5 Best 35mm Lenses in 2024

The 35mm lens has long been a favorite with professional photographers, so choosing the best 35mm lenses takes on a new importance. The 35mm lens is popular for its versatility, fitting a wide range of photography styles from street scenes to landscapes. Our guide dives into the five best 35mm lenses on the market, helping you find the perfect match for your camera and photography needs.

Our top pick is the Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM, chosen for its exceptional low-light performance and sharp images. This lens has outstanding performance and qualities that make it deservedly popular. But for users of other camera systems, we have also chosen some other lenses, ensuring there’s a 35mm lens for every type of photographer.

What Is the Best 35mm Lens?

Selecting the best 35mm lens involves considering sharpness, low-light performance, and versatility. Brands like Canon, Nikon, Sony, Sigma, Samyang, and Fujifilm offer top options. We focused on aperture, weight, and autofocus speed. These lenses excel in professional photography, ensuring crisp, vibrant images.

Our Favorite 35mm Lenses

It’s time to take a closer look at our favorite 35mm lenses. From wide apertures for low light to sharp optics for professional work, there’s a lens here for every requirement and style.

The Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM is an exceptionally sharp lens with a fast f/1.4 aperture. This feature is key for photographers who shoot in low light or aim to create images with a shallow depth of field. The lens’s ability to let in more light and isolate subjects from the background makes it a top pick for professional photography. Its sharpness across the frame is impressive, ensuring that details are crisp from edge to edge. This is crucial for landscape and architectural shots where clarity in every part of the image matters.

This is a pro-level lens, and it’s heavy for a wide-angle at 1.67 lbs (760 g), which might be a drawback for those who prefer a lighter setup for travel or long shooting days. Its minimum focusing distance of 11 inches (28 cm) allows for close-up shots, adding to its versatility. The autofocus is quick and reliable, without winning any awards for speed. The lens’s real prize is its optical precision and lack of aberrations, partly due to the use of a “Blue Refractive” (BR) coating.

Comparing it to the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM | A for Canon EF, the Canon lens offers slightly better control over chromatic aberration and distortion, thanks to its advanced optical design. This makes it a good option for photographers who prioritize image quality and are willing to invest in a lens that delivers top performance in a variety of shooting conditions.

The Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S is outstanding for Nikon Z users, with its f/1.8 aperture. This not only makes it fast but helps to deliver outstanding bokeh. This lens captures sharp, clear images, even in challenging lighting. Its lightweight design, at 13 ounces (370 g), and compact size make it easy to carry, perfect for photographers on the move. The weather sealing adds a layer of protection, allowing use in less-than-ideal weather conditions.

Optically, this lens impresses with minimal distortion and chromatic aberration, thanks to its sophisticated design that includes aspherical and extra-low dispersion elements. The autofocus is decently fast and silent, ideal for capturing spontaneous moments without drawing attention. While it lacks built-in stabilization, it pairs well with Nikon Z cameras that have IBIS, helping to keep shots steady.

The Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S is a solid option for a wide range of photography styles. Its build and optical quality meet the needs of professionals, yet it remains accessible for hobbyists looking to improve their photography skills. This lens is particularly good for street and environmental portrait photography, where its focal length and aperture play to their strengths.

The Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 is a standout for its blend of portability and performance. Weighing just 10 ounces (280 g), it’s a breeze to carry around, making it perfect for photographers on the move. Its f/1.8 aperture excels in low light, allowing for crisp images even when the sun sets. This lens is a solid choice for capturing everything from bustling street scenes to intimate portraits, thanks to its natural field of view and pleasing background blur.

Optically, this lens impresses with sharp, clear images across the frame. The inclusion of an aspherical element helps keep distortion low and sharpness high, even at wide apertures. Autofocus is both quick and quiet, ensuring that spontaneous moments are captured with precision. While it lacks built-in stabilization, many Sony cameras offer in-body stabilization, making this less of an issue.

The Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 is a versatile, high-quality lens that’s well-suited for a wide range of photography styles. Its lightweight design, combined with excellent optical performance, makes it a good option for Sony shooters looking to expand their lens collection. Whether for professional work or everyday shooting, this lens delivers reliable results in a compact package.

The Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM | A for Canon EF is a prime lens known for its exceptional sharpness and wide aperture. Weighing in at 1.47 lbs (665 g), it’s a bit hefty but balances well on most DSLR bodies. Its f/1.4 aperture is perfect for low light and creating a shallow depth of field, making it a favorite among portrait and street photographers. The lens’s optical design, including FLD and SLD glass elements, minimizes aberrations and ensures images are clear and vibrant.

Autofocus is quick and reliable, thanks to Sigma’s Hyper Sonic Motor, making it easy to capture fleeting moments. While it lacks built-in stabilization, the wide aperture allows for faster shutter speeds to help reduce camera shake. The bokeh quality is notably smooth, enhancing the visual appeal of portraits and close-up shots.

The Sigma 35mm f/1.4 is a solid choice for photographers looking for a high-quality, versatile lens. Its performance in various lighting conditions, combined with the ability to produce images with beautiful background blur, makes it a valuable addition to any camera bag. Despite its weight, the build quality and optical excellence justify the investment for those prioritizing image quality. It’s not just available for Canon EF either, so it’s a choice with wide appeal.

The Samyang 35mm f/1.4 AS UMC offers excellent value for its wide f/1.4 aperture. It’s ideal for low light or for creating images with a shallow depth of field. Weighing 1.45 lbs (660 g), it’s on the heavier side for a prime lens, yet its build quality is solid, offering a reassuring heft when mounted on a camera. Its manual focus design demands a more deliberate approach to photography, encouraging users to slow down and consider their compositions carefully.

Optically, this lens delivers sharp images with minimal chromatic aberration, thanks to its advanced lens construction that includes aspherical elements. The bokeh produced is smooth and aesthetically pleasing, enhancing portraits and close-up shots. However, the lack of autofocus might deter some, especially in fast-paced shooting scenarios where quick focusing is crucial.

In essence, the Samyang 35mm f/1.4 is a robust option for those who appreciate the tactile experience of manual focusing and the creative control it offers. Its optical performance, combined with the wide aperture, makes it a valuable tool for various photography styles, from street scenes to detailed portraits. Despite its manual focus limitation, it remains a popular choice for photographers looking for quality optics at a reasonable price point.

Conclusion: The Best 35mm Lenses

With this look at the best 35mm lenses available, we’ve taken into account the lenses’ key features, strengths, and potential drawbacks. There is  a range of options suitable for various photography styles, from low light and portrait to street and landscape, ensuring photographers can find a lens that fits their needs.

Our top choice, the Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM, is chosen for its exceptional low-light performance and sharpness. It stands out among the six lenses reviewed, offering a blend of versatility and quality that appeals to professional photographers.