Sony Sonnar T* FE 35mm F2.8 ZA

Sony

Sonnar T* FE 35mm F2.8 ZA

Released November 2013

A 120 g full-frame E-mount wide-angle prime with Zeiss T* coating and a compact cap-type hood.

Mount
Sony E
Focal length
35 mm
Max aperture
f/2.8
Stabilisation
No
Weight
120 g

What reviewers say

Both praise the tiny metal construction and centre sharpness, with stronger corners after stopping down. Photography Blog is enthusiastic about value, autofocus and blur on the Alpha 7; OpticalLimits finds pricing high, longitudinal fringing and less attractive highlights on the Alpha 7R. OpticalLimits also distinguishes substantial uncorrected vignetting from corrected files and qualifies autofocus by its test body.

From photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com and opticallimits.com

Optics

Lens type
Prime
Focal length
35 mm
Maximum aperture
f/2.8
Minimum aperture
f/22
Optical construction
Seven elements in five groups
Special elements
Three double-sided aspherical elements, six aspherical surfaces
Coatings
Zeiss T* coating
Diaphragm
Seven rounded blades
Angle of view
63° full frame; 44° APS-C

Mount and compatibility

Mounts
Sony E
Image circle
Full frame
Image circle detail
Full-frame coverage; 52.5 mm equivalent field of view on APS-C

Focus and stabilisation

Autofocus
Yes
Minimum focus distance
0.35 m
Maximum magnification
0.12×
Optical stabilisation
No
Autofocus detail
Linear motor and internal focusing; overall length remains unchanged during focusing
Focus distance detail
0.35 m minimum focus distance
Magnification detail
0.12× maximum magnification
Stabilisation detail
No optical stabilisation

Design

Dust and moisture resistant
Yes
Filter diameter
49 mm
Maximum diameter
61.5 mm
Length
36.5 mm
Weight
120 g
Controls
Manual-focus ring; focus mode selected on camera; aluminium exterior
Filter detail
49 mm thread on lens; supplied cap-type hood also accepts 40.5 mm filters
Weather resistance
Dust and moisture resistant design; not guaranteed to prevent all ingress
Dimensions detail
61.5 mm maximum diameter × 36.5 mm length
Weight detail
Approximately 120 g lens; separate hood and caps excluded
Lens hood
ALC-SH129 cap-type hood, supplied
In the box
ALC-SH129 hood, 40.5 mm front cap and rear cap; no case listed
Release detail
Sony Japan announcement dated 16 October 2013 gives 15 November 2013 availability; main month precision because exact global first day is not established. Full exact independent reviews read: Photography Blog Mark Goldstein on Alpha 7 and OpticalLimits Klaus Schroiff on Alpha 7R. Their value, colour-fringing and highlight-rendering disagreement is preserved. Blog angle-of-view prose incorrectly gives 52.5 degrees: maker 63 degrees is used, with 52.5 mm instead the APS-C equivalent focal length. No inferred predecessor link

Pros and cons

Pros

  • 120 g lens weight
  • 36.5 mm lens length
  • Dust and moisture resistant design

Cons

  • No optical stabilisation
  • 0.12× maximum magnification

Closest rivals

Model
MountFocal lengthMax apertureStabilisationWeightReleased
Sony E35 mmf/1.4No630 gMar 2015
Sony E28 mmf/2No200 gMar 2015
Sony E35 mmf/1.8No280 gAug 2019

Sources

  1. sony.jp/ichigan/products/SEL35F28Z/spec.html
  2. sony.jp/ichigan/products/SEL35F28Z/feature_1.html
  3. sony.jp/CorporateCruise/Press/201310/13-1016B
  4. photographyblog.com/reviews/carl_zeiss_sonnar_t_fe_35mm_f2_8_za_review
  5. photographyblog.com/reviews/carl_zeiss_sonnar_t_fe_35mm_f2_8_za_review/sharpnes…
  6. photographyblog.com/reviews/carl_zeiss_sonnar_t_fe_35mm_f2_8_za_review/conclusi…
  7. opticallimits.com/sony/carl-zeiss-sonnar-t-fe-35mm-f-2-8-za-sony-sel35f28z-revi…

Photo: sony.jp

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