The classic 35mm focal length is one that, until recently, was slightly underrepresented on Sony.  For years the sole “professional” option was the Sony Zeiss Distagon 35mm F1.4, a lens with a very mixed reputation that seems to be due to having a lot of sample variation (some good copies, some not so good).  That lens was also quite expensive, typically retailing for well over $1500 USD (the price has dropped subsequent to the release of the GM lens).  Samyang later brought a competing lens at a much lower price point (the Samyang AF 35mm F1.4, my review here).  Sony later released a compact alternative, the Sony FE 35mm F1.8, a lens that most concluded is very good though perhaps slightly overpriced (my review here).  The aging Distagon lens was still begging for a replacement, however, as it came before Sony’s G Master premium lens series had surfaced.  That replacement is here in the form of the Sony 35mm F1.4 G Master, a fabulous new lens that will almost certainly serve as the benchmark by which other 35mm lenses are evaluated against for a while. Sigma did just release a cheaper alternative in the form of the Sigma 35mm F1.4 DN ART (my review here), though the 35mm F1.4 GM still has a number of clear advantages that we’ll detail in our review. The photos and tests that I share as a part of my review cycle have all been done with the new Sony Alpha 1 which will serve as my benchmark camera for the foreseeable future (my review here).

Sony has really hit its stride in lens development in the past few years, as while early G Master lenses were good on many levels, I didn’t find them as exceptional as their price point suggested they should be and in relation to competitors from other brands.  But more recent GM lenses (and G lenses, for that matter), have been a different story.  The 24mm F1.4 G Master (my review here) was exceptional because it delivered the optical and autofocus performance while also keeping the size and price down to acceptable levels.  The Sony 135mm F1.8 GM isn’t cheap, but it is one of the sharpest lenses I’ve ever tested (my review here), with exceptional autofocus and build.  It is professional grade in every way.  The recent Sony 35mm F1.4 and 14mm F1.8 GM lenses (which I’m also testing at the moment) continue in the vein of the 24mm F1.4 GM, delivering exceptional optical qualities while also managing to keep the size relatively compact and the price relatively moderate.  I suspect that will be a winning formula for Sony, who is showing tremendous maturation as a brand right now.

The Sony 35mm F1.4 GM is going to be the clear choice for working professionals and/discerning amateurs because it has many strengths and few flaws.  The Sigma 35mm F1.4 DN provides a new alternative if you are on a tight budget, but the GM lens is the clear choice if you want the best.  I’ll detail why in my review.  You can read my text review or watch my video reviews, or just enjoy the photos below…

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Thanks to Sony Canada for getting me an early loaner of the lens.  As always, this is a completely independent review.

Photos of the Sony 35mm F1.4 GM

Photos taken with the Sony 35mm F1.4 GM

Gear Used:

Purchase the Sony 35mm F1.4 GM @ B&H Photo | Amazon | Camera Canada | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK | Amazon Germany | Ebay 

Purchase the Sigma 35mm F1.4 DN ART @ B&H Photo | Amazon | Camera Canada  | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK | Amazon Germany | Ebay 

Purchase the Sony Alpha 1 @ Camera Canada | B&H Photo | Amazon | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK | Amazon Germany | Ebay 

Purchase a Sony a9M2 @ B&H Photo | Amazon | Camera Canada | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK | Amazon Germany | Ebay 

Sony a9 Camera:  B&H Photo | Amazon | Camera Canada  | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK | Amazon Germany | Ebay 
Sony a7RIV Camera: B&H Photo | Amazon | Camera Canada | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK | Amazon Germany | Ebay 

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Peak Design Leash Strap:  Peak Design Store | B&H Photo | Amazon | Amazon Canada  | Amazon UK
BenQ SW271 4K Photo Editing Monitor – B&H Photo  | Amazon | Amazon.ca | Amazon UK
Adobe Photoshop Creative Cloud 1-Year Subscription
Exposure Software X6 (Use Code “dustinabbott” to get 10% anything and everything)
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