Big John Posted June 14, 2017 Share #1 Â Posted June 14, 2017 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi guys, Â Having spent some time going back and forth between Leica and Zeiss, I have decided to get Zeiss glass to go with my 24-90 on my SL. I want a 35mm and a 50mm lens. Main reason for getting these lenses is to have a lighter weight and more compact set-up as the 24-90 is heavy and big (but produces great images). Reason for not getting Leica is partly due to fact I want to try manual M mount lens on the SL before I commit to spending more. Â For the 35 - am thinking of the f2 biogon. Â For the 50, was thinking about the f2 planar but wonder about the f1.5? Â Usage is pure amateur. Appreciate any comments. Â Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 14, 2017 Posted June 14, 2017 Hi Big John, Take a look here Zeiss recommendations pls. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Big John Posted June 14, 2017 Author Share #2 Â Posted June 14, 2017 Admins pls do me a favour and change the thread title from the name of the Greek god to the name of a German lens manufacturer! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted June 14, 2017 Share #3 Â Posted June 14, 2017 Biogon-C 35 is a marvellous lens - and really small and light. If you don't need the speed, a great choice. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted June 14, 2017 Share #4 Â Posted June 14, 2017 Admins pls do me a favour and change the thread title from the name of the Greek god to the name of a German lens manufacturer! Done, no problem. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
microview Posted June 14, 2017 Share #5 Â Posted June 14, 2017 35 2.8 generally gets better reviews than the f2. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-A-C Posted June 14, 2017 Share #6 Â Posted June 14, 2017 Biogon 35 f/2 is a wonderful lens. Â Images are great. Â Size is large compared to Summicron. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ropo54 Posted June 14, 2017 Share #7 Â Posted June 14, 2017 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have used the Zeiss 50mm planar and it is excellent. Great IQ and nice colors. Easy to focus. Â I have also used the 35 f2 Biogon. It was not as sharp, but the colors were superb. While I subsequently sold the Zeiss 35, after acquiring the Leica 35 1.4 FLE, Â I am considering re-acquiring it. I think either or both are excellent choices to use on the SL, aside from being quite reasonably priced. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big John Posted June 14, 2017 Author Share #8  Posted June 14, 2017 35 2.8 generally gets better reviews than the f2.   Yes, I have drawn same conclusion from reading reviews.  I have used the Zeiss 50mm planar and it is excellent. Great IQ and nice colors. Easy to focus.  I have also used the 35 f2 Biogon. It was not as sharp, but the colors were superb. While I subsequently sold the Zeiss 35, after acquiring the Leica 35 1.4 FLE,  I am considering re-acquiring it. I think either or both are excellent choices to use on the SL, aside from being quite reasonably priced.   Thanks, sounds like a safe bet.  Biogon 35 f/2 is a wonderful lens.  Images are great.  Size is large compared to Summicron. Don't mind the size, might even be better in SL. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelwj Posted June 14, 2017 Share #9 Â Posted June 14, 2017 Get the 50/1,5. It's a wonderful lens. It's only drawbacks are the severe focus shift (ameliorated by the EVF so no issue) and 0.9m rather that 0.7m close focus. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted June 14, 2017 Share #10 Â Posted June 14, 2017 I have both the 50 Planar and the 35 f2 Biogon. I got the Planar used, and it has been great. Focus action is very light, and it sometimes seems sharper than my v5 Summicron, likely due to contrast and low flare. I got the 35 new, and it seemed a bit soft at first, but I realized the focus was a bit off. I had DAG calibrate it, and now it is very sharp - better than my (older) Summicron. I prefer the size of my Summarit, but I can't fault the Zeiss. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted June 15, 2017 Share #11  Posted June 15, 2017 Can't comment about the 35s as I don't own any of them. However, I own both 50s, the Planar and the Sonnar. These two render very differently. Choosing one vs the other is primarily an aesthetic decision (the Planar images have a very 'modern' look, while the Sonnar is more 'old school' up to f/4), although in fairness the Sonnar is somewhat more tricky to use. If you can't test them, you should be able to find plenty of sample pictures online. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted June 15, 2017 Share #12 Â Posted June 15, 2017 Get the 50/1,5. It's a wonderful lens. It's only drawbacks are the severe focus shift (ameliorated by the EVF so no issue) and 0.9m rather that 0.7m close focus. Â +1 but no focus shift problem on TTL cameras unless the OP prefers focusing at full aperture. One of my favorite 50s on the A7s mod thanks to VM-E close focus adapter allowing to focus from 30cm to infinity. Not sure if the SL can use such an adapter though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted June 15, 2017 Share #13 Â Posted June 15, 2017 Biogon-C 35 is a marvellous lens - and really small and light. If you don't need the speed, a great choice. Â +1. My favorite 35 in good light. Better like contrasty lenses though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregm61 Posted June 15, 2017 Share #14  Posted June 15, 2017 The one Zeiss lens that calls to me (and I would buy now if I didn't already have my 35mm f2 Summicron ASPH) is the 35mm f1.4 Distagon. Sharp at f1.4 across the frame, zero distortion, no focus shift issues.  Bigger, yes, but compared to carrying my Olympus E-M1 Mark and 12-100 zoom? I could make that allowance for this system. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
microview Posted June 15, 2017 Share #15  Posted June 15, 2017 Just bought one – the Distagon – and am very pleased with it. Renders textures with excellent resolution and colours are pleasing (in an M9 sort of way!). Lovely to focus and does not seem as heavy on the M10 as I had feared. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/273492-zeiss-recommendations-pls/?do=findComment&comment=3296294'>More sharing options...
james.liam Posted June 15, 2017 Share #16 Â Posted June 15, 2017 I have both the 50 Planar and the 35 f2 Biogon..... I got the 35 new, and it seemed a bit soft at first, but I realized the focus was a bit off. I had DAG calibrate it, and now it is very sharp - better than my (older) Summicron. Â Zeiss optimizes that lens for f/2.8 and so at f/2 it appears "soft" but it isn't really. Contrast is relatively low in comparison to the Leica Summicron ASPH. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonewall Brigade Posted June 16, 2017 Share #17 Â Posted June 16, 2017 Done, no problem. Â I once had a Russian-made "Jupiter" lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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