photomadnz wrote:
I have the RX1rII and recently acquired a TAP and ZM 35mm 1.4 for my A7R2 after seeing this and many other forums on its look and feel. I absolutely love the ZM 35mm 1.4. Its already turned out some amazing work and has paid for itself.
Ive used most of the very best lenses for most systems as I work in the pro sales industry, and the ZM continues to amaze me. But.... I absolutely adore my RX1rII :-) I had the original which too was really nice but the Mark II fixes a lot I didnt quite like with that camera and the results are stunning. :-)
Hahahaha--I am trying to be at peace with having one and not the other, when really they are both fantastic and do different things so well. Don't worry, as soon as I have one I'll want the other.
I went crazy as well and got one couple of weeks ago. Got it used so feel a little less crazy, I suppose. But looking at the files just confirmed that these guys weren't smoking something special They were right and this is the best 35mm lens I've used.
Welcome to the party you wild and crazy guys! Love this lens. I keep thinking about getting another 35 but it makes me think I'll end up not using it in preference to the Zeiss 35/1.4 ZM
A big part of the reason I purchased this lens was the amazing pics Jack and Bob posted with it. I have a really nice copy of the Sony 35 FE which is also amazing but like Bob put it in one of my threads the ZM is pure Zeiss.
snappu wrote:
I'm surprised at the amount of rave this lens is receiving here.... Has anyone compared this lens to the 35 Summilux ASPH on a Leica body?
My bottom line is that both are excellent, but there are sound reasons to pick either lens. Neither has excellent bokeh, in my view, but bokeh is different and you might prefer one over the other. On the Zeiss light sources in the corner can look funky at times, but I find the bokeh a bit less harsh, YMMV. The Zeiss has more pop, if you see that sort of thing (I think I do) and what many people call transparency. It looks like a Zeiss lens, in my view. The Lux FLE renders more like a Leica lens in my view, it has beautiful colors, and it is much smaller.
My bottom line is that both are excellent, but there are sound reasons to pick either lens. Neither has excellent bokeh, in my view, but bokeh is different and you might prefer one over the other. On the Zeiss light sources in the corner can look funky at times, but I find the bokeh a bit less harsh, YMMV. The Zeiss has more pop, if you see that sort of thing (I think I do) and what many people call transparency. It looks like a Zeiss lens, in my view. The Lux FLE renders more like a Leica lens in my view, it has beautiful colors, and it is much smaller. ...Show more →
Thanks again, that was an excellent read.
The reported pleasing bokeh and 3D pop on the Zeiss is intriguing. But I agree with members on the Leica forum that it may be a tad too big on a rangefinder. And the lack of a focus tab is troubling. I could see why it is such a popular lens for Sony users though!
Nov 23, 2016 at 10:55 AM
Steve Spencer Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
snappu wrote:
Thanks again, that was an excellent read.
The reported pleasing bokeh and 3D pop on the Zeiss is intriguing. But I agree with members on the Leica forum that it may be a tad too big on a rangefinder. And the lack of a focus tab is troubling. I could see why it is such a popular lens for Sony users though!
Just one small point. The Zeiss ZM does have a focus tab of sorts. It is really more of a bump than the full tab on Leica lenses, but I find it easy to use.
My bottom line is that both are excellent, but there are sound reasons to pick either lens. Neither has excellent bokeh, in my view, but bokeh is different and you might prefer one over the other. On the Zeiss light sources in the corner can look funky at times, but I find the bokeh a bit less harsh, YMMV. The Zeiss has more pop, if you see that sort of thing (I think I do) and what many people call transparency. It looks like a Zeiss lens, in my view. The Lux FLE renders more like a Leica lens in my view, it has beautiful colors, and it is much smaller. ...Show more →
If I were in the market for a fast 35, the FLE would be preferable due to size and close enough in optics. Any idea how badly it smears compared to the ZM?
I just pulled the trigger on my early Christmas gift to myself - a new ZM 35 1.4, hood and TAP that I'll use on my A7Rii.
We're leaving 12/16 for Budapest, Prague and points in between on the Danube River, and that's the only lens I'm taking (even leaving behind the Batis 25 which for me is almost unthinkable!).
Thank you Guy for starting this thread (and pointing me to it earlier today), although my bank account isn't feeling so kindly toward you
They were right and this is the best 35mm lens I've used. 
