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 p.90 #20 · Front-End Filter Improves Corner Smearing | |
Steve Spencer wrote:
Thanks Derek, I always value your opinion and find it quite helpful. I have the ZM 35 f/1.4 and my problem is that I bought it hoping that I could use it in two different kits and it works quite well in one, but not so well in the other. Where it works for me is in a three lens kit with the Sony A7r II and the Loxia 21 and Loxia 85. These three make a nice fairly small versatile kit. At the wide end the Loxia 21 is fantastic at most everything I want it for. The Loxia 85 is also quite versatile and I find it excellent for portraits and landscapes. The ZM has a very similar look to the two Loxia's and it is my among my favorite lenses for close-ups and with the Hawk's adapter I have is very easy to use for such shots. Stopped down to f/5.6 or 6.3 it is also a very good landscape lens. I am not using the front end filter and still for my uses in this kit it works well. I would probably be happier if it was better for portraits, but I do have the Loxia 85 along in this kit which works at least 80% of the time for the portraits I want to take. So, in this role it does great, not perfect, but it really works very well.
I also at times really like to take a two lens portrait kit with a 35 and something between 75 and 90. I had big hopes the ZM 35 would fill the 35mm role in such a kit. When I use this lens primarily for portraits in such a kit I am pretty disappointed. So, I have been thinking about other options for such a two lens kit. Could the CV 35 f/1.7 replace the ZM in the kit above and in this two lens kit? Perhaps, but it seems like for almost all of what I am seeking the ZM would just be a better choice. I like it better for close-ups and I like it better for landscape shots stopped down. Yet, I am pretty sure the CV would be better for the 2 lens portrait kit. It seems to me what I should do is not try to find one do it all 35mm lens, but rather add a second 35mm lens for the two lens portrait kit. Right now I am leaning toward the Zeiss C/Y 35 f/1.4. Yeah, it is bigger, but in a two lens kit I care less. I have also considered the Zeiss ZF.2 classic 35mm f/1.4, which I currently have, but the focussing direction drives me nuts and the ZE version with a metabones or similar (which I did have) gets so big it does start to bother me. I also considered the Leica R 35 f/2 Mk II, partly because my longer lens in this two lens kit is the Leica R 80 f/1.4. I do think they would pair well together as they are both Mandler lenses and share a similar look, but partly based on what you have said I reviewed my old shots with the R 35 cron II and I can see its weaknesses and I don't think I will got that way. The Pentax 31 limited is also a lens I have long considered but the focus direction and the fact it is an AF lens together have me worried about how I will feel about focussing it. So, I am left still unconvinced by any options but I am likely to try the Zeiss C/Y next. Thanks for your advice....Show more →
Steve,
I am in the same boat as you--looking for an everything 35. Aside from the Rx1 which obviously isn't interchangeable, I find the Pentax 31 the best. In terms of draw and portraits, to my mind it's only beat by the CY 35. I borrowed mine to Derek, so he might have an updated opinion. But it's lovely WO (though has some LoCa and a pinch of SA-which I welcome), no pcx filter needed, middle size/weight, lower end for price, and excellent sharpness across the frame slightly stopped down. Flare isn't as good as the ZM35 or CV though. It's 32mm. I prefer it over my ZA 35 (which has restricted usage because it's huge). the Pentax 31 has a smooth rich character draw, would couple nicely with the r80.
Tbh, between the cv 35, rx1, zm 35, CY 35 and Pentax 31 the images and rendering are all pretty excellent, just a matter of what you want to deal with (filters, mf feel, bokeh, price, weight)
Also, all you guys excited to restart all this crazy testing once canon and nikon release FF mirrorless cams with differ sensor stacks? 🤣
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