Sony Zeiss 35mm f/1.4 Review
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Jose: “Libec is looking for still photographers with experience inside events, news, interviews, sports, and/or weddings. Libec is building a focus group to meet for 30 minutes or so on 11/23 and 11/24. Tentatively the meeting location will be held at the Libec office in Torrance, CA.
For more details, please contact Libec at info@libecsales.com with subject Focus Group Candidate, thanks.”
22 Responses
Low-light focusing has been a problem for a lot of cameras… I guess we just have to deal with it.
He is using an A7 II, I don’t have this lens but the A7R II with even an adapted Sigma 35Art works bloody well, nothing like in this video. His example is also backlit which was known to have problems with the earlier A7 series. DPR did a low light focussing test with this lens and many other brand users claimed they cheated to help Sony by using this lens.
I do agree contrast detection is over-all more reliable when you have the best in hand. However not everyone can afford the best. It’s important to know how other models perform and figure out the best way to use gear in hand rather than knocking head against wall lusting new gear.
The truth is I’m using a7rii and just purchased Sony 35 1.4 , sometimes it really hard to focus even at the day time !
It took a long time to focus and the final result is still “out focus” !
And the price is not cheap anyway, I’m so regret to buy this lens instead of the loxia 35/2 !
roflmao
AMF
That happens, especially when you are trying to focus on something small or has complicated texture/color.
I don’t have this problem with my A77II.
How dare you tell the truth that would include Canon and Nikon. You totally evil person… you… you…
I have many more issues in low light focussing with the A7 series than I do with just about any other camera system – regardless of which focussing mode I’m using. Good light is a different story all together, it’s true all cameras struggle in low light, but not like this.
A7s/II for low light can go down to -4 eV. A7R2 does -2 eV which is close to what D810 does. A7/II is not so good. I guess they want to sell a few bodies to every one.
I had been playing with my D810+24/1.8G recently and I think in low-light dslr get the job done. Maybe not that precisely but very close and very consistently with phase detection. Perhaps D750 could do the job better.
I tested the A7rII as well, with the 35 and the 55 – I found the focus to be better than previous A7’s, but it can’t hold up to a DSLR – especially in low light situations…. Perhaps the A7sII is even better – I hope so, because the optics of the 35 are amazing!
I own FE35/1.4, Sig ART 35/1.4, Minolta 35/1.4 (original pre-G), and Samyang 35/1.4.
FE is brighter wide open than all others.
Sigma is wider than all others.
Minolta is more accurate/reliable/consistent AF with LAEA-4 and AMount.
Samyang is more tele, and has deepest bokeh.
They’re all very sharp but in different ways and in different areas. Sig ART is the most consistent and predictable sharpness.
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FE does not allow for micro-adjust AF. Weird. It doesn’t always hit AF perfectly. It is a complete chore to use for MF with the awful fly-by-wire system. Just terrible. Colors are very pure/neutral, like the Minolta. Contrast is high. Bokeh is exquisite. Mature distortion looks good all over.
Sigma has much better MF feel than FE. Only reliable/consistent for center AF point. High contrast but color is not as neutral as FE or Minolta… a little on the hyper-saturated yellow side. Matches the other modern ART Sigmas. Does not match color of other ZA’s or Minolta’s. A pleasure to use and trustworthy to get the shot. Very low distortion makes vertical portraits nice but bends heads on the far edge of frame. Not all functions available with Sigma dock.
Minolta is smallest/lightest of bunch and best fit for EMount cameras, even with adapters. Wide open bokeh is hyper excited and can make for snappy shots unlike all others. Definitely blends the in focus with out of focus better than all others. Very organic. Least vignetting of all. Sharp all over wide open but with a low contrast glow… love it or hate it. No doubt the most character of all. Great color. Shoots clean like modern lens by f/3.5.
Samyang is beautiful manual focus feel. Largest of bunch, especially with adapter. Hood wobbles. Center not the sharpest, but midfield and far edges are extremely sharp and good for off center portraits. Very high distortion which can make people on the edges look thinner by comparison. Distortion makes low angle vertical portraits have larger bellies.
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As much as I hate to admit it… the old Minolta is still my favorite, imperfections and all, it shows the most character which highest paying editorial advertisers want to distinguish themselves with.
The Sigma is the safest bet, and most consistent of all. AMount version works great with LAEA-3 and 4. The AMount ART 50/1.5 does not work with LAEA-3 at all… but the Canon version works well with Metabones adapter for EMount. Just weird.
The flaws in this video review are enormous. What talents the camera has that he failed to include he cared not to explain as to why he excluded them. I betcha he is making money as a wedding photographer, but I also betcha he is clueless as to photography… to which this video review by him clearly indicates. He reminded me of every dumb blonde joke I have ever heard.
Wow.
Your commentary on various posts demonstrates that you clearly have a vast knowledge of photography, I’d love to learn from someone like that. Would you care to share your website/photos/reviews?
No… not to this lot.
I have watched some of his other videos. I have to say, this guy offers some of the most balanced reviews I have seen on Sony products. I think his comments are fair especially from the standpoint of someone who needs predictable AF is challenging situations.
Thanks Arize!
I agree and even his cat pics are good! To my taste he clearly knows how to make beautiful images. I would like to see him add at least a short extra review on the lens with the a7rII. He has done a review of the a7rII which is also very fairly balanced. He explains in a 30 min. 15 min. review (you will understand that if you watch the review) how the issues with the camera specifically affect his way of shooting; not in a dismissive way, but one that is honest and relevant for anyone considering the camera. I will be watching for future reviews.