morgan
Well-known
My 70-200L f4 IS is 725g. 850 is too much for a walkaround for me. Maybe I should give the f2 version a go.
MartinP
Veteran
I'm wondering if a part of the target audience on Canon platform might be videographers.
The 5D Mkll and the 7D are reportedly having a huge take up amongst new-wave video makers, and for many of those purposes a little extra bulk is rather secondary to exemplary image qualities. The amount of extra stuff that gets bolted on to the basic camera body is huge . . .
The 5D Mkll and the 7D are reportedly having a huge take up amongst new-wave video makers, and for many of those purposes a little extra bulk is rather secondary to exemplary image qualities. The amount of extra stuff that gets bolted on to the basic camera body is huge . . .
steelydam
Established
Nice that they continue to put out new lenses, but I was kind of hoping they'd build a 35mm f2.8 for SLRs. I want the great look & optics but in a smaller package than the 35mm f2.
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user237428934
User deletion pending
Of yes. I have seen such a complete video rig once. With all that stuff around, the 5D looked tiny.
example: http://media3.film-tv-video.de/pics/B_0109_Canon5D_Rig.jpg
raid
Dad Photographer
I have to stick to my CZ 35/1.4 Distagon SLR lens.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I've made the decision to go with the f2 version. There was one advertised in the classifieds a couple of weeks ago and I contacted the seller to see if it had gone which it hadn't so I decided to buy it ... the price was excellent!
At last I will have a 35mm lens for my D700 that can do it's IQ justice. I'm really looking forward to seeing what sort of results the D700 produces with this lens ... plus I can use it on my FM3A for film of course!
At last I will have a 35mm lens for my D700 that can do it's IQ justice. I'm really looking forward to seeing what sort of results the D700 produces with this lens ... plus I can use it on my FM3A for film of course!
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loneranger
Well-known
Keith, since you like the zeiss look, you must try the 50/2 Makro planar. Wide open performance is stunning and works great on film bodies.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I have heard very good things about that lens ... and I absolutely love my 50mm f1.4 ZF Planar.
My Zeiss lens collection is growing ... albeit slowly. I now have a 25mm f2.8 ZM, the soon to arrive 35mm f2 ZF Distagon, the 50mm f1.4 ZF Planar and I recently got a 50mm C Sonnar that lives on my Ikon.
An 85mm portrail lens in ZM or ZF would be nice to add next!
ZeissFan
Veteran
Zeiss is in a tricky position. Half of the people want the fastest lens they can buy. The other half want excellent performance but aren't as concerned about speed.
And when the lens arrives: It's too big. It's too slow. It's too expensive. It feels cheap. It weighs too much. The screws are in the wrong place. Ah, the fickle consumer.
italy74
Well-known
Morgan,
no the 35 F/2 is NOT discontinued and probably may remain a better and more affordable alternative for most thing.
no the 35 F/2 is NOT discontinued and probably may remain a better and more affordable alternative for most thing.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I did notice when I visted the Zeiss Shop the other day that the 35mm f2 was quoted as nil stock for Canon or Nikon!
Roger Warren
AddlepatedWight
italy74
Well-known
Maybe is available the ZF.2 version, I don't think they want to remove it from their offering, in the end they are in two very different price leagues.
gavinlg
Veteran
Just got my 35mm ZE f2 distagon today - really really happy. I didn't think I'd find a 35mm lens that I liked more than my canon 35L, but so far it looks that way. The results have a certain 'sparkle' that the canon lens doesn't have.
This is only makes me more interested in how the 1.4 distagon will perform!
This is only makes me more interested in how the 1.4 distagon will perform!
gavinlg
Veteran
First impressions and images from diglloyd.com - very very very interesting.
See his write-up here:
http://diglloyd.com/prem/prot/ZF/publish/35f1_4Distagon-bokeh.html
And to sum it up:
I’ve worked with so many top-grade lenses, including some of the world’s best, so I’ve learned to respect my instincts. My gut feeling is that the 35/1.4 Distagon is something highly unusual, and if its style appeals to you, sell whatever you have to so that you can afford the 35/1.4 when it’s available in early2011. Go ahead and shoot landscapes at f/8 with it too if you like, but that’s missing the point.
I’ll characterize the Japanese designs (Nikon and Canon) as “smooth but flat”—none of that here— the Zeiss 35/1.4 Distagon has some seriously gorgeous character that goes beyond simple blur, with a sense of depth hard to achieve with most lenses. Not only is background blur extremely pleasing, foreground blur is also pleasing, and there is some secret sauce mixed in too. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a must-have lens for anyone that loves elegance in imagery (and it sure feels like a challenge shooting to the potential of this lens). Its image rendition is reminiscent of a medium format design.
A resolution chart test of this lens would completely miss the point. This is no harsh-gradient design for winning by-the-numbers accolades on a resolution chart (though it’s very sharp). Zeiss clearly had something special in mind for this lens. Shoot it wide open, and savor the results.
Big praise!
See his write-up here:
http://diglloyd.com/prem/prot/ZF/publish/35f1_4Distagon-bokeh.html
And to sum it up:
I’ve worked with so many top-grade lenses, including some of the world’s best, so I’ve learned to respect my instincts. My gut feeling is that the 35/1.4 Distagon is something highly unusual, and if its style appeals to you, sell whatever you have to so that you can afford the 35/1.4 when it’s available in early2011. Go ahead and shoot landscapes at f/8 with it too if you like, but that’s missing the point.
I’ll characterize the Japanese designs (Nikon and Canon) as “smooth but flat”—none of that here— the Zeiss 35/1.4 Distagon has some seriously gorgeous character that goes beyond simple blur, with a sense of depth hard to achieve with most lenses. Not only is background blur extremely pleasing, foreground blur is also pleasing, and there is some secret sauce mixed in too. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a must-have lens for anyone that loves elegance in imagery (and it sure feels like a challenge shooting to the potential of this lens). Its image rendition is reminiscent of a medium format design.
A resolution chart test of this lens would completely miss the point. This is no harsh-gradient design for winning by-the-numbers accolades on a resolution chart (though it’s very sharp). Zeiss clearly had something special in mind for this lens. Shoot it wide open, and savor the results.
Big praise!
Andy Kibber
Well-known
No big surprise really. I've shot with a few of the ZM lenses and they've all been fantastic.
Someday I'm going to pony up for a D700 and 35mm f/2 Distagon. Or maybe even a f/1.4 Distagon if I'm feeling flush. But that day isn't today, unfortunately.
Someday I'm going to pony up for a D700 and 35mm f/2 Distagon. Or maybe even a f/1.4 Distagon if I'm feeling flush. But that day isn't today, unfortunately.
kevin m
Veteran
Subscribers only. Bummer.
gavinlg
Veteran
Damn I forgot about that... well you can see his conclusion I posted 3 posts up. I agree with it too - I used to own the canon 35mm f1.4L and I sold it to try the ZE 35mm distagon f2. I completely agree that japanese fast lenses are smooth but flat. The 35L was very sharp wide open - had all the technical merits of an excellent lens. From my use of the zeiss 35mm f2 so far, there is an extra sense of depth to the photos - almost like a medium format look in the right conditions. People talk about the 3d effect zeiss lenses has - I'd describe it as a more realistic spacial rendering of scenes. It's almost like the contours of tonal changes are higher contrast and it makes things "pop" more.
That distagon f1.4 would have to be brilliant though for me to sell my f2 version to buy it - it's nearly 1kg in weight!!! Part of the reason I like the f2 version is because it's manageable on my 5d.
That distagon f1.4 would have to be brilliant though for me to sell my f2 version to buy it - it's nearly 1kg in weight!!! Part of the reason I like the f2 version is because it's manageable on my 5d.
gavinlg
Veteran
annnd the initial tests are up on diglloyd. Basically in resolution the distagon 35mm f1.4 was beaten by the canon 35mm f1.4L by quite a fair margin up to f2.8 all over the frame. The 35mm f2 distagon was the most consistent of the bunch, though obviously the slowest.
Pretty disappointing so far but we'll see what happens. The 35L is no slouch though...
Pretty disappointing so far but we'll see what happens. The 35L is no slouch though...
ishpop
tall person
Ironically I just bought a C/Y Distagon 35 f1.4 to use on my 5D. Came yesterday, haven't been able to use much but here is a sample wide open direct from RAW, no processing:
