ZEISS Loxia 2/35
Launch MSRP
$1,299- Weight
- 340g
- Filter
- ⌀52mm
- Min focus
- 0.30m
- Max mag.
- 0.17×
- Formula
- 9E / 6G
- Released
- 2014
Specification sheet
Optical construction
- 1x APD
- T* Coating
- Aperture range
- f/2 — f/22
Physical & ergonomics
- Weight
- 340g
- ⌀ × length
- 62.1 × 59.2mm
- Filter
- ⌀52mm
- Weather sealed
- No
- Aperture ring
- Yes · de-click
Autofocus actuator
- Stabilisation
- Body IBIS
- Teleconverter
- Not supported
- AF speed score
- —
Close-up performance
- Min focus distance
- 0.30m
- Max magnification
- 0.17× (1:5.8)
Optical character
The Loxia 2/35 was one of the first two Loxia lenses, launched with the 2/50 in 2014 as manual-focus primes made for Sony's full-frame mirrorless bodies. Its Biogon-based layout is close to symmetrical, using nine elements in six groups with one anomalous-partial-dispersion element. The design depends on the short E-mount flange distance.
At 340g and 59mm long it is a small, dense reportage lens with a 180-degree focus throw, 10 aperture blades and a de-clickable aperture ring. Electronic contacts pass EXIF data and trigger focus magnification as soon as you turn the ring. The rendering has the punchy contrast and colour that ZEISS is known for.
Reviewer consensus
Reviewers find the centre sharp and contrasty from f/2. The corners trail behind and need f/5.6 to f/8 before they match the middle, and field curvature shows up when shooting flat subjects. Distortion is very low, as you would expect from a Biogon, and flare resistance is good.
The common criticisms are heavy vignetting wide open, softer outer zones than modern 35mm designs, and a price close to that of faster autofocus lenses. Most reviews present it as a lens you buy for size, handling and character rather than for test-chart results.
Owner sentiment
Owners love the size and the focus feel, and many say it turned them into manual-focus shooters on A7-series bodies. Street and documentary photographers like zone-focusing with the long, damped throw and the clear distance scale.
The complaints repeat the reviews: soft corners at wide apertures, noticeable vignetting, and colour shading on some early high-resolution bodies. A few users find the de-click procedure fiddly because it needs the supplied tool.
Strengths, weaknesses & performance
Strengths
- +Very compact, 340g all-metal build
- +Sharp, contrasty centre at f/2
- +Almost no distortion
- +Smooth 180° focus throw
- +Electronic contacts: EXIF and focus magnify
Weaknesses
- −Soft corners until f/5.6–f/8
- −Heavy vignetting at f/2
- −Expensive for an f/2 manual lens
Six-axis rating
- Sharpness
- 8.0
- Bokeh Rendering
- 7.6
- Autofocus Speed
- MF
- Flare Resistance
- 8.3
- Build / Sealing
- 9.0
- Value / Size
- 7.0
Editorial 0–10 ratings synthesised from published reviews.
Technical specifications
| Mount | Sony E (FE) · full frame |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 35mm |
| Category | Wide |
| Maximum aperture | f/2 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 |
| Construction | 9 elements in 6 groups |
| Special elements | 1x APD · T* Coating |
| Aperture blades | 10 |
| Focus type | Manual Focus |
|---|---|
| Drive | Manual Helicoid |
| Minimum focus | 0.30m |
| Max magnification | 0.17× |
| Stabilisation | None (uses body IBIS) |
| Teleconverters | Not supported |
| Weight | 340g |
|---|---|
| Diameter × length | 62.1 × 59.2mm |
| Filter thread | ⌀52mm |
| Weather sealing | No |
| Aperture ring | Yes |
| De-clickable aperture | Yes |
| Release year | 2014 |
| Launch MSRP | $1,299 USD |
Sources
Specifications
- zeiss.com/photonics-and-optics/en/photography/products/lenses-for-vid
- zeiss.com/content/dam/pno/downloads/photo-lenses/datasheets/loxia-len
- sonyalpharumors.com/zeiss-loxia-officially-announced-50mm-costs-949-and-35mm-co
- bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1080388-REG/zeiss_2103_749_loxia_35mm_f_2_biogon.
Similar focal length alternatives
- VSZEISS Loxia 2/35 vs 35mm F1.4
- VSZEISS Loxia 2/35 vs 35mm F1.4 Mark II FF
- VSZEISS Loxia 2/35 vs 35mm F1.4 Mark III
- 7Artisans
35mm F1.4
35mmF1.4- WT
- 298g
- FLT
- ⌀46mm
- MFD
- 0.40m
- MSRP
- $199
MFRING - 7Artisans
35mm F1.4 Mark II FF
35mmF1.4- WT
- 284g
- FLT
- ⌀52mm
- MFD
- 0.33m
- MSRP
- —
MFRING - 7Artisans
35mm F1.4 Mark III
35mmF1.4- WT
- 274g
- FLT
- ⌀52mm
- MFD
- 0.33m
- MSRP
- $189
MFRING·DC
