Our What’s In My Bag series continues to reveal some of the most popular pieces of gear among photographers – and there’s a lens that always seems to earn significant praise. With photographers saying things like:
“It’s a must-have.”
“My go-to lens for just about any situation.”
“If I could shoot with only one lens for the rest of my life, it would be this lens.”
Which lens are we talking about? The 35mm f/1.4 G Master (Buy Now).
It’s fast, it’s sharp, and it’s also remarkably compact. Photographers love it when they need the perfect blend of mobility and superb image quality. Don’t take our word for it…keep reading as more creators share why they choose to include the 35mm f/1.4 G Master in their bags:
Photographers Who Love The 35mm f/1.4 G Master
Nancy Borowick
“This prime lens lives on my camera. It is super light-weight and compact, allowing me to capture everything without losing a beat. I was taught that if I wanted to get closer to my subjects, I had to zoom with my feet. Travelling with kids, this is not always possible so with my 35mm and a 61-megapixel full frame sensor on the A7R V, I can comfortably shoot the scene from where I am and crop and reframe later, without sacrificing quality and sharpness. Also, the bokeh.”
Read more in What’s In My Bag: The Perfect Camera & Lens For Family Vacation.
Photo by Nancy Borowick. Alpha 7R V. 35mm f/1.4 G Master. 1/8000-sec., f/4, ISO 250
Mickey Pierre-Louis
“If I could only shoot with one lens for the rest of my life, it would be this lens. Compact and lightweight. It mimics the field of view of the human eye without distortion.”
Read more in What’s In My Bag: The Ultimate Camera Kit For Music & Portrait Shoots.
Photo by Mickey Pierre-Louis. Alpha 7R V. Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master. 1/400-sec., f/2.8, ISO 800
Renan Ozturk
“This is my all time go-to photo journalism lens that I would take as my single lens if I could only choose one! It lives on my camera and gets everything from portraits to landscapes to astro.”
Read more in What’s In My Bag: A Film Director & Photojournalist’s On-Assignment Kit.
Photo by Renan Ozturk. Alpha 1. Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master. 1/4-sec., f/1.4, ISO 3200
David McLain
“If I was only allowed one lens, this would be it. It's long enough to give you a sense of place but when you’re in tight and it's wide open, it could almost be mistaken for a longer portrait lens. It frees me up to shoot in almost any light. I still can't get over the degree to which I can shoot in situations you think won't even show up. Some of the images from this shoot speak to that. I could shoot most of the pictures I would ever want to shoot with this lens. The manual aperture ring is back to the future and I still can't get over how small and light this lens is.”
Read more in What’s In My Bag: This Pro's Simplified Kit For Authentic Storytelling.
Photo by David McLain. Alpha 7R V. Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master. 1/80-sec., f/1.4, ISO 12800
Vince Lim
“The Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master is my go-to lens for lifestyle photography, low light conditions, and portraits. The 35mm focal length provides a natural perspective, perfect for capturing candid moments and dynamic compositions in lifestyle shoots. Its wide f/1.4 aperture excels in low light, allowing for stunning detail and vibrant colors even in challenging lighting conditions. When it comes to portraits, the lens produces a shallow depth of field that beautifully separates subjects, creating images with a cinematic quality and an engaging, intimate feel. I've really loved this lens the moment I got it, and the combination of versatility and beautiful bokeh makes it an indispensable part of my kit.”
Read more in What’s In My Bag: An Alpha 7R V & G Master Kit For Landscape, Travel & Lifestyle Photography.
Photo by Vincent Lim. Alpha 7R V. Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master. 1/50-sec., f/1.4, ISO 400
Andy Mann
“The holy grail of photojournalism, style and grace. I use this as my go-to portrait/people lens as I am able to include the environmental story around my subject while still getting that boutique shallow depth of field. This will be my first choice when moving to video as well. It’s the most beloved prime lens of all time for a reason.”
Read more in What's In My Bag: A Conservation Storyteller's Run-&-Gun Kit For Photo & Video.
Zabrina Deng
“This lens is a key part of my toolkit for wedding day photography, especially for capturing stunning night-time shots during wedding celebrations. The wide f/1.4 aperture allows me to work in low-light conditions, such as evening receptions or outdoor ceremonies under the stars, without the need for intrusive flash. This lens excels at creating beautifully sharp images with a shallow depth of field, making the couple stand out against a softly blurred background of twinkling lights and romantic settings. The 35mm focal length is perfect for capturing intimate moments and candid interactions, offering a natural perspective that brings out the emotional essence of the night. The lens's exceptional light-gathering capability and fast, accurate autofocus ensure I can capture every fleeting moment, from the first dance to heartfelt toasts, with clarity and artistic flair. The Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM enables me to deliver magical, atmospheric images that truly encapsulate the beauty and emotion of a wedding night.”
Read more in What’s In My Bag: A High-Res, High-Speed Kit For Fashion & Wedding Photography.
Sara France
“The Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master is one of my all-time favorite lenses. I have this lens on me most of the day. If I were to have to only bring two lenses this would be one of them. It is indispensable for its versatility and ability to capture both intimate and environmental portraits. I use this lens during bridal preparations and candid moments, as it provides a natural perspective that is neither too wide nor too close. Its fast aperture and stunning bokeh are invaluable for isolating subjects and creating beautiful, dreamy images, making it perfect for capturing emotional, up-close moments without being intrusive.”
Read more in What's In My Bag: The Top Tools For A Luxury Wedding Photographer.
Photo by Sara France. Alpha 1. Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master. 1/400-sec., f/2.8, ISO 800
Chris Orwig
“I use this lens exclusively when I shoot video. The look it creates is absolutely dreamy. It's small, lightweight, and one of the all-time best lenses that I own.”
Read more in What’s In My Bag: A Carefully-Curated Hybrid Kit For Professional Storytelling.
Jermaine Horton
“This is a lens you can capture an entire day with – it’s great for documentary. It’s my go-to for street photography and even for weddings because it’s so true to the eye and how we see things. It’s one of my Swiss army lenses.”
Read more in What’s In My Bag: A Complete Photo Kit For Capturing Weddings, Portraits & Sports.
Photo by Jermaine Horton. Alpha 1. Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master. 1/200-sec., f/2.5, ISO 2000
Albert “Albee” Kennedy
“My first G Master lens is the 35mm GM and a must-have focal length for all portrait photographers. This is a very versatile lens that allows me to get good subject and background separation but also captures the full environment in frame.”
Read more in What’s In My Bag: 2 Alpha Cameras & 4 Fast Primes For Lifestyle Portraits & Video.
Photo by Albert Kennedy. Alpha 7 IV. Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master. 1/320-sec., f/1.4, ISO 125
Naomi Atherton
“This lens is a fantastic all-rounder, and one of my favorite primes – usually my go-to if I’m photographing people. I’ve even used this to shoot astro when I was in a pinch, so there's not a lot of things this focal length can't be used for.”
Read more in What’s In My Bag: A Complete Backcountry Kit For Landscape Photography & More.
Photo by Naomi Atherton. Alpha 7R III. Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master. 1/250-sec., f/1.8, ISO 1250
Jonas Hafner
“Another great addition to my kit is the Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master which can only be described as one more (almost) flawless lens. I love how it handles light and reflections and sometimes it’s hard to decide between the 50mm f/1.2 G Master and this one. If I really wanna travel light I usually combine it with the Sony 55mm f/1.8.”
Read more in What’s In My Bag: A Fully-Loaded Kit For Creative Portraiture.
Photo by Jonas Hefner. Alpha 7R III. Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master. 1/6400-sec., f/1.4, ISO 100
Michael Eastwell
“It’s tough for me to pick a particular favorite Sony lens as they are all fantastic and all have their area of purpose and expertise. From a documentary standpoint I find the 35mm f/1.4 G Master lens is attached to my camera a great deal of the time. It’s not too wide, not too narrow, it is very versatile and as a result is now my favorite storytelling lens. I prefer to use primes where possible, Sony G Master glass is the best around – super sharp, lightweight and flawless performance twinned with the Alpha 1.”
Read more in What’s In My Bag: A Wildlife Photo & Camera Trapping Kit For Conservation Storytelling.
Photo by Michael Eastwell. Alpha 1. Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master. 1/20-sec., f/11, ISO 50
Hamad Alhendi
“The moment this lens was announced, I had to grab it. The 35mm focal length fits how wide I like to capture my images and the f/1.4 aperture makes it ideal for low light photography. Whether strolling in a city at night, or photographing basketball indoors, this is my absolute favorite lens. It's sharp, lightweight, small and the one lens I could not live without.”
Read more in What’s In My Bag: 2 Cameras & 5 Lenses For Sports & Documentary-Style Travel Photography.
Photo by Hamad Alhendi. Alpha 7R IV. Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master. 1/1250-sec., f/1.4, ISO 800
David Le
“It’s just so versatile – I use it for details, ceremony, portraits, candids and even right to the end of the night. For me, it’s the perfect all rounder and with the way I shoot, it allows me to get close enough to people or the subject without feeling like I’m intruding into their space. It’s also wide enough in 90% of everyday wedding situations. 35mm is the perfect focal length if you are deciding on running one prime lens, it can really do it all.”
Read more in What’s In My Bag: The Tools Of The Trade For A Wedding Photographer Who Switched To Sony.
Photo by David Le. Alpha 7 IV. Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master. 1/1000-sec., f/1.8, ISO 200
Austin Rupp
“When it comes to portrait photography, I love using prime lenses. I love how they separate my subjects from the background and give my images an almost surreal look to them. My favorite prime lens must be the 35mm. Specifically, the 35mm f/1.4 G Master lens. This lens was not always my favorite though. When I first started photography, I gravitated towards much tighter focal lengths like 135mm. As I have progressed in my career though I have grown to love incorporating more of the environment in my shots. I feel like 35mm gives me that perfect balance of environment inclusion and subject separation. I shoot 90% of my photos on this lens. The 35mm G Master is also a lot more compact and lightweight compared to other 35mm lenses on the market. This makes it perfect for those longer shooting days.”
Read more in What’s In My Bag: A Pro-Level Kit For High-End Hybrid Content Creation.
"35mm is great for capturing a variety of perspectives during a portrait shoot.” Photo by Austin Rupp. Alpha 7R V. Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master.
Jeremy Cohen
“The Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master prime lens is a must have lens. Its the most versatile prime lens in my opinion- I love it for both landscape and portraits, and feel like I can show up to just about any situation and will be able to shoot with it. For concert photography, the focal length allows for a wide field of view for capturing dynamic shots that encompass the entire stage or capture the energy of the crowd.”
Read more in What's In My Bag: A Lightweight Kit For High-Energy Concert Photography.
Photo by Jeremy Cohen. Alpha 1. Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master. 1/400-sec., f/1.4, ISO 160
Ben Becker
“This lens is more for personal use. I take it on holidays with my family or when I have to travel ultralight. It’s the lightest combination I have, paired with the Alpha 9 II. The bokeh is also crazy and I love the sharpness of the lens. I also find it fun to pull out primes when I am feeling creatively stuck, it forces me to view things differently and shake up my compositions.”
Read more in What’s In My Bag: A Double Alpha 9 II Kit For Outdoors & Sports.
Photo by Ben Becker. Alpha 9 II. Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master. 1/1250-sec., f/1.6, ISO 125
Reece Hickman
“This is my go-to lens for just about every situation. I love the quality and simplicity of shooting on one prime lens. I fall into the category of being an unconventional landscape photographer. I don’t really use a tripod, and I don't use a wide lens when I shoot landscapes. Nine times out of ten if it's a situation where I want a wider image I will end up doing a stitch. They range anywhere from 6-12 images depending upon the situation and how wide I need it to be, but still keep it at the 35mm focal length compression I love. This lens also has the lowest aperture in my kit, making it my first choice when it comes to the Northern Lights.”
Read more in What's In My Bag: 2 Cameras & 2 Lenses For Landscape, Travel & Adventure.
Photo by Reece Hickman. Alpha 7R III. Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master. 6 sec., f/1.8, ISO 800
For the perfect blend of mobility and superb image quality, purchase the 35mm f/1.4 G Master.
Explore the gear used by your favorite photographers in our What's In My Bag series.
