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Zeiss 35 f2 samples on M240


r7photo

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I've used mine mainly on the M9 where it produces sharp beautiful images. It is difficult to find any major flaws in the lens. The lens is calibrated for film use and the focus is inaccurate on digital bodies. Zeiss will calibrate the lens under warranty (no charge) for digital use. The turn-around time is 4-6 weeks. My lens focuses perfectly on the M9 after two attempts by Zeiss, the first attempt came back worse than sent. The second calibration is perfect. This is a great lens, the build quality should last a lifetime, the filter size is an uncommon 43mm. Finally, the bayonet lens shade is really nice, and easy to use.

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Actually, the M - mount specifies the same registration distance for film and digital, so ideal calibration should be the same. I have several lenses from the 30s & 40s that are perfect on my M9. However, fast lenses do generally have a focus shift as they are stopped down, and some of these have traditionally been adjusted for optimum focus a couple stops down, so they shift a bit near wide open and a bit far stopped farther. That worked well with film, where we didn't pixel-peep to extreme enlargement. Many of my Leica lenses from the 50s - 60s show this.

I think people today tend to shoot more wide-open, and so prefer lenses to be perfect that way. My 2012 Summicron is perfect wide open, while my 69' 62' and 50s Summicrons all are better at 2.8.

That said, the Zeiss 35 f2 claims to have almost no focus shift, so I would expect it to be fine out-of-the-box. I've had experience with two examples: one was fine, the other needed calibration.

The Zeiss 50 f1.5 is known for focus shift, and Zeiss has said they adjust that to compensate, but that's the only Zeiss lens where I've heard this.

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Stephen,

 

Very nice pictures.

Do you code your Zeiss 35mm f2 as a Leica 35mm f2 ?

 

Martin

Martin, apologies for the confusion. The linked page and the images are not mine. I do have this lens, but have only used it on film Ms. It should be coded as a Summicron version IV, as far as I know.
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