Sony 35mm 1.4 GM Review (vs Zeiss 35 1.4)

[@simonp8088]

Bruh, i made a snarky remark on one of your past videos and you don’t deserve that. Thanks for doing this. Great work and keep it up!

[@WesPerry]

Thanks? No problem ;)

[@rl8303]

I literally do not have the words for how much I appreciate your reviews and comedy!! Bravo as always.

[@sternschnupper]

big thanks for mentioning the rendering, the character of the lenses - that's actually what i was looking for in reviews! and great news that the GM does rather well in that respect! (sidenote: i do love the ZA 55/1.8 to death because of it's gorgeous rendering!!)

[@auxsom]

7:59 You broke my heart when you said it absolutely ruins the resolution on the Sony Zeiss 35mm 1.4. LOL. I finally purchased that lens and it arrives tomorrow. Nah, but I know what you mean. Happy for G-Master owners. The Zeiss glass, as you already know, it still something very special. I love Sony Zeiss lenses.

[@TW-iu9zy]

... great review. 👍🏻 so many outstanding lenses from Sony. The 35 and 50 GM are masterpieces for every type of photography.

[@mathewcoulliette2233]

I just bought a Sony 35mm 1.4 gm and I love it!

[@yourfitnesstories]

best video i saw on this topic.

[@AllCarsUnited]

I absolutely love mine. It literally sits in one of my cameras full time.

[@sternschnupper]

technical note: the f-stop of modern lenses is actually a rather complex value, and can not simply be measured at any part of the lens. bigger f-stop usually results in wider openings at the aparture mechanism, but there is no direct correlation - the acutal f-stop of modern lenses can only be calculated from the design.

[@theowlfromduolingo7982]

Great lens. Incredible look, quality and very versatile

[@brianpark2564]

I liked the images a little more from the za comparison than the gm, just me?

[@utomotjipto5294]

No, I also prefer za rendering.

[@gilles6238]

Thanks Wes, good as always !!

[@JessDemant]

Again a great test from you, thanks 👍

[@jaroslawpopov2280]

thanks for review. with your help, i decided on Sigma 85 1.4. Keep it up! nice greetings from Germany

[@WesPerry]

Wait, the 85 or the 35?

[@jaroslawpopov2280]

@@WesPerry I looked at your review about Sigma 85 1.4 and decided to go with it. 85 1.4 GM I sent back. I am completely enthusiastic about the Sigma 85 DG DN. $ 1400 for 35 GM !!! I am jealous. In Germany we have to pay € 1699 for it. I'm still waiting...

[@WesPerry]

Oh I know what you mean. I’m in Canada but always quote prices in USD, as most of my viewers are there. The 35GM is over $2000 here 😑

[@jaroslawpopov2280]

@@WesPerry oh $ 2000 is a lot of money too. we just wait for Black Friday or Super bowl. this way you can save 16% in Germany. in the meantime we continue to use our 35mm 1.8 from sony. your videos are really great and we can easily understand your English

[@WesPerry]

Hard to imagine why I’d be easily understandable. Maybe it’s my William Shatner-esque pauses 😂

[@angel20503]

The GM is great, but i prefer Zeiss character.. its like Zeiss curse..

[@javatube3450]

Why the purple skies vs. the Zeiss?

[@WesPerry]

Just the editing. The zeiss blooms more, making the skies more difficult to recover, so when the skies are excessively recovered in post, they show up more on the GM.

[@lucasmdonald7486]

Was just about to push the buy it button on a used Batis 40mm but then watch your video and Dustin Abbott’s and now I am a lot poorer but very happy with the 35mmm GM , just don’t tell the wife .

[@WesPerry]

😂

[@radovanrosic3653]

Great review as always!Thanks!

[@WesPerry]

How did you even watch it so fast?? I just made it public a minute ago! Haha

[@radovanrosic3653]

@@WesPerry pure luck!i saw it,no views,no comments,first place!Hahaha

[@spydablac]

This review was awesome

[@Hungtrinh197]

Like the size of 35GM instead of Zeiss 35. However, I always feel that photos taken by Sony lenses do not feel clean, neat, and even boring?

[@WesPerry]

I find they certainly feel clean and neat. Boring would be a matter of taste, though ;)

[@dirtysouthtiger]

Wish we could post images on here and see what I’ve taken using the 35 GM 📸💪

[@easonwang3275]

Thanks for such detailed review, i am using Sony FX3, comparing Sony 35 1.4 GM and Sony 35 1.8 for video shooting and film making purpose only. If I don’t mind the focus breathing issue on GM, just considering the video image quality. Does these 2 lenses make any noticeable differences? Someone tell me the video image on FX3 is only 4K 10bit so on video I would hardly notice any differences, but I would like to buy GM if it does perform any better on video image quality. Thanks

[@WesPerry]

If I was primarily video, I would personally go for the 1.8, not only for the focus breathing, but the light weight. That being said, the bokeh and AF speed and reliability are significantly better on the GM. That also being said, the 1.8 isn’t “bad” for those by any means, it’s just that the GM is pretty much the best ever made for those. It’s an incredibly high bar now.

[@Dustinrhoades]

Thank you Wes

[@WesPerry]

Thank you Dustin

[@sternschnupper]

great review - one thing baffels me though: while yes metal can be carved, but it can be molded as well, to basically any shape ;)

[@sidvicious3129]

Wes, did you have a problem with your copy of the Zeus’s 35mm f1.4 (it’s Reputation)and if you found one at 870.00 would you advise to buy or just wait and save to get the Sony 35mm f1.4 GM? It will be used for Photography and Videography.

[@WesPerry]

As much as I enjoyed it, I had serious issues with mine. First copy was super soft in much of the frame, second copy was still quite soft in the left/bottom. Very unfortunate for a $2000 lens.

[@mohammuda5278]

Great video, thanks

[@terencemorrissey4413]

Okay, I will buy one.

[@WesPerry]

Why not two? 😂

[@ΕΥΘΥΜΙΑΜΗΛΟΠΟΥΛΟΥ]

Great review.A question for you.What about the general oversaturated red channel in ALL sony's??? How you correct that?

[@WesPerry]

I’m not sure that I necessarily agree there. Many would say the green is a bit oversaturated, which is measurably true. The reds are generally more natural on Sony’s than on Nikon’s and Canons, which can look less flattering. Canon has very unnatural reds, shifting them into oranges and yellows, which tends to be more flattering, if inaccurate.

[@ΕΥΘΥΜΙΑΜΗΛΟΠΟΥΛΟΥ]

@@WesPerry I must have problem in Lightroom rendering.When i import the files from my A7 iii the red channel is way off (over saturated).I put the profile that i had (either standard or light(.

[@mariodieth3884]

Great! 🔥 Ist would be nice to see your comparison between the new sigma 35mm dg dn and the 35mm GM 🙃

[@mariodieth3884]

btw: you definitely deserve way more subs!

[@WesPerry]

Unfortunately Sigma doesn’t return my emails, and I can’t afford to have Three 35 1.4’s in my possession at one time 😂

[@mariodieth3884]

@@WesPerry shame on you @sigma 🙄

[@halimrahman]

Interesting review and I love my 35mm GM since I got it. But somehow I could not make the photos in-focus "all the time". Previously, I have been using 35mm F1.8 and most of the time, the focus is nailed very nicely. But with 3mm GM, I find it misfocus more often.

[@WesPerry]

What camera are you using and what focus mode(s)?

[@halimrahman]

@@WesPerry it is A7R3. I set to aperture mode priority, wide, ISO (100-800).

[@WesPerry]

In AF-S or AF-C?

[@halimrahman]

@@WesPerry AF-C, I actually made another test today. But this time with Touch Focus so I can focus on non-human faces. When it works, it focuses sharply. But when recording a video (Manual: 1/50 f/3.5), the results are quite pleasing, as it renders the bokeh nicely and the flower petals are just well-lit and separated from the background.

[@WesPerry]

Are you in the latest 3.10 firmware?

[@andyholdsworthmusicphotogr162]

Hi Wes, just wondering if you have had any issues when in AF-S, with the focus giving a slight, very quick pulse when obtaining focus? Can't get a definitive answer from Sony, they have told me to send it in for repair. I don't want to do this if it normal behaviour . I have read online, this is an issue with the 24 GM 1.4..Cheers, Andy.

[@WesPerry]

I can’t say I often used this lens in AF-S, as I typically only use that setting for real estate photography. When would you use it in AF-S? I’ll have a look. But AF-S does generally do that with all lenses, as it’s relying more on contest detect focus rather than phase detect, so it has to pulse to find focus. I’ll see if this goes it any worse than others…

[@andyholdsworthmusicphotogr162]

@@WesPerry Really appreciate you taking the time to reply. With my 5DMk 3's I've always shot in AF-S, centre point & recompose 95% of the time.. A bit old school I know. Since owning the A73, I've not really used the eye focus on a shoot, just moved the focus point. Mad I know. My 85mm 1.8 snaps straight to focus, so I presumed the 35mm GM would behave in the same way... If you do get a chance to have a look, that would be amazing...I don't want to return it to Sony if I don't need to. All the best, Andy.

[@WesPerry]

If you’re shooting a person with an a7iii, you should definitely be in AF-C, whether they’re moving or not. You’ll get much better performance

[@andyholdsworthmusicphotogr162]

@@WesPerry Thanks, Its something I will try and get used to. Have you managed to try your copy of the 35mm GM's AF-S ?

[@WesPerry]

Not yesterday. I was shooting video all day. Today is a photo day ;) haha If I had to guess, the extreme focus speed of the 35GM combined with the relatively large amount of focus breathing makes the focus wobble from contrast detect AF much more intense, but normal.

[@carlharper3442]

Hi Wes would you buy the older Sony Ziess for 600 Canadian now a days?

[@WesPerry]

Not any of the 35 1.4's that I had. I had two copies and both were terribly decentered. We didn't have a lot of options back in the day, but now we do. The 55 1.8 is still a Good lens (not nearly as good as many still think it is), and Might be worth $600CDN. Tons of CA and not very sharp around the edges, though, but has a very nice look. Crazy how far we've come in lens design in so little time.

[@carlharper3442]

@@WesPerry Thanks man

[@stkuj]

Get the new Sigma 35 1.4 DG DN… I returned the GM and save $600. It’s built better and has a locking aperture ring. I’ve seen reviews were it’s sharper than the Sigma 35 1.2 (in certain instances). If you like the Sigma 85 1.4 DG DG you will not be disappointed! I have the 135 GM too btw ( heads up, Sigma has a new 135 coming out ).

[@s1n112]

the first sigma art is sharper than the 2nd version pam pam

[@AMOREBYBK]

Whats the software , u use for editing other lr and luminar

[@WesPerry]

I don’t use Lightroom. Capture one pro mostly, with a little Luminar AI and Pixelmator pro on the side 👌🏻

[@wesbaynham1634]

Having trouble buying your preset pack Wes! Maybe include it with the Zeiss your trying to sell ? ;-)

[@WesPerry]

I think my presets might be worth more than that lens is at this point 😂

[@wesbaynham1634]

@@WesPerry Very true Wes. Hopefully your town has a used paperweight store!

[@bjoernoswald2473]

Once again: Thanks for the review! Now I'm waiting for a review on the 50mm F1.2 ;-) (or did I miss it?)

[@WesPerry]

You didn’t miss it…I just can’t afford to make it 😂

[@bjoernoswald2473]

@@WesPerry I always thought you borrow equipment (and maybe in some perfect world get some to test it ^.^). You should get more Sony endorsement!!! ;-) I'd like to "like" your answer, but at the same time I don't "LIKE" that you cannot afford to make it! Mainly for selfish reasons, being I value your opinion/videos.

[@WesPerry]

I have applied for a press/review copy of every major Sony release in the last three years. You know how many they’ve sent me? None. Haha. I’m not sure why I still bother trying 😏 And since they’re probably not reading this deep in the comments…I sometimes get loaners from a Canadian camera store instead, since they’re willing to work with me. (I can’t just get Everything from them, though, and of course they don’t get them prerelease like the Sony loaners are). One day while talking to pro support about a repair I had in, their manager ended up cc’d and mentioned that I was waiting for a loaner from the camera store. Like…How do you know that??? So they’re clearly keeping an eye on me, just not willing to play ball 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@bjoernoswald2473]

@@WesPerry They should play ball! ;-P I'm watching (or used to watch at leat) a lot of those reviews and some of them are way too click-batey with little real information value. (but I guess they got more followers than you? ;-) ). Anyhow, fingers crossed! So without a review from you... I just ordered the 50mm to figure it out myself. But from what I could see it seems to be a pretty nice lens, very versatile and good for those lowlight settings. If you ever are in Berlin, give me a notice and you can review the lens haha ^.^

[@poppincam]

Sony g masters beats all canon prime lens but cannot touch Zeiss or Leica

[@chongyulius]

After buying 2 Samyang/Ronkinon 35mm f/1.4, I am permanently saying good bye for all their products. Very poor durability. (The first one cannot connect to Sony FE mount body firmly, causing auto-focus issues after merely 2 weeks; and the second one decided to disassemble itself into 2 pieces after 22 months of usage -- I didn't even drop it, it was handled with care, like the rest of my lens. Somehow I started to hear strange noises like a loosened screw rattling inside, then the frontal ring detached from the rest of the lens)

[@terencemorrissey4413]

Wes, would you consider this lens a better choice than the 24-70mm F2.8 GM ? I can’t decide between the versatility of the 24-70mm or the better image quality and less distortion of the 35mm.

[@cdriper]

there is no correct answer. it's a matter of your personal preferences

[@WesPerry]

As Alexander said, it’s certainly personal. And personally I choose to use this instead of a 24-70. There are lots of trade offs, though. But there are certain events where I have to use a zoom instead, like stage and dance photography.

[@charruaporelmundo]

I love the color rendition, sharpness but on two photoshoot (I only do stills) it was acting weird,.. like “zooming” in and out, hopefully my batis 40 mm was on my bag and I switched .(a7iii). Hopefully I did not sell my batis combo (40/85), and I think I’ll never do.

[@WesPerry]

I can’t say I’ve experienced this on the a7iii. Odd

[@zolwikwkurwik]

So you gave the 35 GM 9,5 points for handling but gave sigma 85 ART only 9 points even though it has exact same buttons as GM + lock switch? Sigma 85 ART, the best and sharpest 85 lens for sony ever got only 8,5 points for image quality and the 35 GM got 10? C'mon Wes, you can do better.

[@WesPerry]

The 35 GM is clearly sharper than the Sigma 85. Which is honestly a bit excessive at this point, but it is what it is. Not sure what makes you think the Sigma is the sharpest. The 135GM is also sharper, and I’m rather certain (though don’t have first hand experience here) that the 50GM is also sharper than it. One issue with the image quality rating is that the bar keeps getting higher. The 85GM would have been rated lower today, though it was very sharp for its time, it’s no longer as good by comparison. (That review is quite old now). I’m often updating my spreadsheets to account for this. Not sure how to make these changes reflect well in later work, though. The GM also gained points for handling for being so much smaller and lighter than anything else in its class. (While the Sigma is nice for that, the 35GM is Surprisingly small and light. Every time I use it I’m surprised again). And although it has no locking switch, the aperture ring is quite stiff going from Auto to the first step (not perfect, but much improved). Something I didn’t mention in the review but meant to is that I found the lens hood and lens cap both a bit annoying and finicky on the Sigma, compared to the ones on the GM lenses. Thanks for watching ;)

[@pianoman1973]

Great review ! Could you compare it to the Sigma 35 DG DN ?

[@WesPerry]

I’ve reached out to sigma but unfortunately haven’t heard back

[@zolwikwkurwik]

Fun fact, in Europe 35 1.4 GM is like 2000 usd. WTF?!

[@WesPerry]

It’s $2182 CDN here 🤷🏻‍♂️😫

[@ima245]

Same here in México, around $2,200 and I just can’t order one from B&H or moment or any other store just cause Sony don’t allow it :’C

[@johnadams3038]

I saw reviews for the new Sigma Art 35mm DG DN and it's not really that good, out of focus transition is real bad and close focusing is terrible, soft and mushy, but the Batis 40mm is an amazing lens.

[@WesPerry]

I’ve heard so many mixed things about it, I’m not sure what to believe. Many are writing off any review showing poor close focus quality as being preproduction sample issues. 🤷🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️

[@stkuj]

Dead wrong.. the lens is stellar

[@johnadams3038]

@@stkuj No it’s not.

[@hawkeye_V.Z.]

I'll tell you what I think. You have a biased attitude towards zeiss. You took blurry photos in places for demonstration, either your hand trembled on the frame, or it was your choice and intent to show zeiss in an unsightly way. zeiss has always been of very high quality, for which it has almost no equal. Thank you for reading my opinion.

[@WesPerry]

You’re quite incorrect. I used and loved this lens for years. Have delivered over 30,000 images to clients from it. However my first copy was incredibly soft. This Second copy that I have was sent to me hand picked by Sony, and is still objectively soft in a large part of the left frame. Very disappointing for such an expensive lens. I still have my 55 Zeiss, which has been a tremendous performer.

[@WesPerry]

Having taken probably 100,000 photos with the 35 Zeiss, I can be quite certain what is hand shake and what is softness at this point 😂

[@hawkeye_V.Z.]

@@WesPerry Minute 8.19 if you are interested, check yourself, everything is blurry.

[@WesPerry]

8:19 is a corner crop. That whole corner is incredibly soft, but all corners are quite weak, so the results are not surprising. These were taken on a tripod.

[@hawkeye_V.Z.]

@@WesPerry And on the previous frame, everything is much better! That is your cant! Do not be nervous!

[@olemwold]

hahahah, that ad plug tho.

[@CO8848_2]

That sun star, looks rather ridiculous, like it’s photoshopped on.

[@WesPerry]

They’re real, and they’re spectacular. 😏