Sony Zeiss Sonnar T* FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA – First Impression in 2024

Sony’s announcement of the full-frame cameras also included five ‘FE’ lenses, released 10+ years ago. The 35mm f/2.8 Sonnar marks the debut of Zeiss FE mount lenses, and while it doesn’t push the boundaries with its maximum aperture, it’s anticipated to deliver excellent performance for its size. One of the main reasons why I never looked into this lens from its debut is because the maximum aperture of f/2.8 didn’t seem feasible with the retail price of $799.99.

Traveling in 2024

Jumping ahead to 2024, the concept of Traveling and Photography is gaining momentum. However, relying on lenses with faster apertures often means sacrificing portability due to their bulk and weight, making them impractical for shorter trips. When it comes to travel photography with a single lens, I’d prefer a versatile 35-40mm option. Its adaptability makes it suitable for capturing both landscapes and portraits, whether I’m documenting people in their surroundings or taking close-up shots. Moreover, with the right 35mm lens, distortion-free images are achievable, perfectly aligning with my goal of keeping exceptional performance.

While the Zeiss 50mm 1.4 ZA has been my reliable workhorse lens, its bulkiness doesn’t align well with my recent shorter trips. Despite acquiring a few StellaPro lights, which strike a great balance between portability and power for my travels, I found the Zeiss 50mm lens to be somewhat counterproductive. Moreover, I encountered situations indoors where the 50mm focal length felt too tight. This prompted me to reconsider the 35mm lens option, where I found several alternatives. However, I hesitated to invest in a new lens since I’m already satisfied with my current collection of 25mm, 50mm, and 135mm lenses.

The challenge was to hunt for an affordable 35mm lens in the used market (my target was to spend no more than $400 but the lower the expense, the better), and some of the options were rather limiting, stumbling upon the Zeiss 35mm f/1.4, Sony 35mm f/1.8, Zeiss 35mm Sonnar f/2.8, and some third-party alternatives. Most of these name-brand lenses were in the used market range of $450-650, a little higher than what I anticipate spending for a new focal length in the lens lineup. But I stayed patient, still focusing on the name-brand lens because I know they are more reliable with native autofocus and consistency. Finally, after a few weeks of searching, I stumbled upon a lens that popped up on the Google Shop bar. It was the Sony Zeiss Sonnar 35mm f/2.8! I scored a like-new lens for $290—complete with box, caps, and hood. A total steal as they are listing for $400+ for a complete package.

Upon Arrival

I marveled at its compact size and featherweight feel, even after scrutinizing it online. Weighing in at only 120g, the Sony 35mm f/2.8 feels sturdy and well-built, with no plastic vibes. Its dust and moisture resistance matches the a7rIII, proving handy in light rain, moisture, and dust situations. The lens hood provides solid protection from flares and knocks, and it’s shallow enough for constant attachment. I’m just going to slap on a UV filter and the lens hood and that’s it.

The autofocus operates whisper-quietly and impressively fast—quite a feat for a lens over a decade old. Chromatic aberrations are well-contained, and any color fringing can be easily corrected in post-processing. Wide open, the lens exhibits remarkable sharpness, especially at the center, with edge sharpness improving upon stopping down, along with reduced vignetting. Given its price, I have no complaints about its wide-open sharpness. Barrel distortion is virtually nil, barely noticeable in real-world shots.

Conclusion

Overall, the Sony Zeiss 35mm f/2.8 delivers stellar image quality. While I wouldn’t mind a slightly faster aperture like f/2, its compact build and superior performance make it a perfect match for compact full frames. It’s the everyday lens and travel lens I’ve been looking for.

Key Specifications:

Focal Length: 35mm
Equivalent on APS-C Format: 52.5 mm
Aperture Maximum: f/2.8
Minimum: f/22
Minimum Focus Distance: 1.15′ (35 cm)
Magnification: 0.12x
Elements/Groups: 7/5
Diaphragm Blades: 7
Image Stabilization: No
Autofocus: Yes
Filter Thread Front: 49 mm
Dimensions (DxL): Approx. 2.42 x 1.44″ (61.5 x 36.5 mm)
Weight: 4.23 oz (120 g)