San Diego, CA—Sony Electronics added to its G Master full-frame lens series with the debut of the compact, lightweight Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM (model SEL35F14GM). The E-mount lens is built for high image quality and beautiful bokeh in a smaller body.
Moreover, when paired with an E-mount camera, the lens offers Sony’s AF (autofocus) capabilities for shooting a range of imagery. They include landscapes, portraits and street photography, as well as video.
“At Sony, our purpose is to fill the world with emotion through the power of creativity and technology. So we designed the FE 35mm f/1.4 GM to perfectly capture the moments that need to be saved forever,” said Neal Manowitz, deputy president for Imaging Products and Solutions Americas at Sony Electronics. “With exquisite resolution and intelligent focusing technology, all in a small, lightweight design, this is an indispensable lens that does not compromise on image quality.”
Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM Features
Sony’s proprietary optical design and manufacturing technology produce high resolution, artistic bokeh and precise focusing. What’s more, weighing 18.5 ounces and measuring 3×3-⅞ inches, the lens fits comfortably in the palm of a hand. Additionally, it has a Φ67mm filter diameter. 
The FE 35mm F1.4 GM’s construction comprises two XA (extreme aspherical) elements to maintain high resolution throughout the image area. In addition, thanks to an ED glass element and other optical refinements, the new lens performs well in difficult lighting; it suppresses chromatic aberration and purple fringing.
Furthermore, the lens delivers an almost circular aperture as a result of an 11-blade construction. Spherical aberration control at both the design and the manufacturing stages also contributes to bokeh; this is a signature characteristic of Sony’s G Master lenses.
In addition, the XA elements contribute to impressive close-ups with smooth, creamy background bokeh. The combination of its f/1.4 maximum aperture and the flexibility to choose the shooting distance allows for control of bokeh when shooting both stills and video. The lens has a 10.6-inch minimum focusing distance and a 0.23x-maximum magnification in AF mode.
Also featured are two Sony XD (extreme dynamic) linear motors that provide the high thrust efficiency needed for precise autofocus and tracking for high resolution at any distance. Moreover, control algorithms developed specifically for the XD linear motors improve control response and precision while minimizing vibration and noise for fast, smooth and silent autofocus.
“Linear Response MF ensures the focus ring responds to subtle control when focusing manually and is ideal for creative focusing effects when shooting video,” the company also announced. The focus ring rotation translates directly to a corresponding change in focus, so control feels immediate and precise.
Additional Features
The FE 35mm f/1.4 GM offers professional controls; for example, it has an aperture ring with switchable click stops, a customizable focus hold button and a focus mode switch that all support smooth operation. Photographers can also assign the focus hold button to several other functions via a camera body menu. As a result, it provides direct access to functions that are vital to both photographers and videographers.
What’s more, when mounted to an APS-C or Super 35 camera body, the FE 35mm f/1.4 GM acts as a standard lens with a 52.5mm full-frame equivalent angle of view—ideal for creating videos. Other video advantages include the de-clickable aperture, fast linear AF and linear response manual focus.
Dust and moisture resistant, the lens also has a fluorine front element coating that repels water, oil and other contaminants. The Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM lens ships in February. It can be preorder starting January 14th here for a suggested retail price of $1,399.99.
