Jman13 wrote:
This is largely how I feel. No, the 35/1.4's rendering isn't especially amazing, though it does have character, and a character that I mostly like. And the 35/1.8S also has a generally fine character. The thing is, in the 35/1.8, I always felt like it was one of those lenses that is trying to be a technically outstanding lens, but it falls just short. It's plenty sharp, but then the bokeh is average, and with hefty CA, which means that it then is in this strange middle ground between a character lens and a modern high-grade optic, and that middle ground never felt great for me, especially for an f/1.8 lens that is fairly expensive.
I can forgive those flaws a bit more in a faster lens that is also cheaper, and I think the bokeh is even slightly more flawed with the f/1.4...but in a lens like this that's honestly fine, and adds to the feel I get. I don't know...it's hard to explain. I will say that I'm definitely keeping my 35/2 APO as well, because then I get all that goodness that the 35/1.8 has, but also with almost zero CA and without some of the flaws.
If someone wants a technically amazing 35mm f/1.4, they can adapt a Sony GM for $1,300, or they can wait for the 35/1.2S, which I'm sure will be incredible, or they can adapt a Tamron 35mm f/1.4 SP, which is awesome, but very large and heavy, especially with the adapter added. ...Show more →
I think that sums it up quite well.
Thomas, who was/is responsible for pretty much all of the Z lens reviews at Cameralabs, is currently working on a review of the Z 35/1.4.
With comparison to the Z 35/1.8 S and the CV 35/2 AL-Z.
He also compared it with 180MP pixel shift shots and it is clear from his first comments that there are better solutions if you are looking for technical perfection in 35mm.
Nevertheless, this seems to be a very interesting lens, but with a different orientation.
"By the way: after a quick review of the new 180MP (pixel shift) test shots it is already clear: the Voigtländer is simply in a different league than the Z 35/1.8 S or Z 35/1.4 in terms of resolution, contrast and field curvature. The price is completely justified - if you can handle MF. Otherwise, of course, you should keep your hands off this great piece!"
Jman13 wrote:
No, the 35/1.4's rendering isn't especially amazing, though it does have character, and a character that I mostly like. And the 35/1.8S also has a generally fine character. The thing is, in the 35/1.8, I always felt like it was one of those lenses that is trying to be a technically outstanding lens, but it falls just short. It's plenty sharp, but then the bokeh is average, and with hefty CA, which means that it then is in this strange middle ground between a character lens and a modern high-grade optic, and that middle ground never felt great for me, especially for an f/1.8 lens that is fairly expensive.
I can forgive those flaws a bit more in a faster lens that is also cheaper, and I think the bokeh is even slightly more flawed with the f/1.4...but in a lens like this that's honestly fine, and adds to the feel I get. I don't know...it's hard to explain. ...Show more →
Thanks a bunch for taking the time to reply, Jordan! That seems a balanced evaluation and I get where you are coming from preference wise. I think your characterization of the 35/1.8S being in kind of an awkward middle ground is a good way of putting it. The 35/1.4 perhaps fits better into more traditional categories of lens performance and price brackets.
RoamingScott wrote:
Counterpoint: why does every lens thread need a complainer? It’s very easy to cross post, which many of us often do. It’s also nice to have a lens specific thread to look back on if you are thinking of buying one.
RustyRus wroteWhy does everything need a picture thread? I wish people would just post on one thread of all the Nikon Z bodies so we could see everything- Instead we have 50 threads with a trickle of photos- that ends up dying once the excitement is over
Dude- I’ve tried to just let your jerkiness roll off man-
I’m over you and you being an absolute dick all the time-
jrscls wrote:
I like a lens specific thread to evaluate the merits of the lens, and of course as mentioned above, just cross-post in the general thread.
I need to learn to cross post I guess- love seeing all the photos just gets lost in all the threads-
RustyRus wrote: RoamingScott wroteCounterpoint: why does every lens thread need a complainer? It’s very easy to cross post, which many of us often do. It’s also nice to have a lens specific thread to look back on if you are thinking of buying one.
RustyRus wroteWhy does everything need a picture thread? I wish people would just post on one thread of all the Nikon Z bodies so we could see everything- Instead we have 50 threads with a trickle of photos- that ends up dying once the excitement is overDude- I’ve tried to just let your jerkiness roll off man-
I’m over you and you being an absolute dick all the time-
Thanks for posting. Matt did a nice job comparing these lenses. After more thought and examination of what has been presented, I canceled my preorder. The Tamron is a beast of a lens but is worth it. I will also rely on the 40 f2 for "character" and light weight. I ran some more tests on the Tamron 35 1.4 and it really is a decent lowlight AFC lens. Not as good as a native Z lens like the 35/50/85 S lenses but adequate. If I had to pick between the 1.8 and 1.4 I would probably go with the 1.8. I just never was wowed by its "rendering." The 40 f2 is not super sharp but has a nice rendering and compliments the Tamron 35 1.4 as a lightweight alternative. If I need low light AFC on a critical shot, the Tamron can work and my 50 1.8S is about bullet proof even on a Z7II.
Best to all who buy this lens. I am sure it makes nice images but I am having my doubts that I would be happy with this lens in the end. Maybe down the road when prices come down.
aerospace99 wrote: urbanwild wroteDecent comparisonThanks for posting. Matt did a nice job comparing these lenses. After more thought and examination of what has been presented, I canceled my preorder. The Tamron is a beast of a lens but is worth it. I will also rely on the 40 f2 for "character" and light weight. I ran some more tests on the Tamron 35 1.4 and it really is a decent lowlight AFC lens. Not as good as a native Z lens like the 35/50/85 S lenses but adequate. If I had to pick between the 1.8 and 1.4 I would probably go with the 1.8. I just never was wowed by its "rendering." The 40 f2 is not super sharp but has a nice rendering and compliments the Tamron 35 1.4 as a lightweight alternative. If I need low light AFC on a critical shot, the Tamron can work and my 50 1.8S is about bullet proof even on a Z7II.
Best to all who buy this lens. I am sure it makes nice images but I am having my doubts that I would be happy with this lens in the end. Maybe down the road when prices come down....Show more →
This is where I'm at also. I think I'll wait to see what 28mm lenses come out and see what the 35mm f1.2S is like
I haven't shot too much more with the lens, but put it on my Z8 again and took some more shots.
I'm somewhat torn. In normal shooting, I think it does a decent job, but there's no doubt at wider apertures it struggles pretty heavily on a high resolution sensor.
I'm leaning towards returning it. I do think it's a decent option for a fast 35, but the reality is that a lens like the 40mm f/2 has a similar classic sort of look, but it's actually the better optic at wide apertures. Even when stopped down to f/2, the 40/2 is a little sharper on the Z8, and bokeh is fairly similar between them.
After earlier mention of the Sony 35GM, I think I might pick one of those up (I already have the adapter).
I found one at a local shop, but decided to pass for now. For some reason I can’t get too excited about the 40 f2, and I’m not too interested in a large/heavy/expensive 35 f1.2S.
I tought this lens would be all over youtube with tests and reviews, but there is none so far(from bigger youtubers)...probably Chris will release his review soon...I know this lens is not the best optically, but, it's nice combination with small weight and f1.4 aperture...
Didn’t you adapt some Sony glass early on in your Nikon shooting? I suspect the 35gm will exceed IQ expectations with a slight hit to AF. It does not appear to be one of those lenses from Sony that relies on heavy-handed software correction.
Jman13 wrote:
I haven't shot too much more with the lens, but put it on my Z8 again and took some more shots.
I'm somewhat torn. In normal shooting, I think it does a decent job, but there's no doubt at wider apertures it struggles pretty heavily on a high resolution sensor.
I'm leaning towards returning it. I do think it's a decent option for a fast 35, but the reality is that a lens like the 40mm f/2 has a similar classic sort of look, but it's actually the better optic at wide apertures. Even when stopped down to f/2, the 40/2 is a little sharper on the Z8, and bokeh is fairly similar between them.
After earlier mention of the Sony 35GM, I think I might pick one of those up (I already have the adapter). ...Show more →
RoamingScott wrote:
Didn’t you adapt some Sony glass early on in your Nikon shooting? I suspect the 35gm will exceed IQ expectations with a slight hit to AF. It does not appear to be one of those lenses from Sony that relies on heavy-handed software correction.
Jman13 wroteI haven't shot too much more with the lens, but put it on my Z8 again and took some more shots.
I'm somewhat torn. In normal shooting, I think it does a decent job, but there's no doubt at wider apertures it struggles pretty heavily on a high resolution sensor.
I'm leaning towards returning it. I do think it's a decent option for a fast 35, but the reality is that a lens like the 40mm f/2 has a similar classic sort of look, but it's actually the better optic at wide apertures. Even when stopped down to f/2, the 40/2 is a little sharper on the Z8, and bokeh is fairly similar between them.
After earlier mention of the Sony 35GM, I think I might pick one of those up (I already have the adapter).
I use the Sony 50mm f/1.2 GM on my Nikon bodies. Works like a native lens. I have no desire to use the Nikon 50/1.2 and actually bought the Sony new for the purpose of adapting it. I just don’t want a gigantic 50mm lens. I also have an E mount Sigma 85/1.4 DG DN.
RustyRus wrote:
Why does everything need a picture thread? I wish people would just post on one thread of all the Nikon Z bodies so we could see everything- Instead we have 50 threads with a trickle of photos- that ends up dying once the excitement is over
Because people researching specific gear don't want to waste hours culling through optics that are of no interest to them. And researching gear is the primary use for most image threads. Kind of silly to think otherwise.
Jman13 wrote:
Ok, so after looking at my images from this morning, I think I'm really going to like this lens. It isn't perfect for sure, but overall, I was really pleased with how the lens draws. I was only out shooting for a short while and nothing particularly exciting, but got to do a few torture test scenarios and also just casual shooting scenarios.
I was shooting on the Zf, so just 24MP to stress the lens, but in my shooting today, sharpness at f/1.4 was more than adequate. Sharp enough where it needs to be, though not clinical. The overall rendering is generally pleasing, though it certainly gets some serious character / busyness at more moderate distances wide open if the background is busy. For portraiture, I think it's plenty sharp. Good detail where it counts, but still pleasing with a slight glow. Overall, I'm pretty pleased. Bunch O Samples below:
Here's what I was talking about with the flare. If the sun is very close to the center of the frame, it will ghost quite strongly (as seen in the next image), however, if the sun is outside the center (shot after that), there is almost no visible flare or ghosting at all. As such, it's very easy to avoid, as it only really flares in one part of the frame: https://www.jordansteele.com/2024/z35_flare.jpg
Some test shots with busy foliage and filtered sunlight behind (sort of a torture test, and as you can see, at aroun d full body height distance, the bokeh gets busy with a busy background. Retro vibe, though. Smooths a bit closer up, but still has character. Both of the next two at f/1.4: https://www.jordansteele.com/2024/ghost_boner2.jpg
The bokeh behind that chain link fence almost caused a seizure..... Many nice shots in this thread, thanks a bunch for doing it. I think if size and weight were paramount, I would just go with the 40mm. If not, the 1.8 is the winner here, given only $100 difference. I still am not sure why Nikon made this lens. Imagine being a counter salesman explaining all this stuff.....
The amount of green fringing at 1.4 is pretty gnarly. I still think the 35/1.4G is the best balance of rendering without resorting to "soap bubble bokeh" and fringemaxxing.
I really don’t want to adapt anything and like the idea of a fast and relatively inexpensive 35mm prime. I was considering the 28/40 pair, but I think I would prefer a 35.
Jman13 wrote:
I haven't shot too much more with the lens, but put it on my Z8 again and took some more shots.
I'm somewhat torn. In normal shooting, I think it does a decent job, but there's no doubt at wider apertures it struggles pretty heavily on a high resolution sensor.
I'm leaning towards returning it. I do think it's a decent option for a fast 35, but the reality is that a lens like the 40mm f/2 has a similar classic sort of look, but it's actually the better optic at wide apertures. Even when stopped down to f/2, the 40/2 is a little sharper on the Z8, and bokeh is fairly similar between them.
After earlier mention of the Sony 35GM, I think I might pick one of those up (I already have the adapter). ...Show more →
I've got a 35GM and have been meaning to try it out on my Z8, just need to pick up the adapter. I've been waiting to see early reviews on the new 35 to decide if I should switch over, but the GM looks far superior to what I've seen and read. I loved the lens on Sony — to be honest the only thing that's made me wait to try is I've been a bit down on the 35mm focal length of late.
I think this new 35 looks like a nice and affordable option, but it's just not going to deliver the performance that I'd like. Kind of a similar disappointment to the Sony 35 f/1.8 and Sigma 35 f/2 — great lenses for many uses, but just a few too many performance wrinkles to be interesting to me. I actually do like the Nikon 35 f/1.8 quite a bit, just a bit too pricey at full MSRP.
So I went to my local store that specializes in used gear (though they have plenty of new stock too), and they had a used 35GM, so I picked one up after trading in a few lenses I was going to sell anyway.
I did some head to head comparisons on the Z8. I will say, when not shooting test images, the Z 35/1.4 does a good enough job for the most part. It's still flawed, for sure, but not as bad as when shooting test charts or something. In fact, at full body height distance, the 35GM is only marginally sharper (though with much smoother bokeh and a little more contrast). Moving closer up, the differences become quite apparent, however. It appears that the differences in sensor stack thickness do slightly affect the GM's corner performance when focused closer up on the Z8, but it's fairly minor at a distance, and stopping down brings the corners up to snuff.
Still, the 35GM is a great lens, and definitely the superior optic (as it should be for over twice the price retail). Surprised how minimal the size and weight difference is, though..it's pretty marginal. Focusing works great on my Z8 with the Megadap, and it essentially feels native. Very quick to focus and lock.
And fairly close up near the corner (Here the Z shows very little focus breathing while the GM shows quite a lot, but the GM is way better, though still not perfect here. Stopping down to f/2.8 brings the GM up to very sharp territory.