Lens Summary
Brand: Zeiss
Also Known As: Zeiss 35mm f/2
Lens Type: Prime Lens
Format: Full Frame / FX
Focus: Manual Focus
Lens Mount: Canon EF, Nikon F, Pentax K
Release Date: 2006-01-01
MSRP Price: $1117
Made in: Germany
Infrared Rating: Good
Production Status: In Production
Lens Description: The use of sharp contrast and soft focus guides our eyes to the areas that you want to highlight. With the Distagon T* 1,4/35, you can create enchanting images thanks to its unique combination of a wide angle of view with a shallow depth of field. It is a master of light and color at both ends of the spectrum. Precise when in focus, this lens also creates fascinating images as a result of its distinctive, harmonious bokeh in the out-of-focus areas. For creative, high quality images – even wide open.
Photography Life Review Summary: The Zeiss 35mm f/1.4 Distagon is a very sharp and beautiful lens to work with and it very closely rivals the excellent Nikon 35mm f/1.4G that has recently been announced by Nikon. I now understand why some photographers go so crazy about the Zeiss glass. After coming back from a trip to Utah, I discovered that I used the Zeiss more than any other 35mm lens I had with me, including the Nikon 35mm f/1.4G. I just did not want to take it off my camera! Besides a couple of small things (like vignetting wide open and 58mm filter thread), there is really not much to complain about – colors, contrast and sharpness are all superb. Read the full Zeiss Distagon T* 35mm f/2 Review by Photography Life.
Zeiss Distagon T* 35mm f/2 Specifications
| Lens Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Lens Type | Prime Lens |
| Focal Length | 35mm |
| Mount Type | Canon EF, Nikon F, Pentax K |
| Format | Full Frame / FX |
| Compatible Format(s) | 35mm Film / Full-Frame Digital Sensor APS-C |
| Compatible with Teleconverters | No |
| Maximum Reproduction Ratio | 1:5.26 |
| Image Stabilization | No |
| Aperture Information | |
| Aperture Ring | Yes |
| Maximim Aperture | f/2 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22 |
| Maximum Angle of View (Full frame or larger format) | 62° |
| Optical Information | |
| Lens Elements | 9 |
| Lens Groups | 7 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 (rounded) |
| T* Anti-Reflective Coating | Yes |
| Focus Information | |
| Focus | Manual Focus |
| Built-in Focus Motor | No |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 0.30m |
| Distance Information | Yes |
| Filter Information | |
| Filter Size | 58mm |
| Accepts Filter Type | Screw-on |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Weather / Dust Sealing | Yes |
| Mount Material | Metal |
| Dimensions | 72 x 99mm |
| Weight | 570g |
| Other Information | |
| Available in Colors | Black |
Lens Construction 
MTF Chart
MTF Chart
Sample Images
High contrast and saturation of colors will spring to the eye. The Samyang 35/1.4 may be sharper (at f/1.4-f/2.0, compared to the Zeiss 35/2 at f/2.0), but with higher contrast, the Zeiss impressed me more when I compared both before buying (the Zeiss).
The 35/2 is my favourite for night shots, because it does not seem to flare when there are brilliant highlights inside or outside the field. Same for shooting against the light, e.g. pipe organs placed in front of a window in churches.