Here're some sample images taken with the Alpha 700 and (mostly) RAW-converted via CaptureOne 4.1.
Click on a thumbnail to view the original file (opens in a separate window). Please note that the originals are FULL SIZE samples
(=several megabytes) thus requiring a significant amount of bandwidth so please take care of the limited resources here.
Make
SONY
Model
DSLR-A700
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
35.0mm
Exposure Data:
f/1.4 @ 1/2500s
Size
4272x2848
Make
SONY
Model
DSLR-A700
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
35.0mm
Exposure Data:
f/8.0 @ 1/640s
Size
4272x2848
Make
SONY
Model
DSLR-A700
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
35.0mm
Exposure Data:
f/2.5 @ 1/8000s
Size
4272x2848
Make
SONY
Model
DSLR-A700
ISO Speed
100
Focal Length
35.0mm
Exposure Data:
f/1.4 @ 1/1000s
Size
2848x4272
Make
SONY
Model
DSLR-A700
ISO Speed
100
Focal Length
35.0mm
Exposure Data:
f/1.4 @ 1/5000s
Size
4272x2848
Make
SONY
Model
DSLR-A700
ISO Speed
100
Focal Length
35.0mm
Exposure Data:
f/1.4 @ 1/6400s
Size
2848x4272
Make
SONY
Model
DSLR-A700
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
35.0mm
Exposure Data:
f/1.7 @ 1/6400s
Size
2848x4272
Make
SONY
Model
DSLR-A700
ISO Speed
100
Focal Length
35.0mm
Exposure Data:
f/1.4 @ 1/6400s
Size
4272x2848
Make
SONY
Model
DSLR-A700
ISO Speed
100
Focal Length
35.0mm
Exposure Data:
f/1.4 @ 1/1250s
Size
2848x4272
Make
SONY
Model
DSLR-A700
ISO Speed
100
Focal Length
35.0mm
Exposure Data:
f/2.8 @ 1/500s
Size
2848x4272
Verdict
To G or not to G is the question and the answer is ... no. The Sony 35mm f/1.4G may offer lots of creative potential thanks to its ultra-large max. aperture but technically it is not an overly impressive lens especially in relation to its very steep price tag. The resolution is rather poor at large aperture settings and this is, after all, the primary playing ground of this lens. The situation improves significantly when stopping down to f/4-f/8 although very high lateral CAs can decrease the sharpness perception if not corrected. Distortions and vignetting are very well controlled, less so longitudinal CAs ("bokeh CAs"). Some users mention a very good bokeh (out-of-focus blur) but we failed to see greatness here (note: the quality of the bokeh goes beyond the sheer depth-of-field). The build quality is excellent and the AF is fast enough for most applications. All-in-all a lens which surely had its time but it isn't really prepared for the digital era.
