Fred Miranda wrote:
At f/8, the Contax 35-70/3.4 can't compete either. But they are all great lenses.
The only other fast 35 I've found that can keep up is the 35LII, and even it never quite pegs the same resolution high, but it is better corrected (more on par with what you've shown from the ZAFE 50/1.4) at wide apertures. It's also a bit more even-tempered across the frame at wide apertures and it works better with SteadyShot if you're fond of close-up shooting at ridiculously low shutter speeds. The bokeh isn't as pleasing, though, and can get onion-ring nasty with the wrong background. Neither of them were terribly difficult to focus wide open, which is to say they're both easier than my pre-ASPH Summilux.
Canon did a great job with the lens, but it is huge. I don't mind that in use. I prefer the focus rings on SLR lenses in general. I just wish I could shrink it down to the size of the Distagon when it goes in the bag.
Oh no! Just when I thought I've ended my quest for 35mm (after I got an excellent copy FE 35mm 1.4), this thread makes me ponder is my quest really over?? 😃 seriously thinking of this lens + Techart Pro combo...
Btw, really lovely shots Guy! The rendering is clearly more unique than the FE Distagon. The FE is more modern in look. And you're a really dangerous man for my wallet! 😃
Fred asked me to check my copy of my ZM 35mm for vignetting. He tends to think Zeiss designed the lens to have more vignetting on the bottom of a horizontal. Being a vertical you can see the heavy vignette in the first shot than I corrected it some in C1. Ill run a blank wall test to see what I come up with but I tend to agree with his assestment on it.
Let me add these are wide open and i expect this. But I find it interesting if its more on the bottom of a horizontal frame. He tested 2 lenses and same effect. Im going to use both the TechArt and my Fotosy as well and see if any diffrence. Whats really interesting is sometimes its very clean and I tend to think its subject related as well. Ill post another shot at 1.4 too
The first image Im just not sure if something is actually causing it outside the lens itself. I've been known to have a hand in there sometimes. Its just a little odd to me. Almost did not post it because it could very well be ME
GMPhotography wrote:
The first image Im just not sure if something is actually causing it outside the lens itself. I've been known to have a hand in there sometimes. Its just a little odd to me. Almost did not post it because it could very well be ME
did you have electronic first curtain on? that can cause heavier vignetting on the bottom of the frame at high shutter speeds.
Now Vignetting with EFSC turned off goes completely away at F 2.8 which is nice to know in the field. I just need to remember to turn the damn thing off. Wish Sony made this automatic that it kicks off at 1/1600 and faster.Im ignoring the top of the frame i know thats some shadowing. so 2.8 or maybe another 1/2 stop and its clean. Now I actually like some so its a preference thing
Lens is a keeper and Im getting another ZM back in my paws.
If I may say something here as we go through all the stuff along the way on this lens if you have not seen that Zeiss look on every damn shot I have posted than you need your eyes examined . This is our Zeiss lens quality with color, saturation, pop, micro contrast and everything you buy a Zeiss for. This is Kodachrome 25 my friends. And it works damn well on our Sony sensors. This is a credit card burn lens
BTW The EFCS is not the lens but our bodies we need to control
GMPhotography wrote:
Here are a couple more all at 1.4 with Fotosy adapter.
I really wanted to like the ZM35/1.4 on a Sony a7 type camera, even trying the Kolari mod which really made this lens perform, but at the end of the day I decided to go mainstream with a stock a7RII. I still don't have a fast 35mm solution, but I couldn't see having a second modded camera just for the ZM Distagon.
The thing that really spoils it for me is illustrated in the first shot of the horse sculpture where center focus is about 12-14 feet out, and the telephone pole and cactii on the far left are fairly well resolved compared to the center background of the car and building.
