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Zeiss 35 Biogon experience


TomB_tx

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I had been disappointed with the Zeiss 35 f2.0 Biogon I bought this spring, as I’d hoped it would give the quality from f2.0 to 11 that I want so it could be my only 35. I’ve been using my old 1969 Summicron for outdoor use and my Voigtlander 35 f1.4 for indoor/low light, as the Voigtlander was better than the Summicron at f2.0, but required more care in bright light because of its focus shift. After initially being excited with the Biogon, I began noticing that the shots at f2.0 were softer than the Voigtlander or my old Summicron.

Finally I noticed that in dim light people closer than my subject were sharper than my intended focus plane. Test shooting on tripod showed it indeed had significant front focus. I assume I hadn’t noticed that when I got the lens, as I doubt it could have shifted that much.

Because of the hurricane mess on the East Coast, I sent the lens to DAG for evaluation and adjustment instead of back to Zeiss under warranty. (DAG had serviced a 35 goggled Type 1 Summicron for me and its focus was exact.)

I got the lens back, and now I’m very pleased with it. Focus is spot-on, and sharpness at f2.0 is better than the other lenses. Now to leave it on the M9 for a month and see how I really like it.

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You were right to assume something had to be wrong since this lens should be a better performer than the other ones you mention.

 

By the way, the Biogon 2.8/35 is even better if you can live with 2.8.

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CV quality is ? I will not buy more of their product.

There is clearly more optical variation sample to sample in the Voigtlander lenses than one would like to see. However, all seven of the Voigtlander lenses I've bought in the last few years have had perfect focus adjustment (wide open), so they do pay attention to some details. This Zeiss is the first from that factory that I've bought with a mechanical issue.

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