the color is awesome, and the build is something else its made of metal and has the same finish as the metal parts of the KM7D no other lens has that finish (black speckle paint) I wont get rid of it.