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Full Review--Sony 35mm f/1.8 OSS on the NEX-7

Started Jan 13, 2013 | Discussions
El Matadurr
El Matadurr Veteran Member • Posts: 5,018
Full Review--Sony 35mm f/1.8 OSS on the NEX-7
21

I wasn't expecting to like this lens, being autofocus and all (note: manual focus on this lens is not fun), but for the most part I enjoy using it and it's the only lens I have that covers the 35mm focal length. I think I may keep it for a while unless SLR Magic pays me a visit with that HyperPrime...

Regardless, the 35mm f/1.8 OSS is a great lens, worthy of all the hype it has been getting over the past few weeks. I think my review is the first one testing out how it does on the NEX-7, so people can get an idea of the corner sharpness (or possible lack-thereof) on this difficult camera.

Full review here: http://matthewdurrphotography.com/2013/01/12/lens-review-sony-35mm-f1-8-oss/

Farm Cat

Negative Space

City Sunset

Rebel Scooter

All the best folks.

http://matthewdurrphotography.com

 El Matadurr's gear list:El Matadurr's gear list
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Sony Alpha NEX-7
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Dirk W Veteran Member • Posts: 3,613
Re: Full Review--Sony 35mm f/1.8 OSS on the NEX-7

Wow, that was a very interesting reading; what a fantastic job! A little smile about the "busy" city, oh man I love the space and spirit of the Mid West. Thanks, Matt!

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JacquesBalthazar
JacquesBalthazar Contributing Member • Posts: 835
Re: Full Review--Sony 35mm f/1.8 OSS on the NEX-7

Excellent and helpful review, thanks!

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Fujifilm X100V Nikon Df Nikon Z7 Nikon AF-S Nikkor 58mm f/1.4G Nikon Nikkor Z 24-120mm F4 S +26 more
Jim Parsons
Jim Parsons Contributing Member • Posts: 754
Re: Full Review--Sony 35mm f/1.8 OSS on the NEX-7

Nice review Matt. Not a lens I'm likely to buy (I'm into MF lenses) , this is very useful for those looking for AF primes. Well done. 

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Jim Parsons

El Matadurr
OP El Matadurr Veteran Member • Posts: 5,018
Re: Full Review--Sony 35mm f/1.8 OSS on the NEX-7

Dirk W wrote:

Wow, that was a very interesting reading; what a fantastic job! A little smile about the "busy" city, oh man I love the space and spirit of the Mid West. Thanks, Matt!

Thank you Dirk, and yes, Lexington isn't really a big city, but it sure feels that way walking around it.

http://matthewdurrphotography.com

 El Matadurr's gear list:El Matadurr's gear list
Sony Alpha NEX-7 Sony a6500 Carl Zeiss Touit 1.8/32 +1 more
El Matadurr
OP El Matadurr Veteran Member • Posts: 5,018
Re: Full Review--Sony 35mm f/1.8 OSS on the NEX-7

JacquesBalthazar wrote:

Excellent and helpful review, thanks!

Glad I could help Jacques!

http://matthewdurrphotography.com

 El Matadurr's gear list:El Matadurr's gear list
Sony Alpha NEX-7 Sony a6500 Carl Zeiss Touit 1.8/32 +1 more
El Matadurr
OP El Matadurr Veteran Member • Posts: 5,018
Re: Full Review--Sony 35mm f/1.8 OSS on the NEX-7

Jim Parsons wrote:

Nice review Matt. Not a lens I'm likely to buy (I'm into MF lenses) , this is very useful for those looking for AF primes. Well done.

You know Jim, that's what's concerning me. I'm so used to manual focus Nikkors that the times AF fails for me (and manual-focus does that awkward zoom-in function I can't seem to turn off) I get extremely frustrated. I wonder if there's ever been a lens manufacturer out there that thought of designing a lens with image stabilization, but no AF? That would sure be a keeper for me. Thanks man.

http://matthewdurrphotography.com

 El Matadurr's gear list:El Matadurr's gear list
Sony Alpha NEX-7 Sony a6500 Carl Zeiss Touit 1.8/32 +1 more
Jefenator
Jefenator Senior Member • Posts: 2,866
Re: Full Review--Sony 35mm f/1.8 OSS on the NEX-7

The "Farm Cat" shot blows me away - can't wait to read your in-depth impressions! TFS!

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Lee W Regular Member • Posts: 240
Re: Full Review--Sony 35mm f/1.8 OSS on the NEX-7

Very thorough review & very well done. I actually ordered this lens on Friday, glad I did now!

Cheers,

Lee

www.leewarrenphotography.co.uk

nosnoop Senior Member • Posts: 1,694
Re: Full Review--Sony 35mm f/1.8 OSS on the NEX-7
1

El Matadurr wrote:

You know Jim, that's what's concerning me. I'm so used to manual focus Nikkors that the times AF fails for me (and manual-focus does that awkward zoom-in function I can't seem to turn off) I get extremely frustrated. I wonder if there's ever been a lens manufacturer out there that thought of designing a lens with image stabilization, but no AF? That would sure be a keeper for me.

The answer to your question is a camera with In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS).

El Matadurr
OP El Matadurr Veteran Member • Posts: 5,018
Re: Full Review--Sony 35mm f/1.8 OSS on the NEX-7

Jefenator wrote:

The "Farm Cat" shot blows me away - can't wait to read your in-depth impressions! TFS!

I followed that little feline around for a few minutes before it finally settled down in the shade right where I wanted him. Hope you enjoy Jeff.

http://matthewdurrphotography.com

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Sony Alpha NEX-7 Sony a6500 Carl Zeiss Touit 1.8/32 +1 more
El Matadurr
OP El Matadurr Veteran Member • Posts: 5,018
Re: Full Review--Sony 35mm f/1.8 OSS on the NEX-7

Lee W wrote:


Very thorough review & very well done. I actually ordered this lens on Friday, glad I did now!

Cheers,

Lee

www.leewarrenphotography.co.uk

You won't go wrong with it. I think it's a toss-up as to whether this or the 50mm f/1.8 OSS should be the first "next" lens for NEX photographers coming from their kit zooms (whether it be 18-55 or 16-50).

http://matthewdurrphotography.com

 El Matadurr's gear list:El Matadurr's gear list
Sony Alpha NEX-7 Sony a6500 Carl Zeiss Touit 1.8/32 +1 more
El Matadurr
OP El Matadurr Veteran Member • Posts: 5,018
Re: Full Review--Sony 35mm f/1.8 OSS on the NEX-7

nosnoop wrote:

El Matadurr wrote:

You know Jim, that's what's concerning me. I'm so used to manual focus Nikkors that the times AF fails for me (and manual-focus does that awkward zoom-in function I can't seem to turn off) I get extremely frustrated. I wonder if there's ever been a lens manufacturer out there that thought of designing a lens with image stabilization, but no AF? That would sure be a keeper for me.

The answer to your question is a camera with In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS).

If they can pull it off in the NEX-9...ohhhhh man that's going to be a dream camera.

http://matthewdurrphotography.com

 El Matadurr's gear list:El Matadurr's gear list
Sony Alpha NEX-7 Sony a6500 Carl Zeiss Touit 1.8/32 +1 more
creeker Senior Member • Posts: 1,450
Re: Full Review--Sony 35mm f/1.8 OSS on the NEX-7

Excellent review. Your honest unbiased opinions will surely help those of us that are considering this lens. As a Nex-7 user, I'm especially pleased that you tested it on a Nex-7. Thank you for the time and effort that you put into your review.

regards

Ed

nzmacro
nzmacro Forum Pro • Posts: 18,657
Re: Full Review--Sony 35mm f/1.8 OSS on the NEX-7

Very interesting read and write up Matt. F/2.8 - F/11 is not bad at all. Af, well thats another issue. I guess if I was after a std lens at an excellent cost, this is a good one by the looks. CA, fairly easy to correct now days as long as its not too bad. This lens is fine and darn good at F/5.6.

All the best Matt and well done with the images as well.

Danny.

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El Matadurr
OP El Matadurr Veteran Member • Posts: 5,018
Re: Full Review--Sony 35mm f/1.8 OSS on the NEX-7

creeker wrote:

Excellent review. Your honest unbiased opinions will surely help those of us that are considering this lens. As a Nex-7 user, I'm especially pleased that you tested it on a Nex-7. Thank you for the time and effort that you put into your review.

regards

Ed

I cannot for the life of me figure out why no one has done a review of this review on the NEX-7 yet besides me. It's surprising how reviews sites rush to test out "the next best thing", a.k.a. all the new lenses on the NEX-6 instead...when the NEX-7 is STILL the flagship NEX!

Thanks a bunch Ed, I try to be as unbiased as possible in my reviews, though I am more keen to manual focus. I'll admit to that.

http://matthewdurrphotography.com

 El Matadurr's gear list:El Matadurr's gear list
Sony Alpha NEX-7 Sony a6500 Carl Zeiss Touit 1.8/32 +1 more
El Matadurr
OP El Matadurr Veteran Member • Posts: 5,018
Re: Full Review--Sony 35mm f/1.8 OSS on the NEX-7

nzmacro wrote:

Very interesting read and write up Matt. F/2.8 - F/11 is not bad at all. Af, well thats another issue. I guess if I was after a std lens at an excellent cost, this is a good one by the looks. CA, fairly easy to correct now days as long as its not too bad. This lens is fine and darn good at F/5.6.

All the best Matt and well done with the images as well.

Danny.

Too kind Danny, loving your 500/800mm shots over there in NZ. I hardly think a 35mm would be of use to your photography style though.

http://matthewdurrphotography.com

 El Matadurr's gear list:El Matadurr's gear list
Sony Alpha NEX-7 Sony a6500 Carl Zeiss Touit 1.8/32 +1 more
martindesu
martindesu Senior Member • Posts: 1,247
Re: Full Review--Sony 35mm f/1.8 OSS on the NEX-7
1

Nice review, Matt!

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Sony RX1 Sony Alpha NEX-C3 Voigtlander 35mm F1.4 Nokton Sony FE 55mm F1.8 +1 more
007peter
007peter Forum Pro • Posts: 12,932
Is my EXPECTATION TOO HIGH? I'm very disappointed by what I"m seeing here

Is my expectation too high?  Am I the only one who find these F/1.8 these results very POOR.  I'm seeing:

  • Severe Bokeh Fringe @F/1.8
  • Severe Lack of Contrast @F/1.8
  • Severe drop in Sharpness @F/1.8 (reasonable?)
  • Strong Vignetting @F/1.8 (I guess, that is to be expected)

I'm not here to trash Sony 35mm f/1.8.  I even dump my (m43) Panasonic GF2 in anticipation of this lens.  But judging by your result here, these F/1.8 result is not even usable for my taste.

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El Matadurr
OP El Matadurr Veteran Member • Posts: 5,018
Re: Full Review--Sony 35mm f/1.8 OSS on the NEX-7

martindesu wrote:

Nice review, Matt!

Thanks Martin.

http://matthewdurrphotography.com

 El Matadurr's gear list:El Matadurr's gear list
Sony Alpha NEX-7 Sony a6500 Carl Zeiss Touit 1.8/32 +1 more
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