Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM Lens for Video

The Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM (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 FE 35mm f/1.4 GM 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.

Here is the official video on the Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM.

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Click to what you want quickly:

• TLDR;
• Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM vs Sony Distagon T* FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA
• 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 FE 35mm f/1.4 GM

TLDR;

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

• The Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM is a great wide angle focal length lens. Many people consider this to be a great general purpose focal length – “close to what the human eye sees”.
• The f/1.4 aperture is great for low light work.
• 11 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 in built stabilization.
• Linear MF or Fly by wire focus response will give this lens an edge above the rest
• Sony claims the Eye AF for video is precise and quick.
• It exhibits breathing.

Can be great for most types of filmmaking.

Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM vs Sony Distagon T* FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA

Lens	Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM	Sony Distagon T* FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA
Filter Thread	67mm	72mm
Size	76mm x 96 mm	78.5mm x 112.0mm
Weight	524g	630g
Closest focusing distance	AF: 0.27m / 0.89ft MF: 0.25m / 0.82ft	0.3m / 0.98ft
Manual focus response	Fly by wire	Focus by wire
Customizable button	Present	Absent
Max. Aperture	f/1.4	f/1.4
Min. Aperture	f/16	f/16
Aperture Blades	11 blades	9 blades
Angle of View (Diagonally)	63	63

The Sony Distagon T* FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA (Amazon, B&H) is heavier and bigger the Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM (Amazon, B&H). This makes the Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 the preferred lens for gimbal or handheld use.

Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM also has linear manual focus response and a closer focus distance. In terms of optical performance:

Upon comparing the official MTF charts of both the lenses you can infer that the Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM destroys the Sony Distagon T* 35mm f/1.4 ZA in sharpness and corner to corner performance.

It’s clear which the better lens is.

Features

Coverage

The Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM (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:

https://website-39341349.tnb.awf.mybluehost.me/what-is-the-35mm-equivalent-and-why-is-it-confusing/

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 FE 35mm f/1.4 GM (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:

https://website-39341349.tnb.awf.mybluehost.me/what-is-bokeh/

Resolution

From Sony’s official MTF charts:

The Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM (Amazon, B&H) really shows its class. It is as sharp as Sony’s GM series can be.

With the variance in the Sagittal and Tangential lines, you can infer (somewhat) that the bokeh will be smooth and creamy. It’s a question of testing the lens 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.

https://website-39341349.tnb.awf.mybluehost.me/how-to-read-modulation-transfer-function-or-mtf-charts-easily/

Close Focus

The closest focusing distance is slightly different for autofocus and manual focus. In autofocus mode, the closest focusing distance is 0.27 meters or 0.89 feet. In manual focus, the closest focusing distance goes down to 0.25 meters or 0.82 feet.

That’s nice for this focal length because you can also use it for close ups.

Image Stabilization

The Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM (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 FE 35mm f/1.4 GM (Amazon, B&H) has an infinite turn ring for its focus ring and can turn infinitely one way or the other. By default, it is set to Linear manual focus or fly 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, even slightly, 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 inclusion of the fly by wire manual focus can make many videographers and cinematographers choose 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 much better than the previous autofocusing systems. There is a switch on the side of the body to switch from autofocus to manual focus.

Sony’s small-but-powerful XD Linear Motors contribute to fast, precise auto focus and tracking, maximizing the AF performance capabilities of advanced E-mount bodies to capture meaningful moments in street snapshots, fleeting expressions in portraits, and much more. AF operation is quiet with minimal vibration

Sony

Basics

Filter Thread

The Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM (Amazon, B&H) has a filter thread diameter of 67mm. This is a slightly uncommon filter diameter.

Build Quality

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

The optical design consists of 14 elements in 10 groups, including two extreme aspherical (XA) elements, and one extra low dispersion (ED) element.

Size and Weight

The Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM (Amazon, B&H) has a diameter of 76mm and a length of 96mm. It weighs around 524 grams. It is pretty light for its class and lens construction.

Weather resistance

Sony claims that this GM 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 G Master 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):

• Hood (model): ALC-SH164
• Lens front cap:ALC-F67S
• Lens rear cap: ALC-R1EM
• Soft 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 FE 35mm f/1.4 GM Lens

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

• Cheaper alternative: Sony Distagon T* FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA (Amazon, B&H) – Same aperture, cheaper, heavier and bigger, but worse optically.
• Sony 35mm FE f/1.8 (Amazon, B&H) – Smaller aperture, cheaper, lighter. Poor optical performance.

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