Test results: Distortion and vignetting

Distortion

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Distortion is very low indeed; our tests show a little barrel-type in the images, but you’ll be hard pushed to spot it in real-world use.

Sony Zeiss 35mm f/1.4 distortion
Distortion is well-controlled, with just the merest hint of barrel-type visible (TV SMIA = -0.4%)

Vignetting

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As is typical of a fast prime for full-frame cameras, vignetting is rather pronounced, reaching a maximum of almost two stops wide open. The falloff profile is also somewhat abrupt into the corners of the frame, making it very visible in real-world shots. Stopping down to f/2.8 reduces the effect significantly.

Shading at f/1.4
Vignetting is very pronounced at f/1.4
Shading f/2
Vignetting is reduced at f/2. but still very abrupt in the corners
Shading f/2.8
Stopping down to f/2.8 removes most of the vignetting
Shading at f/4
At f/4 vignetting has mostly gone; stopping down further has little extra effect
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