Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* FE 35mm F2.8 ZA Review
The Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* FE 35mm F2.8 ZA ($799.99 direct)($598.00 at Amazon) is one of a pair of prime lenses that the company released along with its full-frame mirrorless camera system. Its field of view is a bit wider than the Sonnar T* FE 55mm F1.8 ZA($898.00 at Amazon), and its aperture isn't as wide. But it's also less expensive, and impressively small. The lens is an excellent performer on both the Alpha 7 and 7R, delivering minimal distortion and impressive edge-to-edge sharpness at all apertures. It's a top-notch lens, living up to its Zeiss branding, and earning our Editors' Choice award.
The Sonnar T* 35mm covers a classic moderate wide-angle field of view. It measures just 1.4 by 2.4 inches (HD) and weighs just 4.2 ounces. There's a removable hood that adds just a little depth to the lens, it latches in via a bayonet; the included lens cap coves the opening of the hood, but is probably unnecessary due to the protection that the hood provides for the front element...
The Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* FE 35mm F2.8 ZA is a compact, sharp wide-angle lens for Sony full-frame mirrorless cameras, but it's on the pricey side.
Extremely sharp; No distortion; Compact; Solid build quality
Pricey; Not optically stabilized