Lotusm50 wrote:
I have both the ZF35 and the 35-70, and there isn't a chance that the 35-70 is sharper than the ZF35. Stopped down to around f8 (optimal for the 35-70 at 35mm) the zoom can probably get close, but the ZF35 reaches this level of performance by f4.0. Wide open up to f8, the ZF35 just dominates the old zoom, and has less light fall-off (almost a 2 stop difference).
I agree with everything regarding the contax 35-70 and contax 21mm. However, i have the extreme opposite opinion of the Leica 35-70. In my mind that lens was not nearly as sharp and the macro position not nearly as good as the contax. I think if you do a search during the last 2 years --- you will see more agree with my position.
StevenPA wrote:
Paul, I have a good idea of the kind of info you're after here. Briefly, yes, the 35-70 will deliver the same "punch" that the 21 does, but not as quickly, and wide open performance leaves something to be desired. The 21 is great wide open and becomes awesome at f/4 (one click down), as you well know. The 35-70 needs a bit more stopping down: two clicks to f/5.6, which is very nice indeed, and I don't hesitate to use it. f/8 is amazingly sharp right down into the corners.
I wouldn't buy the lens if I planned to use it wide open routinely. The Leica 35-70/4 is much better suited for wide open work....Show more →
I agree with you on this.... I was pretty impressed with the macro setting on this lens. It is not as good as a macro prime but very decent. The 35-70mm does not do as well wide open at the 35mm focal range. The difference in image quality from 3.4 to 5.6 is remarkable at 35mm. The difference is not quite as great at the 50-70mm end.
Andi Dietrich wrote:
I found the 35-70 was not at it's best at 35mm and iffy to focus on a Canon. The makro is nice but it can not be directly compared to real macro lenses as it does not offer some important qualities of a typical close up lenses. For best close up performance a reverse ring can be recommended. I think it is a little overrated here but for the price this lens usualy goes it is still an amazing piece.
Interesting comments, Mark, about the Leica 35-70. I think you're the first person I've seen state so emphatically that the Leica isn't nearly as sharp wide open. Perhaps in the center, the sharpness is equal, but wide open corner performance is the Achilles Heel of the Contax.
I'm sorry to disagree with you about the macro function as well. The Leica button is much more refined than the Contax twist, and focus is just easier to use on the Leica. That's interface, and for optical quaality, I was never disappointed with the Leica. The macro function isn't the breaking point of either lens though as a dedicated macro is still the best way to go. But if I had to choose a lens with macro function, I wouldn't be disappointed with the Leica.
The CZ21 has poorer, if you will, bokeh because it's an apo lens. The only wide/superwide to be apo, that I know of.
Are you talking about the Vario-Elmar-R 4/35-70, or the Vario-Elmarit-R 2.8/35-70? There's a vast, vast difference. Especially in price.
What's the difference in optical quality between the f3.5 and the f4 versions of the Vario-Elmar. I've quickly searched Ebay and there are E67 and E60 versions of both, so both should be recent designs? Prices don't differ much either.
I am not sure how far back the search function goes but i really wanted to like the Leica more. It is a nicer looking lens. Ne thing to keep in mind that the adapters we use were likely different and this might have an effect especially at the edges. Are your images 100% crops? I would need to see direct comparison 100% crops etc.
Mark, here are some 100% crops. No post processing. By the way, the processed pic above is the full frame on a 1Ds, ISO400; I confirmed that when I put the crops together.
I used a Kindai adapter with this lens. I would like to suggest that you try this lens again with a proper adapter as you may find the missing magic you were hoping for some years ago. I thoroughly agree with you that the Leica has a better feel and interface than the Contax. I'll repeat myself again after all these years: if someone could put the Contax optics (which I think are *overall* better) into the Leica casing, well, I'd pay a lot of money for that! http://www.pbase.com/stevenpa/image/110682375/original.jpg
There is a Contax Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 35-70mm F3.4 Macro on ebay.
Price is right now US $187,50 (EUR 140,91) and it ends tomorrow.
After all the rave here, I got interested, but I am still leaning towards the Zuiko 35-80mm.
I think I will better wait for an opportunity to get the Zuiko.
I believe it turns into a mini pumpkin type thing.