Give me your advice on a zeiss zm 35 1.4 vs voigtlander 35 1.2 iii(newest version)

[tracyprestige]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

As described in tbe title, I understand voigtlander shorter but fatter than the ZM. Which would you purchase optical wise? Is there any comparison reviews conducted? Thanks!

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[Ko.Fe.]

For which camera? For RF Zeiss is behemoth protruding to VF.  Optics are fine, but how to frame with this thing in VF?

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!

From here https://leicarumors.com/2017/01/28/alternative-silver-lens-hood-for-the-zeiss-35mm-f1-4-distagon-t-zm-lens.aspx/

It is shown on M-E, camera I have. The lens is just way to huge for any M. IMO.

[TheBestSLIsALeicaflex]

I've read some accounts from people who have purchased the Zeiss 35/1.4 lens.  They say, optically it's the best 35mm M mount lens out there, but a healthy percentage get rid of it for practical considerations of size and weight.  

I understand.  A lens is only good if it's with you.  In circa 2005, I purchased 50 Summilux Asph, for the then outrageous price of $2595 US, believing it would be my be-all and end-all lens, but it was so big I always found myself using the Summicron instead.  

Rangefinder lenses have gotten bigger over the last two decades, no doubt about that, and those who come from big SLR systems, don't seem to have much aversion to the bigger M mount lenses, because they are so much smaller then the SLR counterpoints, but I started with Leica rangefinders when everything was small, and that's what I prefer.  In fact, the stenosis in my back demands it !!

The Voigtlander is an interesting lens, because you get that extra half stop of creative speed ( or pure speed if you need it) w/o too much of a size and weigh penalty.  Still a big lens.  I had the smaller 35 Summilux Asph once -- purchased at costs from a store liquidating Leica stuff during Leica's dark days -- but even that was too big for me then.  That was 15 years ago, and I'm more of a 35mm focal length shooter now, so I've considered too the Voightlander lens, but I still worry about practical considerations of size and weight.

Glad to have these choices, because I can't afford Leica stuff at today's prices.  Love the tiny 35/1.4 Nokton II, but I only shoot B&W film.

Edited June 2, 2020 by TheBestSLIsALeicaflex

[TomB_tx]

2 hours ago, TheBestSLIsALeicaflex said:

Rangefinder lenses have gotten bigger over the last two decades, no doubt about that, and those who come from big SLR systems, don't seem to have much aversion to the bigger M mount lenses, because they are so much smaller then the SLR counterpoints, but I started with Leica rangefinders when everything was small, and that's what I prefer.  In fact, the stenosis in my back demands it !!

Very good points.Having used Leica Ms since 1968 (bought an M4 after borrowing an M2 with 50 f2.8 Elmar), and using only a 1969 50 Summicron (v3) and 1970 35 Summicron 35 (the smallest), along with a 90 "fat" TeleElmarit for 40+ years, I'm saddened by the growth in M lenses. With the M10 I've  gone to 35, 50, & 90 f2.5 Summarits for their smaller size and excellent handling. I wanted a faster 35 for my M9, and went with the 35 f1.4 Nokton for its tiny size, now moved to the ver II due to focus shift, and am very happy with it as well. I'm sorry Leica has discontinued the Summarit M line, but I understand the business decision: the mass market wants big fast expensive lenses.

I even find the Zeiss 35 f2.0 Biogon larger than I like, although it's images are very nice. But regardless of their fine images I just don't care to use large lenses.

I also started using a Leicaflex SL in 1969 as I loved its precision and solid feel. But when Pentax came out with the tiny MX and M series lenses, it became my favorite SLR kit - again for its size (and great VF).

[Cobram]

Zeiss 35 1.4  - mentioned before in another topic:

 + very sharp, no focus shift, bigger than Leica but still not too big, fast, affordable comparing to Leica Lux. 

 - finder blockage, color rendition on M9 is dull (metallic), Zeiss 3D effect is something you like it or not. For me it is like 3D objects hanged on 2D surface/background most of the time. Leica 3D effect is something different. B&W rendition is more punchy, modern. I used to shot many rolls of Ilford film... Leica BW rendition is classic and better handles my needs. But if you prefer modern BW photos I think Zeiss is the way to go.

I abandoned Fuji digital camera system because of high contrast sun/shadow scene. It was impossible to capture kids in the middle of the scene. I was figuring how to solve problem (Dynamic range, speed, lens hood,...). At the end my colleague took a photo of the same scene with Leica glass and I realised the Leica appeal/quality. Same problems with Zeiss (less pronounced comparing to Fuji).

I used to own Voigtlander Nokton 50 1.2 (not 35). Comparing to Leica 50 LUX still very good option but not 100% there (for me better than Zeiss alternatives).

I don't need perfect sharp lenses I just need lenses that can handle every possible light/shadow scene.

[tracyprestige]

Thank you guys for the replies!!! I myself value optical qualities and high speed more than the size given limited budget. After all we all live with the gigantic noctilux 0.95, right? The summilux seems to be the perfect choice but I personally cannot justify the price. So my choices were limited to the vm 35 1.2 iii and zm 35 1.4 distagon. Although I used to have the vm 35 1.4 i which was truly tiny and well made, but the distortion and soft center performance are aspects that I found unacceptable so I sold it. For M mount lenses I used to own Zeiss 35 F2, Leica 35 summicron, VM 35 1.2 II and VM 35 1.4 I during the last couple of years, really used to the 35mm. So what are your guys opnions about these two lenses: the ZM 35 1.4 and the newest VM 35 1.2 iii？Always found this forum informative and friendly. Thank you all again!!!

[jakontil]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

U would hardly go wrong with the ZM 35 1.4, given the size won’t limit your creativity 

 

i have the lux FLE and the ZM at the moment and i just love both, with clinically sharp ZM and unique rendering of the FLE

 

like me, size wont make a big deal well in the 35mm range 

[jaeger]

aren't these 2 lenses made by consina?

[TomB_tx]

Cosina manufactures both, but Zeiss designed and sells the ZM line and oversees the QA of that line. Cosina designs, sells,  and has control over the Voigtlander lenses. But I'm sure the experience of making the Zeiss lenses has had an impact on the VC line. I notice the Zeiss and Voigtlander lens hoods of the same size are identical.

[Dennis]

@tracyprestige 

Zeiss Distagon VS Nokton 1.2 ... Did you decide? I would like to know who is the winner