Sony Announces Lightweight, Affordable FE 35mm f/1.8
Sony has just expanded its full-frame Alpha lens line-up to an impressive 34 lenses, with the announcement of a new ultra-lightweight Sony 35mm f/1.8 prime.
Sony believes that the lens “sets a new standard for portability,” by being a compact and powerful, yet affordable alternative to the Sony Distagon T* FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA.
“Our E-mount lens lineup now includes 34 full-frame models and 52 lenses in total,” said Neal Manowitz, deputy president of Imaging Products and Solutions Americas at Sony Electronics. “The new 35mm prime combines outstanding corner-to-corner sharpness with a compact design, making it an ideal choice for a wide range of shooters. Sony will continue to develop and expand its imaging lineup, giving creators more options than ever before to realize their vision.”
Aimed at those shooting both stills and video, the lens is designed for everything from everyday snapshots, to landscapes, and more. Weighing a mere 280g and only 77mm long, the “compact dimensions and lightweight of this full-frame, large-aperture lens provide mobility and convenience for shooting a wide range of subjects,” according to Sony.
Advanced lens construction, utilising aspherical elements, helps suppress aberration whilst providing edge-to-edge sharpness across the entire frame. This is combined with a 9-blade circular aperture, which helps to create captivating bokeh. The lens also has a minimum focusing distance of 0.22mm and maximum magnification of 0.24x, allowing for some close-up photography as well.
For focusing, there is a customisable focus hold button and a focus mode switch for immediate changing between auto and manual focus. If you want to more precision with manual focus, then the lens also boasts Linear Response Manual Focus.
Sony has ensured a dust and moisture resistant build for the lens, to protect it when shooting in challenging outdoor situations. This comes alongside a quiet linear-motor AF drive system for stills and continuous focus.
The Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 will ship in August 2019 for approximately $750 US.
