Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM Review: An ALMOST PERFECT Lens!

[@andrespuche2706]

“I’m Gerald Undone and you miss 100% of the shots you don’t white balance”

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

Gretzky Undone

[@jp771]

Compared to the majority of reviews, yours always include a part on manual focusing and breathing. It is so important for us professional cameraman. Thank you very much from all of us, you are the best reviewer on youtube.

[@iPhonedo]

Thank you Gerald. Now I have to buy this lens. Thank you.

[@demasistudios]

😅

[@ShadowsofSmoke]

I have bought the lens.

[@makatron]

I bet your credit card it's so happy

[@iComplainer]

_Thanks Gerald._

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

Isn’t focus breathing a problem in videos using AF ? Or did I misunderstand him saying it’s a problem for manuel focusing in videos ?

[@craiggagnon8407]

even though you are often talking at a higher level than I can 100% understand at this point in my Photography journey, I love your content. You're a good guy, and that comes through. Cheers bud.

[@NoahHerman]

Went with the FE 35mm. Thanks Gerald :)

[@shamrock5725]

Gerald I just wanted to say thank you for using the option to have a title on a part of the video of we wanna go back and re listen, it's a huge time saver and I wish more people did it. Thx

[@jakemoscato]

I know you were a fan of the Sigma Art 1.4. If you had that would you suggest upgrading if you wanted the overall best lense for video. Thanks for being you man

[@patmat.]

Sony gets it, all of their lens lauches make sense, they care about their customers. After being with Canon since the A1, I'm so glad I made the big switch 4y ago.

[@tawaanbrown6122]

Dude is a bona fide beast. Truly a God send in breaking down various subjects to those of us who love but, don’t quite understand all the things.

[@jayphilipwilliams]

Friendly tip to a great KZbinr/channel: when you put any text near the edges of the screen, enable Safe Areas for assistance with positioning. Some things are getting partially cut off on my TV around the edges (e.g., 12:00). Great video and review, as always.

[@PeterKoperdan]

Perhaps you should change settings on your TV. Many TV's have a computer mode (or something similar) that displays the whole screen. Unless it's a smart TV KZbin app, in which case that kinda sucks for you, that it doesn't display whole videos..

[@Mysterybarllc]

Great video as usual but I have a question. Which one do you think is better for self recording cooking videos? Or having a camera person record you? I stuck in the middle and no one really speaks about lens for cooking videos. Thanks in advance if you see this

[@DeeanaJohnsonkati]

Thanks Gerald for your review. I was looking for a full-frame 35mm to work with my A73. I heard wonderful things about the GM 1.4 but can’t afford it. However, since the 1.8 is more in my price range (and I primarily shoot video) this will be my next buy. 😊

[@jarelroxas8713]

This lens looks great but I think I’ll keep my 35 1.8 a little longer. Thanks for all the info!

[@JamesClark1991]

That focus breathing seems crazy high...

[@petersvan7880]

Perhaps a software update can fix it...

[@JamesClark1991]

@@petersvan7880 Nope. That's mechanical.

[@normanm11]

Yup; I’ll stick with my Zeiss 35mm 1.4

[@nytiger]

I’m not familiar with focus breathing because I never had a lens that had this problem as a video shooter ... Should I stick with 35/1.8 or upgrade to this 1.4 GM for video??

[@JamesClark1991]

@@nytiger If you're doing focus pulls don't get the GM.

[@sonicneutronic]

I have the 35mm 1.8 and love it already...... but my eyes are on the rumored Sony 16mm f/1.8

[@mbc_localjournalisminitiat4876]

Jared P also notes the suspiciously light build. I wonder if they market it as a F1.4 when in actuality it is a T1.6 or so. Basically a souped up 1.8 that's better controlled. Great video as always.

[@PhillipRPeck]

Dammit, Gerald, you made me buy the 35 f/1.8, now you're gonna make me get the f/1.4

[@chrisbreitigan]

I’m a die hard canon user but sometimes I watch these videos for other systems just to enjoy Gerald and learn new technical info

[@kaimelis]

I think what photo review people often forget to mention is the body lens combination. This lens seems to be designed with the 60 megapixel a7r4 in mind but probably would not make as much sense in the case of a73 or a7s3. Of course the aberration corrections and distortion is relevant on all the sensors, but for the sharpness, it would be interesting to see the 24 megapixel images compared to 60 on both lenses.

[@SlideWreckDan]

"I shot my wife" Don't say this out of context 😂 But seriously, the images look phenomenal

[@MarttiSuomivuori]

I did not shoot the deputy.

[@bondgabebond4907]

@@johnsmith1474 : That's why we love women. With makeup, perfect hair, variety of clothing, etc, that really brings out the best or worst of a lens. Beautiful woman, beautiful lens.

[@Itspixelwolf]

I love that Gerald somehow finds a way to give you the data while maintaining the entertainment level. Is it his voice? The pacing, the footage or the beautiful purple background?

[@peoplevrobot]

Thanks Gerald great review with just the right balance of user friendly tech info. I have seen 6 videos on this lens and you are the only one to look at focus breathing which is a biggie for video. Thanks a million

[@MikeMarrah]

That lens breathes harder than I do trying to run with a mask

[@Clickumentary]

Manny! My Chicago homie. If I had an A7 I'd definitely have a tough time picking between these two. That focus breathing was *VERY* pronounced.

[@chrisgg]

So, if you primarily shoot videos you should pick the 1.8?

[@RalfWeyer]

Great review Gerold, how would you rate this lens compared to the Sigma Art 35mm F1.2?

[@JamesClark1991]

Surprised this wasn't mentioned.

[@LProds]

@@JamesClark1991 I was even more surprised when I saw he did compare it to the f1.8 in a previous video. This new GM vs the sigma 1.2 is the comparison we're all waiting to see

[@Black3ternity]

Awesome. Will skip out on that because I sport APS-C currently. I own the 35 f1.8 for aps-c and just a heads up on the focus breathing: For Landscape photography and Focus stacking, th breathing is KILLER. I have a couple of shots und that I can't properly stack due to breathing in the aps-c lens aswell. With what you showed here, it can be cumbersome to fix and stack images.

[@MatthewChenDirector]

Hey Gerald so if we are using the A7S3 new slow “focus pulling” AF ability, is the focus breathing a deal breaker? Just trying to get an understanding of how bad this focus breathing is.

[@Alexsu1]

I'd like to get more info on this as well

[@gymquotes]

@geraldundone Was your final recommendation to NOT get this for video-focused work? Primarily looking for a prime for video, would this be a good choice? Thanks!!!

[@mr.j5526]

Is it worth the upgrade if you have the sigma 35mm 1.4?

[@bobsykes]

Good, concise review. Your guest's portrait photos look amazing, too.

[@marcoschram222]

Exactly the content I was waiting for, I own the 35mm 1.8 right now and you just saved my wallet.. My wife says thank jou Gerald

[@SilatShooter]

Good Video, I just got the 35mm f.18 for Christmas and was soo happy and then ... So debating whether to return it and upgrade this new one, I'm within my return window. Though I do like how small and light the 1.8 is.

[@callevi1791]

Another great undone Sony lens analysis. I buy nothing without checking in on Geralds thoughts. Joining his KZbin channel now. We all need to keep him properly fed.

[@v3zMedia]

Is this better than the Sigma 40mm 1.4 Art image wise?

[@sticky8579]

Love this comparison video. So well done. So interesting. Fantastic, well put together.

[@BackpackingVideos]

Any thoughts on the 35mm f2.8? Optically how does it compare to the rest? It seems like a great backpacking lens

[@mekawi]

You zoomed almost 600% in those raw photos, crazy lens sharpness! Is this the A7siii shooting? Cause that would be crazy for a 12mp sensor!

[@Karthig1987]

I believe he was using the 61MP a7R4

[@David_Schwarz_DOP]

@@Karthig1987 5:40 ..

[@MotoTrotter]

@@Karthig1987 60 MP

[@meyerdigitalfilm]

35 mm F1.8 is my video choice number one the manual focus ist the best linear fbw focus i have ever used. And i have a long History of lenses which i had owned xD

[@OlegKovalov]

Which is better, this new Sony lens or Sigma 35mm f/1.4?

[@JokiW]

The Sigma 35/1.2 is a pretty impressive option native option for e-mount, sure this is sharper? Would also love to see a comparison of the bokeh at 1.4, the Sigma is very smooth. It's huge though, like twice the weight...

[@setiop6788]

Sigma is heavy and I found Sony to be way sharper around corners.

[@parthbhardwaj4279]

Hi Gerald Is there your favourite anamorphic lens that you would recommend

[@punit213]

How does the image quality compare to the Sigma ART 1.4 ? Worth the price difference? Thanks again for your amazing videos!

[@MrBearitall]

Can we give Gerald props for not doing that weird looking at and away from the camera during a test?

[@jafargio]

Would be great to see results compared to Sigma 40MM Art. Thank you for this review.

[@GCGFilmsYT]

"I'm Gerald Undone and I get undone the same as you, one leg at a time."

[@johannestornquist]

"I'm Gerald Undone and all I want is the perfect carrot"

[@OnlyIn876]

would you recommend this prime lens to handle all around client work for my first couple gigs? I was also considering 24-70 mm gm but I fear It is way to heavy to walk around with a gimbal and feel the 20mm might be to wide and be more of a specific need lens thanks.

[@JackIsaacVideo]

Great review mate, and I thought your test shots were good! I think the 35mm 1.8 is an easier lens to recommend due to the price and (thanks to your testing) the minimal gain in brightness.

[@dawnfirephotography]

Gerald Thorough. So thorough. Thank you! I've been considering a 35mm for my Sony. Already have the 24mm 1.4. Hard to justify for 9mm of focal length for that price but THINKING about it - and this helps.

[@rarih100]

G & done 👍 that amazing review, 1 stupide question : you recorded this video with the A7s iii but what about the degradation in the background, is this the KZbin compression or what? , while the A7s record in 10bit 🤔 Thank you again

[@Eonndi]

Please compare the GM with the Distagon for color rendition and 3D pop. The distagon is amazing and the best 35mm I’ve used. My copy was really Sharp and centered.

[@stevenwaldstein2249]

Recently rewatched this video as I try to firm up my 35mm for my compact C cameras like the A7CR and A7CII. I do own the FE 35/1.5 GM and use it on my A1 and A7RV. Also found a mint used copy of the FE 35/1.8 but I’m not a videographer just a still shooter. Of course I’m looking for a smaller/lighter 35mm for travel. Wondering if I should also consider Sigma I-series 35/2 DG DN Contemporary. Have you looked at that and do you have an opinion? Take care.

[@SawyerDesign]

Man, your breakdowns and comparisons have been invaluable. I’ve had a hell of time with my zeiss 35mm f1.4 breathing and focusing in general, regardless of the focus mode (although wide seems to do better than center). Shooting slog2 in a woodshop offers little contrast so I can make some of this up with light, but I can’t tell if it’s me and my settings or the lens. Any insight on that lens vs the f1.8 and GM in your experience would be very much appreciated. Thanks! 🤙

[@anthonypc1]

I always thought London was in England. I learn a lot from this channel. Thanks

[@animaxxx4429]

yeah me too !

[@vemaraju]

How does this compare against Sigma 35mm F/1.2 ?

[@SperS-222]

Sony bit better

[@mrDoctorWho0]

Finally, a lens I was looking for. Did you manage to test it's light transmission? Compared to Sigmas or at least to Sony 35 1.8.

[@rtomsa1]

Great job on this review. I wasn’t sure what to make of this lens seeing the price but the quality in the photos is outstanding

[@michaelshekianphotography6378]

ty for the info-my order is placed!!

[@maxm00d]

Did Gerald throw the lens from one hand to the other at 2 mins 30 secs ish!? Heart stopping moment!

[@followtheboat]

I've just bought the A7C for photography with my legacy lenses. My fave is the Takumar 35mm. I suspect one day I'll buy an AF lens for low-light video... and I think this could be it! Excellent review as ever, thank you.

[@easonwang3275]

Thanks Gerald for such detailed review, i am only shooting video and wondering does lens sharpness really affecting the video quality ? Consider 4K video has far lower resolution compared to photo shooting.

[@hunktubes]

nice, an unboxing video which shows all the boxes, pouches etc. For me Undone is the unboxing-master!

[@xmodcamaro]

So over the holidays I bought a 35 1.8 and I didnt know sony was coming out with a gm 1.4. I had the choice of getting the sigma 1.4 during at the same time and I decided against the sigma in lieu of native lens and autofocus performance. I was kinda excited that a 1.4 sony is coming but i realize youre right 1.8 sony is an amazing lens. Alot of the issues with the 1.8 can be taken out in post forego the sharpness which is why you pay essentially 1.5 price of 1.8 for the 1.4... I think i am going to do without. If alpha rumors are correct that 16 1.4 is going to be amazing.

[@GregoryRoyar]

That may be the most breathing i've ever seen in a lens lol. I wonder what the focal length difference is between minimum focus distance and infinity. May be a 5mm difference as dramatic as it looked in the video. Great job on the review!

[@wvansluisveld3011]

I couldn't find a review from Gerald for the 24mm GM. Does this mean you did not like it, or are there other reasons why it doesnt seem to have a review published? Apologies if it is there and I just missed it.

[@inthehandsofbeauty]

Gerald, how does this 35mm 1.4 stack up to the Sigma Art 40mm (which I have) and is crazy sharp with beautiful rendition. However, heavy!!! Is this 35mm 1.4 as close optically, also in terms of CA, fringing, etc.? I'd be curious about switching although I do love the 40mm focal length as a bit less distortion for portraits.

[@francopromedia]

As a more video focused shooter, I'll stick with my 35 1.8 thanks Gerald!

[@LucaBono.Studio]

I love the zoom feature! A 35-50mm prime lens lol

[@JamesClark1991]

It's pretty severe isn't it x_x

[@LucaBono.Studio]

@@JamesClark1991 it's insane ahahahah! I never saw something like this before honestly

[@JamesClark1991]

@@LucaBono.Studio I don't think I've ever seen breathing this bad outside of a macro lens. It'll be interesting to see how many reviewers skip over it when it's quite important.

[@MrCoffis]

😂

[@aamsergie]

I’m Gerald Undone - you can find me on Twitch as G-Master

[@TableRumble]

Just wondering if focusing on video shooting, what's a better choice considering the breathing effect, i'm using 24GM and its breating does bother me quite a lot...

[@rudolphlagarrigue5072]

Thank you Gerald for this very good review! it will be very interesting to compare this 35mm GM to zeiss Batis 40mm on autofocus side...

[@pthorakphoto]

Good review but why everyone now slander Zeiss 35. I think it is still very good lens with specific character. Chromatic aberrations can easy repair in LR and can only be seen at 100% zoom. Today you can buy it used for around 800 Euro.

[@youuuuuuuuuuutube]

It's always funny when you look to the right before "let's get undone"! Great review once again.

[@sandb1867]

Cool, but how does it compare to the Sigma 40/1.4 ART E-mount?

[@perthlongboardingsociety321]

This is so sad. The 35mm 1.8 has superb lack of focus breathing for a budget lens but can't be used on a film set with a focus puller due to non-linear acclerated focus by wire, but the 35mm GM 1.4 actually has linear focusing but the breathing is ridiculous.

[@johnd9357]

Luckily the new Sony cameras have breathing compensation now!

[@bryanbuff]

@@johnd9357Yeah, but the 35mm GM basically becomes a 42mm with FB comp and Active stabilization on.

[@jamesvanderpool6079]

One correction to an otherwise technically perfect review: in manual focus you can get as close as 25cm, which thanks to that telescopic focus breathing gets you a slightly greater magnification of 0.26x over the 1.8's 0.25x. I understand the breathing isn't great for video, but I see this as nothing but a positive for photography. That's quite a bit of extra utility! Thanks for the review, my favorite day 1 review for sure.

[@KZLR]

Love love love your reviews, and your channel! Question: Are you intimating that shooting in AF (I only shoot in AF on an a7siii) reduces the severity of the focus breathing? If so, I'm sold on this lens.

[@mr.broccoli3776]

Why I haven't discovered your channel up until now ... I love you ..

[@sebastianbrenner]

nice one, just a question I shot almost just video and don't have a 35mm , do you suggest this one or the 1.8 ?

[@pixeldoc7119]

Gerald: First of all, hello from a previous Canuck (Guelph, ON); now located in Durham North Carolina. A big thank you for the great informational videos you're putting out there. I'd really like to see some comparisons between "identical" lenses, as with this Sony 35/1.4 that you're assessing in this video. In the past I've incidentally come across apparent significant variations within the "same" lens; the only difference being the serial number. I didn't and don't have the time, equipment, nor the money, to start doing these type of comparisons but this might explain the occasional different results obtained between equipment reviewers such as yourself.

[@paulgero]

Superb Review Gerald...as per usual...This is the lens I have wanted from Sony for a long time...It will be a great addition to the kit.

[@TalkTubeJeff]

Did you speed up this video or take a couple of shots of Espresso before shooting?

[@thatsamuellu]

Hey, Gerald. You shot this episode on A7s3 with the log or what? Why there are many color rings on your backdrop? Usually, this only happens on low-bit color depth cameras?

[@cameranerdsmedia]

Review is almost too good. 🧙‍♂️ You’re a wizard Gerald!

[@minarimon3106]

Which one is better for filming at low light conditions??

[@geraldrosenau]

Ah, bummed by the focus breathing. That's quite a lot. Think I may prefer the 1.8 for video.

[@jamesreed7278]

Is the breathing bad when also using autofocus or is it just when using manual focus?

[@liamriley9816]

Would you ever consider the Voigtlander 35mm f/2 APO for video? It looks to be just as sharp as the GM and is as small as the Sony 1.8. If you didn't care about AF, would there be any reason to choose a different lens over the Voigt? Or the Sigma 35 f/2 DG DN maybe?

[@TravelTourTaste]

Hey bro great to see you again. Hope you had a great Christmas and just wanted to wish you a very Happy New year and may 2021 bring you much success, joy and happiness. Stay safe and catch up again real soon.

[@TheAlskouba]

Have you tried the new sigma 35mm f2 dg dn? Apparently it’s a bit better than the fe 35mm 1.8. I would love to hear your opinion on that. Thanks

[@kellygreen3708]

I could watch your channel all day! Can’t wait for this lens. When is the release date?

[@devidasa9637]

Thanks Gerald. I've been waiting for this lens...sold.

[@chrisbrockhurst]

Bank accounts about to take a beating.

[@half9media]

Which one breathes more heavily: bank account, or lens?

[@hzubovi1]

Thanks for the review. Pity that it has such awful focus breathing. Have you ever tried the Tamron 35mm f1.4? I wonder how it would compare to the Sony G master

[@JordanLeeVideo]

Great review Gerald, as always! Although, until now I didn't know there was a London in Canada, so I got excited thinking you (and your purple wall) had moved to the UK!

[@amiame115]

What do you think of 40mm zeiess batis compared to this lens gerald?

[@Clemme]

Have seen this video 50 times since it came out. Just ordered the lens today. Get the fxxx in!

[@jasonmalwitz8044]

If you don’t mind the weight, I don’t, the sigma 1.2 is the best 35 for Sony e mount. My all time favorite lens.

[@guidoserrano2629]

Finally the Sony A7Siii is in stock where I live. I'm searching for lenses. If you have to choose only 1 to leave on the camera 24/7, which one would you choose? For photography I have the Fujifilm x100f which has an effective 35mm. But I can move to a zoom lens for the Sony.