Did anyone read the 35 1.4 ZM rumour?
Last time I talked with Zeiss directly, they told me that all ZM lenses are on the back burner until at least late 2015. I'd be shocked if they release something earlier, or at photokina. In fact, I didn't think it was happening.
As someone who really likes 35mm it would have to be something special to sway me. Just the size of a modern 35/1.4 alone is enough of a out off to me... I can't see any images, but 35/1.2 size, no thank you. But, great that they're putting effort back into zm if so
Hmmm, I'd be interested to hear more about this ZM 35.
So - hypothetically speaking - if you could pick ONE 35 for right now ... which one and WHY would you pick it? Budget is UNDER 2K. Leica 35 Summilux pre ASPH or Cron pre ASPH or ASPH? Which version?
I will pick 35cron v1 with goggle version for less than $1500(you should not surprise) or summarit for less than $1200 or 35lux V1 for less than $2000. (but I know this one is not as sharp as others once stop down)
28cron Zion a while back
I think I did put Leica polarize at the time.
KatieInTexas wrote:
Hmmm, I'd be interested to hear more about this ZM 35.
So - hypothetically speaking - if you could pick ONE 35 for right now ... which one and WHY would you pick it? Budget is UNDER 2K. Leica 35 Summilux pre ASPH or Cron pre ASPH or ASPH? Which version?
Here's another shot of Zsa Zsa with the 50 Lux
I presume you mean an M lens. If you don't need the speed, the Summarit has wonderful boke. Otherwise I think I would choose the 35 Cron ASPH at this point. I used to own the 35 Lux ASPH (pre-FLE), and it was great, but also quite a bit of trouble, especially focus shift. Anyway, it is probably too expensive. The pre-ASPH is very special, sometimes in a good way, sometimes in a horrible way. Sebboh has posted some samples here recently where you can see both behaviours. The Cron ASPH comes quite close to the Lux ASPH. The older Crons are IMO "character" lenses, sometimes nice, but not nearly as strong optically near wide open. A quick warning: the 35 Cron IV, the pre-ASPH, was named "the king of boke" by Michael Johnston, but he was talking about the performance at f/4, and wide open it is soft-ish, has CA and the boke isn't always nice. If you are interested in this lens, you might want to look at a lot of samples first, perhaps on Flickr or the l-camera-forum. It is a bit overpriced for what you get, probably owing to its (misunderstood) reputation.
I will pick 35cron v1 with goggle version for less than $1500(you should not surprise) or summarit for less than $1200 or 35lux V1 for less than $2000. (but I know this one is not as sharp as others once stop down)
28cron Zion a while back
I think I did put Leica polarize at the time.
KatieInTexas wrote:
Hmmm, I'd be interested to hear more about this ZM 35.
ZM 35 should run around 700, more or less, and technically from about f/4 to f/16 it may be the best of all the 35s--for sharpness and complete lack of distortion.
As Derek has noted, the bokeh can be edgy, but I haven't found it distracting. At f/2 the lens is slightly soft.
But there are many great 35s, cron asph, cron v1, etc.
And many good "cheap" 35s, too: CV 35/2.5, CV 35/1.4
The CV 35/1.2 is the best low light lens for any leica IMHO, because it's easier to focus than the fast 50s--but it's heavy.
In my research, I found many who swear by the zm 35/2.8, which is smaller than the 35/2, and has a totally different character, great with people etc. That one is about 700 also.
edwardkaraa wrote:
The images in that ad are not to scale, Richard.
Did you mean me? Good point, though it still looks a bit fat relative to the size of the mount. Anyway, I'm definitely excited to find out more about it!
Thanks Carsten and Uhoh. I did have the CV 35 1.2 and really enjoyed it. Sold it because of the size and the fact that I wasn't using it (I had so many lenses at the time ... but now am down to just 2 - the 50 and 21). I do have the Ricoh GR, which is a 28, and while I am using and liking that camera; I just think sometimes that I need a gapstop between the 50 and 21. Something with character... something interesting.
KatieInTexas wrote:
Thanks Carsten and Uhoh. I did have the CV 35 1.2 and really enjoyed it. Sold it because of the size and the fact that I wasn't using it (I had so many lenses at the time ... but now am down to just 2 - the 50 and 21). I do have the Ricoh GR, which is a 28, and while I am using and liking that camera; I just think sometimes that I need a gapstop between the 50 and 21. Something with character... something interesting.
I'd suggest either one of the 35 crons or the zm 35/2.8 C-biogon
Gary - loving the variety and grandeur from Budapest(?). The stained-glass image is great too with the subtle tonality of the statue. The sets of the kids with the Canon 50/1.4 are also great!
Michael - great images, as always of your kids! Those of your daughter at dusk are fabulous. Very bold look for Zion!
Nico - beautiful!
Charlie - you live in an amazing place! With the ZM35/2 you might get best sharpness/contrast at ~f/5.6 for infinity scenes. Have you noticed much difference at f/11+?
Katie, nice sets of your boys - they don't mind mom snapping away?
Cal - looks good and congrats on the 28 Cron! Heading up to the French River area in a few weeks... looking forward to it!
Joakim - great street find of the guy with two dogs!
Rocky - fabulous set! The last one is interesting with the direct eye contact.
Leonas - great FLE images!
Robert - feels very barren..
Sorry if I missed anyone else... been slacking off again but goofed around a bit with the Zeiss-Opton Sonnar 50/1.5 before dinner today...
Was at a camera store yesterday and noticed they had a demo T on display so messed around with it a bit. Took me a bit of time to get used to it, but it actually didn't seem too bad in general. The most annoying thing was not being able to turn off the auto image review feature after each exposure. I spent most of the time trying the M lenses I happened to have along with me. The EVF seemed to work well here, and is certainly nicer than the M240, though the magnified focus mode seemed a bit oversampled and weird looking. The feel was great, as were the general ergonomics. The shutter also sounded great, along the lines of the M240. After the T I tried a Sony a6000 and it felt cheap, haha... Typical Sony mess of buttons on the back, but it sure was responsive!
Katie - 35mm... tough one, as it's not one of my regularly used focal lengths at the moment. If you are looking more for character, then the Canon 35/2 LTM. It's relatively cheap at ~$400. I should shoot with mine more often. If you want technical performance, then the CV35/1.2, though it's huge (but fast). At the other end, I'd second the 35 Summarit. For 'Leica Glow' I'd vote 35 Lux pre-ASPH... a lens I still want to try. Haha, so much for picking one. If that's the case, then some flavor of 35 Cron, though I haven't tried any.
Edit - I see I was slow in posting and there were a number of additional posts about 35mm options...
I started with the ZM35/2.8. It's a very good lens though the 35/2 is technically better. You'll get typical Zeiss boldness/contrast with it. But it's a modern lens and thus is very clean in its rendering. It's a great, small lens to just toss in the bag with your two others, just in case, that said, I've hardly used my lately... If I want wide open character on the vintage side, I'll grab the Canon instead. It's as small, if not smaller than the ZM35/2.8. Stopped down past f/5.6 and it will give any modern lens a serious run, just giving up a bit in color saturation.
Katie - some great advice from everyone on the 35's. You may want to give one of the vintage varieties a whirl - maybe the Canon 35/2 or 35/1.8 ltm. Both can give a bit of interesting character. If you want some character, you may want to choose something other than the 35cron asph. I have it (and love it) but it is really not too "interesting". However, it is such a strong performer and super sharp across the frame right from f/2 onwards. I like it a lot and feel it is somewhat underrated. Many feel it is a bit "clinical"....
KatieInTexas wrote:
... I just think sometimes that I need a gapstop between the 50 and 21. Something with character... something interesting.
My favorite lens in the world might qualify: Leitz Summaron 35/2.8 M/LTM. Besides its petite size and attractive optical character, the handling is divine. Barrel design is shared with the Summicron v1, but price is much less extreme.
rscheffler wrote:
Congrats freitz! Glad to see you've moved quickly with your acquisitions. Is this with the 35 FLE?
Yup. Wide Open I believe. Here is another testing it out with my wife. Everything seems sharp and colors seems great. Trying to compare vs my 24-70 MKII shots with the 6D
I'm more and more interested in the Summarit. I find that the bokeh is more to my liking with that lens. Although I have no need for another 35mm lens.
Honestly quite shocked Zeiss is releasing a ZM after telling me they didn't have time for it.
Katie - cute pic!
zhangyue - love the colours, like something out of land of the lost.
uhoh7 - Nice variety of lenses, I like the colours in the second shot.
rscheffler - Nice Sonnar shots. First one is my favourite.
freitz - Nice shots.. Glad you're getting along with your gear so far. (Ron, last time we talked freitz had bought the 35FLE so I assume so).
joanlvh - I like the placement of the lamp to the building.
