snegron7 wrote:
I haven't seen much mention here of the Sony 35mm f1.4 GM. Anyone here have any experienses with it?
The DOF can be much shallower than on the 85/1.4 GM or 50/1.4 GM because those lenses can’t focus as close and don’t offer the same level of magnification. At f/1.4 and minimum focus distance, I estimate The depth of field is only around 3 mm so even slight subject movement can throw focus off.
This means autofocus hit rate on moving subjects near the MFD at f/1.4 can be challenging with A1, I’d estimate maybe 10 out of 30 frames nail focus.
With the A9 III, however, this issue disappears, hit rate is almost 100%.
Before the Sigma 35/1.4 Art II came out, the Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM was a no-brainer. It’s a fantastic lens, and there really wasn’t much more to say about it. That’s probably why there wasn’t much discussion around it. The Sigma offers a cheaper alternative for people who don't shoot moving subjects.
Some people complain about focus breathing, but high magnification and focus breathing are two sides of the same coin. At higher magnification, the floating elements need to move more to maintain sharpness at close focus. Sony made the right call, paying the cost of more focus breathing for higher magnification is the right design trade-off.
Especially since focus breathing compensation is very effective.
Magnification Comparison:
Canon 35/1.4 VCM - 0.18x
Sigma 35/1.4 ART II - 0.19x
Canon 35/1.4 GM - 0.23x (0.26x with MF)
snegron7 wrote:
I haven't seen much mention here of the Sony 35mm f1.4 GM. Anyone here have any experienses with it?
The DOF can be much shallower than on the 85/1.4 GM or 50/1.4 GM because those lenses can’t focus as close and don’t offer the same level of magnification. At f/1.4 and minimum focus distance, I estimate The depth of field is only around 3 mm so even slight subject movement can throw focus off.
This means autofocus hit rate on moving subjects near the MFD at f/1.4 can be challenging with A1, I’d estimate maybe 10 out of 30 frames nail focus.
With the A9 III, however, this issue disappears, hit rate is almost 100%.
Before the Sigma 35/1.4 Art II came out, the Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM was a no-brainer. It’s a fantastic lens, and there really wasn’t much more to say about it. That’s probably why there wasn’t much discussion around it. The Sigma offers a cheaper alternative for people who don't shoot moving subjects.
Some people complain about focus breathing, but high magnification and focus breathing are two sides of the same coin. At higher magnification, the floating elements need to move more to maintain sharpness at close focus. Sony made the right call, paying the cost of more focus breathing for higher magnification is the right design trade-off.
Especially since focus breathing compensation is very effective.
Canon 35/1.4 VCM - 0.18x
Sigma 35/1.4 ART II - 0.19x
Canon 35/1.4 GM - 0.23x (0.26x with MF)
snegron7 wrote:
I haven't seen much mention here of the Sony 35mm f1.4 GM. Anyone here have any experienses with it?
The DOF can be much shallower than on the 85/1.4 GM or 50/1.4 GM because those lenses can’t focus as close and don’t offer the same level of magnification. At f/1.4 and minimum focus distance, I estimate The depth of field is only around 3 mm so even slight subject movement can throw focus off.
This means autofocus hit rate on moving subjects near the MFD at f/1.4 can be challenging with A1, I’d estimate maybe 10 out of 30 frames nail focus.
With the A9 III, however, this issue disappears, hit rate is almost 100%.
Before the Sigma 35/1.4 Art II came out, the Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM was a no-brainer. It’s a fantastic lens, and there really wasn’t much more to say about it. That’s probably why there wasn’t much discussion around it.
Some people complain about focus breathing, but high magnification and focus breathing are two sides of the same coin. At higher magnification, the floating elements need to move more to maintain sharpness at close focus. Sony made the right call, paying the cost of more focus breathing for higher magnification is the right design trade-off.
Especially since focus breathing compensation is very effective.
Canon 35/1.4 VCM - 0.18x
Sigma 35/1.4 ART II - 0.19x
Canon 35/1.4 GM - 0.23x (0.26x with MF)
snegron7 wrote:
I haven't seen much mention here of the Sony 35mm f1.4 GM. Anyone here have any experienses with it?
Note that with A1, autofocus hit rate on moving subjects near the MFD at f/1.4 can be challenging. The depth of field is only around 3 mm, so even slight subject movement can throw focus off.
The DOF is much shallower than on the 85/1.4 GM or 50/1.4 GM because those lenses can’t focus as close and don’t offer the same level of magnification.
With the A9 III, however, this issue disappears, hit rate is 99%.
Before the Sigma 35/1.4 Art II came out, the Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM was a no-brainer. It’s a fantastic lens, and there really wasn’t much more to say about it. That’s probably why there wasn’t much discussion around it.
Some people complain about focus breathing, but high magnification and focus breathing are two sides of the same coin. At higher magnification, the floating elements need to move more to maintain sharpness at close focus. Sony made the right call, paying the cost of more focus breathing for higher magnification is the right design trade-off.
Especially since focus breathing compensation is very effective.
Canon 35/1.4 VCM - 0.18x
Sigma 35/1.4 ART II - 0.19x
Canon 35/1.4 GM - 0.23x (0.26x with MF)
snegron7 wrote:
I haven't seen much mention here of the Sony 35mm f1.4 GM. Anyone here have any experienses with it?
Note that with A1, autofocus hit rate on moving subjects near the MFD at f/1.4 can be challenging. The depth of field is only around 3 mm, so even slight subject movement can throw focus off.
With the A9 III, however, this issue disappears, hit rate is 99%.
Before the Sigma 35/1.4 Art II came out, the Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM was a no-brainer. It’s a fantastic lens, and there really wasn’t much more to say about it. That’s probably why there wasn’t much discussion around it.
Some people complain about focus breathing, but high magnification and focus breathing are two sides of the same coin. At higher magnification, the floating elements need to move more to maintain sharpness at close focus. Sony made the right call, paying the cost of more focus breathing for higher magnification is the right design trade-off.
Especially since focus breathing compensation is very effective.
Canon 35/1.4 VCM - 0.18x
Sigma 35/1.4 ART II - 0.19x
Canon 35/1.4 GM - 0.23x (0.26x with MF)
snegron7 wrote:
I haven't seen much mention here of the Sony 35mm f1.4 GM. Anyone here have any experienses with it?
Note that with A1, autofocus hit rate on moving subjects near the MFD at f/1.4 can be challenging. The depth of field is only around 3 mm, so even slight subject movement can throw focus off.
With the A9 III, however, this issue disappears, hit rate is 99%.
Before the Sigma 35/1.4 Art II came out, the Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM was a no-brainer. It’s a fantastic lens, and there really wasn’t much more to say about it. That’s probably why there wasn’t much discussion around it.
Some people complain about focus breathing, but high magnification and focus breathing are two sides of the same coin. At higher magnification, the floating elements need to move more to maintain sharpness at close focus. Sony made the right call, paying the cost of more focus breathing for higher magnification is the right design trade-off.
Canon 35/1.4 VCM - 0.18x
Sigma 35/1.4 ART II - 0.19x
Canon 35/1.4 GM - 0.23x (0.26x with MF)
snegron7 wrote:
I haven't seen much mention here of the Sony 35mm f1.4 GM. Anyone here have any experienses with it?
Before the Sigma 35/1.4 ART II came out the Sony 35mm f1.4 GM was a no brainer. Fantastic lens, not much more to say about it.
Note that with A1, autofocus hit rate on moving subjects near the MFD at f/1.4 can be challenging. The depth of field is only around 3 mm, so even slight subject movement can throw focus off.
With the A9 III, however, this issue disappears, hit rate is 99%.
Oct 07, 2026 at 09:55 PM
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