Direct Comparisons of All the Fast 35mm Lenses for Sony

If you shoot Sony and you're in the market for a fast 35mm lens, look no further. This comparison includes all Sony E mount full frame glass f/1.4 or faster. 

In this video, Tom Calton makes direct comparisons of six different lenses: the fastest and most expensive 35mm lens for the Sony system, the Sigma f/1.2 DG DN Art; the newest 35mm lens for the Sony system, the Sigma f/1.4 DG DN Art; the Sigma f/1.4 HSM Art; the Sony Zeiss Distagon T* f/1.4 ZA; the Sony G Master f/1.4; and the cheapest lens on this list, the Samyang f/1.4. Tom compares the video and photo qualities of each of the lenses on the list and I must admit, I was pretty surprised by the results. 

Truth be told, I wanted the Sigma HSM lens for the longest time and finally took the dive and picked one up. I thought it was too big and heavy for taking on hikes and trips. Instead, I continued to use a vintage Nikon pre-AI 35mm f/2 until I picked up the Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN and then recently decided to try out the Sony GM. Though I like that the GM lens is the smallest of the bunch included in this video, I must admit that the price tag and quality of the newest Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN is quite attractive. 

Have you used some of the lenses included in this comparison? What did you think?

James Madison's picture

Madison is a mathematician turned statistician based out of Columbus, OH. He fell back in love with film years ago while living in Charleston, SC and hasn't looked back since. In early 2019 he started a website about film photography.

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6 Comments

Fantastic video mate. Might I add just one thing. Your model is absolutely stunning. And thanks so much for pointing out the Auto feature on the gm aperture. I have a 20mm g lens 1.8 and I struggled so much with the ring randomly moving. Made me almost HATE the lens. And now I’m So much HAPPIER. I found the auto feature and yes, it is rather difficult to accidentally move it while shooting. I’ve wanted to toss this lens at time too. Very frustrating to have a lens with that sliding aperture ring and not have it lock. Definitely a deal breaker regardless how amazing the lens is

Bro that's not his video, these lazy mfs just write random articles on other people's videos just to get more money from the ads on the site

Why are you here?

Bc I wanted to see a direct comparison of all 35mm lenses for Sony E?

I guess up 1ze doesn't like Tom. He's been doing these videos for quite some time and doesn't have a very big following so don't think he's doing this to make mega bucks pal.

No 🤦, I don't like James Madison, the guy who wrote this article, the video is quite awesome and helpful, but this article just adds the bare minimum amount of words to even call it an article, so he can get paid from the ads on the f stoppers website

Sorry for any confusion, maybe I could've been more clear