Thoughts on Zeiss Biogon 35mm

[Turtle]

I too don't find the 35zm produces images lacking in texture, or any of the zeiss ZM lenses for that matter, but then again I only shoot B&W. See the link below for some low res scans. I know they dont show much but for those who are prepared to take my word for it, the ZMs produce oodles of texture and bite with B&W film.

http://www.apug.org/forums/portfolios.php?u=835&pp=8

Page 1 - Injured policeman - Zm35 (softness os from my rubbish scanner not lens)
Page 2 - Baltimore shots on are from ZMs (28 I recall, or poss 35..)
Page 3 - Old man and child - ZM35 -so-so shot but has great texture in original format

I have other shots from ZMs, altho not posted, that to my eye show incredible clarity and visual 'bite'. All these things are personal/subjctive, however and the lenses performance on colour I cannot comment on. The 50 planar manages this to an incredible degree even wide open. I own the 28,35,50. No experience of 25 or wider. Ooooh but I want a 21 4.5 🙁

 

[Rico]

35mm is well represented these days, and OP's desire for "substantial glass" can be satisfied according to taste. While a CZ fan, I'm not impressed by the B35 ZM - way too bulky. I have the 'cron v3 and v4, but prefer the Summaron 35/2.8 these days. Of the newer glass, I'm really intrigued by the UC-Hex and the Nokton Beast. If I bought the latter, it would certainly be paired with a small "daytime" 35.

 

[BNF]

.... Of the newer glass, I'm really intrigued by the UC-Hex and the Nokton Beast. If I bought the latter, it would certainly be paired with a small "daytime" 35.

The dual combo of a Nokton 1.2/35 and a 2.5/35 Skopar Pancake is exactly what I am thinking too.

Actually, if my reading is correct, the ZM35 and ZM50 are built on the exact same chassis, and the weight is the essentially even (240g vs 210g).

The Color Skopar is such an inexpensive and tiny thing (at c$320USD and c140g), yet still very capable from what I've seen and read, that it may make sense for me to match it with the ZM35 as well, should I go that route.

This is the hard part - the Nokton 1.2 and the ZM35 are essenially priced the same and each offer strong benefits over the other.

 

[kipkeston]

I was this close to getting the skopar last december but I rationalized that I wouldn't take a different picture than I already did with the ZM.

 

[Sofa King]

I love my 35 Biogon

 

[J J Kapsberger]

If you're particular about bokeh, you might very much like the 35 ZM Biogon. Its bokeh, it seems to me, is unique.

It simply blurs the OOF stuff very, very nicely. It makes a very nice portrait lens, therefore.

 

[kipkeston]

delicious biogon

 

[helen.HH]

Just got the 35 / Biogon today for my rd1s
am in LUV...... 😉

 

[back alley]

it's a great lens helen, congrats and enjoy!

 

[Steve Bellayr]

It is a great lens but the 35mm Summicron IMHO is probably better. Where Zeiss excells is in the 28mm. Over the elmarit 28mm it is about a third less and many have rated it higher.

 

[RObert Budding]

Alternatives? A Mamiya Biogon, of course! But you'll need a Mamiya 7 to mount it on.