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Archive 2021Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
p.35 #1Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
For the first time, I'm considering parting with my Zeiss ZM 35mm f/1.4 Distagon.
Jan 14, 2021 at 11:27 AM
p.35 #2Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
MAubrey wrote:
For the first time, I'm considering parting with my Zeiss ZM 35mm f/1.4 Distagon.
I am in the same boat...might switch from the Pentax 31, which has been my most stable and used 35mm.
For the first time, I'm considering parting with my Zeiss ZM 35mm f/1.4 Distagon.
I am in the same boat...might switch from the Pentax 31, which has been my most stable and used 35mm.
Jan 14, 2021 at 11:34 AM
p.35 #3Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
MAubrey wrote:
For the first time, I'm considering parting with my Zeiss ZM 35mm f/1.4 Distagon.
Also: will you post crops of how it performs on your modded sensor?
For the first time, I'm considering parting with my Zeiss ZM 35mm f/1.4 Distagon.
Also: will you post crops of how it performs on your modded sensor?
Jan 14, 2021 at 11:50 AM
p.35 #4Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
I keep ZM 35mm F1.4 and Pentax 31mm F1.9 limited.
I will take more time with them till GM35 f1.4 price is down (used market end of Spring or summer)
I will take more time with them till GM35 f1.4 price is down (used market end of Spring or summer)
Jan 14, 2021 at 11:52 AM
p.35 #5Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
nehemiahphoto wrote:
Also: will you post crops of how it performs on your modded sensor?
The ZM or the new Sony?
MAubrey wrote
For the first time, I'm considering parting with my Zeiss ZM 35mm f/1.4 Distagon.The ZM or the new Sony?
Jan 14, 2021 at 11:58 AM
p.35 #6Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
I meant the GM 35–I know the ZM 35 is impressive.
Jan 14, 2021 at 12:06 PM
p.35 #7Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
ramesesthe2nd wrote:
I am going to keep Sigma 35/1.2 as my indoors and around the neighborhood lens and use Sony Zeiss 35/2.8 as my walk around/travel lens for now. Those of you pre-ordering this lens tomorrow, you are the real MVP. As someone else said earlier, next holiday season when half of you realize that 35mm is not the FL for you and Sony is discounting this lens ~ 30% (like they did for 24 GM last month) is when I will happily buy this lens for $1000 on B&S Forum. Cheers!
IMO neither Sigma nor Sony are compact enough to be a comfortable walk around lens. Both are big (Sigma is just on the extreme end of that big). In my mind, Sigma gives me the justification to keep Sony 35/2.8 ZA or Sigma 45/2.8 C around as a general purpose walk around lens; both are compact enough and cheap enough that I wouldn't worry too much about handing it over to my wife for taking kids pictures when we are outdoors and my wife doesn't mind carrying the camera in her purse/bag (a huge feature for me).
I just switched my walkaround lens from Sony 35/2.8 ZA to Sigma 45/2.8 C. Both are tiny lenses where adding a lens hood will materially change how big it looks on the A7C. Great to have a coat pocketable combo in time for winter.
Definitely isn't a subsitute for a high quality fast 35mm though. I'm still slumming it with the Sigma 35 1.4 Art DSLR version but I look forward to eventually getting one of the fast 35mm mirrorless designs.
nhsonyshooter wrote
ramesesthe2nd wrote
I purchased Sigma 35/1.2 last week and my jaw is still on the floor from its amazing IQ. The Sony seems as good, if not better, than the Sigma. Kudos to Sony for keeping these high quality GM lenses small and compact and not go the Canon and Nikon route of making oversized giant lenses. That being said, this lens is almost the same weight as Tamron 28-75mm zoom. I don't think it will be pleasant to walk around with this lens on a full frame body. It certainly is better than Sigma 35/1.2, but nobody buys that lens hoping they will get used to its weight.I am going to keep Sigma 35/1.2 as my indoors and around the neighborhood lens and use Sony Zeiss 35/2.8 as my walk around/travel lens for now. Those of you pre-ordering this lens tomorrow, you are the real MVP. As someone else said earlier, next holiday season when half of you realize that 35mm is not the FL for you and Sony is discounting this lens ~ 30% (like they did for 24 GM last month) is when I will happily buy this lens for $1000 on B&S Forum. Cheers!
IMO neither Sigma nor Sony are compact enough to be a comfortable walk around lens. Both are big (Sigma is just on the extreme end of that big). In my mind, Sigma gives me the justification to keep Sony 35/2.8 ZA or Sigma 45/2.8 C around as a general purpose walk around lens; both are compact enough and cheap enough that I wouldn't worry too much about handing it over to my wife for taking kids pictures when we are outdoors and my wife doesn't mind carrying the camera in her purse/bag (a huge feature for me).
I just switched my walkaround lens from Sony 35/2.8 ZA to Sigma 45/2.8 C. Both are tiny lenses where adding a lens hood will materially change how big it looks on the A7C. Great to have a coat pocketable combo in time for winter.
Definitely isn't a subsitute for a high quality fast 35mm though. I'm still slumming it with the Sigma 35 1.4 Art DSLR version but I look forward to eventually getting one of the fast 35mm mirrorless designs.
Jan 14, 2021 at 12:11 PM
p.35 #8Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
nehemiahphoto wrote:
I meant the GM 35–I know the ZM 35 is impressive.
I've been shooting with the ZM 35/1.4 on the Leica M10 and it's indeed amazing in terms of high contrast/resolution across the field and low aberration.
Rendering is another story though. I do like that high micro-contrast Zeiss look but OOF rendering is harsh at transition zone. I can easily identify images from this lens from the busy rendering which is very evident at mid-distance.
I meant the GM 35–I know the ZM 35 is impressive.
I've been shooting with the ZM 35/1.4 on the Leica M10 and it's indeed amazing in terms of high contrast/resolution across the field and low aberration.
Rendering is another story though. I do like that high micro-contrast Zeiss look but OOF rendering is harsh at transition zone. I can easily identify images from this lens from the busy rendering which is very evident at mid-distance.
Jan 14, 2021 at 12:16 PM
p.35 #9Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
Jesse Evans wrote:
When you realize the 24 and 35 GM combined weigh 969g and the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2 weighs 950g...
So you're saying I could save weight by switching to Canon and zooming with my feet?
When you realize the 24 and 35 GM combined weigh 969g and the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2 weighs 950g...
So you're saying I could save weight by switching to Canon and zooming with my feet?
Jan 14, 2021 at 12:20 PM
p.35 #10Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
This lens looks really really nice. Sony's GM primes are definitely the "best"(or My Preferred) set out of all system out there. Very impressive engineering. 
It is not unexpected TBH after seeing other offers carrying GM label. This lens definitely tip the balance to get Sony for next buy : a7sIII or A9II with 24/35/85 gm.
It is not unexpected TBH after seeing other offers carrying GM label. This lens definitely tip the balance to get Sony for next buy : a7sIII or A9II with 24/35/85 gm.
Jan 14, 2021 at 12:26 PM
p.35 #11Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
hesb wrote:
Well the planar 50mm is a fine lens... But its AF performance is not on the same league than the 135 and 35gm, the rendering is ok but not as smooth as the sigma or the voigtlander nokton, the weight is ok, but not as light as these 24 and 35 GM
Not to say that the sharpness at mid frame is okish at best.
All in all, a fine lens, but definitely not the ultimate 50mm we could expect from a GM lens like the 135 or this 35mm. We definitely know now that sony is capable of making a light...Show more →
I'm not sure that we could describe the 135mm as "light". It's not that much different than the Sigma 35/1.2. Guess that it takes some substantial glass to make such lenses.
Well the planar 50mm is a fine lens... But its AF performance is not on the same league than the 135 and 35gm, the rendering is ok but not as smooth as the sigma or the voigtlander nokton, the weight is ok, but not as light as these 24 and 35 GM
Not to say that the sharpness at mid frame is okish at best.
All in all, a fine lens, but definitely not the ultimate 50mm we could expect from a GM lens like the 135 or this 35mm. We definitely know now that sony is capable of making a light...Show more →
I'm not sure that we could describe the 135mm as "light". It's not that much different than the Sigma 35/1.2. Guess that it takes some substantial glass to make such lenses.
Jan 14, 2021 at 12:34 PM
p.35 #12Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
Fred Miranda wrote:
I've been shooting with the ZM 35/1.4 on the Leica M10 and it's indeed amazing in terms of high contrast/resolution across the field and low aberration.
Rendering is another story though. I do like that high micro-contrast Zeiss look but OOF rendering is harsh at transition zone. I can easily identify images from this lens from the busy rendering which is very evident at mid-distance.
Yes--I borrowed mine and some others lenses to Sebboh a while ago on his Kolari UT for his sensor stack article at PhillipReeve. Showed superb technical performance. I shot the ZM 35/1.4 as my main 35mm for about a year. I have the same conclusions as you mostly. I really like it near MFD and closer to infinity and stopped down a bit, but at typical portrait distances I found the uber high micro-contrast look not becoming, difficult to process out naturally and the transitions I too found harsh. I can ID my images with it instantly. It really has a look though, and for industrial, dogs, nature and urban shooting, I enjoyed it. I ended up swapping mine out for a the CV 35/1.7 and then CV 35/1.2III, but I like both less than the images from my Pentax 31 or RX1, which have been my mainstays for the last 3 or 4 years, the RX1 since it's release. I did pick up an Apoqualia 35/1.4 recently, and that has been a real treat--but it's not corrected well (not supposed to be), especially on stock Sony's.
I anticipate the GM 35 to disinterest me from the ZM 35/1.4, Loxia 35, CV 35/2, 35/1.2III, 35/1.7, Sigma 35/2, Samy 35/1.8, CY 35/1.4, 35 Lux, FE 35 and probably even my Pentax 31. Right now, each of those does somethings well enough, but fails at other things, so always switching among/between them. The GM 35 will probably be not only the most capable in terms of AF, rendering and technical IQ, but I think the files will have something special. Fingers crossed.
nehemiahphoto wrote
I meant the GM 35–I know the ZM 35 is impressive.Rendering is another story though. I do like that high micro-contrast Zeiss look but OOF rendering is harsh at transition zone. I can easily identify images from this lens from the busy rendering which is very evident at mid-distance.
Yes--I borrowed mine and some others lenses to Sebboh a while ago on his Kolari UT for his sensor stack article at PhillipReeve. Showed superb technical performance. I shot the ZM 35/1.4 as my main 35mm for about a year. I have the same conclusions as you mostly. I really like it near MFD and closer to infinity and stopped down a bit, but at typical portrait distances I found the uber high micro-contrast look not becoming, difficult to process out naturally and the transitions I too found harsh. I can ID my images with it instantly. It really has a look though, and for industrial, dogs, nature and urban shooting, I enjoyed it. I ended up swapping mine out for a the CV 35/1.7 and then CV 35/1.2III, but I like both less than the images from my Pentax 31 or RX1, which have been my mainstays for the last 3 or 4 years, the RX1 since it's release. I did pick up an Apoqualia 35/1.4 recently, and that has been a real treat--but it's not corrected well (not supposed to be), especially on stock Sony's.
I anticipate the GM 35 to disinterest me from the ZM 35/1.4, Loxia 35, CV 35/2, 35/1.2III, 35/1.7, Sigma 35/2, Samy 35/1.8, CY 35/1.4, 35 Lux, FE 35 and probably even my Pentax 31. Right now, each of those does somethings well enough, but fails at other things, so always switching among/between them. The GM 35 will probably be not only the most capable in terms of AF, rendering and technical IQ, but I think the files will have something special. Fingers crossed.
Jan 14, 2021 at 12:35 PM
p.35 #13Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
nehemiahphoto wrote:
I've been shooting with the ZM 35/1.4 on the Leica M10 and it's indeed amazing in terms of high contrast/resolution across the field and low aberration.
Rendering is another story though. I do like that high micro-contrast Zeiss look but OOF rendering is harsh at transition zone. I can easily identify images from this lens from the busy rendering which is very evident at mid-distance.Yes--I borrowed mine and some others lenses to Sebboh a while ago on his Kolari UT for his sensor stack article at PhillipReeve. Showed superb technical performance. I shot the ZM 35/1.4 as my main 35mm for about a year. I have the same conclusions as you mostly. I really like it near MFD and closer to infinity and stopped down a bit, but at typical portrait distances I found the uber high micro-contrast look not becoming, difficult to process out naturally and the transitions I too found harsh. I can ID my images with it instantly. It really has...Show more →
I think this GM is the best I can expect for modern fast AF glass in term of size and weight.
However, I don't know it (76X96mm) will replace small lenses like Sigma i or small manual 35mm FOR ME. My major complain for lens like this is not weight but size.
That was one of reasons I almost never want to bring my 50mm f1.8S (76X86mm) travel with me at the time I have it, it only weight about 400g, but more than double (triple for some) volume of any Leica M 50mm glasses. When you pack a few, size add up quickly. For travelling, AF is never a priority for me but size is. Unless I am forced to limit my choice with a single prime lens for each focal, I won't be happy with either a fast big one, or a small slow AF, fast MF one.
Edited on Jan 14, 2021 at 01:01 PM · View previous versions
Fred Miranda wrote
nehemiahphoto wrote
I meant the GM 35–I know the ZM 35 is impressive.Rendering is another story though. I do like that high micro-contrast Zeiss look but OOF rendering is harsh at transition zone. I can easily identify images from this lens from the busy rendering which is very evident at mid-distance.
I think this GM is the best I can expect for modern fast AF glass in term of size and weight.
However, I don't know it (76X96mm) will replace small lenses like Sigma i or small manual 35mm FOR ME. My major complain for lens like this is not weight but size.
That was one of reasons I almost never want to bring my 50mm f1.8S (76X86mm) travel with me at the time I have it, it only weight about 400g, but more than double (triple for some) volume of any Leica M 50mm glasses. When you pack a few, size add up quickly. For travelling, AF is never a priority for me but size is. Unless I am forced to limit my choice with a single prime lens for each focal, I won't be happy with either a fast big one, or a small slow AF, fast MF one.
Edited on Jan 14, 2021 at 01:01 PM · View previous versions
Jan 14, 2021 at 12:52 PM
p.35 #14Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
zhangyue wrote:
I've been shooting with the ZM 35/1.4 on the Leica M10 and it's indeed amazing in terms of high contrast/resolution across the field and low aberration.
Rendering is another story though. I do like that high micro-contrast Zeiss look but OOF rendering is harsh at transition zone. I can easily identify images from this lens from the busy rendering which is very evident at mid-distance.Yes--I borrowed mine and some others lenses to Sebboh a while ago on his Kolari UT for his sensor stack article at PhillipReeve. Showed superb technical performance. I shot the ZM 35/1.4 as my main 35mm for about a year. I have the same conclusions as you mostly. I really like it near MFD and closer to infinity and stopped down a bit, but at typical portrait distances I found the uber high micro-contrast look not becoming, difficult to process out naturally and the transitions I too found harsh. I can ID my images with it instantly. It really has a look though, and for industrial, dogs, nature and urban shooting, I enjoyed it. I ended up swapping mine out for a the CV 35/1.7 and then CV 35/1.2III, but I like both less than the images from my Pentax 31 or RX1, which have been my mainstays for the last 3 or 4 years, the RX1 since it's release. I did pick up an Apoqualia 35/1.4 recently, and that has been a real treat--but it's not corrected well (not supposed to be), especially on stock Sony's.
I anticipate the GM 35 to disinterest me from the ZM 35/1.4, Loxia 35, CV 35/2, 35/1.2III, 35/1.7, Sigma 35/2, Samy 35/1.8, CY 35/1.4, 35 Lux, FE 35 and probably even my Pentax 31. Right now, each of those does somethings well enough, but fails at other things, so always switching among/between them. The GM 35 will probably be not only the most capable in terms of AF, rendering and technical IQ, but I think the files will have something special. Fingers crossed.I think this GM is the best I can expect for modern fast AF glass in term of size and weight.
However, I don't know it (76X96mm) will replace small lenses like Sigma i or small manual 35mm FOR ME. My major complain for lens like this is not weight but size.
That was one of reasons I almost never want to bring my 50mm f1.8S (76X86mm) travel with me at the time I have it, it only weight about 400g, but more than double (triple for some) volume of any Leica M 50mm glasses. When you pack a few,...Show more →
I agree entirely. That’s why I will keep my RX1 and Apoqualia, not only for the renderings, and that I can use the Apoqualia on my RF’s, but the size. I have a typical kit of a converted Contax G21 (w/PCX), 35 Apoqualia and 73mm Sonnetar. In total it weighs under 600g and is so tiny—goes everywhere and fits anywhere. Love the images too.
Edited on Jan 14, 2021 at 01:34 PM · View previous versions
nehemiahphoto wrote
Fred Miranda wrote
nehemiahphoto wrote
I meant the GM 35–I know the ZM 35 is impressive.Rendering is another story though. I do like that high micro-contrast Zeiss look but OOF rendering is harsh at transition zone. I can easily identify images from this lens from the busy rendering which is very evident at mid-distance.
I anticipate the GM 35 to disinterest me from the ZM 35/1.4, Loxia 35, CV 35/2, 35/1.2III, 35/1.7, Sigma 35/2, Samy 35/1.8, CY 35/1.4, 35 Lux, FE 35 and probably even my Pentax 31. Right now, each of those does somethings well enough, but fails at other things, so always switching among/between them. The GM 35 will probably be not only the most capable in terms of AF, rendering and technical IQ, but I think the files will have something special. Fingers crossed.
However, I don't know it (76X96mm) will replace small lenses like Sigma i or small manual 35mm FOR ME. My major complain for lens like this is not weight but size.
That was one of reasons I almost never want to bring my 50mm f1.8S (76X86mm) travel with me at the time I have it, it only weight about 400g, but more than double (triple for some) volume of any Leica M 50mm glasses. When you pack a few,...Show more →
I agree entirely. That’s why I will keep my RX1 and Apoqualia, not only for the renderings, and that I can use the Apoqualia on my RF’s, but the size. I have a typical kit of a converted Contax G21 (w/PCX), 35 Apoqualia and 73mm Sonnetar. In total it weighs under 600g and is so tiny—goes everywhere and fits anywhere. Love the images too.
Edited on Jan 14, 2021 at 01:34 PM · View previous versions
Jan 14, 2021 at 12:57 PM
p.35 #15Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
Well my pre-order is in! Woo-hoo! Let the countdown begin. I went with my local camera shop in order to support local businesses during these tough times. I’d like to encourage everyone else to do the same. Normally I’m not one to make these kind of posts, but it makes a difference.
Jan 14, 2021 at 01:16 PM
p.35 #16Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
vdo1 wrote:
Fred Miranda wrote
vdo1 wrote
Fred Miranda wrote
Dave Sanders wrote
wind30 wrote
Did u see the sample i posted above? Ca seems on the level of my 24mm gm which to me is moderate.I love everything abouut the 24mm , weight bokeh. Except loca which to me is not low.
[...]
People just "love" or "don't like" or even "hate" a lens. And they pick their favorite. And then they use all those tests in order to justify to themselves (and unfortunately, in no civil terms, to others on the forum too) why they didn't make a different choice.
Let's be honest about it. And please feel free to love whatever lens you fancy, and then unapologetically buy and enjoy it.
But where would this forum be without a good lens trashing thread once in a while?
I will have the Sigma 35/2 DG DN and Voigtlander 35/1.2 III to compare. Perhaps other FM members will have other lenses to compare to the new GM.
There's a bunch of fresh video reviews posted at our favorite rumors site. Beware of Tony's, for some reason he's trying to look and sound like Bad Santa.
I don't like Tony as a person and he often says some really stupid stuff, but his review was actually fairly helpful for seeing differences between several other lenses as he used the 240mp mode on the a7R IV and compared them that way. Now, obviously that's not how most people will be shooting this lens, but from a stress test point of view it's very interesting and clearly shows the GM as being much sharper across the frame and with better aberration correction than other lenses.
Jan 14, 2021 at 02:25 PM
p.35 #17Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
Fred Miranda wrote:
hiepphotog wrote
wind30 wrote
another comparison of LoCA from lenstip.https://www.lenstip.com/598.10-Lens_review-Sony_FE_35_mm_f_1.4_GM_Autofocus.html
https://www.lenstip.com/566.10-Lens_review-Sigma_A_35_mm_f_1.2_DG_DN_Autofocus.html
Is this the kind that can be easily removed in post, or no?
Jan 14, 2021 at 02:37 PM
p.35 #18Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
Teo Rey wrote:
Is this the kind that can be easily removed in post, or no?
No, the kind that can be easily remove is lateral chromatic aberration.
Is this the kind that can be easily removed in post, or no?
No, the kind that can be easily remove is lateral chromatic aberration.
Jan 14, 2021 at 02:44 PM
p.35 #19Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
More out of curiosity than real consideration given it weighs 29.372 lbs and is taller than my camera backpack, but now that the Sigma 35 1.2 is plummeting / will plummet in value and like new copies can be found on B&S already below $1K, well below new GM + tax pricing, is there any respect in which the Sigma seems to outperform the GM at common apertures (from f/1.4, I know you get f/1.2 with Sigma...) based on early reviews?
My quick, casual scan of reviews doesn't suggest much (maybe focus breathing, that's crazy multi-mm focus breathing on the GM... maybe it is a 40mm + lens up close?)
My quick, casual scan of reviews doesn't suggest much (maybe focus breathing, that's crazy multi-mm focus breathing on the GM... maybe it is a 40mm + lens up close?)
Jan 14, 2021 at 04:44 PM
p.35 #20Pre-order: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM ($1,399)
Looks like Sony finally answered to all those asking for that 35 1.4 GM. Not sure whether this lens is for me, as I've realized I more often reach for the 55 1.8 than the 35 1.8, when I need AF. I also have the CV 35, which is my go to 35mm for landscapes.
Then again, I'm happy that they made this lens (can we now stop complaining about a lack of great 35mm primes in e-mount, please?). Like Fred and others, I'm positively surprised that they managed to come up with what looks like a very reasonable compromise between performance, rendering, size and weight.
It's funny how things have changed, no? Initially, the expectation was that e-mount would allow Sony to come up with more compact designs primarily or exclusively in the range of (U)WA focal lengths. Sure enough, they did so with some of their UWA zooms and the 24 GM. This wasn't going to work with the 35 GM, but apparently it did.
Any (optical) insights/educated guesses what that would mean for a future 50 GM? It seems to me that with the arrival of the 35 GM and the rumored release of that 16 1.8 GM, the only major fast aperture, standard FL combinations carrying a GM label that are missing are the 28 and 50 FL's (plus more primes between 200mm and 500mm).
Then again, I'm happy that they made this lens (can we now stop complaining about a lack of great 35mm primes in e-mount, please
?). Like Fred and others, I'm positively surprised that they managed to come up with what looks like a very reasonable compromise between performance, rendering, size and weight.It's funny how things have changed, no? Initially, the expectation was that e-mount would allow Sony to come up with more compact designs primarily or exclusively in the range of (U)WA focal lengths. Sure enough, they did so with some of their UWA zooms and the 24 GM. This wasn't going to work with the 35 GM, but apparently it did.
Any (optical) insights/educated guesses what that would mean for a future 50 GM? It seems to me that with the arrival of the 35 GM and the rumored release of that 16 1.8 GM, the only major fast aperture, standard FL combinations carrying a GM label that are missing are the 28 and 50 FL's (plus more primes between 200mm and 500mm).
Jan 14, 2021 at 04:49 PM