This is a very interesting thread. I've had the ZM 35/1.4 on my wish list since it was released, but early tests looked very dreadful. Now with the A7RII sensor and the new TAP, it looks viable. I wonder if the fact that the TAP moves the entire lens forward and backwards has anything to do with the improvements on the Sony sensors. Earlier tests were done with dumb adapters like Metabones and Novoflex, which relied on the lens' internal focusing mechanism. I'm sure it's one part improvements in the new A7RII sensor and probably one part on the fact the TAP moves the entire lens.
Thanks for all the research, the TAP and this lens will be at the top of my list once the A7RIII or A9 are announced, as I decided to skip the Mark II and still using the original A7R. It's ironic that the only way to use AF with M lenses is to buy a Sony A7 series . Combine with IBIS and EVF, it really provides more choice for Sony shooters who still want small and light lenses instead of the new DSLR sized Sony offerings.
No worry, you make that lens shine. I fully understand the choice can be very personal. You are very right about high performance lens just will suit pretty much anything.
That lens is no question best 35mm lens available.
I have developed a special need for the lens I want to use on my system, sometime I can't even understand myself
But, all I want say is I see all the great new lens with technical perfection make people drive for it, but the look may not the best for subject matter.
Hence I really missed old Alt forum that people seems with more open mind understanding all kind of lens specialty. My reply is mainly FYI type.
The thing is not about perfection. It is really depend on usage, handling, cost, rendering, weight and system you use etc..
JaKo wrote:
Leica Cron-R 35 was a special purpose lens, not everyone's all-in-one solution
If you're interested in it, find first what it was designed for and love it or hate it
Assuming one has it for a reportage type of usage and can manage to shoot well at f/2-2.8 or even f/4 AND appreciate what the lens was for, the answer is in using it as designed
I do agree with zhangyue on Cron-35 virtues, but I do not share his view on ZM 35D
Simply we both, as many others, share or do not always share opinions on shooting needs at time.
Thank you both. In many ways I'm caught between these two perspectives. I think I'll just have to start somewhere and see where it leads me. I was brought up pretty short comparing the FE 55's technical prowess with the 50 Summicron R and realizing how little the 55 did for me. I don't want the same thing to happen with the ZM 35D, so I'm just taking a good look at the alternatives. I'd like this 35 to be "it" for travel/reportage, with landscape covered elsewhere. Again, thank you all, fantastic community support here. So awesome.
zhangyue wrote:
No worry, you make that lens shine. I fully understand the choice can be very personal. You are very right about high performance lens just will suit pretty much anything.
That lens is no question best 35mm lens available.
I have developed a special need for the lens I want to use on my system, sometime I can't even understand myself
But, all I want say is I see all the great new lens with technical perfection make people drive for it, but the look may not the best for subject matter.
Hence I really missed old Alt forum that people seems with more open mind understanding all kind of lens specialty. My reply is mainly FYI type.
The thing is not about perfection. It is really depend on usage, handling, cost, rendering, weight and system you use etc..
Is the 35mm ZA version quite free of decentering issues? I kept distance of the FE versions since I do not want to play lottery. Thanks for some input here.
Mirror wrote:
Is the 35mm ZA version quite free of decentering issues? I kept distance of the FE versions since I do not want to play lottery. Thanks for some input here.
No lens model is free of decentering issues.
But do you mean ZM? (The ZA *is* the FE version)
ZM lenses from Zeiss have as low a level of decentering as you get in photography lenses; unlike the earlier Zeiss branded lenses from Sony (though apparently the variance has improved in the later FE models)
rioni wrote:
Still on the fence for this one. Can someone w/ this and a A7II provide some feedback on focus speed and accuracy? vs. say the native FE lenses?
that's been provided in these threads - their commentary is that it is as good as native w/ v4 of the firmware
As far as warranty service. In order to qualify for warranty service, the original receipt is required and the lens has to have been purchased from an authorized Zeiss dealer in the USA or Canada. It will have a green quality seal sticker on the box which indicates “exclusively for USA and Canada”. Otherwise it is considered Grey Market and no warranty applies…Yes, we would still service it for a repair charge. One thing to mention is that all ZM lenses as well as the Zeiss Ikon camera body are serviced in Germany, we do not have the test equipment for them. So we would forward it to Germany on your behalf…
So if your buying used see if the box has the label or ask your seller and ask for his or her receipt. You could simply ship to Germany with documents for repairs. That's my guess. I've been lucky over the years never had to do that. One nice thing about Amazon, B&H and I would assume Adprama is I can always go back and look up my order and print the receipts. Maybe keep that in mind buying used to ask the seller to find it for you.
As far as warranty service. In order to qualify for warranty service, the original receipt is required and the lens has to have been purchased from an authorized Zeiss dealer in the USA or Canada. It will have a green quality seal sticker on the box which indicates “exclusively for USA and Canada”. Otherwise it is considered Grey Market and no warranty applies…Yes, we would still service it for a repair charge. One thing to mention is that all ZM lenses as well as the Zeiss Ikon camera body are serviced in Germany, we do not have the test equipment for them. So we would forward it to Germany on your behalf…...Show more →
Yes, this is what I read when I decided to buy from B&H vs. $1600 from a reputable Australian dealer. With US purchase I had the rebate, B&H 4% and a percentage from my credit card. So far so good, but California has use tax and you ignore this at your peril... Quite a lot of money that can be applied to an unlikely repair.
bwcolor wrote:
Yes, this is what I read when I decided to buy from B&H vs. $1600 from a reputable Australian dealer. With US purchase I had the rebate, B&H 4% and a percentage from my credit card. So far so good, but California has use tax and you ignore this at your peril... Quite a lot of money that can be applied to an unlikely repair.
Austrian, I'm guessing? Lots of good prices on ZM there for some reason; not so much here in Australia...
DavidBM wrote:
Austrian, I'm guessing? Lots of good prices on ZM there for some reason; not so much here in Australia...
Correct..a bit different geography.. I did buy a NIB C/Y Zeiss 100mm Makro from an Australian dealer a few years ago.
. Combine with IBIS and EVF, it really provides more choice for Sony shooters who still want small and light lenses instead of the new DSLR sized Sony offerings.