Yongnuo 35mm f/1.8 Art specifications and in-depth review

Yongnuo 35mm f/1.8 Art

Manufacturer: Yongnuo

The Yongnuo 35mm f/1.8 Art is a versatile prime lens designed for Sony E mount cameras. With a wide aperture of f/1.8, it offers excellent low-light performance and creative depth of field control, making it ideal for portraits and everyday photography.

This lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.35 m and provides a maximum magnification of 0.12x. It also includes a silent focus motor, ensuring quiet and smooth autofocus operation. The 9 rounded aperture blades help achieve attractive bokeh effects, while the lens lacks weather-sealing and optical image stabilization.

Pros
  • The lens features a wide f/1.8 aperture, which is ideal for low-light conditions and achieving a shallow depth of field.
  • The silent focus motor ensures quiet autofocus operation, making it suitable for video work or quiet environments.
  • With a minimum focus distance of 0.35 m, the lens allows for relatively close-up shots, expanding its versatility.
  • The lens has 9 rounded aperture blades, contributing to smooth and attractive bokeh in photos.
Cons
  • The lens lacks optical image stabilization, which may be a drawback in low-light or handheld shooting scenarios.
  • It does not support full-time manual focus, limiting control during autofocus operation.
  • The lens cannot focus to infinity, which might limit its usability for landscape or wide-distance photography.
Who is this for?

The Yongnuo 35mm f/1.8 Art is ideal for photographers who require a wide aperture for low-light performance and shallow depth of field control. Its silent focus motor makes it a great choice for video work or situations where quiet autofocus is needed. Additionally, with a minimum focus distance of 0.35 m, it is well-suited for general photography, including portrait and close-up work.

Who is this NOT for?

This lens is not ideal for users who need optical image stabilization or full-time manual focus for precise control while shooting in challenging conditions. Its inability to focus to infinity also makes it less suitable for landscape or wide-distance photography, where clear focus across the scene is essential.

General info:

lens type Prime
lens mount Sony E
release date May 2025
is weather-sealed (splashproof)
weight 265 g
filter size 52 mm

The Yongnuo 35mm f/1.8 Art is a prime lens designed for Sony E mount cameras, weighing 265 g and featuring a 52 mm filter size. It is not weather-sealed, meaning it doesn't offer splashproof protection. This lens is designed with a straightforward, lightweight build, making it a practical choice for daily use, though it lacks the added durability of weatherproofing.

Optics:

maximum focal length 35 mm
minimum focal length 35 mm
has built-in optical image stabilization
maximum angle of view 38.5°
minimum angle of view 26.1°
magnification 0.12x
optical zoom 1x

The Yongnuo 35mm f/1.8 Art features a fixed focal length of 35 mm, providing a maximum angle of view of 38.5° and a minimum angle of view of 26.1°. This lens does not include optical image stabilization, meaning it relies solely on the camera's stabilization features. With a magnification of 0.12x, it offers a modest level of close-up capability, while the optical zoom remains fixed at 1x.

Aperture:

wide aperture (main camera) 1.8f
widest aperture at maximum focal length 1.8f
aperture blades 9
Has rounded aperture blades
smallest aperture at maximum focal length 22f
smallest aperture at minimum focal length 1.8f

The Yongnuo 35mm f/1.8 Art features a wide aperture of f/1.8, which remains consistent at both the minimum and maximum focal lengths. The lens is equipped with 9 aperture blades, which are rounded to help produce smoother bokeh effects. The smallest aperture available is f/22 at maximum focal length, and f/1.8 at minimum focal length, offering flexibility for depth of field control in various lighting conditions.

Focus:

Can focus to infinity
Has focus motor
Has full-time manual focus
has a silent focus motor built into the lens
minimum focus distance 0.35 m

The Yongnuo 35mm f/1.8 Art lens features a focus motor, which provides automatic focusing, though it lacks the ability to focus to infinity. It also includes a silent focus motor, ensuring quiet operation during autofocus. The lens offers a minimum focus distance of 0.35 m, but it does not support full-time manual focus, meaning manual adjustments are not available while autofocusing is engaged.

Benchmarks:

Final Verdict

The Yongnuo 35mm f/1.8 Art is a versatile prime lens designed for Sony E mount cameras, offering a wide f/1.8 aperture for excellent low-light performance and depth of field control. With a silent focus motor, it's also well-suited for video work or quiet environments. While it may not be ideal for landscape photographers due to its inability to focus to infinity, it excels in general photography, close-ups, and portraiture. Overall, it's a reliable choice for those seeking a compact, efficient lens with strong image quality in everyday shooting scenarios.

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