Here’s the New Sony 35mm F1.8 Lens You’ve Been Craving

Just five years ago, Sony shipped the Sony a7II and has been catering to its dedicated mirrorless following ever since. If you're a part of that following, good news...your pleas for a fast, all-purpose 35mm lens have been heard.

Sony has announced the release of the FE 35mm F1.8, a full-frame wide-angle lens that joins the company's 34-lens lineup for a7 and a9 cameras.

For video, the lens runs on a linear motor that allows for linear focus response in MF mode, and fast and quiet autofocus when needed. A customizable focus hold button allows for instantaneous switching between auto and manual focus. The lens has a compact build, coming in at less than 3 inches long. It’s also incredibly light, weighing in at less than ten ounces, allowing it to be a very versatile lens. The 9-blade circular aperture allows for a natural bokeh effect and a smooth blurring of backgrounds.

Tech Specs

• Focal Length - 35mm
• Lens Mount - Sony FE
• 9-blade circular aperture with advanced optical construction
• Maximum Aperture - F1.8
• Minimum Aperture - F22
• Minimum Focus - .22m (8.66’’)
• Maximum magnification - .24x
• Weight - 280g (.62lb)
• Diameter - 66mm (2.6’’)
• Length - 73mm (2.87”)

With the lower pricing, lightweight, and compact nature of this lens, Sony appears to be continuing to serve its market of enthusiasts and lower-level professionals looking for versatile cameras.

Will we see a G-Master series version of this lens in the near future? "Sony will continue to develop and expand its imaging lineup, giving creators more options than ever before to realize their vision," Neal Manowitz, deputy president of Imaging Products and Solutions Americas at Sony Electronics said in a press release.

The FE 35mm F1.8 will ship in August 2019 for approximately $750 US and will be sold at a variety of Sony’s authorized dealers throughout North America.

For users just taking steps into the mirrorless space, is this enough to ditch your MetaBones and dive into some new Sony glass?

Is the lower price point enough to draw users to Sony lenses instead of a competitor's, such as Sigma's line of mirrorless options? 

Let us know what lenses you still want to see from Sony's full-frame E-mount collection in the comments.

Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 E-Mount Full Frame Lens - Adorama