B (142)

march 2015 Better PhotograPhy

The lens exhibits

excellent overall

sharpness even at f/2.8.

However, there is some

amount of fringing that

is visible.

Exposure: 1/50sec at f/2.8

(ISO 100)

F I N A L R A T I N G S

Features

Maximum aperture of f/1.8, minimum

focusing distance of 0.23m

15/20

Performance

Excellent sharpness, barrel distortion

33/35

Build Quality

Plastic feel

20/25

Ergonomics

No full time manual focus

13/15

Warranty & Support

Wide area service network, two

year warranty

3/5

Value for Money

Who should buy it? Users having the A-mount

camera with APS-C sensor, who want to shoot street and

people in available light conditions.

Why? With a maximum aperture of f/1.8, it will allow

users to shoot in low light. Additionally, it exhibits good

overall sharpness.

OVERALL

84%

Raj Lalwani

from the motor by switching from AF to
MF can damage the lens. The minimum
focus distance of 0.23m is reasonably
good, at which distance the lens provides a
maximum magnification ratio of 1:4.

Handling
This is a light lens that works rather well
on the Alpha 77 II, despite its plastic feel.
The focus ring is quite narrow. I always
have a personal preference for an aperture
ring to be present, and this lens does not
have it. Neither does this lens make setting
hyperfocal distances particularly easy,
which is a shame. Somehow, all the leading
manufacturers seem to be missing all these
points nowadays, especially in this category
of lenses where these features would be
especially welcome.

Performance
So far, everything about the lens seemed
average and decidedly lacklustre.
However, it did throw up some good
surprises when it came to performance.
It is exceptionally sharp at f/1.8, especially
at the center of the frame. There was visible
lateral fringing at the edges, but it was well-
controlled for a lens of its type. The bokeh
has the expected sharp edges. By f/2.8 and

f/4, there is a dramatic improvement to the

point where this lens starts competing with

far more expensive primes. Bokeh too is

significantly improved with softer edges.

There is a slight, easily correctable barrel

distortion. Other optical aberrations were

kept to a minimum.

Despite the older AF motor, focusing

speed is quick, but there is a slight hunting at

f/1.8 especially at closer focussing distances

because of the critical depth of field. On the

whole, I was very happy with what the lens

was able to deliver at its price point.

Conclusion

The lens is priced at Rs 15,490, which is

about the equivalent price from other

manufacturers for lenses of its kind.

On the whole, my gripe with the general

design of lenses of its type extends to all

manufacturers, and it is unfortunate that

Sony DT 35mm fell prey to most of the

same issues. I say unfortunate... because

this is otherwise an exceptional lens, both

in optical performance and in value.

Serious Sony SLT users who don’t

otherwise have a viable upgrade path at

this focal length will be happy to know that

the Sony DT 35mm f/1.8 SAM is all they

really need.

Suresh Narayanan