If you plan on doing street with it, i.e. carrying it around for half a day, the size and weight of the Sony 35/1.8 is very temping. I'm not saying you should spray and pray, but Sony is the only one that will do higher frame rates. It is certainly not a character lens, but it will the best and most reliable AF of your options, and once you process your images, salt and pepper to taste, I'm sure it will look more than good enough.
The smart way is probably to buy the 35/1.8 used here on FM. It is 1/3 the price of a used 35GM, and almost half the weight as well. If you find you love it, you can always upgrade to the GM.
jojib wrote:
I love my Sigma 35/1.4 ART. It's the old design but it works well with my A7V, focuses fast and accurately.
While that is a cute cookie you photographed there, I don't think you can convince anyone of the IQ of a lens by posting 1.5 MP images.
Came to vote for the GM, but have not tried the other offerings. A similar to GM or smaller sized lens would be nice, the current Sigma is too large for my preference. The 3rd party lenses are certainly making a lot of improvements currently.
FYI, I did have a Samyang 35mm at some point that I bought at some super discount on Amazon. It was an amazing value and very light, but I didn't care much for the rendering and the material and build quality certainly wasn't on par with something like the Sony 35/1.8
If Viltrox comes out with a 35/1.4 in the same class as the 85/1.4 PRO and the 50/1.4 PRO, that would perhaps be where I would spend my money if I didn't want to cough up the big dough for the Sony 35 GM. I'm sure they will release such a lens this year.
patotts wrote:
FYI, I did have a Samyang 35mm at some point that I bought at some super discount on Amazon. It was an amazing value and very light, but I didn't care much for the rendering and the material and build quality certainly wasn't on par with something like the Sony 35/1.8
If Viltrox comes out with a 35/1.4 in the same class as the 85/1.4 PRO and the 50/1.4 PRO, that would perhaps be where I would spend my money if I didn't want to cough up the big dough for the Sony 35 GM. I'm sure they will release such a lens this year.
The original Samyang 35/1.4? That lens has amazing rendering. I used to have it, but let it go because it was quite bulky (mostly long) and its AF was okay-ish. Optically it was pretty good though.
35mm is my favourite focal length. I use and like FE35F1.8 by Sony for its size, weight and close focus capabilities. It may work for your needs.
If you can justify price and size, Sigma 35 1.2 II is great option for 1.4 lens that opens to 1.2.
Being the focal length of my choice, I am thinking to upgrade to a nicer lens. I have not found the perfect 35mm lens for me yet.
35mm GM is too expensive for me although almost perfect on paper and reviews. Sigma 1.2 is too big and expensive. Sigma 1.4 is too big too. Voigtlanders and Zeiss Loxia sound too funky. I prefer a balance of high sharpness and pleasing rendering and portable size. Voigtlander Apo Lanthar is close to perfection but I want a larger aperture for that price, at least 1.8.
Sigma is updating its 1.4 to version II. I hope it improves significantly on size, weight and image quality for not much price hike so I can justify. I keep hoping Sony upgrades its 35mm1.8 to G version. All other brands are just noise for me.
Voigtlander 35mm1.2 nokton is intriguing if they improved the version IV but no reliable tests and reviews yet anywhere. Not sure if Sony version of this lens is coming. I wish they release something for Sony like Ultron 28 in 35 with aperture 1.4 with balanced character and corner sharpness.
BlueMountains wrote:
35mm is my favourite focal length. I use and like FE35F1.8 by Sony for its size, weight and close focus capabilities. It may work for your needs
If you can justify price and size, Sigma 35 1.2 II is great option for 1.4 lens that opens to 1.2.
Being the focal length of my choice, I am thinking to upgrade to a nicer lens. I have not found the perfect 35mm lens for me yet.
35mm GM is too expensive for me although almost perfect on paper and reviews. Sigma 1.2 is too big and expensive. Sigma 1.4 is too big too. Voigtlanders and Zeiss Loxia sound too funky. I prefer a balance of high sharpness and pleasing rendering. Voigtlander Apo Lanthar is close to perfection but I want a larger aperture for that price, at least 1.8.
Sigma is updating its 1.4 to version II. I hope it improves significantly on size, weight and image quality for not much price hike so I can justify. I keep hoping Sony upgrades its 35mm1.8 to G version. Other brands are just noise for me. ...Show more →
Hmm, I'm not sure you would be happy with CV 35/2 APO if you're looking for pleasing rendering...
j4nu wrote:
The original Samyang 35/1.4? That lens has amazing rendering. I used to have it, but let it go because it was quite bulky (mostly long) and its AF was okay-ish. Optically it was pretty good though.
I think it was a Samyang 35/1.8 of some sort. Bought it when I first tried the a7CII. Neither stuck with me.
I'm interested to see what version II brings to the table. I'm pretty sure the bokeh will be better than CV 35/2 , but even the first version was considered by some to be smoother than the GM (which will still be smaller I guess).
i don't know if I am the only one so frustrated about all the answers that are not relevant to the question/survey asked.
I firmly believe that the OP specifically mentioned 3 lenses as they are in the similar in the price range.
I think he/she clearly knows GM/sigma would be a far better option but the price point is not even close.
35 1.4 GM is currently listed for $1599
35 1.4 sigma is currently listed for $989
the lenses the OP is asking are all below $600.
Not everyone has the same money and the need..
maybe if the OP is about to spend that money for a brand new 35mm of the 3 lenses listed, then might worth to look into an used sigma 35mm...
but GM is not even close to the context..
Newsonys wrote:
i don't know if I am the only one so frustrated about all the answers that are not relevant to the question/survey asked.
I firmly believe that the OP specifically mentioned 3 lenses as they are in the similar in the price range.
I think he/she clearly knows GM/sigma would be a far better option but the price point is not even close.
35 1.4 GM is currently listed for $1599
35 1.4 sigma is currently listed for $989
the lenses the OP is asking are all below $600.
Not everyone has the same money and the need..
maybe if the OP is about to spend that money for a brand new 35mm of the 3 lenses listed, then might worth to look into an used sigma 35mm...
but GM is not even close to the context.. ...Show more →
Did you know that people routinely save their money to buy better options? Incredible stuff!
, but even the first version was considered by some to be smoother than the GM (which will still be smaller I guess).