Sony Distagon T* FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA Lens for Video

The Sony Distagon T* FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA (Amazon, B&H) is primarily a photography lens, though it will be used for video.

In this article let’s take a comprehensive look at the important features and specifications of the Sony Distagon T* FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA and see how good it will perform specifically for video, cinematography and filmmaking.

The aim of this article is to provide you with enough information and perspective so you can decide for yourself whether this lens is right for your film or video.

Important: This article is a comprehensive overview of the lens with available information; and an analysis based on our experience shooting for almost two decades. It is not a hands-on review. If and when we get hold of the lens we’ll be sure to publish a detailed review. If this is not your cup of tea you can stop reading.

Click to what you want quickly:

• TLDR;
• Sony Distagon T* FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA vs Sigma Art 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM
• Features:
  1. Coverage
  2. Focal Range
  3. Aperture
  4. Resolution
  5. Close Focus Distance
  6. Image Stabilization
• Control:
  1. Manual focus system
  2. Autofocus system
• Basics:
  1. Filter thread
  2. Build quality
  3. Size and weight
  4. Weather Resistance
  5. What’s in the box
• Alternatives to the Sony Distagon T* FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA

TLDR;

What you need to know for video work about the Sony Distagon T* FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA (Amazon, B&H):

• The Sony Distagon T* FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA is a great wide angle focal length lens.
• The f/1.4 aperture is great for low light work.
• 9 blade aperture for a smooth bokeh.
• Aperture ring on the lens makes it easy to ride the aperture.
• The lens doesn’t have Optical Steady Shot, but you will get some stabilization with a Sony a7S III or the Sony Alpha 1 that has IBIS.
• Sony claims the Eye AF for video is precise and quick.
• It exhibits breathing.

Can be great for the following types of filmmaking:

• Wedding filmmaking
• Documentary filmmaking
• Low budget music videos
• Gimbal use
• Corporate videos and low budget commercials

Sony Distagon T* FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA vs Sigma Art 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM

The Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art DG HSM (B&H, Amazon) is heavier and bigger the Sony Distagon T* FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA (Amazon, B&H). This makes the Sony 35mm the preferred lens for gimbal or handheld use, though you need to factor in focus by wire (see below) issues.

Upon comparing the official MTF charts of both the lenses you can infer that the Sony is far better when it comes to and corner to corner performance, but the Sigma is sharper. You really need to test both lenses for your use-case scenario.

Features

Coverage

The Sony Distagon T* FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA (Amazon, B&H) is a full frame lens. It is designed to completely cover a sensor the size of 36mm x 24mm.

If you are considering this lens for an APS-C sensor or other cinema camera, check out this article:

Focal Length

The focal length is 35mm. This is considered normal on a full frame 35mm sensor.

This focal range is very useful for long shots, mid shots, interviews, and medium close ups.

Aperture

The maximum aperture is f/1.4 and the minimum aperture is f/16.

There is an aperture ring on the lens. The aperture can be de-clicked with the turn of a switch on the lens. This helps you ride the aperture in a smooth manner to control exposure during a shot.

Having f/1.4 is great for low light. Most people will use it at f/1.8 or f/2.8 for the purpose of balancing sharpness and the shallow depth of field look, and to get smooth bokeh.

The Sony Distagon T* FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA (Amazon, B&H) has 9 circular diaphragm blades. One expects a smooth bokeh, but it’s not always a given. To know more about bokeh, read this:

Resolution

From Sony’s official MTF charts:

The Sony Distagon T* FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA (Amazon, B&H) really shows its age. It isn’t as sharp as Sony’s GM series and sticks out like a. sore thumb. The corner to corner performance is decent, and optically it is average for a Zeiss lens.

With the variance in the Sagittal and Tangential lines, you can infer (somewhat) that the bokeh will be smooth. It’s a question of testing the l ens out yourself to see if it pleases you aesthetically.

If you really want this lens at its sharpest you’re better off stopping down to f/2 or even f/2.8 for best results.

If you are curious and want to read the MTF chart for yourself. Here’s a guide on how to read them easily.

Close Focus

The closest focusing distance is 0.3 meters or 0.98 feet. That’s nice for this focal length because you can also use it for close ups.

Image Stabilization

The Sony Distagon T* FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA (Amazon, B&H) lens doesn’t have OSS. This is a disappointment. Using it with the Sony Alpha 1 or the a7S III can provide it with some image stabilization.

Control

Manual focus system

The Sony Distagon T* FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA (Amazon, B&H) has an infinite turn ring for its focus ring and can turn infinitely one way or the other. Sadly, it does not have the option to switch from fly by wire to focus by wire.

What is the meaning of focus by wire and fly by wire?

Focus by wire: Let’s say you turn the focus ring to change focus from point A to B. You’d expect the focus to shift accordingly. When you stop point B will be in focus. Now bring the focus point back to A and try again, but at a different speed. Slower or faster, doesn’t matter. Now, even if you precisely rotate to the exact same degree, the focus will not be on point B! The speed of rotation determines which point it is focused on. That’s just completely useless for follow focus work. If an actor or person moves at a different speed, evens lightly, you’ll never get the same focus. Avoid focus by wire lenses like the plague (for video work).

Fly by wire: The distance of focus shifted is directly proportional to the speed at which the ring is turned. This is how a manual focus ring is supposed to operate for video and cinematography.

The exclusion of the fly by wire manual focus can turn many videographers and cinematographers away from this lens.

Autofocus system

Sony’s autofocus is, without a doubt, one of the most revered video autofocus systems in the world. They claim the AF actuators are three times better than the previous autofocusing systems. There is a switch on the side of the body to switch from autofocus to manual focus.

A newly designed high-power DDSSM optimized for this lens, delivers approximately three times greater thrust than the previous focus drive system. The increased power of the new DDSSM system provides faster, more precise, quieter autofocus drive capability, for outstanding performance when shooting stills and movies.

Sony

Basics

Filter Thread

The Sony Distagon T* FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA (Amazon, B&H) has a filter thread diameter of 72mm. This is a common filter diameter.

Build Quality

The majority of the lens exterior is plastic, though the lens doesn’t feel cheap.

The optical design consists of 12 elements in 8 groups, including three aspherical elements, which also includes one precision Sony AA (advanced aspherical) element.

Size and Weight

The Sony Distagon T* FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA (Amazon, B&H)) has a diameter of 78.5mm and a length of 112.0mm. It weighs around 630 grams. It is pretty light for its class and lens construction.

Weather resistance

Sony claims that this Zeiss lens is weather resistant. But again this only holds true if the camera body you will be using is also weather sealed. No camera or lens is truly and officially weather sealed, so the best you can hope for is reliable weather resistance.

This is a Zeiss lens and we can expect it to perform as such.

What’s in the box

This is what you get in the box (other than the lens):

• Lens hood (ALC-SH137: petal shape, bayonet type)
• Lens front cap: ALC-F67S
• Lens rear cap: ALC-R1EM
• Case

The hood might be useful for photography, but the shape and design makes it mostly vestigial for video work. Some people like to put it on to protect the front element in case of a fall. The hood takes the impact and shatters, but saves the lens. I’d keep it on unless you have good reason not to.

Alternatives to the Sony Distagon T* FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA Lens

The Sony Distagon T* FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA (Amazon, B&H) is a great wide angle lens. The only alternatives are:

• Better alternative: Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art DG HSM (B&H, Amazon) – Same aperture, cheaper, heavier and bigger, sharper.
• Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM (Amazon, B&H) – Zoom lens, narrower aperture – not really apples to apples here.
• Cheaper alternative: Sony 35mm FE f/1.8 (Amazon, B&H) – Smaller aperture, cheaper, newer design that should be better for AF, lighter. I would recommend this over the ZA unless you absolutely need f/1.4.

I hope you found this overview of the Sony Distagon T* FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA (Amazon, B&H) useful. If we have missed out on something, please let us know in the comments below.