fredmiranda.com
Login

Moderated by: Fred Miranda
  New fredmiranda.com Mobile Site
  New Feature: SMS Notification alert
  New Feature: Buy & Sell Watchlist
  

FM Forums | Sony Forum | Join Upload & Sell

1       2       3              55              end
  

Archive 2016 · Zeiss 35mm 1.4 ZM Tests

  
 
Yogifi
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.56 #1 · Zeiss 35mm 1.4 ZM Tests


Lovely photos, _jim_.
I had my first roll of film developed recently and loved the colours, definitely want to explore that more in the future so it's nice this can have some dual purpose.

It arrived today ... first impressions:
- not that big! It's not far off the simera 28mm, maybe a cm or so. Simera looked a little long when adapted but definitely manageable.
- second thing I noticed was the colours just on the lcd, gave me a smile.
- third the turning speed of the focus ring is slow but very smooth and feels precise, I read this previously on reviews. There's a single raised groove that helps with the turning.
- aperture clicks are rather loud
- i can see why leica folks (especially) talk about minimum focus distance, hard limit of 0.7m does feel restrictive
- it seems sharp in the center and with good contrast wide open - I read but it's still nice to see.

Distagon 35 left, Simera 28 right:
https://i.postimg.cc/rmxPvssn/image.png

On the A7cii:
https://i.postimg.cc/4dQ169mR/image.png

I've been using the bottom plate of the SmallRig L-bracket with the a7cii for a while now.

I was prepared to get the Simera 35mm as an alternative in part due to size but that's less of a concern now.
I was reading 8.7cm on the philipreeves review but it's about 6.5cm from the adaptor with it on the camera.
Fits fine in the wotancraft pilot 2L, I didn't try it with the hood but I don't plan to use it, though it's quite a short one.

Will look into a pcx filter if I run into annoyances with the edges when shooting wide open. I haven't found it easy to locate in the UK but haven't looked thoroughly yet.
I don't expect to be using it often at infinity - I'm not sure how much it would help in closer distances but I also don't know much about them.



Dec 02, 2025 at 06:36 AM
Yogifi
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.56 #2 · Zeiss 35mm 1.4 ZM Tests


Just to mention a few things. I know some of these points were mentioned but many pages back:

- wide open sharpness is really nice to have with a 35mm imo.

- but double lines in the bokeh can be sometimes be annoying (sometimes VERY), need to be a little careful with the background to make sure it's not too messy ... so you get tempted to put them a little closer to be safe, but not too close that the sharpness makes it unflattering

- if I don't have a central subject when shooting wide-open I go to f1.6 to reduce the center brightness and keep the bokeh, but you can use a radial mask

- size is fine for me, and I basically only own compact lenses. Have a protective filter on but never even tried the hood.

- I really appreciate the colours but I want to compare with my sigma 35mm f2 to make sure it's not placebo (I've barely used that lens and tbh quite tempted to sell the 35/50 f2 sigmas because I don't think they'll get much use - but I got pretty good deals on both so leaving them for now and I think they're actually really good lenses but I just seem to be preferring to manual focus for whatever reason). I expect it won't be placebo though.

- to the sides it's okay at f5.6, f8 if you want to zoom in, no pcx filter (don't know how to get one and hesitant to make it bigger). F4 can be passable but not always, not worth risking unless you don't have the light, then crop in a little if it didn't pass. I haven't done at infinity though but this seems to match up with what people were talking about. Though there was talk about a BSI (I think?) Sony sensor possibly giving a 1 stop advantage.

I went through quite few pages of the thread from like 9 years ago and saw the discussion about double line bokeh also. One person linked to a very nice review of someone who did brilliant tests and compared against quite a few lenses. The person who linked the review said the double lined bokeh doesnt happen on an m sensor. But the review never showed that, only the sharpness was tested against an m-sensor.
The bokeh comparison was done between CV 35mm f1.2 nokton and a couple of others all on Sony, so I'm not sure if the double-lined bokeh appears on m too.
I liked the distagon more in the bokeh test. But, with a messy background, unless rather close to subject I'd want to be careful. And if close, prepare to do some skin retouching.
When it's not a bad background, I think it does a brilliant job.
I'm pretty sure I've seen the double lines on bokeh in images online with the Zeiss 50mm f1.5 sonar too.

Looking forward to one day using this with a film camera. Maybe in a couple of years. I'll play around with the Nikon fm2n in the mean time, get a handle on scanning etc.

Quick snapshot from the first day before I did testing with it:
https://i.postimg.cc/KmbdTBX8/DSC04929-4.jpg
Lens correction on, crop from the bottom only, highlights down in the top-right, didn't touch anything else.
I don't remember the exact aperture unfortunately.. Can see some funkyness on the right side, tree tops. 1/100s iso100. I think it's f4, maybe a little bigger (like f3.6) but smaller than f2.8. Also looking at sunstars on philipreeve site review, though I'm not an expert at that, just heard people trying based on sunstars. Angle lines up a bit more with f4 than f2.8, if that's what you're supposed to look at.
But just straight out of camera colours are lovely - vibrant but natural (at least on my monitor), effortlessly.

I think this is the F8 version iso250 1/60:
https://i.postimg.cc/jt6DvfSQ/DSC04928.jpg

At f5.6, I wouldn't zoom-in to the edges, didn't take one of this but I checked some recently, though not at infinity.

I'll take this out and share some more, just been a bit busy. Also, testing the CV 40mm f2 ultron sIIn (F-mount), which I have to say I don't love so far though I know it's very popular for the small size and sharpness. Images feels a bit less transparent. But I got that for film and maybe it will be okay there, not too many options for compact 40mm f-mount nikon film lenses.

I'm sure I'll run into more issues using this lens vs alternatives, with double-line bokeh and needing to stop down for side-to-side. But... I really like the images when it works, and how little I need to do.
I probably need longer than the 1 month return period to fully evaluate if this is the trade off I want to pick.
I thought so at first, I'm a little less certain after I took a portrait pic in a kitchen with some chaotic, high-contrast marble and was horrified, but that was a bad one. I think it's still the right call since I have the 40mm nokton as the more regular everyday type lenses and this more of a special one. Or maybe it's possible to learn what would cause issues and it gets equal use, because it does make you want to use it.



Edited on Dec 07, 2025 at 11:41 AM · View previous versions



Dec 05, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Yogifi
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.56 #3 · Zeiss 35mm 1.4 ZM Tests


I didn't do the absolute best test here but just to give an idea with that kitchen test shot.

Distagon 35mm f1.4 ZM left - Nokton 40mm f1.2 E right, both at f1.4, cropped to get similar things to look at.
https://i.postimg.cc/jx0sLp31/image.png

I moved the distagon closer to get similar framing, and overshot so it ended up even closer than it probably should have been, and yet....
I was quite careful, had references on the sides and still seems like I got the framing wrong.

Need to be a bit careful with the ziess with backgrounds that are closer. I don't know if it's smoother on M and would be curious. It's not just "towards the edges" like someone mentioned ... 9 years ago.
You can see there's some advantages to it though. Vignette isn't one of those (on Sony) - even with the profile. This is a crop and you don't see it.
That central hotspot at f1.4 on the zeiss helps with central subjects.

TBH both are nice lenses though, can do reasonably simple editing to get them a bit closer in various ways (unless the hair is wild) for background blur, central pop, vignette etc.
If I do the 35mm f2 sigma outdoor comparison with the zeiss, I'll bring the 40mm f1.2 nokton too, see how the colours compare - minor adjustments to colours are an endless time sink for me.



Dec 06, 2025 at 02:09 PM
Yogifi
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.56 #4 · Zeiss 35mm 1.4 ZM Tests


Got the PCX and set it up today. I used those metal+plastic cable tie things you get with power plugs and cables etc to keep it centered, rubber rings and band where too thick at 2mm.

I had to remove a shim, I tried 7 of the adaptors. Was easy to do, but limits it's use if I get a film m.
Size-wise it hasn't really changed much, the step up and step down rings are thin, and touching.

As mentioned by others, there's a midzone dip. You're trading some of the midzone for a lot of the sides:

https://i.postimg.cc/mDhhsJKC/image.png

f2.8 PCX top, 100% crop on a7cii:
https://i.postimg.cc/D0ZHfkTQ/image.png

zoomed-in:
https://i.postimg.cc/2rLHR2rD/image.png

f1.4 PCX:
https://i.postimg.cc/YphMM6Pw/DSC05220.jpg

I do like the portraits I've taken with it prior to the pcx. And I like that there's no weird business with larger apertures on the edges now with the pcx. Haven't played enough with it yet to know if I notice the midzone dip or how much it bothers me.






Dec 13, 2025 at 02:43 PM
Jonas B
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.56 #5 · Zeiss 35mm 1.4 ZM Tests


Yogifi wrote:
Got the PCX and set it up today. [...]




I downloaded the last image, the one with your cool good-looking dog. Yes, it looks like a ZM35 image. I have some opinions on it, the same I mentioned somewhere earlier.
It would be interesting seeing the same image, with depth (maybe even the same setup as the image of your dog) taken woth the TTA40 for a comparison. The ZM at f/1.4 and the TTA at f/2, both images taken from the same place. That is if the dog can stay out while you switch the lens... or, of course, something else similar. Is that doable some day?



Dec 13, 2025 at 03:17 PM
Yogifi
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.56 #6 · Zeiss 35mm 1.4 ZM Tests


Jonas B wrote:
I downloaded the last image, the one with your cool good-looking dog. Yes, it looks like a ZM35 image. I have some opinions on it, the same I mentioned somewhere earlier.
It would be interesting seeing the same image, with depth (maybe even the same setup as the image of your dog) taken woth the TTA40 for a comparison. The ZM at f/1.4 and the TTA at f/2, both images taken from the same place. That is if the dog can stay out while you switch the lens... or, of course, something else similar. Is that doable some day?


Dog isn't one for posing unfortunately but can do a comparison shot, no problem.



Dec 13, 2025 at 04:11 PM
Jonas B
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.56 #7 · Zeiss 35mm 1.4 ZM Tests


Yogifi wrote:
Dog isn't one for posing unfortunately but can do a comparison shot, no problem.


That would be great and I would appreciate it a lot. Any day you find the time, no hurry.
I'm pretty sure there will be a clear difference (acuity, "sharpness") in the center where the ZM35 shines. It's the overall rendering I'm interested in. 35/1.4 MF vs 40/2 AF is crazy of course but it's what these lenses offer and I'm interested in the data point.



Dec 13, 2025 at 04:32 PM
Yogifi
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.56 #8 · Zeiss 35mm 1.4 ZM Tests


Jonas B wrote:
That would be great and I would appreciate it a lot. Any day you find the time, no hurry.
I'm pretty sure there will be a clear difference (acuity, "sharpness") in the center where the ZM35 shines. It's the overall rendering I'm interested in. 35/1.4 MF vs 40/2 AF is crazy of course but it's what these lenses offer and I'm interested in the data point.


TTA 40f2 is great, very small, cheap and useful lens, and I like the way it renders for the most part.
I like it a bunch actually and I'd be interested in the comparison too. I have a rough idea but I want to see it.

I think they're quite similar lenses, I've seen the double lines with the TTA stand out in the background when it's close too.
The ziess is like the hd version

TTA subject will blend a bit more, and feel a hint more muffled with colours/tones, I expect zeiss to be cleaner there.

Are you bothered about PCX on or off?
I think if I take people photos with this I'd take off the pcx. If I'm doing walkabouts, I'll leave it on. Got this feeling it's zapping some of it's charm, or at least some contrast.



Dec 13, 2025 at 04:46 PM
Jonas B
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.56 #9 · Zeiss 35mm 1.4 ZM Tests


Yogifi wrote:
TTA 40f2 is great, very small, cheap and useful lens, and I like the way it renders for the most part.
I like it a bunch actually and I'd be interested in the comparison too. I have a rough idea but I want to see it.

I think they're quite similar lenses, I've seen the double lines with the TTA stand out in the background when it's close too.
The ziess is like the hd version

TTA subject will blend a bit more, and feel a hint more muffled with colours/tones, I expect zeiss to be cleaner there.

Are you bothered
...Show more

We are, more or less, expecting the same outcome. It will be interesting seeing the images!
PCX... maybe have it on as that's the way the lens most probably will be used (?). For people images there are better lenses, no?



Dec 14, 2025 at 04:33 AM
Yogifi
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.56 #10 · Zeiss 35mm 1.4 ZM Tests


Jonas B wrote:
We are, more or less, expecting the same outcome. It will be interesting seeing the images!
PCX... maybe have it on as that's the way the lens most probably will be used (?). For people images there are better lenses, no?


I can leave the PCX on. Probably should for a while anyway just to find out for sure if I want it on or off with people.

On lenses for people images your preferance is to go tighter focal length if I remember correctly.
I only have a 56mmf1.2 apsc fuji length which comes to about 85mm.
It's nice, I just don't usually grab it, I don't think my guys are keen on a headshot.

I grabbed the samyang 75mm f1.8 after I enjoyed cropping on the 45mm but it's rare they pose long enough for me to compose that tight and make use of it. 64mm samyang would have been great.

I did a self portrait comparison with the autofocus 50mm-ish lenses I have, I liked the samyang 50mm f1.4 II (when at f1.4), zeiss 55mm f1.8 and sony 50mm f1.8 the most, thought it was only a single indoor scene.
And I usually prefer picking up a nokton f1.2 and using it at f1.6.

I like this a lot as an alternative, so far anyway, I just have to be a bit more careful about the background, and picking them on their good days.
I use the nokton when I want it a bit softer on the person and don't care too much about the background and I like the zeiss when I want something a bit more striking, including with the background (just being a bit mindful of it).

And I'm liking film for people but my fm2n is front focussing at the moment, pain to deal with and even test. But I like just how different they are, from my 2nd roll that was sent to me yesterday:

https://i.postimg.cc/sV1qn83x/R1-07012-031A-2.jpg

and my night time test shot, I can't do either the same way with digital:

https://i.postimg.cc/KG663NSF/R1-07012-016A.jpg

Sonar 50 might be cool for film but the pricetag on the mp or one with a reliable meter means maybe down the line when I'm more certain about things and the (mental) space it would occupy.

Samyang 45mm f1.8 can feel a bit filmic at times with the colours that come from it, or at least I find it more receptive to being edited that way without needing to do as much work / going too far.

And I have the simera 50 coming tomorrow, another softer image one to try.

It's too many in too short a space of a time to get to know them properly. I'll wittle all these down to my favourites and drop the 'pretty good' ones over time. Should be able to find the couple of go-tos from this bunch. I have the feeling that the distagon will stay, so will the nokton. For autofocus, Samyang 50 f1.4 when I can go big, and zeiss 55mm when I can't.

Out of the more casual people ones are the 45mmf2.8 sigma, 45mmf1.8 samyang and the TTA 40mm f2. I got them all for pretty cheap tbh, and they're compact and useful. Gatherings, indoors or smaller spaces, restraunts (respectively).
But am I going to reach for them over a manual focus one I enjoy using more (40mm f1.2 nokton)? Probably not - though the 40f1.2 would be tight in a restraunt (42mm vs 37mm with the tta I think) - but I'll give myself reasonable time to decide.
Might come in handy with kids maybe? Their autofocus isn't like the Sony ones, but still faster than manual. The Sigma would suit that well, can get close to compensate for f2.8, bright image, great background. Teens maybe the samyang. TTA in tight spaces, alternative to the 40 nokton. Not sure about it due to f2 indoors though.

I might be putting too much thought into this.



Dec 14, 2025 at 08:02 AM
Jonas B
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.56 #11 · Zeiss 35mm 1.4 ZM Tests


Yogifi wrote:
I can leave the PCX on. Probably should for a while anyway just to find out for sure if I want it on or off with people.

On lenses for people images your preferance is to go tighter focal length if I remember correctly.
[...]
And I have the simera 50 coming tomorrow, another softer image one to try.

It's too many in too short a space of a time to get to know them properly. I'll wittle all these down to my favourites and drop the 'pretty good' ones over time. Should be able to find the couple of go-tos from
...Show more

I'm afraid you are dealing with too many lenses at the same time. I know I wouldn't be able to handle that lot. Overthinking.... maybe but at the same time you know what you want to get out of the camera. I don't care as much as you about the out of camera result. Post processing is there to help with layers, profiles, masks and selective sharpening and blurring. That's when needed and it isn't that often. Except for the occasional project I try to get around 10 keepers a year. Doesn't sound as much but in theory it will make for about 600 images at the point of end of life. Nobody will be interested in looking at all those.

That can be shortened to "I want my lenses to be versatile". I see we are different that way.

Anyway, after having read your last reply I realize it may take a while for you to find the time for the TA40-ZM35 comparison. No hurry, I'll be happy whenever.

Film is fun but I don't have the time/patience for it these days. I use scanned film as overlays and together with more or less crazy profiles I get digital results I like.



Dec 14, 2025 at 03:39 PM
Yogifi
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.56 #12 · Zeiss 35mm 1.4 ZM Tests


Jonas B wrote:
I'm afraid you are dealing with too many lenses at the same time. I know I wouldn't be able to handle that lot. Overthinking.... maybe but at the same time you know what you want to get out of the camera. I don't care as much as you about the out of camera result. Post processing is there to help with layers, profiles, masks and selective sharpening and blurring. That's when needed and it isn't that often. Except for the occasional project I try to get around 10 keepers a year. Doesn't sound as much but in theory it
...Show more

I do have my hands full at the moment even outside of photography, but if you're okay with a similar scene just with a pot intead of the doggo, it can be done soonish (probably tuesday). I find it hard to tell too much with objects but you get a hint.

You make a good point about not needing tonnes of keepers.

I do appreciate versatility in a holiday lens, I think most of them are probably good for both places and people at this stage. I was thinking one or two from simera 28, distagon 35, nokton 40/50.
But I also want a little variety, just not this much. I know I'll feel better lightening the load but don't want to rush it.

I'm brand new to film and I'm loving it! When it's reasonably in-focus that is. Overlayed film scans sound interesting, does that include the grain? So like a scan of a blank shot?
I wish there was a way to just dummify the image in lightroom, edit it with less resolution instead of saving that till the end. Maybe negative sharpen on the entire image would do it but it doesn't seem right to do it. If you're adding film grain then it needs to look a little less sharp, no?



Dec 14, 2025 at 05:43 PM
Jonas B
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.56 #13 · Zeiss 35mm 1.4 ZM Tests


Yogifi wrote:
I do have my hands full at the moment even outside of photography, but if you're okay with a similar scene just with a pot intead of the doggo, it can be done soonish (probably tuesday). I find it hard to tell too much with objects but you get a hint.
[...]
I'm brand new to film and I'm loving it! When it's reasonably in-focus that is. Overlayed film scans sound interesting, does that include the grain? So like a scan of a blank shot?
I wish there was a way to just dummify the image in lightroom, edit it with less
...Show more

A pot, or anything with some details or texture to focus on is OK.

For the film grain see your PM.



Dec 15, 2025 at 03:45 AM
Yogifi
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.56 #14 · Zeiss 35mm 1.4 ZM Tests


I just imported and exported, as the profile doesn't exist for the TTA, and the ZM one I don't think fully gets rid of the vignette.


TTA @ F2
https://i.postimg.cc/yNgk50pB/DSC05281-2.jpg


ZM @ f1.4 + pcx

https://i.postimg.cc/q7hzY2DM/DSC05280-2.jpg


@Jonas B, I'll get you a better comparison later if you need it but I think it's basically what we expected.

TTA does well imo, a touch murkier, but still pretty clean, blends more.
Quite similar background blur style, ZM might have stronger lines, I know those rings on the chair annoy me a bit more with the ZM.

ZM has this quite strong central hotspot (brightness) that helps with subjects around the center, significantly reduces by f1.6 and becomes more uniform but I think it works well. CV 40mm f2 ultron (f-mount) has the same thing at f2 and can be quite annoying, I found a radial mask reducing exposure helps fix it, so one increasing exposure centrally might add with images like this. I'm not sure if that fully explains it and the TTA might have its own hotspot that I've forgotten about, or is less apparent.

Should have probably taken a snap at f2 for the zm too but I was following your instructions! (-ish).
If you'd like a better comparison I can get it for you, but let's not put a date on it

Full-size:
https://i.postimg.cc/tbwwMdL0/DSC05281.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/gzX50rLN/DSC05280.jpg

Would have been nice to have the Simera 35 to compare too, and some sun. I think the Simeras flare quite a bit, ZM does not.
Simera 50 feels tiny after using the ZM, I think the 35 is a hair shorter too.

50 simera - got it quite late yesterday and it gets dark early here now, around iso320-400 1/60

https://i.postimg.cc/csS1NyKs/DSC05249.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/1P5GZb6L/DSC05251.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/ZZ7rYjxB/DSC05250.jpg

^ simera 50 shots that might shed (some) light on a 35mm in case you missed the notice above. He refused to look my way.

But I think I was right with my prediction that I enjoy bite on a 35mm. It makes it feel less like a 35mm in a weird way. I probably don't need it on a 50 (though maybe sonar 50 for film (? not sure) ...or if I was doing this professionally...).
TTA has a good amount imo, a safer amount for people probably.

Flares and contrast with the simeras in bright light can be an issue with my limited testing, But for low light indoors/a restraunt for example, pretty compact, and it's f1.4 and I expect a tad wider than the TTA. Just want to see how the simera 50 look is in low light.

And another from the ZM 35:
https://i.postimg.cc/bzvZ5Ssk/DSC05199.jpg


Edited on Dec 16, 2025 at 12:48 PM · View previous versions



Dec 16, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Jonas B
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.56 #15 · Zeiss 35mm 1.4 ZM Tests


Yogifi wrote:
I just imported and exported, as the profile doesn't exist for the TTA, and the ZM one I don't think fully gets rid of the vignette.
[...]
If you'd like a better comparison I can get it for you, but let's not put a date on it
[images]
Would have been nice to have the Simera 35 to compare too, and some sun.


Hey, thank you!
Profiles don't matter, I'm happy with the images as they are and don't need anything more. he images you posted confirmed my (our) thoughts and added som info on top of that.

After fixing the white balance (your door frames are white I guess) and adding some, very little actually, light to the TTA40 image both images look fine. Checking the TTA40 image I see no problems with "sharpness" or odd phenomena in the background. Granted, the TTA is at ƒ2 and the ZM35 at ƒ1.4, so both wide open, but still: the TTA40 background is maybe cleaner with less LoCA and a tad softer bokeh at some places.

The difference in focal length is more or less as expected. The green stuff, the "flowers", are surprisingly similar!

Well, I'm happy with the TTA40 and I won't get any strange ideas and give it away or something.

Yes, you can always add more lenses. There will always be another one, so no worries. Good luck with your new 35mm lenses and thanks again!

EDIT: And your post was updated while I typed. So good luck with the new 50 as well! Interesting.



Dec 16, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Yogifi
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.56 #16 · Zeiss 35mm 1.4 ZM Tests


Jonas B wrote:
Hey, thank you!
Profiles don't matter, I'm happy with the images as they are and don't need anything more. he images you posted confirmed my (our) thoughts and added som info on top of that.

After fixing the white balance (your door frames are white I guess) and adding some, very little actually, light to the TTA40 image both images look fine. Checking the TTA40 image I see no problems with "sharpness" or odd phenomena in the background. Granted, the TTA is at ƒ2 and the ZM35 at ƒ1.4, so both wide open, but still: the TTA40 background is maybe cleaner
...Show more

Very welcome, and glad to hear you don't need another Door frames are white, yes.

I won't be getting rid of the TTA either, it's very nice and was quite surprising when I got it. It's also the smallest lens I have on Sony when mounted. And after the sigma 45mm f2.8, was nice to get f2.



Dec 16, 2025 at 11:18 AM
1       2       3              55              end




FM Forums | Sony Forum | Join Upload & Sell

1       2       3              55              end
    
 

Welcome back
Log in to your account