It's amazing to someone who bought lenses last century that Sigma got anywhere near this list. A real testimony to that company to go from being generously called 'cheap and cheerful' to be a genuinely high quality lens maker.
I have been following your reviews for several years; You became stronger and more dominant month by month and season by season; And recent reviews and comparisons of several lenses are excellent and lovely.
I've had the Sigma Art 35mm f1.4 for years and it's always terrific...thanks for such a comprehensive ranking review...again impeccably presented. I'd like to say as well that your sample photos are so much nicer and consistent and informative than any other lens review channel i've seen 👍🏻
The Canon 35mm F1.4 L II has a significant advantage over the others: It not only is very sharp and has an excellent build quality (look up lensrentals teardown of the lens), but furthermore it suffers almost no visible focus breathing and therefore is an ideal lens for photographers that do a lot of video too. E.g. the in most other aspects excellent Sony G-Master is unfortunately very weak in this regard. That should also be considered nowadays. But thank you for the great comparision!
To me, contrast and lack of chromatic aberration are the two most important qualities of a lens--far more so than sharpness. An image can still be beautiful if it's a little soft, but if backlight washes it out, or if color fringing ruins the edge details, it can ruin the whole picture. Vignetting literally never bothers me. I think it's kind of pretty, most of the time, and it can more easily be fixed in post than the other issues I mentioned.
@@jaynprods2 I've only used a couple handfuls of lenses, but so far I think it's my Sigma 40mm f/1.4 Art ❤ That said, my opinion may change after I get to practice with cine lenses this semester... 😬 Do you have a favorite?
Thanks for the video. The 35mm focal length on a full-frame camera has been my favorite one-lens/one-body focal length for decades. I had a 35mm f/3.5 for my Pentax Spotmatic SLR. The first lens I purchased for my Nikon F SLR was a 35mm f/2. Later, I upgraded to a 35mm f/1.4 Nikkor. The first lens I purchased for my Leica M6 rangefinder was a 35mm f/1.4. The first lens I purchased for my APS-C Fuji X mirrorless was a 23mm f/1.4 (35mm equivalent).
In the last portion of the video you gave a very good observation, 'sharpness is not everything,' very few influencer really can realise this. Appreciate your honest observations, Thanks
If you want beautiful rendering next to sharpness on the Sony system, it'll be the Sony 35/1.4 GM, Sigma 35/1.2 ART or the Sigma 35/2 DG DN. Speaking from painful experience. I settled on the Sigma 35/2 myself, but of course YMMV.
@@kenny1463 It was the best compromise between size, price and performance. Sony 35/1.4 is the best, albeit somewhat bigger and heavier. 35/1.2 is way to big and heavy for me. Sony's own 35/1.8 has a very harsh rendering, and quite a bit of LoCA, which is not very flattering to my subjects (I still have it, but will sell shortly).
I have both Sony A7R IV and Canon DSLR 7D Mark II, I have found used Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN 'Art' in good condition is very good value last year and I bought it with Sigma MC-11 adaptor. It's good enough to use this lens on both system. Tamron SP 35mm f/1.4 was also on my decision list last year...yes, it's newer and optics should be definitely sharper then Sigma. However, it's also heavier, bigger and more expensive. I think Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN 'Art' is the most balanced options in very way if you have both Sony mirrorless and Canon DSLR system. Thanks Christ! This review made me feel that I have made a right decision on buying used Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN 'Art'.
I love my Sony FE 35 mm F1.8 for weighing only 280 grams and it's focus hold button. That's why I always have it with me, and always have the focus sharp where I want it. Very nice pair with Sony Zeiss FE 55 mm F1.8 with same form factor. Samyang FE 24mm F1.8 in same form factor could make it the ultimate pocketable holy trinity for me, if I wouldn't love my Batis FE 25mm F2 so much.
35mm GM has been my only lens for my a7siii. From video to photography. The legendary focal length paired with GM quality has made sure i don’t impulse buy another lens that doesn’t rival its quality
Brilliant video as always Chris, thank you! For quite awhile I actually held off buying 35 GM because you hadn't reviewed it but I bit the bullet and I'm glad you praise it so highly!
I haven't been able to afford the transition to mirrorless where all the great lens design and manufacturing innovations have been taking place. But I absolutely love my Tamron 35mm f/1.4 on my D850. I will eventually make the transition but I'm hoping that Tamron can come along too.
This is good to see! These comparisons are so helpful. I’ve already basically decided on a 35 and 135 double prime setup for initial reportage shooting… I didn’t even want to go that way originally, but the new crop of GM lenses just seem to be pure gold.
Thanks for this video! It would be interesting to mix in the Sigma 40mm f/1.4, which unfortunatelly doesn't fit any standard category, but is quite close to the 35mm's and I think this one may be the winner. The SONY is a bit sharper in the center, but in the rest of the image field the Sigma gives one of the best results I have ever seen.
I looked for VC and small minimum focus distance and found both in the Tamron f/1.8 VC for my Nikon D850. A few years ago, I rented the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art and couldn't adjust the autofocus enough, so it went back. I tried, and really liked the Tamron f/1.4, but the VC and close-up capabilities of the 1.8 won in the end.
Good stuff sir... I've tested several and ended with the Tamron 35mm 1.4 on my nikon systems at the top of my list... Haven't tested the nikon 35mm 1.8s yet. Well done Chris
I can't believe this. Yesterday I was scrolling through your reviews looking for the sharpest 35mm lens 😁, Also I would like to say that the Tamron is almost twice as cheap as the Sigma
One not tested here and I fully understand why, is the wonderful Zeiss f2 which was around £3500 back in the day and came with a free compact full frame camera incorporated into the design. I sold it due to that camera which had terrible menus and manual focus but the lens was certainly missed …
I love 35mm lenses, thanks so much for putting together the list.Recently sold my RX1R2 to get the 35GM. Super hard decision but the lens is phenomenal!
Glad to see that both of my 35mm lenses are in this list ! ;-) I personally have opted for the Sigma f/1.2 for serious work and the Sigma f/2 for the times i want a compact set-up... I actually love both !!! Good job Chris... Thank you !
Can you test the Tokina SZX 400mm f/8 Reflex MF Lens for Sony E mount? It cost $249.00 . It is made with new technology, so it should outperform the older reflex mirror lens you tested sometime ago.
Missing from this list, and one you have reviewed Christopher, is the Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 35mm f2 for the Sony E-mount. Yes it's somewhat expensive and it's manual focusing (gasp!), but it is a wonderful lens.
Interesting the Sigma Art 1.4 DSLR version is so high. It was one of my favorites but when I transitioned to mirrorless I got tired of the front heavy feel with adapter and replaced it with the 35 Z 1.8S. The copies of the two I had showed the Nikon 1.8S was sharper outside of center to edge by a noticeable margin. Although in center both were similar. Still love to use the canon 35 1.4 L with DSLR. I’m impressed by how many great options Sony users can choose from!
Also my experience. Frost stating that the Sigma Art is sharper than the Nikon 35S has me questioning his entire channel. Also check photography life that actually test multiple copies of lenses and also use software for their sharpness tests. The Nikon 35S is much better than the Art.
I wish Tamron would come up with an f2 or even f1.4 for Sony FE, both 35 and 50mm options. Wasn't really surprising to see your #1, I knew that before starting the video :D well deserved, nevertheless.
Another great and interesting review Christopher. When I had a Canon 5D mk2 I had the Sigma 35mm f1.4 and loved it but boy it was so heavy I rarely used it for day trips. Thanks for mentioning the Fuji 35mm f2. I’ve been missing a 50mm full frame equiv. for some time. I hope you get around to testing the newly announced Fuji 23 and 35mm f1.4 lenses soon. I’ve read they’re so clinically sharp they have lost some character of their existing versions.
I can't believe you rank the sigma 35 f1.4 over the canon 35 f1.4 L II. I had both. It was no comparison in every regard. No other review places the sigma over that particular canon lens. To me, the $1800 price wasn't ridiculous at all. This isn't fan-boying, I love my sigma 135 f1.8 which you've said was the sharpest lens you've ever tested at any focal length.
Most of the reviews on youtube are for advertising and selling. Therefore, a truly quality product like the 35Lii is rarely mentioned, because everyone keeps it close to them so it is rarely sold. When they come across this favorite lens, they will be absorbed in taking real photos and no longer have to compare it with any other lens. The rest of the people, because they don't have much money, have never touched it. They deduce that they don't see people paying attention to it by making videos about it. It's funny, but it's true. Before, I was very worried about finding the best 35mm focal length to experience, but since owning the 35Lii lens 4 years ago, I no longer have that worry, I also no longer care about watching videos about it until today I accidentally saw this video!
The Sony 35mm f1.4 G-Master lens is quite an amazing lens. I’ve had it for about a week now and absolutely love it. It’s sharp, fast, small, light, renders colors beautifully. All around great lens, except the focus breathing for video. That part is pretty awful for an otherwise perfect lens. 👌🏻
Most of the reviews on youtube are for advertising and selling. Therefore, a truly quality product like the 35Lii is rarely mentioned, because everyone keeps it close to them so it is rarely sold. When they come across this favorite lens, they will be absorbed in taking real photos and no longer have to compare it with any other lens. The rest of the people, because they don't have much money, have never touched it. They deduce that they don't see people paying attention to it by making videos about it. It's funny, but it's true. Before, I was very worried about finding the best 35mm focal length to experience, but since owning the 35Lii lens 4 years ago, I no longer have that worry, I also no longer care about watching videos about it until today I accidentally saw this video!
Thankyou for your valuable insight. I wonder where the sigma 40mm f1.4 would stack up. Hope you review manual focus lenses like voigtlander and leica someday. Also i hope you make a list of lenses that have a pleasing 'character' or rendering to them. I know its subjective but its interesting than always looking at clinical sharpness All the best
I compared the 40mm art vs the Batis and I have tested/owned most 35mm for Sony. The 40mm is a very sharp lens across the frame and extremely well correct. The tradeoff is the bokeh is on the harsh side. I prefer the 35mm 1.2 as the best 35mm in the market due to its great sharpness and smoothest bokeh of any 35mm AF lens.
I shoot DX (a6400) and I picked up a Sigma 19mm F2.8 Art lens for _really_ cheap used and have been really surprised how often it ends up on my camera even though my normal walkaround lens coverers that range exactly (the Tamron 18-75 F2.8 which I love also). With a DX sensor, it's just a hair wider than your 35mms (about 29-30mm), it's small and well built, I'm not afraid of hurting it doing anything reasonable with it and somehow it seems like I always get the shot I want with it. It also turns out to be a great lens for video, good field of view for showing some general activity, and is actually really nice for vlogging, just wide enough at arm's length but not so wide that it distorts your facial features giving everyone that weird, big nose look. I intended to sell it when I got the Tamron and get the Sigma 16mm f1.4, but as of right now it's not going anywhere, and I may pick up the Sigma 35mm f1.4 next instead.
I enjoy the sony zeiss 35 1.4. Not as sharp as gm at 1.4, but you can get for much cheaper on used market and the build quality is amazing and zeiss 3d pop is certainly there.
Love your reviews, Chris! Are you planning on reviewing the new RF 35 f1.4L at any point soon? Would love to see your review of that, as someone using an adapted Tamron 35 1.4, the new canon rf is practically half the weight of the adapted Tamron!
Most of the reviews on youtube are for advertising and selling. Therefore, a truly quality product like the 35Lii is rarely mentioned, because everyone keeps it close to them so it is rarely sold. When they come across this favorite lens, they will be absorbed in taking real photos and no longer have to compare it with any other lens. The rest of the people, because they don't have much money, have never touched it. They deduce that they don't see people paying attention to it by making videos about it. It's funny, but it's true. Before, I was very worried about finding the best 35mm focal length to experience, but since owning the 35Lii lens 4 years ago, I no longer have that worry, I also no longer care about watching videos about it until today I accidentally saw this video!
Great job, Christopher. I personally prefer the Sigma 35mm 1.2 over the GM as it is still very sharp (though not as sharp as the GM) but has more pop and smoother bokeh which I prefer for my environmental portraits :)
Why are these lenses so damn expensive? I thought one of the major factors of prime lenses was that by conceding zoom capabilities you get larger aperture at a lower cost.
@JJerem except that the Canon nifty fifty is just over $100 and produces outstanding results. Sure it's all plastic but the performance/price ratio blows away the lenses listed here.
Thank you for your effort. I think there can be little doubt that you've testet more lenses than most, an among those, you seem to be the only one doing a proper job of it. Regardless, as it happens, you've been of little help to me, in my current situation, apart from removing lenses from a reasonably short list of options. See, I have this problem, that I utterly hate distortion, no matter how well it can be corrected in camera, or in post. It's a matter og ideology really. I just don't want to pay an arm and a leg, for something which is only really useable, due to significant digital correction, in which case I might as well get a fish-eye lens, and correct it myself or so it would seem, in my particular situation. I'm getting a new camera, having been out of the game for some time, probably the zv-e10, and certainly -mount, because I already have the 28mm f2. However, I sorely need a wider lens, preferably 16mm or wiser, and no slower than f/2.8, and of course, preferably much much faster. You already loose a stop due to the smaller sensor, so a slow lens would have to be exceptional in other areas. Prime or zoom, really doesn't matter all that much, nor does price, but AF is essential, for my purposes. I have spend many hours, days really, doing research, and it seems to me, that it is indeed the norm these days, to take something resembling a fisheye lens, correct it digitally, and calling it rectaliniar. In fact, at this point in time, my only real option seem to be full frame, like the 28mm I already have, which is not far removed from the 35's in this video, but you also lose something, using a full frame lens, on an aps-c body, apart from field of view, of course, so I just don't know anymore and I am indeed considering other systems, but why should they be ny different? at the end of the day, it is the consumer who decides, what goes and what does not, and it would seem that the average consumer doesn't really care the end result is basically generated by fancy algorithms, AI and whatnot, and of course it is the end result that matters, so I can understand that, but at the end of the day, however convincing the result might be you're still paying way to much for way too little, as it is not the lens that really does the work. It used to be that you were recommended, by the pros, to to focus the vast majority of your spending, on the ens, or lenses, and of course it made sense. I haven't heard that recommendations for some time, and I can understand why. In any case, I am looking for recommendations, if anyone can provide. Best regards.
Lovely. I like that you always mention that you own a "copy" of the lens, to keep manufacturing differences discussions away. No fan-boy-ing here. So let me phrase it as: i was really shocked at the corner sharpness when you compared them side by side!~ 😉
If you mix full frame and aps c (which is maybe ok) than do not forget the Zeiss Touit 1.4 32 mm for aps c - both Sony E and Fuji. And I really recommend the Canon EOS M 32 mm which I recommend as well.
It might be worth noting that six months after this video the immaculate Fuji 18mm f1.4 was unleashed, anyone shooting on Fuji need look no further for one of the best street photography lenses ever made.
All these 35mm FE lenses are sharp enough even for pro work. I'd like to see the AFC burst AF accuracy on these lenses. I sold my Sigma 85mm dg dn because its AFC burst accuracy was no good. Did not see any tester point it out.
Have you tried the Samyang 85? Afc burst is pretty great. I sit out on my deck with it in crop mode and nail focus more than not shooting hummingbirds. Great glass for the price.
Great video, however i saw great options, still think i will get the Samyang 35 1.8 it is more in my budget. Most of these are to expensive, and i read a lot complaints about the AF on the 1.4 version(number 7 from teh list). If i could live with only a 35 my choice would be different however 😉
What I look for is "Does it distract me?" and "Does it get in the way?" If the answer is no, then that's good enough for me. I have the Samyang AF 35mm f/1.4 practically glued to my a7III and no one has known any better and I haven't wanted to replace it until I saw the Sigma 35mm f/1.2.
I happen to love the character of the canon Lii it’s really good. But the sigma art is excellent as well. I never tried the tamron how would you rate the character for portraits
no mention of FE Sony f1.8 35mm? Is that because you are specifically looking at sharpness? Because overall surely it comes into the game and performs well given it's weight.. just so convenient for travel
I’m over here trying to cheer up my RF 35mm f1.8 (Which Chris even gave the L lens treatment). Nah it’s great but it does have its optical shortcomings like the vignetting. But it’s an amazingly fun lens to shoot with.
Samyang 35mm F1.4 has smoother bokeh rendering than sony or samyang's 35mm F1.8 lens. It's still harsh than other competitors but it will get smoother when you stopped down to F2 or 2.8. And you will also get better corner performance at F1.8
Sorry for the belated question but is the Samyang AF 35mm f/1. 4 FE similar in image quality to the Samyang AS UMC f/1. 4 aside from the FE being for Sony? I watched close to half of your reviews without a definitve clue... THANK YOU for your great videos regardless. Love it so much with tye beauty and dash of humour.
Hi Christopher, interesting! How does the winner compare to the Sigma 40mm 1.4 Art? I know it is not a 35mm one, but still, it is a very sharp lens and not too far from 35mm. Ridiculously heavy tough 😀. I own the Tamron 35mm 1.4 and it is great. However, sometimes that clinical sharpness rather bothers me. Another good one is Olympus 17mm 1.2 (35mm eq.). Thanks for doing these great videos.
I compared the 40mm art vs the Batis and I have tested/owned most 35mm for Sony. The 40mm is a very sharp lens across the frame and extremely well correct. The tradeoff is the bokeh is on the harsh side. I prefer the 35mm 1.2 as the best 35mm in the market due to its great sharpness and smoothest bokeh of any 35mm AF lens.
For most people, and I mean Most people, the Sigma 1.2 is simply too heavy and expensive for everyday use. Fine if you can afford that great optic, however 1.4 is quite fast enough for me and, tbh, if Sigma made a 2.8 that I could attach to my Canon 6D most of the time.
@@LuisGabrielPhotography Thanks, good to know about the bokeh of the 40mm 1.4. I find the bokeh of my Tamron 35mm 1.4 quite smooth. Never tried the Sigma 1.2 tough. I am still in Nikon DSLR field 😀.
@@robertcudlipp3426 Well, it is probably impossible to construct a lightweight 1.4 or 1.2 lens of highest quality. So, I understand your position. For common street photography with acceptable light conditions a 2.8 would do. I don’t think there is a huge difference between 1.2 and 1.4. The devil is in other details I guess.
I guess the Sony ziess 35mm F1.4 didn’t make the list because of the build quality issues ?! My copy is crazy sharp edge to edge. So I’m one of the lucky ones. Have contemplated selling to get a “smaller” 35mm, but every time I see the images I take with it I can’t bring myself to do so ! Lol
So not surprised that the 35mm GM is the sharpest of all. Sigma's 35mm f/1.2 used to be it, until the GM came out. I got to point out, too, that Sony really came a long way with the E-mount ecosystem. I remember when I got my first interchangeable lens camera, it was a NEX 5N. The lens choice was very weak compared to Canon and Nikon. Less options overall, and worst quality. Now, I would venture to say that Sony arguably has the best lens ecosystem. It's fuller than other mirrorless competitors, and they many of the best lenses available, in terms of image quality. For those who can afford it.
Christopher: Since you make viddys; have you ever reviewed the older manual Rokinon/Samyang 35mm Cine lens - in a photographic setting? I know you are a Samyang fanboy (as I), so I thought it would be interesting to see what your findings would be. I use it as my 'go to' lens for photographic work, and it seems to do a bang up job. But your scrutiny would be appreciated - and perhaps my choice was not quite a preferred one? Could one do better for the price range - or slightly more? Your thoughts?
Hey Chris! Nice review! I am surprised that you havent mention anything about Canon 35 2.0 IS, as time as it is right on the top of sharpness benchmarks of dxo. Can you tell us why it didnt even get honorable mention? DXO classes it as 3rd or 4th sharpest lens ever made by Canon
It is sharp only in the center at f4, the bokeh is torn, nervous. tested for 5dsr. I replaced it with a tamron, gorgeous bokeh and sharpness in one lens.
I really considered buying the Sony 35mm f1.4 GM but I got a awesome deal on the Sigma 35mm f1.4 DG DN. I bought it for 650 Dollars as good as new so I couldn't justify the Price for the Sony GM.
Great list!! I had a couple of them, but... It's me or you forgot about the 35 1.8 RF? :) may be not the sharpest, but do a great work for his cost/weight/size!
