Not exactly "bad". Soft wide open, sharpens up OK by f/2.8. Just never really sharp, and I confess to being spoiled by my ZM Biogon 35/2.8. Contrast seemed a bit low as well. A perfectly good lens, by any standards, but I bought it to use at large apertures, and from f/1.4 through 2.8, just not quite good enough for my taste. Depending on the films you shoot, and your tastes in subjects, the lens might be just fine. This Voigtlander is described as having a "retro" look, and I suppose it does, but it just seemed bland to me. It is inexpensive, the next M-mount 35/1.4 lens above the TTArtisans in price, and it's also very compact, with no finder intrusion at all, so it does have some pluses! This is all very subjective, and I'd hesitate to make a strong recommendation. Some folks love the Voigtlander! YMMV.