Loxia 35mm Alternatives

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Now that the 35mm is starting to ship, I decided to pull my 35mm Hexanon AR f/2.0, the second iteration of this lens (all black with yellow EE on aperture ring). This lens has sat on an old Konica camera since it was purchased new, way back. I'm just getting back to using it since my A7 lens mount has my FE lenses rotating and losing electrical connection, but now back from Sony, every lens is tight.

Wow, the Hexanon AR has really nice manual focus and little vignetting at f/2.8. Corners are tack sharp at f/8.0 and good before that. I just saved myself the expense of the Loxia.

This lens is pretty rare, but I'm guessing that all of you have found other lenses that really shine at 35mm. If the Loxia offered auto aperture, then I would not be considering a legacy lens, but EXIF and auto initiation of focus magnification isn't sufficient enticement to buy the Loxia. When the Zeiss F/1.4 comes out, we will see if that sits on the A7/A9.

What manual 35mm is your alternative lens, or does the Loxia provide you with something above the legacy alternatives?

 

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A fellow poster on dpreview turned my on to an in stock Loxia 35mm. It just came an hour ago. I think that my post at dpreview sums up my initial reaction. I've some pretty expensive Leica, Zeiss, Canon and Mamiya glass, but I've never had such a strong first impression of a lens.
Here was my review at one hour of ownership... as crazy as this sounds..

The Loxia arrived and I'm really shocked. I probably have fifteen Zeiss lenses in various mounts and I was unprepared for what arrived. First, I expected it to be slightly smaller than my AR Konica 35mm f/2.0, but it is way smaller. Second, I expected to struggle a bit with the manual focus, but it is way easier than my rangefinder, or RTSIII and other Contax cameras. I expected the focusing to be smooth, but wow .. it is really smooth. Like my M-Biogons on film, the lens really sharpens up by f/2.8 and the micro-contrast is up there with the best of my Zeiss lenses.
I can't believe that I waited so long to get this lens. I just had a hard time fronting the money for a manual lens on an autofocus system, but the manual focus gives me a much better idea of what is in focus and it is great for critical focus. The auto-magnification makes the whole process fast and very different from using legacy lenses. That was a bit of a surprise.
I was worried about the bokeh, but it is great for a 35mm lens. Also, I think that the Loxia will retain value better than the autofocus lenses. The minimalistic electronics should make this lens more dependable than the autofocus Sony competition.
Well that is my experience with a half dozen images of my poor kids and harassed dog.
I think that up to 135mm, I'll stick with the Loxia. Of course, I'm making some big assumptions, like there will be more lenses in that range.
I was always a 35mm shooter, so I'm guessing that I will sell my Zony 55mm f/1.8.
Perhaps now I will believe that the shortage is due to high demand. If there isn't high demand for this lens, then most of you are missing out. Just buy the lens and forget the 35mm telescope.