The Sony Sonnar T* FE 35mm f/2.8 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 Sonnar T* FE 35mm f/2.8 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.
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- TLDR;
- Sony Sonnar T* FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA vs Sony Distagon T* FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA
- Features:
- Control:
- Basics:
- Alternatives to the Sony Sonnar T* FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA
TLDR;
What you need to know for video work about the Sony Sonnar T* FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA (Amazon, B&H):
- The Sony Sonnar T* FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA is a great wide to normal angle focal length lens. Many people consider 35mm to be a good general purpose focal length.
- The f/2.8 aperture is good enough for low light work.
- 7 blade aperture for a smooth bokeh.
- Extremely compact and handy, making it suitable for run and gun shoots.
- 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.
- 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 Sonnar T* FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA vs Sony Distagon T* FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA
| Lens | Sony Sonnar T* FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA | Sony Distagon T* FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA |
| Filter Thread | 49mm | 72mm |
| Size | 61.5mm x 36.5mm | 78.5mm x 112.0mm |
| Weight | 120g | 630g |
| Closest focusing distance | 0.35m / 1.15ft | 0.3m / 0.98ft |
| Aperture Ring | Absent | Present, De-Clickable |
| Max. Aperture | f/2.8 | f/1.4 |
| Min. Aperture | f/22 | f/16 |
| Aperture Blades | 7 blades | 9 blades |
| Angle of View (Diagonally) | 63 | 63 |
The Sony Sonnar T* FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA (Amazon, B&H) is lighter and smaller than 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.
The Distagon variant has a slightly closer minimum focusing distance and opens up to f/1.4 giving you a lot of extra light. The Distagon also has an aperture ring which will make riding the aperture easier.
Upon comparing the official MTF charts of both the lenses you can infer that the Sonnar is sharper but at f/2.8 even the Distagon variant will pull through. You really need to test both lenses for your use-case scenario.
Features
Coverage
The Sony Sonnar T* FE 35mm f/2.8 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/2.8 and the minimum aperture is f/16.
The lens is missing an aperture ring.
Having f/2.8 is good enough for low light. Pairing it with the Sony’s newer ISO sensors, low light shoots should not be a problem for you.
The Sony Sonnar T* FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA (Amazon, B&H) has 7 circular diaphragm blades. One expects a decent bokeh, but not as good as the best prime lenses. To know more about bokeh, read this:
Resolution
From Sony’s official MTF charts:
The Sony Sonnar T* FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA (Amazon, B&H) really shows its age. It isn’t as sharp as Sony’s GM series, but it is workable for most cases. 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 lens out yourself to see if it pleases you aesthetically.
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 0.35 meters or 1.15 feet. That’s nice for this focal length because you can also use it for close ups.
Image Stabilization
The Sony Sonnar T* FE 35mm f/2.8 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 Sonnar T* FE 35mm f/2.8 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. Weirdly enough, Sony has not paid any attention to the autofocus system of this lens on their website. Nevertheless it is a Sony lens, I will be surprised if it is not as good as the rest of the Zeiss lenses. The lens is also missing a switch on the side of the body to switch from autofocus to manual focus.
Basics
Filter Thread
The Sony Sonnar T* FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA (Amazon, B&H) has a filter thread diameter of 49mm. This is an uncommonly small filter diameter.
Build Quality
The majority of the lens exterior is plastic, though the lens doesn’t feel cheap.
The optical design consists of 7 elements in 5 groups including three aspherical lens elements.
Size and Weight
The Sony Sonnar T* FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA (Amazon, B&H) has a diameter of 61.5mm and a length of 36.5mm. It weighs around a mere 120 grams. It is pretty light for its class and lens construction. This lens can prove to be really handy for handheld, gimbal or drone work.
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-SH129: cap type)
- Lens front cap
- Lens rear cap
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 Sonnar T* FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA Lens
The Sony Sonnar T* FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA (Amazon, B&H) is a great wide angle lens. The only alternatives are:
- Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art DG HSM (B&H, Amazon) – Bigger aperture, cheaper, heavier and bigger. Much better optically.
- Sony Distagon T* FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA (Amazon, B&H) – Bigger aperture, Heavier and bigger lens, more blades, expensive. But optically “old”.
- Best in class: Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM (Amazon, B&H) – Bigger, heavier, more expensive, GM level performance, Bigger aperture.
- Cheaper alternative: Sony 35mm FE f/1.8 (Amazon, B&H) – Bigger aperture, cheaper, newer design that should be better for AF, lighter. I would recommend this over the ZA.
I hope you found this overview of the Sony Sonnar T* FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA (Amazon, B&H) useful. If we have missed out on something, please let us know in the comments below.
