First Impressions of the Zeiss 35 mm f2.8

[@cameraprepper7938]

I just got a used Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar 35mm 2.8 ZA for US$215, I like it a lot, very good image quality, small, compact and light, so it sits always on one of my Cameras as if it was a camera body cap, ready to shoot. I can highly recommend this Lens !

[@winston_dlee]

You got a great deal on the lens! I’m glad you’re enjoying it as well.

[@cameraprepper7938]

@@winston_dlee There was four of them at US$215, so I bought two, one for me and one for my friend ☺

[@michaelajoseph6856]

Thanks for the review! It is a great lens with excellent contrast and 3D pop.

[@antifocus]

Just got a used one for $200 to pair with my original A7. A period appropriate combo, fast focusing, lovely color pop, small size and light weight. Although I do wish it was slightly faster.

[@alexokanenas7456]

I keep selling and buying back this lens. Had it like 5 times. For it's used price its very good all around lens. Colors pop a bit more than my other lenses, sharpness is more than you want sometimes, blur is nice and a bit dreamy. Even tried the clone Samyang af 35mm 2.8. I only wish it was an f/2 but without getting bigger.

[@winston_dlee]

Haha, I totally understand that feeling. This lens isn’t the greatest and it has it’s faults, but for what it brings to the table with its used price and size, I definitely think it’s super underrated.

[@alexokanenas7456]

@@winston_dlee you are right, after posting this comment i started remember some of it's flaws like loCa. But nowdays i find that "clinical perfect" optical performance lenses are not always good. Like some of the famous vintage lenses that became famous for their flows and "over the line" behavior. And for the the people starting is important to note that a good lens doesn't make an interesting photograph or video. We would save them a lot of money

[@chesslover8829]

You made no mistake. See Brian Smith's images of Haiti shot with this lens at f/5.6. The issue now seems to be the availability of this lens in mint condition and its price. If I were to buy the lens, I would buy a new copy. However, for a little more money, the Sony 35mm f/1.8 seems like a better option.

[@martin9410]

Great lens

[@bobsykes]

I've been thinking about this one, too. I recently bought the A7CR, entirely to have the most compact camera I could that would give really excellent images. For me based upon only reviews, I don't own this lens yet, the pretty strong chromic aberrations (that you can't corect well in editing) when shooting a back lit subject or shooting into the sun worries me, as I tend to only take one body with one prime lens out of the house almost all the times I go shooting. Everything else about this lens would be just fine. The Sony 35mm f/1.8 could be the best compromise, but it's so long for that tiny body! The newer 40mm f/2.5 looks like another promising option.

[@winston_dlee]

Nice! I hear the A7CR is a great camera and I've been eyeing it as well to add to my kit haha. As for your concerns about the strong chromatic abberations, I love shooting in backlit/sidelit type situations and even shooting into the sun. Unless I really zoom in and peep into the photo, I might be able to notice it after editing, but in my experence at least, I'm able to correct a lot of it in post, so throughout my time with it for about a year or so, it's been one of my favorite lens, along with my Zeiss 55 mm, to take out if I want be have a light set up, without sacrificing a lot, if any, optical quality. The 40 mm and that entire pancake G lens series was definitely intriguing for me as well. I think whichever route you end up choosing, you'll definitely enjoy your lightweight-ness of your set up! Thanks for watching!

[@bobsykes]

@@winston_dlee Thanks for the additional feedback. You raised a good point in this video. Maybe I’ll just wait for a top graded used one to be on sale at KEH and give it a try myself.

[@rickbiessman6084]

Whoever complains about a tiny f/2.8 wide angle lens not having stabilization is just a complet knucklehead. Get a camera with IBIS, end of story. Not putting stabilization in the lens itself (apart from super telephoto of course) is the right thing to do. I pretty much have all the lenses I need, so the 35 2.8 is just a "want". But man. I DO want it quite bad right now. :D Paired up with my A7C it could be a walkaround and travel beast. Since I’ll be doing a bit of travelling next year, that’s a really welcome excuse to get it... :)

[@winston_dlee]

Haha the lens is definitely worth it. And with your A7C, it would be the ultimate travel camera lens combo! That itself is a pretty good excuse to get it imo xD.

[@chickenandricecrew9867]

Great review now im in the market trying to buy one...i really loved the 24mm f2.8 g lens but already had the 24mm gm and 20mm f1.8 so i sold it. But i really loved the compact size of it so wanted to maybe get the 40mm f2.5 g but this 35mm could work considering the price difference. The 40mm is around 500 used and the 35mm f2.8 seen around 300 so i might go that route.

[@winston_dlee]

Can’t speak for the 40 mm f2.5, but i have no regrets with the 35 mm f2.8, especially for its used price haha. Thanks for watching!

[@BackpackingVideos]

Great video! I also love this lens, but I get focus breathing in video with my copy. I am curious if you have noticed this in yours? Other than that, it's a near perfect lens for me.

[@winston_dlee]

I don’t use this lens for video often, if ever, so it doesn’t really affect me, but yeah, focus breathing is an issue with this lens. This lens is mainly a photography tool for me so I don’t really mind it. Thanks for watching!

[@perjrgensen5660]

Slow Down when you speak. 😂

[@winston_dlee]

Haha thanks for the feedback! I’ve noticed that myself as well and have been trying to work on that 😂😅

[@CP.9.]

@@winston_dleeI don’t think you need to slow down, you’re good as you are