Is there a 35GM little brother?
p.1 #1Is there a 35GM little brother?
Hello,
I imagine this question has already been asked, but my research hasn’t turned up much.
I am looking for a travel companion for my 35 mm GM. I love it, but I’d like a “discreet”/“compact” version. My ideal would be a Loxia 35 mm f/2 with autofocus (so… not a Loxia).
Therefore I am looking for:
- 35 mm focal length
- Form factor similar to a Loxia 35 mm
- Maximum aperture ≤ f/2
- Autofocus
- Aperture ring
- Size is more important than weight
- (the rendering characteristics of a Loxia)
Do you have any suggestions?
I imagine this question has already been asked, but my research hasn’t turned up much.
I am looking for a travel companion for my 35 mm GM. I love it, but I’d like a “discreet”/“compact” version. My ideal would be a Loxia 35 mm f/2 with autofocus (so… not a Loxia).
Therefore I am looking for:
- 35 mm focal length
- Form factor similar to a Loxia 35 mm
- Maximum aperture ≤ f/2
- Autofocus
- Aperture ring
- Size is more important than weight
- (the rendering characteristics of a Loxia)
Do you have any suggestions?
Jun 25, 2026 at 07:40 AM
p.1 #2Is there a 35GM little brother?
Viltrox 35 EVO has a band of followers. Excellent image quality, but some report inconsistent AF. You can see images from it in the Viltrox thread inside the Sony forum. It’s also 20% off right now on Amazon Prime days, just over $300.
The Samyang 35mm gets a lot of kudos as well. It doesn’t have an aperture ring per se, but has a custom switch that changes the front ring from manual focus to manual aperture selection. This switch is programmable.
The Samyang 35mm gets a lot of kudos as well. It doesn’t have an aperture ring per se, but has a custom switch that changes the front ring from manual focus to manual aperture selection. This switch is programmable.
Jun 25, 2026 at 07:49 AM
p.1 #5Is there a 35GM little brother?
Sony does make a 35mm f/1.8. It is sharp and fast focussing.. It has a lot of chromatic aberration, however, and I personally don't like the bokeh much.
I prefer the Sigma 35 f/2, but it really isn't a little brother to the 35 GM. It has a different look and a different set of design priorities.
I prefer the Sigma 35 f/2, but it really isn't a little brother to the 35 GM. It has a different look and a different set of design priorities.
Jun 25, 2026 at 08:02 AM
p.1 #6Is there a 35GM little brother?
Archive 2021 · Sony 35mm 1.4 GM// Sigma 35mm F2 DN// Sigma 65mm F2 DN/ Big Bronco Tests
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1699642/
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1699642/
Jun 25, 2026 at 08:06 AM
p.1 #7Is there a 35GM little brother?
Choderboy wrote:
Archive 2021 · Sony 35mm 1.4 GM// Sigma 35mm F2 DN// Sigma 65mm F2 DN/ Big Bronco Tests
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1699642/
I sure miss seeing Guy's tests around here.
Archive 2021 · Sony 35mm 1.4 GM// Sigma 35mm F2 DN// Sigma 65mm F2 DN/ Big Bronco Tests
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1699642/
I sure miss seeing Guy's tests around here.
Jun 25, 2026 at 08:13 AM
p.1 #8Is there a 35GM little brother?
I was going to suggest the CV APO 35/2 but like the Loxia it is MF only.
Jun 25, 2026 at 09:09 AM
p.1 #9Is there a 35GM little brother?
Wow, 7 answers in less than 1 hour. Thank you! Already a lot of information. I'm gonna study this Sigma 35mm F2 this afternoon and maybe come back with questions 
.
.Jun 25, 2026 at 09:34 AM
p.1 #10Is there a 35GM little brother?
There also is the "tiny little brother" Sony FE 35mm F2.8 Zeiss Sonner T*, but is only f/2.8 which does not meet your criteria.
It is small and tiny, excelent for travel and when you want to be "discreet / compact"; It can be found used for a good price. It is older lens (one of the first released for Sony FF back in the days) but still one of the lightest and most compact options available. It may lack a bit the clinical sharpness of modern lenses.
It is small and tiny, excelent for travel and when you want to be "discreet / compact"; It can be found used for a good price. It is older lens (one of the first released for Sony FF back in the days) but still one of the lightest and most compact options available. It may lack a bit the clinical sharpness of modern lenses.
Jun 25, 2026 at 10:47 AM
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p.1 #11Is there a 35GM little brother?
Clinical sharpness is not a requirement. I have the GM for that. I would even prefer a lens with character. Which one (of the listed in this thread) have more character?
Jun 25, 2026 at 12:17 PM
p.1 #12Is there a 35GM little brother?
Define character.
tuxounet wrote:
Clinical sharpness is not a requirement. I have the GM for that. I would even prefer a lens with character. Which one (of the listed in this thread) have more character?
tuxounet wrote:
Clinical sharpness is not a requirement. I have the GM for that. I would even prefer a lens with character. Which one (of the listed in this thread) have more character?
Jun 25, 2026 at 12:26 PM
p.1 #13Is there a 35GM little brother?
Imperfections giving beauty to the image. Something more analog, cinematic.
Surfnsun wrote:
Define character.
Surfnsun wrote:
Define character.
tuxounet wrote
Clinical sharpness is not a requirement. I have the GM for that. I would even prefer a lens with character. Which one (of the listed in this thread) have more character?Jun 25, 2026 at 01:12 PM
p.1 #14Is there a 35GM little brother?
Surfnsun wrote:
Define character.
"Camera lens character refers to the unique, subjective optical qualities of a lens that define how it "draws" an image, beyond basic technical performance like sharpness. It is a combination of optical quirks—such as color rendering, bokeh, flare, and contrast—that give photographs or footage an artistic, emotional, or distinct personality."
Define character.
tuxounet wrote
Clinical sharpness is not a requirement. I have the GM for that. I would even prefer a lens with character. Which one (of the listed in this thread) have more character?"Camera lens character refers to the unique, subjective optical qualities of a lens that define how it "draws" an image, beyond basic technical performance like sharpness. It is a combination of optical quirks—such as color rendering, bokeh, flare, and contrast—that give photographs or footage an artistic, emotional, or distinct personality."
Jun 25, 2026 at 01:14 PM
p.1 #15Is there a 35GM little brother?
Al Trujillo wrote:
I was going to suggest the CV APO 35/2 but like the Loxia it is MF only.
Unlike the Loxia, the CV APO 35/2 is an exceptional lens. I own the Loxia…love it for landscapes at F/8-11…and for nothing else. I wish I owned the CV as it looks absolutely superb from all I’ve seen from it.
I was going to suggest the CV APO 35/2 but like the Loxia it is MF only.
Unlike the Loxia, the CV APO 35/2 is an exceptional lens. I own the Loxia…love it for landscapes at F/8-11…and for nothing else. I wish I owned the CV as it looks absolutely superb from all I’ve seen from it.
Jun 25, 2026 at 01:58 PM
p.1 #16Is there a 35GM little brother?
My 35GM mini is the tiny/superlight Samyang 35mm 1.8. It’s a plastic-fantastic that weighs next to nothing and is quite usable at every aperture and has excellent contrast/sharpness across the frame from F2.8.
However, if I didn’t already have the Samyang I’d probably would be getting the Viltrox 35mm EVO…$300 for a sharp apochromatic lens? Amazing value.
However, if I didn’t already have the Samyang I’d probably would be getting the Viltrox 35mm EVO…$300 for a sharp apochromatic lens? Amazing value.
Jun 25, 2026 at 02:05 PM
p.1 #17Is there a 35GM little brother?
darbo wrote:
Unlike the Loxia, the CV APO 35/2 is an exceptional lens. I own the Loxia…love it for landscapes at F/8-11…and for nothing else. I wish I owned the CV as it looks absolutely superb from all I’ve seen from it.
Yes, but they are MF…
Al Trujillo wrote
I was going to suggest the CV APO 35/2 but like the Loxia it is MF only.Yes, but they are MF…
Jun 25, 2026 at 02:29 PM
p.1 #18Is there a 35GM little brother?
tuxounet wrote:
Unlike the Loxia, the CV APO 35/2 is an exceptional lens. I own the Loxia…love it for landscapes at F/8-11…and for nothing else. I wish I owned the CV as it looks absolutely superb from all I’ve seen from it.Yes, but they are MF…
Quite right…I was just responding to someone else’s comment, which is why I immediately followed up with a comment specifically addressing your original post. Maybe someone can give some contrary insight, but I just don’t think you’re going to find any good character autofocusing lenses for Sony. The best you can do is just get something competent.
Of the above-mentioned autofocusing suggestions, I think the Sigma 35mm F/2 may have the smoothest and most elegant rendering from what I’ve seen.
darbo wrote
Al Trujillo wrote
I was going to suggest the CV APO 35/2 but like the Loxia it is MF only.Quite right…I was just responding to someone else’s comment, which is why I immediately followed up with a comment specifically addressing your original post. Maybe someone can give some contrary insight, but I just don’t think you’re going to find any good character autofocusing lenses for Sony. The best you can do is just get something competent.
Of the above-mentioned autofocusing suggestions, I think the Sigma 35mm F/2 may have the smoothest and most elegant rendering from what I’ve seen.
Jun 25, 2026 at 02:56 PM
p.1 #19Is there a 35GM little brother?
tuxounet wrote:
Imperfections giving beauty to the image. Something more analog, cinematic.
Sigma 35i. I have been reaching for the 35GM more recently, but I have many lovely photos shot with the Sigma over the years. I got mine used from a local camera store for $300, so at that price, if you don't like it, you can sell it for probably what you paid for it
Imperfections giving beauty to the image. Something more analog, cinematic.
Surfnsun wrote
Define character.tuxounet wrote
Clinical sharpness is not a requirement. I have the GM for that. I would even prefer a lens with character. Which one (of the listed in this thread) have more character?Sigma 35i. I have been reaching for the 35GM more recently, but I have many lovely photos shot with the Sigma over the years. I got mine used from a local camera store for $300, so at that price, if you don't like it, you can sell it for probably what you paid for it
Jun 25, 2026 at 02:58 PM
p.1 #20Is there a 35GM little brother?
#14 They were going pretty well, until this piece:
'It is a combination of optical *quirks*—such as color rendering, bokeh, flare, and contrast—that give photographs or footage an artistic, emotional, or distinct personality."
The best propaganda works by inserting a single negative inside otherwise positive text:
Quirk (definition): 'a quirk is a peculiar behavioral habit, a strange twist of fate, or an unpredictable irregularity in a system.'
We can do better, for example: >
'Lens 'character' is the intentional outcome of explicit design choices that, taken together, engender the designers' vision for lens imaging styles that delivers a gestalt of endearing qualities - so as to appeal to those seeking artistry in their photographic pursuits, rather than base level technical performance.' Antonyms: clinical, performative, technical.
'It is a combination of optical *quirks*—such as color rendering, bokeh, flare, and contrast—that give photographs or footage an artistic, emotional, or distinct personality."
The best propaganda works by inserting a single negative inside otherwise positive text:
Quirk (definition): 'a quirk is a peculiar behavioral habit, a strange twist of fate, or an unpredictable irregularity in a system.'
We can do better, for example: >
'Lens 'character' is the intentional outcome of explicit design choices that, taken together, engender the designers' vision for lens imaging styles that delivers a gestalt of endearing qualities - so as to appeal to those seeking artistry in their photographic pursuits, rather than base level technical performance.' Antonyms: clinical, performative, technical.
Jun 25, 2026 at 04:13 PM