Einst_Stein Posted December 30, 2012 Share #1 Posted December 30, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have the M9 for an about year. I have ZM 25mm, 50mm Summicron and 90mm Elmarit. I had MATE for a while but sold it. When I got the ZM 25mm, I thought I don't need anything between 50mm and 25mm. But now I start wanting the 35mm F2. I found 25mm has a very useful angle coverage, particularly when walking in the narrow streets, if I need less angle, I go with 50mm Summicron. The problem for me with the 25mm is its distortion. When I want distortion, of course it's good, but in most stuarions I don't want it. I feel 28mm is not much better than 25mm in this regard. 35mm is the answer. Due to the budgeting, I'm considering Zeiss ZM 35mm/f2 and Leica 35mm f2 version 1. The one I found has a goggle. I'd prefer the non-goggle version but everyone I can find costs more than the 35mm ASPH. Only the goggle version is below $2K. I convenced myself that I can use the 1.4 finder magnifier all the time ... whether it's this 35mm or 50mm of 90mm. If I go with the non-goggle version or Zeiss ZM 35mm.f2, I'd have to remove the 1.4 magnifier. So the goggle is not always a bad thing. The Zeiss ZM 35mm is claimed to be as sharp as the Leica ASPH 35mm, and as sweet as far the Borkeh goes. The problems are three: 1: There is no corespondent 6-bit code for lens correction. 2: it has a rather annoying VF blockage. 3: My experience on ZM 25mm is, all ZM seem have quite a lot CA. The bright object usually shows Christmas light effects on the edge. The Leica MATE, for example, though not as sharp and sweet as the ZM, it does not show the Christmas light. I'm afraid ZM 35mm wold be similar, if not worse. So, now the question is, if you have used both ZM 35mm f2 and 35mm Summicron version 1, how do you compare the image quality, on M9? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 30, 2012 Posted December 30, 2012 Hi Einst_Stein, Take a look here 35mm Summicron with goggle or Zeiss ZM 35mm/f2. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
horosu Posted December 30, 2012 Share #2 Posted December 30, 2012 I've had both, for a short time. Bottomline: the Zeiss is spectacular on the M9, not too much contrast, razor sharp into the corners, zero distortion. The older Summicrons just can't keep up with that. It's size was perfect for me, not too large not too small, just right ergonomically. It is quite a bit smaller that your Biogon 25, BTW. Regards, Horea Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted December 30, 2012 Share #3 Posted December 30, 2012 No experience with either lens sorry but they've been tested on the M9 by J.M. Sepulchre who found that the Zeiss is sharper at f/2, has less vignetting but more CA and that distorsion is low on both lenses. My experience of wides with goggles is limited to the Summaron 35/2.8. They've been made for the 0.91x VF of the M3 and are too wide on already wide VFs like that of the M9. Not the best idea IMO. Regular Summicrons 35 can be found easily on e**y below $2K. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted December 30, 2012 Share #4 Posted December 30, 2012 I have both the goggled Summicron and the Zeiss f2.0. Both are fine lenses, but on the M9 the goggles are less than ideal. (It stays on my M3, where it is great.) My Zeiss came with a front-focus problem, so I thought it was soft at f2; but after recalibrating it is now my favorite 35 on the M9. (The front-focus issue on the Zeiss is unusual - I have several Zeiss & Voigtlander lenses from the Cosina factory, and all the others have had perfect focus.) Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Einst_Stein Posted December 30, 2012 Author Share #5 Posted December 30, 2012 I found the lens correction is very important for M9/ZM25. Choosing the wrong lens hurt the performance badly. How do you see this problem in ZM-35? Do you have any post-processing options in LR? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Einst_Stein Posted December 30, 2012 Author Share #6 Posted December 30, 2012 No experience with either lens sorry but they've been tested on the M9 by J.M. Sepulchre who found that the Zeiss is sharper at f/2, has less vignetting but more CA and that distorsion is low on both lenses.My experience of wides with goggles is limited to the Summaron 35/2.8. They've been made for the 0.91x VF of the M3 and are too wide on already wide VFs like that of the M9. Not the best idea IMO. Regular Summicrons 35 can be found easily on e**y below $2K. The regular, non-goggle, Summicron 35mm below $2k can not be the version 1. Version 2 or version 3, maybe. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
horosu Posted December 30, 2012 Share #7 Posted December 30, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) I found the lens correction is very important for M9/ZM25. Choosing the wrong lens hurt the performance badly. How do you see this problem in ZM-35? Do you have any post-processing options in LR? You just have to choose the Summicron 35/2 pre-asph option in the menu and it will work like a charm Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Michel Posted December 30, 2012 Share #8 Posted December 30, 2012 Hi, I have the 35 Summicron with goggles. Owned it since the 60's. I was worried about how it would work on the M9, but all worries have disappeared. The is a marked difference in contrast and edge glow between f/2 and f/2.8. As far as my work goes there is no need or desire for a different 35. Jean-Michel Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Einst_Stein Posted December 31, 2012 Author Share #9 Posted December 31, 2012 I'm more and more leaning towards the Summichrorn Version 1. I've seen some beautiful web site dedicated to it, but I haven't found the comparable site for ZM 35 yet. The thing still pulling me is the price (~$2000 vs. ~$900) and the goggle. The goggle is not bothering that much anymore. The price is still. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tele_player Posted December 31, 2012 Share #10 Posted December 31, 2012 Have you tried the Elmarit-M 28 f/2.8? Super lens, very little distortion. And don't forget the Summicron-C 40mm. -robert The problem for me with the 25mm is its distortion. When I want distortion, of course it's good, but in most stuarions I don't want it. I feel 28mm is not much better than 25mm in this regard. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Einst_Stein Posted December 31, 2012 Author Share #11 Posted December 31, 2012 I am looking for the lens for m9, not for Nex or m43. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Einst_Stein Posted December 31, 2012 Author Share #12 Posted December 31, 2012 Summicron 35mm is a very good lens in any of the types. The older types up to the ASPH version have a more "classical" look wide open but once stopped down to mid aperture you would be hard pushed to tell a difference between any of them. Have you considered the Zeiss 34mm F2.8 Biogon - don't be put off by it being a 2.8 lens, this is probably the sharpest 35mm lens that I have ever used. It is a VERY good lens and not so expensive. Build quality is superb with buttery smooth focus. Yes, I have considered zm 35/2.8, but it's out after compared with summicron v1. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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