p.1 #1 · Zeiss Distagon T* 35mm f/2 ZF.2 - Is this that good?
I have a dilema and I would like to ask your help in order to take a decision. I am a very particular man and I suffer somtimes of "analysis paralysis" before to buy something. Somehow this was helpful because from many lenses I've bought I showed regret only once, and that was when I had an unexpected NAS attack and I did not took a time to read reviews and to consult other people.
I am pretty well covered (quite overlapped) between 10mm on DX and 14mm on FX and 300mm and usually I shoot mostly between 20mm and 200mm. I have good zooms but I love primes, fast primes, since I shoot a lot events in available light. I don't care for loosing versatility, nor the speed when going MF. In fact I like to be slowed down a little bit, this helps me to take better pictures. Maybe I have a slow brain, who knows? (or not enough organic RAM...)
The only focal that is not covered well for me is that basic 35mm. I use the good f1.8 DX copy when I travel, but for more serious work on my D700 I have not a good prime between 24mm (Sigma f1.8) and 40mm (Voigtlander Cosina f2) and even these two lenses helps me do my job and I am happy with them, I can not consider them equal in quality like others from my bag, like Nikon 50mm/f1.2; 85mm/f1.4; 135mm/f2 DC or 180mm/f2.8. In fact I have no prime under 50mm to give me the same satisfaction like these I just listed before.
Sometimes last year I start to think at Zeiss Distagon T* 35mm f/2 ZF, as a possible temporary cure for my NAS. I like this because is 35mm, it is Zeiss and I have no Zeiss glass , It is cheaper than Zeiss 21mm/2.8 or than Macro Plannars, etc... And I really want the best 35mm glass for my D700 and all reviews I've read about Nikon 35mm/f2 and 35mm/f1.4 AIS are providing a mixed feeling. While I start to consider buying this lens, I found that Zeiss will bring on the market chipped versions and I said that is worthy to wait for that. The other day the online vendor where I buy gear in my Country received this chipped lens and I can have it by Tuesday if I want. But in the meantime I've read some rumors about Nikon preparing to announce a new re-designed FX prime, most probably a 35mm... and I get again stacked by analysis paralysis.
I'm sorry for this long story... please forgive me... in fact I have two main questions:
1. For people who have DIRECT experience with this lens and other 35mm like the two Nikons (f2 and f1.4) - is this Zeiss that good as it's reputation claims?
2. Do you think that is worthy to wait by the end of February (I already waited several months and I'll not die with one more) to see what's going to announce Nikon? It is possible to have a new AF-S 35mm/f1.4 with great IQ from Nikon waiting at the door?
I'd appreciate any opinion and advice you may give to me. Again I apologise for making it so long!
p.1 #2 · Zeiss Distagon T* 35mm f/2 ZF.2 - Is this that good?
Some Zeiss users think the 35/2 is the best of all the ZF lenses.
You may also want to post this in the alt. gear forum, as there is a good deal of discussion about Zeiss glass there.
The Nikon 35s can't hold up against the Zeiss 35/2, and I find it insane that the 35/1.4 somehow commands almost the same price in EX+ or so condition as a new Zeiss 35/2
I have not used the Zeiss 35/2, but I have read a ton of great things about it and seen some fantastic images taken with it.
p.1 #4 · Zeiss Distagon T* 35mm f/2 ZF.2 - Is this that good?
The zf.2 is a superb lens if you are okay with manual focus. I currently own the Nikon 35 mm f2 AF-D and have also owned the 35 f1.8 DX lens and neither of them come close to the zf 35. My first ZF lens was the 35 and it is a joy to own and use. The image quality is fantastic. Buy it and you will likely begin suffering ZAS.
p.1 #5 · Zeiss Distagon T* 35mm f/2 ZF.2 - Is this that good?
I'm inclined to agree with those shouting the praises of this lens... I use the ZF 35 f/2 Distagon for HD video production on a Panasonic HVX-200, and it's my second favorite of the lenses available, second only to the ZF 85/1.4. I've been borrowing it from time to time for use on my D300, and it's a pleasure to shoot with.
It's razor sharp wide open, and the Nikon 35/1.8 and 35/2 cannot touch its image quality below f/4 IMO (having owned and sold both of the Nikkors).
p.1 #6 · Zeiss Distagon T* 35mm f/2 ZF.2 - Is this that good?
Oh, men! You are leading me towards a non-curable phasis, taking me from a severe form of NAS to the ultimate ZAS! It seems that nobody here suffers of NRS (Nikon Rumors Syndrome) so I consider very seriously to enter this week in the Zeiss World Class Glass.
Many thanks for your kind advice and for taking your time to read my long post!
p.1 #7 · Zeiss Distagon T* 35mm f/2 ZF.2 - Is this that good?
The ZF 35 is better than any Nikon 35 prime produced to date. There have been rumors that Nikon will introduce a new 35 AF-S but that is yet to be seen. Even assuming arguendo that Nikon releases a new 35 prime, the ZF would still be a formidable competitor optically, and most undoubtedly mechanically. The only caveat being the ZF's lack of auto focus. I just bought my second copy of the ZF35 thinking that the 24-70G would suffice in it's place. However, it did not.
p.1 #8 · Zeiss Distagon T* 35mm f/2 ZF.2 - Is this that good?
I would wait and see what Nikon (or even Sigma) comes up with in coming weeks. If they have something interesting, it will certainly have AFS autofocus. The Zeiss is manual focus only, of course.
p.1 #9 · Zeiss Distagon T* 35mm f/2 ZF.2 - Is this that good?
Are you shooting DX, FX, or both? I only have the Nikon 35mm f/2 AF-D - but on my DX-format D300, it's my favourite lens by far. Because it's only using the centre of the glass, performance is superb.
I've tried the Zeiss, but couldn't justify the cost for the performance on a DX camera (my understanding is that on film/FX camera the Zeiss's quality is far more apparent).
p.1 #10 · Zeiss Distagon T* 35mm f/2 ZF.2 - Is this that good?
Having owned the 35 f/2 AF-D and used it extensively and also having used the Zeiss 35/2 ZF, I'd say that the differences are subtle, but they are very noticeable to my eyes, even on DX (D300 in my case). The BIG difference IMO is color fringing on the Nikon lens... you get a lot more color separation when shooting below f/4 on the Nikkor. The Zeiss exhibits SUBSTANTIALLY less of this issue, even wide open at f/2. Also, the Zeiss lens has smoother bokeh, and it is much sharper wide open (and sharper still when stopped down!).
The Nikon 35/2 AF-D is a very good lens (I only sold mine because I found it to be redundant with my 17-55/2.8, and it saw little use in recent months), but the Zeiss 35 offers higher image quality IMO.
p.1 #11 · Zeiss Distagon T* 35mm f/2 ZF.2 - Is this that good?
I too love the 50 1.2 AI-s and feel the same way about the ZF 35. There are no lenses that match it right now. I've heard the 35 AFS rumor for a while now. I enjoy manual focus but the extra speed of a new Nikon would be awesome. That being said, you need to look at what's available right now and the mythical 35 AFD doesn't exsist. Pick up the non-chipped ZF and save some money since you have a D700. I would love the ZF to be faster, other than that it is perfect.
p.1 #12 · Zeiss Distagon T* 35mm f/2 ZF.2 - Is this that good?
none of the Nikkor 35's i have tried are in the same league as the Zeiss even if you ignore the much worse CA and vignetting in the Nikkors. the Zeiss is much sharper at all apertures and much more flare resistant.
Herb...
jasoncallen wrote:
Having owned the 35 f/2 AF-D and used it extensively and also having used the Zeiss 35/2 ZF, I'd say that the differences are subtle, but they are very noticeable to my eyes, even on DX (D300 in my case).
p.1 #13 · Zeiss Distagon T* 35mm f/2 ZF.2 - Is this that good?
I've got it! The build quality is superb... I'm impatient to test it on field but unfortunately we have a horrible cold with snow storms weather. Does anyone knows anything new about that childish joke of "global warming"?
Again, I appreciate all input I've got from you. It was very helpful and since I'm fine with MF I don't think I'll ever show regrets for this step.
Last but not least: Do you know how to succeed in a 365 day project that suppose to not buy any gear?
p.1 #14 · Zeiss Distagon T* 35mm f/2 ZF.2 - Is this that good?
Mishu, how many pieces of glass do you have? Divide that in 365 and require that many shots from each lens. See, a 365 project with no new glass. Of course, should you sell a lens during the year you'll need to buy new glass ...
p.1 #18 · Zeiss Distagon T* 35mm f/2 ZF.2 - Is this that good?
I had the ZF 35/2 on my D800 years ago. I really liked the results but also noticed quite some CA from time to time even @5.6 in high contrast situations. If that is important for you it is something to be aware of.
Oooh, now I see it is a revival of a thread of 2010🙃
p.1 #19 · Zeiss Distagon T* 35mm f/2 ZF.2 - Is this that good?
jubarim wrote:
Reviving this thread...
I own this lens, it's superb, robust, nicely built. I use it in my old DLSRs DF and D700 and in the new Nikon ZF (this lens is also ZF haha).
I've used the ZF.2 35/2 in the past, with both DSLR cameras (D700, and then D780) and Z6. My sample was extremely sharp at close distances from f/2, and "good" (just) for landscapes/cityscapes. I swapped it for the Voigtlander Z 35/2 Apo-Lanthar: smaller, lighter, sharper and with more even rendition from centre to corners when photographing distant subjects. Moreover, the Apo-Lanthar has fewer chromatic aberrations; however, I preferred the bokeh and the out-of-focus rendition of the Zeiss, which doesn't use aspherical elements in its optical scheme.
p.1 #20 · Zeiss Distagon T* 35mm f/2 ZF.2 - Is this that good?
Lovely images that show very well what these fine Zeiss lenses are capable of. Photographic lens design can appear like a bomb defusing practical exam, as the staff try to instill the right balance of character and technical performance into the prototypes.
You can almost track the film-like character seeping away from them as the years of the 21st century pass. The restoration of this quality is their biggest challenge yet! The 35/2 Distagon dates from 2009, it seems much longer.
(or not enough organic RAM...)
, It is cheaper than Zeiss 21mm/2.8 or than Macro Plannars, etc... And I really want the best 35mm glass for my D700 and all reviews I've read about Nikon 35mm/f2 and 35mm/f1.4 AIS are providing a mixed feeling. While I start to consider buying this lens, I found that Zeiss will bring on the market chipped versions and I said that is worthy to wait for that. The other day the online vendor where I buy gear in my Country received this chipped lens and I can have it by Tuesday if I want. But in the meantime I've read some rumors about Nikon preparing to announce a new re-designed FX prime, most probably a 35mm... and I get again stacked by analysis paralysis.
