With a five-year head start over Canon and Nikon in building its full-frame mirrorless system, it’s no surprise that Sony has a significantly larger lens range than its two biggest competitors. But there’s one lens type that both it's rivals managed to bring out earlier – a 35mm f/1.8. Both introduced such a lens on day one of their systems, whereas Sony started out with a compact 35mm f/2.8 in 2013, then added a huge, premium 35mm f/1.4 in 2015, before revealing its f/1.8 optic in July.
Interestingly, the three firms have come up with somewhat different takes on the idea. Canon’s RF 35mm F1.8 IS STM Macro is an optically stabilised lens that uses an extending-barrel design to achieve half-lifesize magnification at the cost of outright focusing speed. In contrast, the Nikon Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.8 S is a large optic that includes more exotic glass for premium performance.
Sony’s FE 35mm F1.8 is smaller than the Nikon and has a lower RRP, suggesting slightly lower aspirations. Indeed with a launch price of £630, the FE 35mm F1.8 sits alongside the FE 28mm F2 and FE 85mm F1.8 in Sony’s mid-range line-up. Tellingly, it’s cheaper than the 35mm f/2.8, and less than half the price of the 35mm f/1.4. Crucially, its relatively compact design makes for a nicely balanced match with the A7 camera bodies.
Features
Optically, the FE 35mm F1.8 employs 11 elements in 9 groups, including a single aspherical element to suppress aberrations and achieve higher sharpness towards the corners of the image. A 9-bladed diaphragm provides a circular aperture, with the aim of producing attractive out-of-focus highlights.
Bu hikaye Amateur Photographer dergisinin September 28, 2019 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Amateur Photographer dergisinin September 28, 2019 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Zanele Muholi
Visual activist Zanele Muholi's work is important and acclaimed. Back at the Tate after being cut short by lockdown, it's a must-see this year, says Amy Davies
KEKS KM-Q light meter
This tiny light meter is perfect for vintage film cameras, says Andy Westlake
Lensbaby Sweet 22
This wideangle pancake lens produces a central spot of sharp focus surrounded by dramatic blur. Angela Nicholson has had some fun with it
XCD Hasselblad 25mm F2.5 V
This ultra-wideangle lens is built for Hasselblad’s medium-format mirrorless cameras, such as the X2D 100C and 907X 100C. But how does it perform? Joshua Waller finds out
AF NIKKOR Film supremo
Interest in film photography is growing, and the Nikon F100 could be just the camera to help you explore it. John Gilbey explains why
Couple exposure
If shooting a wedding isn’t enough pressure, try adding film to the mix. Hollie Latham Hucker speaks to two wedding photographers who love capturing the celebrations of a big day with their analogue cameras
A vital insight
Overlooked for decades, the archive of one of Britain's greatest photographers is being brought together in a new book. Peter Dench finds out more
Film favourites
We spoke to the passionate Analogue Wonderland community to find out what their go-to films are and why they love shooting with this classic medium
Taking snapshots seriously
The humble snap can provide as much of an insight into time, place and culture as any award-winning war photograph or epic landscape. John Wade explains how and why
Expired? You're hired!
If the relatively high cost of film is putting you off analogue shooting, what about trying expired film? Miles MyerscoughHarris discusses the appeal of expired film with Geoff Harris (no relation)