Sony 35mm f1.8 DT SAM Lens

Some have mentioned that this lens is plasticky and indeed it is - but - it is well made and strong. Why do I say that? Well, on unpacking it (btw it was extremely well packed) I accidently dropped it ontp a carpeted floor. Fearing the worst I fitted to my A65 and found that it worked OK -much to my relief!!

only negative is its plasticy and feels cheap. I use this lens for bandshoots in really bad light. Its light and af`s really well. Sharp even wide open. Love the fact the filter threads dont rotate in use so using Grad ND filters and polarisers is easier.

Since purchase I have used this general walkabout lens on my a500. It has produced some fantastic sharp shots! I mostly use my camera for landscape photography and this lens suites the genre well.

This is a bargain little prime for the money.

The casing feels cheap plastic. The SAM motor doesn't feel any quicker or quieter than the A700 in-body screw motor and you're forced to use the AF/MF switch on the lens.

On the other hand it's very sharp, lightweight, compact, and cheap - very convenient to tuck away in an odd corner of your bag.

The hood is quite substantial and offers decent protection for the front element when fitted.

This little lens is great in low light situations and an ideal focal length for any APS-C user, as its not too long to be used in small spaces. Focus speed and focus accuracy are reasonable even in low light (it'll out perform a standard zoom) and the colours are good. Minimal chromatic aberration.
It is a little bit plastic in it's build but what do you expect for the money ? Well worth it.

When you first pick up this lens you can see and feel where the compromises have been made to get a prime in at this low price point. Light-weight plastics and a plastic mounting plate - not a lens that will take much abuse. But at this price it's almost disposable!

Once actually on the camera the 'cheapness' in not apparent. The image quality is excellent - what you would expect from a prime costing many hundreds more Pounds.

The SAM focus motor is neither faster nor quieter than the screw-drive AF motor in my A700. AF speed seem to be more or less the same as with my 50mm screw-drive AF lens.

The 35mm is ideal for Sony APC-C cameras. I find my 50mm f1.4 to be too long for my primary use of indoor, low-light shooting of group events. 35mm is much better for this sort of work.

If you only buy one prime for your Sony, buy this one.

Excellent Value and very sharp. The main lens used everyday on Sony A55