A large viewing angle, excellent depth of field, and a cinematic appearance are offered by the best 35mm lenses. Filmmakers and photography aficionados frequently utilize them because of their compact size and potent design. Typically, businesses like Leica and Fujifilm come to mind when searching for lenses of this type, but many other manufacturers, like Sony and Canon, also make top-notch products.

In 2024, there are many possibilities available in the vintage or retro photography genre, which is more popular than ever. This post will examine five of the top 35mm lenses, highlighting their advantages, disadvantages, and features.

Let’s take a look at the best 35mm lenses in 2024

Fujifilm XF 35mm F1.4 R

Among the best 35mm lenses on the market right now, the Fujifilm XF 35mm F1.4 R clearly wins the top rank. Known by its nickname, "The Original," this model was among the first in the X-mount lineup. Possessing all the qualities that make Fujifilm lenses exceptional—wide aperture, excellent bokeh, and high-quality images—the product lives up to the brand name.For about $999, you might have a powerful portrait camera that combines soft bokeh, amazing sharpness, and Fujifilm's signature color grading.

Features

• Sensor: APS-C

• Focal Length: 35mm

• Aperture: f/1.4 to f/16

• Auto Focus: Yes

With its wide f/1.4 aperture and fixed 35mm focal length, you can capture stunning low-light images without generating a lot of distortion or noise. The lens works well for portraiture and offers a fair balance between clarity and background blur. But it's also useful for street, travel, and regular everyday photography.

Pros:

• Excellent image quality and color science

• Very portable due to its small size and lightweight

• Has a weatherproof build

Cons:

• Autofocus might not be as snappy as competitors

• May be too narrow for some landscape or group shots

Sony Distagon FE 35mm F1.4 ZA

Designed in collaboration with ZEISS, the Sony Distagon FE 35mm F1.4 ZA is a remarkable wide-angle prime lens. The lens's anti-reflective coating significantly lessens lens flare, resulting in beautiful photos, especially in dimly lit and nighttime settings.

The full-frame design of the Sony Distagon FE 35mm F1.4 ZA gives it a great deal of versatility and allows it to readily dominate a variety of shooting genres.

It may seem like a costly investment at $999, but given its wealth of features and sturdy construction, we believe the extra money is well spent.

Features

• Sensor: Full-frame

• Focal Length: 35mm

• Aperture: f/1.4 to f/16

• Auto Focus: Yes

It has a wide f/1.4 aperture with nine aperture blades, a fixed 35mm focal length, and weighs about 630g. The reflective coating contributes to the creation of sharper, more background-blurring images.It's one of the best 35mm lenses out there right now because of its smooth, brilliant images; it's also a wonderful lens for street, city, and portrait photography.

Pros:

• Great image quality with smooth background blur

• Versatile for various genres, including portraits, cityscapes, and low-light

• Reliable autofocus performance

Cons:

• Bulky and heavy compared to some options

• Expensive

Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG DN Art

For photographers looking to capture high-quality shots, the Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens is an excellent choice because it is a versatile wide-angle lens. The vibrant and lifelike hues of this product helped it become well-liked. Additionally, it has weather sealing, which makes it appropriate for a range of shooting scenarios.

Its heavy structure, meanwhile, might be a drawback. It wasn't the most portable lens for a mirrorless body, according to several users.

At about $799, the lens is a good alternative for people searching for a quick 35mm lens with good image quality.

Features

• Sensor: Full-frame and APS-C

• Focal Length: 35mm

• Aperture: f/1.4 to f/16

• Auto Focus: Yes

With its fixed 35mm focal length, 11 rounded blades in its aperture, and stepping motor for silent and rapid autofocus, this lens has a lot to offer. Because they work with both Sony's E-mount and L-mount (SIGMA, Panasonic, Leica) camera systems, Sigma's DG DN lenses are incredibly adaptable.

Pros:

• Produces sharp images with smooth bokeh

• Has a strong weather-sealed build

• Provides good value for the price

Cons:

• Autofocus can be slightly slower compared to native lenses

• Images may feel flat without post-processing

Canon EF 35mm F1.4L II USM

Wide-angle prime lens Canon EF 35mm F1.4L II USM is well-liked for its small size and excellent image quality. The L-series lenses from Canon are classified as professional-grade lenses, or optical excellence lenses. These are renowned for their strong construction and outstanding low-light capabilities.

It may not be superior to the top three lenses in every way, but it is still a well-liked option for Canon customers since it provides good image quality and adaptability to a wide range of shooting situations. At a whooping $1999, the EF 35mm F1.4L II USM is also the priciest lens on the list.

Features

• Sensor: Full-frame

• Focal Length: 35mm

• Aperture: f/1.4 to f/22

• Auto Focus: Yes

It features a 35mm focal length, weighs 760g, and has a wide f/1.4 aperture with 9 aperture blades - all of which helps capture a smooth and well-rounded bokeh. This offering is ideal for Canon full-frame users who prioritize professional build quality, weather resistance, and reliable autofocus performance in a versatile F1.4 lens.

Pros:

• GCons:reat optics and excellent performance

• Has a weatherproof build

Cons:

• Bokeh is not as smooth as some competitors

• Quite heavy

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G

The Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G is a conventional prime lens that is affordable and commonly used for portraiture and daily photography. With a weight of about 200g, the lens is incredibly portable and light, making it a valuable travel companion. This lens offers a good balance between bokeh and clarity for $199.

Features

• Sensor: Full-frame

• Focal Length: 35mm

• Aperture: f/1.8 to f/22

• Auto Focus: Yes

The lens has seven aperture blades, a silent wave motor for quick and silent autofocus, and a 35mm focal length. Many Nikon DX-format DSLRs are compatible with the lens due to its DX lens format.

Pros:

• Very affordable compared to other lenses

• Has a very lightweight build

• Offers great value for money

Cons:

• Has relatively slow autofocus compared to competitors

• Its plastic construction feels less premium