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Archive 2019 · Do we have a 35mm winner yet?

Neurad1
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Do we have a 35mm winner yet?

I suspect that this topic has been hashed and rehashed to death. Sorry. But just to update the discussion, what is currently considered the best FE mount native (non-adapted) 35mm lens?

I have the Loxia and like but do not love it...mostly because in my rookie hands the bokeh is very annoyingly busy when I shoot WO.

Edited on Feb 15, 2019 at 11:46 AM · View previous versions

Feb 15, 2019 at 11:34 AM

GMPhotography
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Do we have a 35mm winner yet?

For me it’s still out for debate. No clear answer. That’s me though

Feb 15, 2019 at 11:40 AM

jhinkey
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Do we have a 35mm winner yet?

As usual with these questions, it all depends on what you mean by "best".
E.g., my 35/2.8 Sony is the best travel lens for my A7RIII due to my travel gear weight and size requirements, but not the best for just about anything else.

35/2 Lox - Not really good until stopped down (so why pay for f/2?)

35/2 RX1-R - Unfortunately it can't be mounted to my A7RIII

- J

Feb 15, 2019 at 12:15 PM

grahamgibson
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Do we have a 35mm winner yet?

Maybe the Voigtlander 40/1.2 if you can deal with a slightly longer focal length.

Feb 15, 2019 at 12:50 PM

GabrielPhoto
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Do we have a 35mm winner yet?

For me after testing 6 copies of the zeiss (4 owned), one Sigma Art and the mighty Canon 35mm 1.4 L ii, MY winner was the Samyang AF 35mm 1.4. IQ, specially sharpness away from the center was better than any other. Technically in terms of no CA the winner is the Canon but it was still not as sharp as the Samyang away from the center plus a LOT more money.
For video AF though, wouldnt be my first choice. For photos though...I am happy, but if a GM comes out, I will surely check it out.
Just make sure to grab the USB dock to update it as earlier firmware sfor Samyang had AF issues.

Feb 15, 2019 at 12:53 PM

MrTMan
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Do we have a 35mm winner yet?

Honestly, I think the best 35 is the 35/1.4. It really is a great lens if you can get a good one. The only real drawbacks are onion rings, maybe a touch more CA than I'd like, and the fact it loses some sharpness off center (but off-center sharpness is still good enough, on a good copy).

Otherwise, I think the best 35 is the 24 GM or the Loxia 25 in crop mode!

Given that I'm happy with the 35/1.4, personally, I'd love to see a Loxia 35/2 with the same quality as the Loxia 21, 25 and 85.

I do think the Loxia 35 is a better lens than it gets credit for (the color/contrast is great at large apertures; my copy is actually reasonably sharp in the center at f/2; the bokeh is fine when shooting at close distances), although I'm also well aware of its flaws.

Feb 15, 2019 at 12:55 PM

Neurad1
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Do we have a 35mm winner yet?

jhinkey wrote:
As usual with these questions, it all depends on what you mean by "best".
E.g., my 35/2.8 Sony is the best travel lens for my A7RIII due to my travel gear weight and size requirements, but not the best for just about anything else.

35/2 Lox - Not really good until stopped down (so why pay for f/2?)

35/2 RX1-R - Unfortunately it can't be mounted to my A7RIII

- J

The "depends" part is useful, so that's actually valuable info.

I already own the Loxia, so that's sunk $$$. I also already own the RX1 (not the RX1R, unfortunately), but carrying a whole extra body to have that lens adds bulk and size that I don't want/need when traveling. I realize that I didn't ask about traveling considerations.

So.....

Feb 15, 2019 at 01:26 PM

JANDU
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Do we have a 35mm winner yet?

For me, the ZM 35 f1.4 is the best in this focal length. With TAP, it can be used for AF and even EyeAF. If you want it to be perfect, you can use a modifier to further enhance its PQ.

It is compact, has no problem with copy variations, excellent PQ and also can be used for AF/MF as well. May not be the cheapest, however, it is one likely that would last the longest.

Feb 15, 2019 at 03:25 PM

Surfnsun
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Do we have a 35mm winner yet?

This and the newer Batis 40. It’s close enough for me. At this point, I think I prefer 40 to 35. Strange huh...

grahamgibson wrote:
Maybe the Voigtlander 40/1.2 if you can deal with a slightly longer focal length.

Feb 15, 2019 at 04:02 PM

shac
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Do we have a 35mm winner yet?

For me it's the Loxia - "warts" and all.
Luckily we have choices

Feb 15, 2019 at 04:20 PM

Viramati
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Do we have a 35mm winner yet?

not yet but for now it's the 24GM in crop mode

Feb 15, 2019 at 04:22 PM

Steve Spencer
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Do we have a 35mm winner yet?

I use several options. When I want the best IQ and don't care about a huge lens I use the Milvus 35 f/1.4 (of course that is adapted). For more typical usage I am quite happy with the CV 40 f/1.2. If I wanted small and light I would go for the 35 f/2.8 ZA. Still I would love for the rumors of a 35 f/1.8 G to be true. It would be a great AF lens to complement what I already use.

Feb 15, 2019 at 04:49 PM

DannyBurkPhoto
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Do we have a 35mm winner yet?

I use several different 35s, depending on what I want:

For highest quality and smooth bokeh, Milvus 35/1.4

Compact, sharp stopped down (landscape), interesting wide open (flowers), Loxia 35

Very compact, wildly interesting bokeh (I only use it wide open for flowers), Voigt Nokton 35/1.4 "Classic"

Feb 15, 2019 at 04:55 PM

Neurad1
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Do we have a 35mm winner yet?

JANDU wrote:
For me, the ZM 35 f1.4 is the best in this focal length. With TAP, it can be used for AF and even EyeAF. If you want it to be perfect, you can use a modifier to further enhance its PQ.

It is compact, has no problem with copy variations, excellent PQ and also can be used for AF/MF as well. May not be the cheapest, however, it is one likely that would last the longest.

Uhhhh TAP? I guess if I need to ask....

Feb 15, 2019 at 05:03 PM

fplstudio
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Do we have a 35mm winner yet?

The Sigma 35 Art is my only lens remaining from the Canon days...which says it all
Tried many E mount 35mm but wide open noone was better for me. The Sigma can have average bokeh but sharpness and colors render beautiful images. It is also a very competent lens for astrophotography having one of the best coma control.
I own the CV40 which I love and I can definitely feel the difference in focal length with a 35mm (probably is a bit longer than 40mm?).

Sigma 35/1.4 Art
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7323/27076423113_2a1a85076a_b.jpg

Edited on Feb 15, 2019 at 10:39 PM · View previous versions

Feb 15, 2019 at 05:13 PM

Aztatlan
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Do we have a 35mm winner yet?

I haven’t used it but the Canon 35/2 IS has a good reputation and is reasonably small, although the adapter will add bulk.

Feb 15, 2019 at 05:22 PM

jerryhze
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Do we have a 35mm winner yet?

24GM in crop +1

Feb 15, 2019 at 05:27 PM

JadedWriter
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Do we have a 35mm winner yet?

Buying an FE 35 1.4...my reaction to that question is always:

Pretty much everything on the market has some draw back. If you don't really need anything for video AF I recommend the Sigma Art FE version, but most of the people on here seem to hate it. I keep hearing great things about the Samyang, but every great thing I here comes with several posts about the lens breaking so it's pretty much a matter of buying from a store and hope they have a good return policy. The Zeiss Distagon is way too over priced to be honest, you're paying for the Zeiss tax IMO. I've seen some great pics off of it though, but at the same time it's a very easy lens to find decentered so it's another one of those buy from a store with a good return policy lenses. I guess it's a matter of just renting one. I honestly blind bought the Sigma Art FE after opening the same exact thread as this.

Samples:

AR202670 by Marcus Beasley, on Flickr

AR202149 by Marcus Beasley, on Flickr

AR202092 by Marcus Beasley, on Flickr

AR203650 by Marcus Beasley, on Flickr

Feb 15, 2019 at 06:40 PM

DaveFP
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Do we have a 35mm winner yet?

My RX1 is my benchmark.

Sony 35/1.4 has the nicest rendering.

The Zeiss 35/2 ZE has the best punch and micro-contrast.

The Sony 2.8 is the easiest to carry.

If I could only have one? - the Sony FE 35/1.4

Feb 15, 2019 at 07:31 PM

ajamils
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Do we have a 35mm winner yet?

Rokninon/Samyang 35/1.4?

Feb 15, 2019 at 08:13 PM

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