Used Zeiss 35mm f/2 Distagon T* ZS Manual Focus Standard Lens for SLRs with Universal M42 Screw Mount

2015-10-08T21:00:00

I am glad that I choose this 35mm lens among many others. It is sharp, its rendering is very nice, gives nice and consistent details on the entire lens. Also, since it is built well, the lens is a pong time investment. I replaced the front lens cap immediately.

ANDRAS L.

2012-07-26T21:00:00

First allow me to state my concerns going into this purchase. I read a lot of reviews and articles regarding the lens and the comparisons it had against other lenses. My two main apprehensions were 1) The crop factor on my 7D – many people are of the persuasion that it is not appropriate to use this lens on a camera that is not full frame, 2) The ability for us older cogs to properly focus if we have failing eyes. I have experienced no issues with the lens on my 1.6x camera. I am truly pleased with its scaling and it is a great normal lens. I was suspecting that this would be the case. My greater fears were the focusing issue with older eyes. I read on a site by a reviewer whom I've learned a lot from and who has the highest regards for Zeiss lenses that if your eyes are wearing out then you need to stick with the auto focus lenses. His comment almost stopped me from making the purchase! Yet on the Zeiss website they stated that it is possible to shoot with a manual focus lens while wearing glasses by shooting in live view; and they are absolutely correct. I could not be happier with the way that the lens performs. I am just an enthusiast and have no monetary dependence upon my ability to shoot pictures. I was at a wedding of the daughter of a good friend of mine and I pre-focused at f/2 a spot where the bride would pass by, clicked off three shots as she passed, with two shots I missed yet today the third shot is what is on display. They did hire professional photographers who clicked off thousands of shots of the overall event nevertheless in any given situation usually only one picture will be hanging on the wall (for some reason unknown to me none of them were shooting with a prime lens). Last of all I would like to affirm what you will read everywhere else that the colors are fabulous and that the lens is as sharp as a tack. Great lens.

Jim

2012-04-01T21:00:00

Great lens

SAMUEL F.

2010-04-24T21:00:00

Great lens! One of the best focal lengths on full format! Love it for cinematography. Fascinating 3d effect, micro contrast and wide latitude!

EDW

2009-12-06T19:00:00

On a 1.6x crop sensor it's tack sharp corner to corner at f2.0 with little doubt it could do the same on full frame. Its ALL metal construction makes it a work of art in itself. Very reminiscent to Hasselblad V-lenses. Buttery smooth and extremely accurate manual focusing. Impressive close focusing on a 1.6x crop also. Little to fault with the lens. My copy showed purple highlight fringing only at f2.0 and only from 10+ feet. This fault proved easily fixable in software. Other than that the optics were flawless. Manual focusing can be quick, especially with a focusing screen upgrade. Have seen reputable sources showing it is sharper than the Canon 35mm 1.4 L wide open. I would highly recommended the Zeiss 35mm ZE for anyone looking for world class glass that will fully resolve the sensors of the next decade.

Paul O.