{"id":92323,"date":"2026-10-14T01:05:11","date_gmt":"2026-10-14T00:05:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/?p=92323"},"modified":"2026-10-13T21:11:43","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T20:11:43","slug":"review-sirui-aurora-35mm-f1-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-sirui-aurora-35mm-f1-4\/","title":{"rendered":"REVIEW: SIRUI AURORA 35mm F1.4"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Introduction<\/span><\/h2>\n

Sirui entered the AF stills lens market in 2023, after having already established itself with a range of anamorphic lenses. We reviewed the AF Aurora 85mm last year, thanks to a reader who loaned his lens to Bastian. We were impressed by its overall performance, and especially by its bokeh.<\/p>\n

The 35mm f\/1.4 is the second lens in the Aurora series, and at $549, it appears to be fairly priced. However, 35mm f\/1.4 is also one of the most competitive categories in the lens market, with numerous alternatives from both established manufacturers and smaller brands.<\/p>\n

In this review, we take a closer look at how the Sirui Aurora 35mm f\/1.4 performs, and how it compares with its competition.<\/p>\n

\"camera-icon2\"I tested this lens on a 46 Mp<\/a> Nikon Z7ii<\/a> (Sample images were taken with a Nikon Zf<\/a>)
\n\"\"You can see this review as\u00a0a\u00a0YouTube\u00a0video\u00a0here!
\n\"\"Sample images in high resolution here<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Disclosure<\/span><\/h2>\n

Sirui kindly loaned us this lens for a couple of weeks so we could test and review it.<\/p>\n

Sample Images<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Nikon Zf | Sirui Aurora 35mm f\/1.4 | f\/1.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zf | Sirui Aurora 35mm f\/1.4 | f\/1.4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zf | Sirui Aurora 35mm f\/1.4 | f\/1.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zf | Sirui Aurora 35mm f\/1.4 | f\/1.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zf | Sirui Aurora 35mm f\/1.4 | f\/1.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zf | Sirui Aurora 35mm f\/1.4 | f\/1.4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

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Nikon Zf | Sirui Aurora 35mm f\/1.4 | f\/1.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zf | Sirui Aurora 35mm f\/1.4 | f\/1.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zf | Sirui Aurora 35mm f\/1.4 | f\/1.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zf | Sirui Aurora 35mm f\/1.4 | f\/9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zf | Sirui Aurora 35mm f\/1.4 | f\/1.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zf | Sirui Aurora 35mm f\/1.4 | f\/1.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Most of the sample images in this review and many more can be found in higher resolution here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Specifications<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Focal Length<\/td>\n35 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Angle of View<\/td>\n65.7\u00b0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
# of Aperture Blades<\/td>\n13<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Max Aperture<\/td>\nf\/1.4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Min Aperture<\/td>\nf\/16<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Min Focus Distance<\/td>\n0.35 m<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Filter Size<\/td>\n62 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lens Mount<\/td>\nE \/ L \/ X \/ Z<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight<\/td>\nE Mount: 490g\/1.08lb
\nL Mount: 495g\/1.09lb
\nX Mount: 490g\/1.08lb
\nZ Mount: 505g\/1.11lb<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Size (D x L)<\/td>\nE Mount: 76 x 102.9 mm
\nL Mount: 76 x 100.9 mm
\nX Mount: 76 x 103.2 mm
\nZ Mount: 76 x 104.9 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Elements\/Group<\/td>\n16 Elements in 11 Groups<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\"\"
Sirui Aurora 35mm f\/1.4 on a Nikon Zf<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Where to Buy:<\/strong><\/p>\n

New: <\/strong>Sirui Store<\/a>, Amazon (anywhere)<\/a>, B&H<\/a> for $466 (Affiliate links)<\/em><\/span>
\nUsed: <\/strong>eBay.com<\/a>, ebay.de<\/a>, eBay.co.uk<\/a> from $399 (Advertisement)<\/em><\/p>\n

Amazon<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Variations<\/span><\/h2>\n

Handling and Build Quality<\/span><\/h2>\n

This Aurora 35mm lens is all metal, with an average size and weight for a 35mm f\/1.4 lens. There is a USB-C port on the lens mount for firmware updates.<\/p>\n

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USB-C port for firmware updates | Sirui Aurora 35mm f\/1.4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A weather-sealing gasket is visible around the lens mount, which is just one of the 13 sealing points incorporated into the lens, making it well dust-resistant.<\/p>\n

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Sealing points | Sirui Aurora 35mm f\/1.4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The lens has a switch on the right side that allows you to put the aperture ring in click or declick mode.<\/p>\n

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Click-Declick switch | Sirui Aurora 35mm f\/1.4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The aperture ring has one-third-stop clicks when CLICK mode is ON, as well as an A position for automatic aperture control from the camera. All lens markings are engraved and filled with paint.<\/p>\n

On the left side of the lens, there is an AF\/MF switch, a function button, and an Iris Lock switch. The latter is very useful, as it prevents the aperture ring from accidentally being moved into or out of the A position.<\/p>\n

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Aperture Auto lock | Fn button | AF-MF switch | Sirui Aurora 35mm f\/1.4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The manual focus ring has full-time manual override on Nikon cameras, at least, which is good. It is precise, without any jumps, which is also a good trait, but it turns a little too smoothly and feels almost loose.<\/p>\n

The autofocus is OK for still subjects and portrait work, but in general, it is quite slow on Nikon cameras and not suitable for fast moving subjects.<\/p>\n

A substantial petal-shaped lens hood is included, which is a step up from the usual simple hoods. It has a rubberized section in the middle, providing a secure grip when attaching and detaching it. There is also a locking button built into the lens hood to prevent accidental movement.<\/p>\n

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Lens hood<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Besides the lens hood and the usual front and rear caps, the package includes a carrying pouch and a lens cleaning cloth. I have to praise Sirui for this, as the packaging and included accessories feel very nice and somewhat exclusive.<\/p>\n

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Package contents<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Optical Features<\/span><\/h2>\n

Sharpness (Infinity)<\/span><\/h3>\n

For the infinity sharpness test, we\u2019ll look at three areas of the image \u2014 center, mid-frame, and corner \u2014 as highlighted below. Focus was set on the center of the image!<\/span><\/p>\n

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Infinily Sharpness Points of Inspection<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Infinity sharpness chart | Sirui Aurora 35mm f\/1.4 | Nikon Z7II<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I focused on the center of the image.<\/p>\n

The center is already very sharp at f\/1.4, while the corners are good wide open but lag behind.<\/p>\n

The center becomes excellent after stopping down just one stop to f\/2, while the corners improve only marginally.<\/p>\n

To get good corner sharpness, you need to stop down to around f\/4 to f\/5.6. Although the corners reach a very good level of sharpness, they never quite reach the excellent sharpness of the center and midframe.<\/p>\n

Faint green and purple fringing is visible at wider apertures but disappears between f\/2.8 and f\/4.<\/p>\n

Sharpness (Portrait)<\/span><\/h3>\n

Let\u2019s look at the points of interest for portraits at the portrait distance: the very centre, the centre\u2019s inner periphery\u00a0 (1\/3 rule intersection), and the centre\u2019s outer periphery (1\/4th intersection).<\/span><\/p>\n

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Portrait Sharpness Points of Interest<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Here, I focused independently on the center, mid-frame, and corner areas to account for field curvature.<\/p>\n