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Nachkebia

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Hello :)
I am getting ZI withing days with 25mm biogon and I am searching also to find something from 35mm to 50mm, I am looking at plannar 35 and 50, My choice will depend on sharpness of those two lenses wide open (I love shooting wide open) or maybe I should consider something else? maybe some fast 40mm? please through some ideas :)
Thank you in advance :)
 
Well, just a little correction, but the 35 is a Biogon, the 50 is the Planar. I don't own the 35, but I had it for a couple weeks last year and only shot a couple rolls with it so I didn't get any good experience with it. I sold it because I needed money at the time. I now own the 50 and have been more than pleased with it. Its a better lens than I am photographer. I don't have any examples to post because I don't really know how to scan my stuff, but others will chime in with some samples.

Also, IMO the 25/50 combo is much better than 25/35
 
I wish I had a ZI! Someday, someday. I have heard great things about the 50mm Planar, and 50mm is in my opinion the best focal length. So if I were you, I'd go for the Planar. But that's me. Either way, you'll have a great lens!
 
I agree. Mainly you just need to pick a focal length you like better, I don't think you will be disappointed by either lens.
 
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=21432&cat=500&ppuser=1572
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=21596&cat=500&ppuser=1572

These are two shots with the Planar 50mm ZM. Not great shots, taken around f8. One of them is simply a test of lens flare. I don't have any wide open shots posted. The lens performs admirably, it is very sharp with great contrast. I'll try and dig out some shots at f2.
I'd highly recommend the 50 planar, it is the best lens I've used after the CZ G 45mm Planar.
Best of luck,
Nick
 
if i were to have only one lens then it would be the 35.

if i started with the a 25 then i would get the 50.

25/50/90 (or 85)
as a killer 3 lens kit.
joe
 
Nachkebia said:
Hello :)
I am getting ZI withing days with 25mm biogon and I am searching also to find something from 35mm to 50mm, I am looking at plannar 35 and 50, My choice will depend on sharpness of those two lenses wide open (I love shooting wide open) or maybe I should consider something else? maybe some fast 40mm? please through some ideas :)
Thank you in advance :)
Click to expand...

Nachkebia, the Zeiss 35mm/2 ZM Biogon and 50mm/2 ZM Planar are both great, more than fine lenses, and either would go well with your ZI and 25mm. Both are a pretty big jump form the field of view of the 25mm. The 50mm is probably a bit sharper wide open and is great by f/5.6. But personally, I prefer the 35mm focal length to 50mm, however it just depends on what you want to shoot. I'd stay clear of 40mm lenses, since the Ikon has no 40mm framelines in its viewfinder.
 
0.7m wow is that far or what? On my Zeiss ZF 50mm I get 0.4m focus range.. anyhow I would love to see some bokeh samples of 50mm planar with wide open aperture, thank you!
 
Hi Nachkebia,

0.7m is nearly as close as you can get with a rangefinder lens (there are some notable exceptions: Nikon's classic 50mm f1.4, Leica's Summicron DR and the goggled Summilux for the M3). I have used for a while the Planar ZM and it is a fine lens. If you do not intend to use wider apertures than f2, you 'll be more than happy with it. In my experience the bokeh is very good although a tad harsher than that from a Summicron.

Here's an example of the bokeh:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/telenous/133918343/

I have also taken a few photos with branches and leaves etc. which seem to be among the most difficult situations bokeh-wise, and the Planar did just fine (I can't provide the relevant photos as I am away from home but I remember distinctly that I was quite happy with the performance of the lens in this situation).
 
Thank you telenous!
I am also thinking of Summicron, so Summicron has better performace wide open? and bokeh is smoother right?
 
Let me add, I ultimately sold the Planar, for reasons that have to do with my style of shooting (I like low light photos, lens wide open), but the overall experience was a positive one.

If you are thinking about the Planar ZM then you will have a hard time choosing between it and a used Summicron, and as both lenses are stellar performers, your decision will have to turn on secondary concerns, like resale value, used vs. new, etc.
 
I don`t care about resale and I am planning to get new :)
should I save up and buy LEICA 50MM F/1.4 SUMMILUX ASPHERICAL instead? does it worth extra stop?
 
Nachkebia said:
Thank you telenous!
I am also thinking of Summicron, so Summicron has better performace wide open? and bokeh is smoother right?
Click to expand...


Sorry, it appears we crossposted. I cannot really advise on the Summicron vs. Planar dilema, as both are exceptional lenses, and it really boils down to personal preference. It is a kind of mantra here in RFF to say 'you can't go wrong with either lens', and that's what I 'll say too.

However, yes, I found the bokeh of Leica lenses to be just a bit smoother. I have not made any official tests, but that's my impression. There's also a kind of debate, concerning the colour rendition afforded by Zeiss vs. Leica lenses. We are talking about very fine differences here - differences that verge on the near imperceptible. Here's a link about Zeiss and Leica families of lenses

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/columns/sm-02-11-17.shtml
 
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