I Bought Another Zeiss 35mm f/2 Distagon Because..I'm Stupid

[@Narsuitus]

I love the contrast and resolution of Zeiss lenses. I own and use the following Zeiss lenses: Zeiss 135mm f/2 APO Sonnar ZF 2 (77mm filter) Zeiss 35mm f/1.4 Distagon ZM (49mm filter) Zeiss 28mm f/2 Distagon T* ZF 2 (58mm filter) Zeiss 90mm f/2.8 Sonnar for Contax G1 (46mm filter) Zeiss 45mm f/2 Planar for Contax G1 (46mm filter) Zeiss 28mm f/2.8 Biogon for Contax G1 (46mm filter) Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 Biogon for Contax G1 (55mm filter) Zeiss 18mm f/3.5 Distagon ZF 2 (82mm filter) Zeiss 12mm f/2.8 Touit for Fuji X (67mm filter) The 135mm, 35mm, and 12mm are my personal favorites.

[@ZWadePhoto]

That’s a lot of Zeiss glass 👆👆👆

[@jorsetti]

I love the micro contrast of the Zeiss lenses. I owned the 85mm Planar T* f/1.4 ZF.2 which was perfection! Eventually, I sold it because I found I don't shoot at 85mm much. However, I did keep my 18mm Zeiss Distagon T* ZF.2 f/3.5 to use on landscapes with my Z9. I agree with you regarding Zeiss rendering especially with black and white images. Best

[@ZWadePhoto]

Blamo! Thanks Jim! And thanks for comment!

[@albertjimenez7896]

The Distagon 35mm is an amazing lens that cannot be duplicated and is one of the greatest alongside the Tamron SP 35mm F1. 4 USD for the best 35mm lenses ever created. Furthermore, it is impossible to compare the two lenses since they are stylistically distinct with completely different characteristics. By the way, the 35mm Voightlander deserves an honourable mention as well.

[@ZWadePhoto]

Ive run through a ton of lenses in my time, but I have never heard of Destacan

[@albertjimenez7896]

@@ZWadePhoto OK LOL I corrected it. By the way, I really like your taste in optics because it's very refined and you have a great eye for good optics. So, please continue giving us the those old manual focus lenses.👍

[@dougwend7481]

Really glad you did this review. I have wanted a Zeiss in my collection for years and recently decided it would be a 35. This video checked all of my boxes and answered all of my questions. Well done.

[@ZWadePhoto]

Glad I could help! Thanks for helping in the algos!

[@randallbrander8157]

I enjoy the Zf2 and Love the smoothness of turning the dials. Bought it used and besides being on the Nikon Z, with adapters I can use it on other camera systems that I own. Cheers!

[@ZWadePhoto]

I’ve got a ZF2 as well. About all I need when I get the hankering for film

[@bri_v]

I just got this in the mail from keh, and playing around in the yard with it. Man, UNBELIEVABLY sharp, even at f/2 😳

[@ZWadePhoto]

Possibly the closest to perfect lens ever. Still. Basically no tradeoffs

[@oliverlison]

I love Zeiss lenses. I am using a 2/25 classic, 2/35 Milvus, 2/50 Milvus and 1.4/85 Milvus.

[@ZWadePhoto]

Ooooo Nice lens collection! Thanks for commenting!

[@oliverlison]

@@ZWadePhoto All Milvus lenses were exhibition models at my local camera shop. They are too expensive. I took them because not many people have handled the lenses. Mots people would go to AF-lenses anyway. In fact the 2/25 is my second copy and I owned 2 1.4/50 classic. I sold one and I dropped one. Now, I want it back.

[@zackchoy1969]

the Zeiss Distagon 2/35mm and the Tamron 1,4/35mm are the best 35mm in the world now in my opinion. I own the ZE and ZF2 version of this model.

[@ZWadePhoto]

I have to agree my dude. Thanks commenting

[@rayanayash]

I completely agree. The only upgrade to these lenses is literally moving up to medium format lenses. And not just any medium format- Hasselblad HC!

[@ZWadePhoto]

They are seriously way better than almost anything ever hahahaha. Thanks for commenting! Hope to see you more around the channel RayanAyash

[@altrujillo3566]

I love Zeiss lenses - had three Milvus (15, 50, 135) at one time but their exceptional weight became quite an issue over time. I began to play with Cosina Voigtlander and eventually sold my Milvus' and purchased Cosina Voigts (I own a 21, 35, 65, 75, 110). When considering what 35mm to purchase the Zeiss Distagon was at the top of my list but their prices were a bit too much (current price for new is $2,390). I ended up purchasing a Cosina Voigtlander 35mm APO-Lanthar and it truly is exceptional. I'd still like to shoot a Distagon and direct compare it with my CV 35mm APO but doubt it would be on a level that would make me sell it. But I guess that remains to be seen. Thanks for your review.

[@ZWadePhoto]

Oh man Voights are so juicy.

[@magiccarpetrider4594]

I’m a Canon guy and have had almost every EF L lens. They were all sold and I shoot Zeiss 15, 21, 25, 28, 50 milvus 1.4, 50 and 100 makro planars. I’m also a Leica guy, but all Leica glass. Same focal lengths. I tried a few Zeiss M mount, but didn’t keep any.

[@ZWadePhoto]

Thanks for watching

[@gregcorker2193]

Nice review. if I didn’t already have a S Line 35mm f1.8, I would have considered this as an option. I keep hearing great things about Zeiss glass. Having said that, I do like the S Line 35mm so far. It seems to provide comparable performance to the S Line 50mm f1.8.

[@ZWadePhoto]

I wasnt a big fan of the Z 35 :/ but to each their own!

[@rayanayash]

I also highly recommend the 25MM F2 zf.2

[@ZWadePhoto]

Never did get to shoot that. I was always hesitant because zeiss is known to not do SUPER great when getting into wider territory. But, again, never tried them. ha. Thanks for commenting!

[@Astro_Aladfar]

I have a similarly sized 28mm f/2. In addition to the superb image quality, the tough build gives confidence of using the lens in tough conditions without having too much weight. However, the one weakness, as you pointed out, is their front caps. They are very flimsy and hard to stay on, partucularly in cold temperatures.

[@ZWadePhoto]

I don't know how Zeiss can make such an exceptional build quality lens and just totally flake out on the caps lmao. It's weird. Flawless machining, but cheap stamped out crap front cap haha. Thanks for watching, hope to see you around the channel, Friend.

[@Astro_Aladfar]

@ZWade Photo You're welcome. ;) Nikon's LC caps are much better than Zeiss', although they are now far and few between. With that being said though, Zeiss lenses, while expensive, are incredibly long-lasting (both in terms of image quality and build).

[@xe1zlgg]

Nice video. You should try the Voigtlander 35 MM apo lanthar , it is also very sharp wide open, it has excellent contrast and saturation with flawless built quality... thanks for share

[@ZWadePhoto]

I wish they would send it to me!

[@Audimann]

This lens and the Tamron 35mm f1.4 rule everything.

[@ZWadePhoto]

🙌

[@longrider9551]

LOL I am laughing because I am a lens cap snob, I recently bought 2 compact Sigma primes a 35 and 65 F2 and love them in part because they have the coolest easy to use lens caps, they are held on by magnets. The only drawback is with the lens hood on you cant get the cap off unless you add a little rubber nub onto the cap to pinch grab. Sigma even has a little belt carabiner that is also magnetic and holds the cap while you shoot.

[@ZWadePhoto]

I just always get third passes caps. They are a nice snug fit

[@photo-markus]

What is the difference between this one and milvus?

[@ZWadePhoto]

Depends on who you ask lol Some day they are optically the same, others say the Milvus has better control of CA. I would have to side by side compare to have a real opinion, which I can’t do unfortunately :/

[@cowboyyoga]

Тhank you for the video. It has helped in making the decision to purchase the F2 version! )))

[@ZWadePhoto]

Glad I could help, Gary! Hope to see you more around the channel.

[@MarcS4R]

I love Zeiss Lenses. Thinking about getting this one or the 1.4 for my Nikon FM3a

[@ZWadePhoto]

They are pretty tasty lenses for sho

[@muziektelevisie]

Loved to watch your love declaration for this lens just bought one in pentax mount for only 300 bucks I know your a fan of the 85mm, but I'm considering the 100mm f2, do you happen to have an opinion on it?

[@ZWadePhoto]

Be careful with the 100. It’s uniquely tough to use and will kick your ass at first haha. Veeeeery fine focus. You’ll get used to it though. The 85 1.4 is so sick too though. Get both haha. Take care my friend

[@Bernard-ux2eb]

The grease on mine has always been a bit too viscous. Focusing is a bit too stiff. Other than that it was one of five lenses I kept whilst selling 24 other lenses including all the greatest Pentax D-FA* and all three FA Limiteds. Zeiss blows them all out the water, the Distagon 2.8/21, Distagon 2/35 and Planar 1.4/85. Kept a Samyang AF 1.8/45 and a Tomioka Cosina MC 1.2/55. Down to one body and five lenses. Less is more. Becomes a burden.

[@ZWadePhoto]

That’s a shame that the grease dried on you :/

[@Bernard-ux2eb]

@@ZWadePhoto It was always the same from new. Some Carl Zeiss classics were known for having stiff grease, to the point it freezes up in very cold climates. Not a big deal, just needs cleaning out and lubricating. The 21mm and 85mm don't have the same issue. Must have been a batch of grease during a production run. It feels great to be free from so much stuff, down to the minimums but high quality. Everything fits in one 10 litre dry box now.

[@gundarsmiks4889]

The more videos i watch about prime lenses. Zeiss is just better. Canon does not hold up. Actualy Canon lenses are realy good! But it seems they kinda aim to be at the middle somewhere. And thats where they end up, very good, usable on anything. But Zeiss just speaks quality. Also i see the images on a laptop with 1300 pixel resolution. And i see the difference... It is kind of expensive i suppose. 600 for one lenss. If you dont make money from it. But the quality is there... I bought the canons 50mm 1.8 and its great. Definetly making better images than ANY Canon zoom lens. Any! Even the best ones... And its a 100 euro lens.

[@ZWadePhoto]

There are a couple areas where Zeiss has never done well, but in general whatever they have is gonna be better than what anyone else has hahaha that’s a fairly safe gamble. Thanks for watching!

[@backfilms1953]

This zeiss 35mm distagon is near perfect Build quality : 10/10 Optical quality: 8/10 Total: 9/10

[@ZWadePhoto]

I think it’s the closest to perfect that any lens has ever been. Every lens has compromised and this one has VERY few to none lol

[@backfilms1953]

@@ZWadePhoto I like to offer your my zeiss 85mm 1.4 planar in mint condition with lens box. It's for pentax mount.

[@roybixby6135]

Another fantastic lens choice. One of Zeiss best. FYI: You can add those ZF2 type contacts with the dandelion add on kit...🦘

[@ZWadePhoto]

I am far to clumsy with tools to trust myself to pull that off without screwing something up lol

[@roybixby6135]

@@ZWadePhoto Some lenses need a small part of the collar to be removed. But most just need the contacts strip to be glued on (super/krazy glue). BTW that was a quick reply ..🦘

[@ZWadePhoto]

@@roybixby6135 lol i wake up at 5 a.m. for work so fully alive by now. 6:25 central US

[@roybixby6135]

@@ZWadePhoto I'm near the computer for Grays' later. FYI: the dandelion chip looks like the black part of the lens that has 4 or 5 contacts🦘

[@twenty4seven368]

This is the ONLY lens that I’ve owned three times. Yes it’s that good. Owned 2 ZE and now ZF version. I really love this lens.

[@ZWadePhoto]

Closest lens to perfection. I don't know how they did it, but they should do it again for Z mount haha

[@nimrinimri3828]

Can you compare it with zeiss biogon 35mm f2 if possible , the size difference is significant, and can still fit mirrorless cameras nicely,does it have the same characteristics/goodness ,thanks for the good reviews

[@ZWadePhoto]

I unfortunately will not be able as I do not have this lens any longer. :/

[@homecareful]

I have a Carl ZeissTessar, Planar, and Biotar. So natually, I am trying to get a Distagon. Currently bidding on a very ugly 35mm f/2.

[@ZWadePhoto]

@@homecareful I hope it’s a good price. Because you can still get them in good condition haha

[@homecareful]

@@ZWadePhoto $40 USD

[@TMIDD]

nice one The Zwade

[@ZWadePhoto]

Thanks buddy!!

[@backfilms1953]

Gorgeous lens. Wish the 35mm 1.4 distagon came in zk mount for pentax

[@ZWadePhoto]

Maybe there's something similar the not familiar with. ThakS for commenting

[@backfilms1953]

@@ZWadePhoto I didn't add detail. I have this and the 85mm 1.4 planar for pentax. Perfect combo.

[@Bernard-ux2eb]

You can do it with a Leitax Carl Zeiss ZF/ZF.2 mount to Pentax K-mount conversion kit.

[@poppincam]

​@@Bernard-ux2eb thanks bro but I just sold it for £600 bucks. eBay took £70 ;(

[@Bernard-ux2eb]

@@poppincam Went through all that last year. 112 items sold including 24 lenses. eBay is quicker but they take 12% and then postage costs and so on. Painful.

[@moviewryter1985]

When did this lens, the ZE, first come out?

[@ZWadePhoto]

I couldn’t tell ya. University of google

[@moviewryter1985]

@@ZWadePhoto found it 2010

[@matthijstermeer611]

You make it sound like the 35/2 Classic is very old, while it was introduced only some 15 years ago (I'm talking about the ZE/ZF(2) incarnation, like you are). Perfect? The 35/1.4 trumps it in all respects except form factor, unless you're looking for CA wide open. If you were to take the same shots with the 35/1.4 (the dog, for instance) @f/2, you would see wat I mean. Better contrast, better fine detail, better colours. Perfect form factor? Yes. Undoubtely so. Its big brother is a heavy and rather unwieldy MF. If I had to choose one lens and one lens only, it might well be the nice little 35/2. It would be facing some stiff competition from the near-perfect 25/2 and the not-to-be-underestimated 50/2 MP, but in the end 35mm is probably the best all-purpose lens.

[@ZWadePhoto]

Thanks for commenting. Personally, I find the f/2 marginally better in its attributes excluding micro contrast which I didn’t see a difference. Owned one, borrowed the other, Shot them both, side by side at one point, and f/1.4 is nice, that’s the only advantage I gathered, definitely wasn’t enough to command such a price tag when the f/2 is so close to perfect that it doesn’t make sense. Thanks for commenting partner

[@twenty4seven368]

The ZE 35/2 is already heavy (not too heavy). I can only imagine how heavy 35 1.4 is. Not for me..

[@ZWadePhoto]

You should feel the Nikon Z 50 1.2 lol thanks for commenting

[@JJHills-ho3br]

Hello between this and the distagon 28 f2 which one do you prefer?

[@ZWadePhoto]

I use 35mm more often than 28mm. I haven’t shot the Zeiss 28 unfortunately

[@Narsuitus]

I own and use the Zeiss 28mm f/2 Distagon ZF2. I also own and use the Zeiss 35mm f/1.4 Distagon ZM. I prefer the 35mm focal length for photojournalism, documentary, street, and general photography. I prefer the 28mm focal length for landscape and scenic photography.

[@Regenrad]

Since Zeiss (sadly) don't make photography lenses for mirrorless cameras, i have the suspicion, that the voigtlaender lenses for the leica mount share quite some optical similarities (for example nice 3d pop) to the zeiss classic line. Do you think those smaller lenses are an alternative, if iq is priority?

[@ZWadePhoto]

They need to stop the Sony mirrorless partnership and go back to make lenses for every mount haha. I love me some Zeisses

[@Regenrad]

@@ZWadePhoto i totally agree! since i don't use sony, i almost forgot the loxia line etc. love my zeiss lenses too :)

[@arrangearrange]

They make zm lenses for Leica. Those are photography lenses for mirrorless. You’re welcome.

[@Pookm2]

Tobacco smoke sheeesh...

[@ZWadePhoto]

Prolonged exposure to tobacco smoke can leave behind residue on walls browning them over time. So it’s good practice to not even bother keeping a lens that smells like smoke. Send it back, get another. It’s rare, and why bother if you spend hard earned money. Sheesh

[@Pookm2]

@@ZWadePhoto Yes, you could do that, or you could not worry about it. Either way I'm sure you'll be fine.

[@ZWadePhoto]

@@Pookm2 ay, if I’m buying something, I don’t want that ha

[@arrangearrange]

Do you mean best dslr lens? The 1.4 zm distagon runs laps around this dslr lens.

[@ZWadePhoto]

This one is specific to F mount. My opinion is based on my own use cases. I haven't used the zm. Thanks for the input my dude.

[@arrangearrange]

@@ZWadePhoto gotcha. For sure the best f Mount I know of (and better than canon)

[@MMPAspergerian]

Is this the same as Milvus 35 f2?

[@ZWadePhoto]

That I couldn't tell you buddy. I never shot any Zeiss lenses after the planar and distagons. I've hear a lot of people really enjoying the Milvus lenses, but complain about ergonomics. To me they seem more like cine lenses than photography lenses.

[@ZWadePhoto]

I hope to see you more around the channel Michael!

[@mauriziomauricone]

Bad lens cap = lost lens cap = scratched front element = new lens = more profits 🤣

[@ZWadePhoto]

oooooh man. CONSPIRACY!!! You're probably right and it's dirty, but genius. haha. I don't immediately recognize your user name but I hope to see you more around the channel Maurizio

[@mauriziomauricone]

@@ZWadePhoto Please check the price of the (plastic) Nikon 16mm 2.8D fish-eye lens cap and also check the forums how many people lost the damn thing. Conspiracy??? It’s a business model for sure!

[@myblueandme]

what about 35 mm 2.4 flektogon ?

[@ZWadePhoto]

Russian Zeiss right? Never shot it

[@myblueandme]

@@ZWadePhoto No Flektagon is Zeiss lens produced in East Germany. Its copy is Mir 35 mm (37mm exactly) which is Russian.

[@ZWadePhoto]

That lens was Made by Carl Zeiss Jena, east Germany, which was a Russian controlled Zeiss factory. They split into western and eastern, and Russia inherited the Jena factory. When the Berlin Wall came down in 1989 German got that factory back.

[@dfj555]

The lens has purple fringing and is unusable in my work flow.

[@ZWadePhoto]

Purple fringing wasn't THAT bad on mine. Always within easy correction within lightroom's correction slider for it.