Sony FE 35mm F1.8 Sony E
Review
The Sony FE 35mm F1.8 is a versatile and compact prime lens designed specifically for Sony's full-frame E-mount cameras. Known for its sharpness, speed, and portability, this lens has become a favorite among both amateur and professional photographers who need an all-rounder lens for various shooting situations.
Build and Design
The build quality of the FE 35mm F1.8 is impressive for its class. It features a sleek and modern design, weighing just 280g (approximately 9.9 oz), which makes it lightweight and easy to carry. The overall size is quite compact, allowing for comfortable handling and portability. The lens is equipped with a durable plastic body, and it also comes with a weather-sealed design, which is a significant advantage when shooting in challenging environments.
Optics and Performance
This lens shines especially when it comes to optical performance. With a maximum aperture of F1.8, it offers excellent low-light capabilities and beautiful background blur, making it suitable for portraits as well as general street photography. The eight-blade circular aperture enhances bokeh quality, providing a stunning soft focus on the background.
Moreover, the lens utilizes advanced optical design, incorporating aspherical elements to reduce distortion and enhance sharpness. In real-world shooting conditions, images taken with the FE 35mm F1.8 exhibit impressive edge-to-edge sharpness with minimal chromatic aberration. This makes it an ideal candidate for landscape and architecture photography, where detail is paramount.
Autofocus
The autofocus system of the Sony FE 35mm F1.8 is fast and reliable, thanks to its linear motor technology. The focusing speed is commendable, making it great for capturing fleeting moments in dynamic scenes. It also operates with minimal noise, which is beneficial for video work, where sound can be a factor. Manual focus adjustment is smooth and precise, providing a tactile experience that many photographers will appreciate.
Versatility
A 35mm focal length is widely regarded as one of the most versatile choices for different styles of photography. Whether you are shooting landscapes, street scenes, portraits, or even close-up subject matter, the FE 35mm F1.8 performs exceptionally well. Its natural perspective is flattering, enabling you to easily frame subjects while still providing a wide enough angle to capture surroundings.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Lightweight and compact design
- Excellent image sharpness across the frame
- Great low-light performance with F1.8 aperture
- Fast and quiet autofocus
- Weather-sealed construction
Cons
- Some may find the absence of image stabilization limiting
- Slightly expensive compared to similar focal length lenses
Verdict
In conclusion, the Sony FE 35mm F1.8 is a remarkable lens that balances performance, portability, and versatility. It stands out largely due to its optical quality and quick autofocus, making it a fantastic choice for both stills and video. While it lacks built-in image stabilization, its other attributes more than compensate for this shortcoming. If you're looking for a prime lens that delivers great results across various types of photography, the FE 35mm F1.8 is certainly worth considering for your Sony E mount camera.