thively61 Loc: Robinson, Texas

Advice requested on which of these lenses to purchase for my A7RII. I'm considering the Sony Zeiss 35mm 1.4 or the Sigma 35mm 1.4 Art with the MC-11 adapter. I've read reviews, watched vids and need more information. I want one of these lenses to use in indoor lower lighting situations, such as a wedding or other event where flash might not be allowed. So, autofocus speed matters a lot in which one is more suitable to me. Sharpness also matters a lot, of course. I've read/seen that both lenses tend to hunt in low light, but I'm wondering if the native Sony might do better than the adapted Sigma in that area. Asking for opinions on low light autofocus performance, image quality, and which one you would depend on to be sure you get the shot needed at an event. Thanks.

HOT Texas Loc: From the Heart of Texas

I don't own ether one, but I would lean towards the Sony just because not having to use a adaptor.

SS319

If I were looking for a new lens I would figure out what are the qualities I wanted in that lens resolution, weight, color, ease of operation, connection to camera resources, filter size, price, price allowance, etc.. I would then rank those qualities on a scale of 1-10 maybe resolution is a 10, weight 8, price 6, price allowance will be an eliminator and is separate from price as a factor, if you only can spend $1200, then a lens at $1250 is out of the evaluation.

Now, evaluate each lens individually, without reference to your ranking of the qualities and rank how each individual lens meets your quality standard. Maybe lens a will separate 2000 lines per inch and lens B will separate only 1500, you would rank lens A at 10, and lens B at 7 (6-8), maybe lens a is heavier, rank it lower than B, both lens are white but lens B has a nicer surface rank it accordingly. Do this for all the lens qualities you thought were important.

Now, for each quality for each lens, generate the product of how important the quality is to you and how well each individual lens meets that quality. So if you had decided that resolution was a 10, then the product for lens A would be 100 and lens B would be 70. Do this for each quality for each lens.

Now sum the products for each lens and compare - you will have numbers in the 400 - 1000 range for each lens. If lens A is higher - buy it. If lens B is higher buy it! it the product of the sums is within about 10%, buy either one.

I have used this method to evaluate cars, houses, cameras, and other purchases, and have often been surprised by the results, but never dissatisfied with the results.

thively61 Loc: Robinson, Texas

Thank you for the suggestions. I also posted the question in a FB group and heard from a gentleman who had owned and used both of the lenses. He liked them both, but said the Sony was better autofocusing, and image quality was very close. I think his information, plus other comments, has me persuaded that the Sony is the right one for me.

jackpi Loc: Southwest Ohio

On the DxO web site, you can't compare the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art lens directly to Sony lenses on the A7R2. But the Sigma lens on a the 50MPix 5DSR is pretty close to the Sony lens on the A7R2 if you adjust the performance downward for the number of pixels (50MPix vs 42MPix). I expect the Sony lens would perform slightly better than the Sigma lens. See the data in the link below. My preference would be for the Sony lens (not the Distagon unless money is no object).

https://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Compare/Side-by-side/Sony-FE-Carl-Zeiss-Distagon-T-STAR-35mm-F14-ZA-on-Sony-A7R-II-versus-Sony-FE-Carl-Zeiss-Sonnar-T-STAR-35mm-F28-on-Sony-A7R-II-versus-Sigma-35mm-F14-DG-HSM-A-Canon__1518_1035_1251_1035_1056_0

repleo Loc: Boston

I believe the Sony 'eye focus' feature will only work with native Sony autofocus lenses. For portraits, especially weddings, I would think that is a 'no-brainer'. Get the Sony.

cthahn

If you know anything about Zeiss there should be no question.

Ricker Loc: Salt Lake City, Utah

Zeiss lenses are absolutely superior to all name brand lenses if they're manufactured in Germany. If manufactured in Japan? That is a question that I can't answer.
Best regards, Ricker

thively61 Loc: Robinson, Texas

Thanks to all. I do appreciate the responses.