Sony has announced the 59th addition to the E-Mount lens lineup, the 35mm f/1.4 GM, which delivering first-class image quality and beautiful bokeh for broad expressive capability in an extremely compact and lightweight design. The FE 35mm f/1.4 GM is a must-have for Sony’s E-mount users, as in combination with Sony’s camera bodies it boasts advanced focusing capabilities – perfect for a wide range of uses such as shooting landscapes, portraits, and finally street photography, both stills, and video.

“At Sony, our purpose is to fill the world with emotion through the power of creativity and technology so we designed the FE 35mm f/1.4 GM to perfectly capture the moments that need to be saved forever,” said Yann Salmon Legagneur, Director of Product Marketing, Digital Imaging, Sony Europe. “With exquisite resolution and intelligent focus technology, all in a small, lightweight design, this is an indispensable lens that does not compromise on image quality.”

Sony’s advanced optical design and manufacturing technology brings extraordinary resolution, beautiful bokeh, and precise focusing performance to a compact lens that fits comfortably in the palm of your hand, weighing just 524 grams and measuring 76 mm x 96 mm with a filter diameter of 67mm.

The FE 35mm f/1.4 GM features advanced optical technology that delivers stunning contrast and superb resolution. Two XA (extreme aspherical) elements effectively maintain excellent resolution throughout the image area. Thanks to an ED glass element and other optical refinements, the new FE 35mm f/1.4 GM performs well in difficult lighting by effectively suppressing chromatic aberration and purple fringing for breathtaking results.

The FE 35mm f/1.4 GM delivers an almost circular aperture thanks to its 11-blade construction – a rare level of quality for a mobile lens. Painstaking spherical aberration control at both the design and the manufacturing stages contributes to beautiful G Master bokeh that makes subjects really stand out.

Two innovative XA elements allow for impossibly impressive close-ups with smooth, creamy background bokeh. The combination of f/1.4 maximum aperture and the flexibility to choose the perfect shooting distance (minimum focusing distance of just 27cm with a maximum magnification of 0.23x in autofocus mode) allows for ultimate control and stunning bokeh when shooting both stills and video.

Two of Sony’s XD (extreme dynamic) Linear Motors provide the high thrust efficiency needed for precise AF (autofocus) and tracking – resulting in outstanding resolution at any distance. State-of-the-art control algorithms, developed specifically for the XD Linear Motors, improve control response and precision whilst minimizing vibration and noise for fast, smooth, and silent AF performance. Advanced focusing can also be achieved when shooting at a high frame rate.

Linear Response MF is ideal for creative focusing effects when shooting video as it ensures the focus ring responds to subtle control when focusing manually. The focus ring rotation translates directly to a corresponding change in focus, so control feels immediate and precise.

Leading up to its official launch, a select group of Sony Artisans Of Imagery and Sony Alpha Imaging Collective members had a chance to try out the new Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master. Photos by Jeremy Cohen (@jermcohen), Crissi Beth Cooper (@crissibeth), Sal D’Alia (@timbuz), Caroline Jensen (@carolinej), Nino Rakichevich (@nino_rakichevich) and Chad Wadsworth (@chadwadsworth_atx):

The FE 35mm f/1.4 GM offers full professional control, with a focus hold button, focus mode switch to support smooth, efficient operation. An aperture ring with switchable click stops can be turned off for movie shooting, and when used on an APS-C camera or with a Super 35 angle of view, it can be used as a standard lens equivalent to 52.5mm, making the FE 35mm f/1.4 GM the perfect choice for creating videos. The focus hold button can be assigned to several other functions via a camera body menu, providing direct access to functions that are vital to photographers and videographers alike. It was created to be reliable with a dust and moisture resistant design and a fluorine front element coating that repels water, oil, and other contaminants.

The new FE 35mm f/1.4 GM will be available in February and will be sold for approximately $1,399.99.

More info on Sony’s website.