Biogon ZM 35 concern

[srtiwari]

My recently acquired ZM 35/2 is disappointing. I thought at first it might be my R3A, but a roll in my M6 seems just as uninspiring.
My other lenses (Hexanon m 35, Canon 35/2, even CV 35/2.5) are all decidedly "sharper". Since "sharpness" is a somewhat subjective quality, it is difficult to be certain if anything is actually wrong. I am told that the Biogon is known to be a very sharp lens.
I wonder if the lens needs to readjusted for focus. I have also wondered if it is a "Bad sample" since it does not seem sharp anywhere- not just the subject in question.
I am considering sending it for testing, but don't know who to send it to. OTOH, perhaps someone on RFF can compare with their copy ? (I don't mind sending it out for that).
These two photos may give some idea. All frames were scanned on a Nikon 9000ED.
The first is a 100% crop from the sharpest part of a frame.
The second is a complete frame and shows no area that is particularly sharp.
I would welcome any advice.

 

[mfogiel]

This lens is sharp as hell from f2.8 on. I know there are some repair specialists in the US who can check it, you should contact the Zeiss distributor to find out, and at worst it can be sent to Oberkochen in Germany. Here's a sharp shot:

 

[Benjamin Marks]

If your lens shows no picture area in focus, then it needs to be looked at. I would first check it carefully with the camera on a tripod, in order to eliminate or lessen vibration from hand-holding. Take at least three pix (one at infinity - say the moon at sunny-16, one at 10 feet wide open and one at the close-focus limit). If one or all three are really off, send it to a competent repair person or contact the seller to share the cost of repair.

Ben Marks

P.S. Do yourself a favor and use a nice slow film. You enlarge any image enough and it won't appear sharp.

 

[kxl]

Try a controlled test using a tripod and slide film at all apertures and at all focusing distances. If possible, shoot someehere where there is no breeze.

I only recently got my copy of this lens (from another rff member), and I must say that I'm pretty impressed with it.

 

[sojournerphoto]

Should be sharp - Zeiss at Oberkochen charge 49 euros to do a funtion test or 26 euros to give an estimate to repair a damaged lens. It may bethat they will just adjust if that's all that's needed. The forms are here.

Before sending it off you may well want to test it on some nice slow film - I'd use ektar 100 or slow (25 asa) black and white

Mike

 

[srtiwari]

Mfogiel and kxl,
Those are both very sharp looking photographs. Mine clearly does NOT do that.
Thank you Mike for your advice.
Ben, I have printed off the forms, and will send it.
BTW, I always try and use Reala for color photos. I didn't quite like the way Ektar is saturated.

 

[Bob Michaels]

If you find yourself in the metro Orlando area some weekend and want to borrow my ZI 35mm 2.0 for the day for comparison, let me know.

There is a chance that we may plan a family outing to Sebastian Inlet sometime in the next few weeks, so that would also be a close by opportunity. I was in Melbourne a week ago, with lens on camera, but unfortunately that is history. As was my local son and his family who was in Vero Beach yesterday.

 

[srtiwari]

Bob,
Thats a very kind offer. What might be even better is next time you are around here, I could meet you for a quick shoot with your lens. The inlet has some nice spots, but this time of year, anytime after 8:30 AM is almost too bright.
Let me know when your next trip is.
Subhash

 

[notturtle]

did you buy new or used?

My example is sharp as hell. As in 19"wide prints of delta 100 leave my jaw on the floor. There must be something very wrong here. As said above, it should be sharp as a tack from f2.8 onwards and perfectly respectable wide open.

 

[Uwe_Nds]

This lens is sharp as hell from f2.8 on. I know there are some repair specialists in the US who can check it, you should contact the Zeiss distributor to find out, and at worst it can be sent to Oberkochen in Germany. Here's a sharp shot:

Marek,

Could you please put a link to that shot`?
It's a PITA to scroll and read the posts.

Cheers,
Uwe