No surprise. Here is another 35mm F1.4 lens. This time, it’s from a company called SG-image.
I’ve tested two other lenses from this Chinese lens manufacturer, and I have to say, they are certainly on the right track to becoming a force to be reckoned with.
Rather than throwing a bunch of technical charts and numbers at you, I’m going to let the pictures do the talking.
Here are my 3 points about this lens.
1. Design
I think the designer deserves a pay raise.
Seriously, I think they did a great job. The devil is in the details, and this silver version looks really good. More importantly, it feels great in the hand too.
It’s a well-made lens, and the overall finish gives it a much more premium feel than its price would suggest.
It uses a 52mm filter thread, which happens to be the same size as the Fujifilm XF35mm F1.4 — also known as the GOAT.
Coincidence? Maybe. But I like it.
2. Price
The black version is US$178, while the silver version is another US$10.
So yes, the silver version is US$188.
The lens hood is optional at just US$12.
For me, though, the hood isn’t really optional. At that price, I would definitely get it. The lens and hood together are a perfect pairing, especially with the silver version.
For what you’re getting, the pricing is pretty hard to ignore.
3. Optics
This is not one of those clinically sharp lenses.
And I mean that in a good way.
I think SG-image has found a nice balance between sharpness, fall-off and character. The images have a certain look to them rather than simply trying to be as sharp and technically perfect as possible.
Wide open at F1.4, there is some vignetting, but nothing too serious. You will also see some chromatic aberration in certain situations.
But honestly, sometimes the best way to showcase a lens is simply through the pictures.
So I’m going to let the images do the talking.
If you like what you see, then I think this lens is definitely worth considering.
