I’ve owned this lens for over 20 years. For shooting artistic photos, it’s one of my favorites. Technical analysis can not properly evaluate the incredible colors, bokeh, and creamy rendering of this lens. www.flickr.com/photo…ed-public/
GMJ
November 12, 2023 11:00 am
The “fine German craftsmanship” you refer to does not exist. While the lens may be designed elsewhere, the lens is made in Japan. Not that that is a bad thing. This lens really is well built.
This is a B$. It’s made by Cosina exactly at ZEISS specs, whats your point IP is from Zeiss, Cosina is the manufactor only. Go figure. Voigtländer lenses are also being made by Cosina Japan. And CONTAX 35mm SLRs have been made since 1983-2005 by Kyocera, Japan…which bought Yashica into 1983. I am shooting with CONTAX /Yashica since 89 exactly, Film generally since 84, and do know exactly the Contax, Yashica & Zeiss Story, mind you.
David Panno
January 30, 2021 7:24 am
It would be helpful if you told us the direction of the field curvature curve, Forward? Rearward? Great website; one of my favorites.
Doug
September 21, 2017 7:10 am
i like the rendering from the Zeiss better than the Sigma. Sharpness is not everything. this lens is plenty sharp enough.
Hwang Dongwon
July 25, 2014 2:03 am
Thank you for such a nice review. I’ve also seen your review of Distagon T* 35mm F/2.0, and I wonder if there is a big difference between the two lens. Since I only have zoom lenses, I wanted to get a single-vision lens. The Zeiss 35mm F/1.4 lens was my only consideration, only before I saw your review of the F/2.0 lens.(Especially because you recommended it for non-professional users; I’m a student.) I’m relatively new to photography, and probably any of these lens would provide me excellent photography experience. I would just like to know if there is a big difference between having the 1.4 stop and not. I currently use Sigma 18-50mm F/2.8 lens on Canon 550D, and I do want to try the F/1.4 stop. However, if there isn’t a noticeable difference between 1.4 and 2.0, I do have a mind to go for the F/2.0 lens; not because of the price range, just because it seems more compact and lighter.(I personally like its design better, too.) I take photos of people, close objects both indoor and outdoor, and some buildings. Could you give me any advice? btw, I’m comfortable with MF, so that’s not a problem.
Rick
August 9, 2013 3:24 pm
I would like to see a 35mm f/2D review, please!!!! It’s the most affordable 35mm prime , since not all readers can afford a 1.4 lens!!
It’s a fine lens. I am shooting it mostly for it’s 3D Pop and micro-contrast, onto my F80 & F100. Besides, not a match of course for my 35/1.4 Contax Distagon, but neither the less a good Nikkor prime – and into 2023+ about 200-250 EUR, used. Have mine since decades.
gabriel
July 31, 2013 9:13 am
On the field I find it not suitable for portraits, it’s too sharp, and the focus is very difficult, almost impossible not to make mistakes at f1.4. You have to use the preview button. I have to install a katzeye and a magnifying eyepiece, but it does not change much, it is a design flaw of optics suffering from LOCA. It ‘a pity
preston
July 30, 2013 10:11 pm
Wow, wasn’t expecting it to look worse than competitors in the bokeh comparison! I’m not a bokeh nut by any stretch, but having halos around out of focus circles is very distracting in actual photos.
Julián
July 29, 2013 8:13 am
Hello, I was always curious about a good review from this lens, and finally I found it. Thanks a lot Nasim. Br
Ankur
July 23, 2013 12:43 pm
Nasim, great review there!
Not quite sure about the optical performance considering the $$/value ratio! Almost sounds like, even with its uncanny bokeh and slight front/back focus throw of Sigma 35 f/1.4 – it’s possibly the best value for money overall.
I’ve owned this lens for over 20 years. For shooting artistic photos, it’s one of my favorites. Technical analysis can not properly evaluate the incredible colors, bokeh, and creamy rendering of this lens. www.flickr.com/photo…ed-public/
The “fine German craftsmanship” you refer to does not exist. While the lens may be designed elsewhere, the lens is made in Japan. Not that that is a bad thing. This lens really is well built.
This is a B$. It’s made by Cosina exactly at ZEISS specs, whats your point IP is from Zeiss, Cosina is the manufactor only. Go figure. Voigtländer lenses are also being made by Cosina Japan. And CONTAX 35mm SLRs have been made since 1983-2005 by Kyocera, Japan…which bought Yashica into 1983. I am shooting with CONTAX /Yashica since 89 exactly, Film generally since 84, and do know exactly the Contax, Yashica & Zeiss Story, mind you.
It would be helpful if you told us the direction of the field curvature curve, Forward? Rearward? Great website; one of my favorites.
i like the rendering from the Zeiss better than the Sigma. Sharpness is not everything. this lens is plenty sharp enough.
Thank you for such a nice review. I’ve also seen your review of Distagon T* 35mm F/2.0, and I wonder if there is a big difference between the two lens. Since I only have zoom lenses, I wanted to get a single-vision lens. The Zeiss 35mm F/1.4 lens was my only consideration, only before I saw your review of the F/2.0 lens.(Especially because you recommended it for non-professional users; I’m a student.) I’m relatively new to photography, and probably any of these lens would provide me excellent photography experience. I would just like to know if there is a big difference between having the 1.4 stop and not. I currently use Sigma 18-50mm F/2.8 lens on Canon 550D, and I do want to try the F/1.4 stop. However, if there isn’t a noticeable difference between 1.4 and 2.0, I do have a mind to go for the F/2.0 lens; not because of the price range, just because it seems more compact and lighter.(I personally like its design better, too.) I take photos of people, close objects both indoor and outdoor, and some buildings. Could you give me any advice?
btw, I’m comfortable with MF, so that’s not a problem.
I would like to see a 35mm f/2D review, please!!!!
It’s the most affordable 35mm prime , since not all readers can afford a 1.4 lens!!
It’s a fine lens. I am shooting it mostly for it’s 3D Pop and micro-contrast, onto my F80 & F100.
Besides, not a match of course for my 35/1.4 Contax Distagon, but neither the less a good Nikkor prime – and into 2023+ about 200-250 EUR, used. Have mine since decades.
On the field I find it not suitable for portraits, it’s too sharp, and the focus is very difficult, almost impossible not to make mistakes at f1.4. You have to use the preview button. I have to install a katzeye and a magnifying eyepiece, but it does not change much, it is a design flaw of optics suffering from LOCA. It ‘a pity
Wow, wasn’t expecting it to look worse than competitors in the bokeh comparison! I’m not a bokeh nut by any stretch, but having halos around out of focus circles is very distracting in actual photos.
Hello,
I was always curious about a good review from this lens, and finally I found it. Thanks a lot Nasim.
Br
Nasim, great review there!
Not quite sure about the optical performance considering the $$/value ratio! Almost sounds like, even with its uncanny bokeh and slight front/back focus throw of Sigma 35 f/1.4 – it’s possibly the best value for money overall.
Yup, the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 is a much better value for sure, which is why I gave this lens a “3” for value.