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Archive 2021 · A weighty matter: Comparing Sigma 35mm f1.4 vs. Sony 35mm f1.4:

onthebeam
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · A weighty matter: Comparing Sigma 35mm f1.4 vs. Sony 35mm f1.4:

Now that YET ANOTHER 35mm has been announced, it's time to fish or cut bait! Since the Sigma 35mm f2 has impressed, I had hoped the 35mm f1.4 might be the home run winner.

NOPE! Very surprised that despite the good price of $899 vs $1398, the Sigma is quite heavy in comparison. I switched to Sony for great optics AND lighten camera bag load. Personally, I'm disappointed in this just announced Sigma's weight:

Sony weight: 18.48 ounces / 524 grams
Sigma weight: 22.57 ounces / 640 grams

For a lens that hits the sweet spot between size, weight, and speed, with excellent optics, I use the Sony 24mm f1.4 as the benchmark:

Sony 24mm f1.4 weight:
15.7 ounces / 445 grams

You'll note the Sigma is also a bit longer. Both Sony and Sigma take 67mm filters.

Edited on Apr 21, 2021 at 07:45 AM · View previous versions

Apr 21, 2021 at 07:11 AM

Ayoul
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · A weighty matter: Comparing Sigma 35mm f1.4 vs. Sony 35mm f1.4:

I was not expecting Sigma to be more compact than the GM. Trying to make their ART primes more compact is a new thing for them. Sony does that since let's say their 24 1.4 GM...

It's just 10 G heavier than the old Sony Zeiss, and very slightly more compact. If they release a very good lens at 899$ at the size of the old Sony Zeiss, this lens will find its place in a lot of camera bags.

I'm still waiting for my GM to be delivered and this new sigma will probably not make me hesitate, but I think that this lens can be interesting for a lot of people.

Apr 21, 2021 at 07:35 AM

ReleaseDrive
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · A weighty matter: Comparing Sigma 35mm f1.4 vs. Sony 35mm f1.4:

It especially makes sense if you already own the 85mm 1.4 DG DN. I do hope and anticipate that the OOF rendering is nicer than the 35mm f2 sigma which I find to be a bit busy.

Apr 21, 2021 at 08:12 AM

Charlie N
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · A weighty matter: Comparing Sigma 35mm f1.4 vs. Sony 35mm f1.4:

Ayoul wrote:
I was not expecting Sigma to be more compact than the GM. Trying to make their ART primes more compact is a new thing for them. Sony does that since let's say their 24 1.4 GM...

It's just 10 G heavier than the old Sony Zeiss, and very slightly more compact. If they release a very good lens at 899$ at the size of the old Sony Zeiss, this lens will find its place in a lot of camera bags.

I'm still waiting for my GM to be delivered and this new sigma will probably not make me hesitate, but I think...Show more →

or you can get the actual Sony zeiss used. The length difference is negligible 111.5 vs 112mm. Filter size of the sigma is a winner, 67 vs 72.

sony zeiss = first party..... that alone would have me steering in that direction.

Apr 21, 2021 at 08:39 AM

onthebeam
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · A weighty matter: Comparing Sigma 35mm f1.4 vs. Sony 35mm f1.4:

On the plus side:

The price difference between Sony and Sigma is large:

$500 !

Apr 21, 2021 at 11:34 AM

photosbyjaron
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · A weighty matter: Comparing Sigma 35mm f1.4 vs. Sony 35mm f1.4:

onthebeam wrote:
On the plus side:

The price difference between Sony and Sigma is large:

$500 !

If the Sigma 35 is on the same level as their recent 85, the 35 will sell like hotcakes. That $500 price difference nearly gets you 3/4 of the way towards an i65 f/2 or the 105 f/2.8 Art - two of the sharpest AF lenses available for E-mount. I would expect the Sigma to have more distortion, less resistance to flare, and slightly slower AF than the GM. I also expect the sharpness and resolution will be essentially the same. Bokeh and rendering differences will be a matter of taste.

The only two reasons I'm spending the extra $500 is because flare resistance is very important to me. I've also noticed that my RIV struggles to keep up with my pup when he's playing hard, so I want the best AF possible. If it were not for those two considerations, I'd easily pick the Sigma 35 1.4 over the GM and put that $500 towards a Sigma i65 f/2.

Apr 21, 2021 at 12:12 PM

Tirpitz666
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · A weighty matter: Comparing Sigma 35mm f1.4 vs. Sony 35mm f1.4:

For me 120gr difference is nothing, 500 bucks on the other way are nothing to scoff at, if IQ and AF are there.
So I'm curious to see where this Sigma will be able to position itself vs the GM in those departments, if it fares pretty good, I may well decide to part with my ZA (good copy) to jump ship, if the Sigma turns out to be better.

Apr 21, 2021 at 12:32 PM

sye46
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · A weighty matter: Comparing Sigma 35mm f1.4 vs. Sony 35mm f1.4:

This is not a new dilemma. 3rd party Sigma and Tamron has always been great values offering 90% of the quality at 60-70% of the price. I still prefer Sony GM lenses for the small benefits and how well GM lenses holds value. It might cost $1400 now but I can use this lens for years and still sell it for around $1100-1200. that’s important for me because I switch lenses so often.

Apr 21, 2021 at 12:36 PM

onthebeam
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · A weighty matter: Comparing Sigma 35mm f1.4 vs. Sony 35mm f1.4:

photosbyjaron wrote:
If the Sigma 35 is on the same level as their recent 85, the 35 will sell like hotcakes. That $500 price difference nearly gets you 3/4 of the way towards an i65 f/2 or the 105 f/2.8 Art - two of the sharpest AF lenses available for E-mount. I would expect the Sigma to have more distortion, less resistance to flare, and slightly slower AF than the GM. I also expect the sharpness and resolution will be essentially the same. Bokeh and rendering differences will be a matter of taste.

The only two reasons I'm spending the extra $500...Show more →

I would highly recommend the Sigma 105mm macro in that talented group. It's the only Sigma I own among about a dozen Sony's and two Tamron.The Sigma macro even better than the superb Sony 90mm version and a more striking portrait focal length as well, in my opinion.

Apr 21, 2021 at 03:14 PM

Mystik
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · A weighty matter: Comparing Sigma 35mm f1.4 vs. Sony 35mm f1.4:

It looks like the reason the Sony is able to make the GM so small is because it is dedlsigned specifically for the e-mount...not wasting space trying to accomadte other mounts.

Note how closely the rear element is placed to the mounting points of the 35GM

Apr 21, 2021 at 03:20 PM

philip_pj
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · A weighty matter: Comparing Sigma 35mm f1.4 vs. Sony 35mm f1.4:

The 35/1.2 now becomes a specialty lens, this one will take over as the flag bearer for new age Sigma. Very likely to be much better performed from wide open.

If it's as good as expected (with better tuned bokeh than the competition) concerns about 100g etc will melt into air, as they should for lens in this class. Fast 35s have occupied this 600g zone forever. Leica's Summilux-R is 685g with far less complexity, the CY 35/1.4 also 600g. And that was aeons ago.

And users might like it for somewhat longer focal distances as well as ultra closeups, that is a surprising quality of the 35/1.2.

Apr 21, 2021 at 04:55 PM

onthebeam
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · A weighty matter: Comparing Sigma 35mm f1.4 vs. Sony 35mm f1.4:

philip_pj wrote:
If it's as good as expected (with better tuned bokeh than the competition) concerns about 100g etc will melt into air, as they should for lens in this class.

For me, not. My Sony 24mm f1.4 weighs a beautifully balanced 15.7 ounces / 445 grams.

The new Sony 35mm f1.4 is a tad heavier yet four ounces less than the Sigma.

We all have different priorities and that's what makes the world go round. But 22.6 ounces / 640 grams is a deal killer for me for a 35mm as it must dutifully share the bag with other good stuff, too.

Apr 21, 2021 at 09:48 PM

philip_pj
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · A weighty matter: Comparing Sigma 35mm f1.4 vs. Sony 35mm f1.4:

Good for you personally to know what you want. It's possible (but uncommon) to see things from a bird's eye view, as the manufacturers surely must. My posts generally avoid the use of the first person pronoun for that reason when commenting on the combined market responses of thousands of buyers. My 35mm weighs 350 grams BTW, and the Sony GM is too heavy for my work needs. Too heavy by half, you could say!

Apr 21, 2021 at 09:59 PM

realVivek
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · A weighty matter: Comparing Sigma 35mm f1.4 vs. Sony 35mm f1.4:

The narrow mount helps!

Mystik wrote:
It looks like the reason the Sony is able to make the GM so small is because it is dedlsigned specifically for the e-mount...not wasting space trying to accomadte other mounts.

Note how closely the rear element is placed to the mounting points of the 35GM

Apr 22, 2021 at 03:37 AM

onthebeam
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · A weighty matter: Comparing Sigma 35mm f1.4 vs. Sony 35mm f1.4:

philip_pj wrote:
Good for you personally to know what you want. It's possible (but uncommon) to see things from a bird's eye view, as the manufacturers surely must. My posts generally avoid the use of the first person pronoun for that reason when commenting on the combined market responses of thousands of buyers. My 35mm weighs 350 grams BTW, and the Sony GM is too heavy for my work needs. Too heavy by half, you could say!

I think it comes down to personal work style. I'm mobile with my bag and not (quite) as young as I used to be. A big reason for my switch to Sony from Canon, and Nikon before that, was lighter weight with superior optics. Thus, for my shooting style, I consider weight very carefully.

When possible, I keep a second bag in the trunk. If I'm fortunate to be able to hire an assistant/driver weight is far less of an issue since I'm not "shouldering" the full load myself. I'll have one lighter bag and the assistant gets to carry more. However, for intimacy, even if the budget allows for an assistant I prefer to work alone with the assistant in the area.

Apr 22, 2021 at 06:36 AM

SoundHound
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · A weighty matter: Comparing Sigma 35mm f1.4 vs. Sony 35mm f1.4:

Likely that extra Sigma 35mm weight buys you more glass and less vignetting as in their 14mm F1.8?

Apr 22, 2021 at 06:51 AM

Bob_S
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · A weighty matter: Comparing Sigma 35mm f1.4 vs. Sony 35mm f1.4:

Move to an APS-C system and save kilograms.

Apr 22, 2021 at 06:59 AM

onthebeam
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · A weighty matter: Comparing Sigma 35mm f1.4 vs. Sony 35mm f1.4:

Bob_S wrote:
Move to an APS-C system and save kilograms.

Better yet, move to the iPhone fulltime! It sure has brought the 28mm look back in style!

Apr 22, 2021 at 07:16 AM

turbodude
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · A weighty matter: Comparing Sigma 35mm f1.4 vs. Sony 35mm f1.4:

SAR is saying the new sigma is "much lighter" than the GM.

https://www.sonyalpharumors.com/rumor-sigma-35mm-f-1-4-dg-dn-lens-is-cheaper-and-lighter-than-the-sony-gm-and-will-ship-in-july/

Apr 22, 2021 at 09:46 AM

TarHoya
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · A weighty matter: Comparing Sigma 35mm f1.4 vs. Sony 35mm f1.4:

turbodude wrote:
SAR is saying the new sigma is "much lighter" than the GM.

https://www.sonyalpharumors.com/rumor-sigma-35mm-f-1-4-dg-dn-lens-is-cheaper-and-lighter-than-the-sony-gm-and-will-ship-in-july/

SAR's "source" either doesn't know how light the GM is, or doesn't know how numbers work. 640g is heavier than 524g. For context, SAR even includes the 640g in the linked article claiming it is lighter than the GM, and SAR previously posted the Nokishita specs that contradict the idea that the sigma is lighter than the GM.

SAR has sometimes gotten rumors posted before Nokishita, but I don't think SAR has ever contradicted Nokishita and been right, so I'm going with Nokishita on this one.

Apr 22, 2021 at 09:59 AM

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