Any thoughts on the Zenitar 35mm f1.0?

[voyance]

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Hello, I am mostly a lurker. I use my SL601 and have only had L-mount lenses since. I've been curious about using an M-lens on my camera. I feel like AF has been a huge crutch that I've been depending on to get (decently) sharp photos. That said, I'm looking to get my hands on a do-it-all manual focus lens. Though 35mm is far from my favorite focal length, I find it to be the most useful. During my "searching" for a 35mm lens, I came across the Zenitar 35mm lens f1.0. There aren't much about this lens in terms of review or sample images besides the one thread here. I am sure a lot of it has to do with this lens being a bit rare, obscure, and pricey. I am interested in this lens because I like the option of being able to open up the aperture when needed/desired. I had a Sigma 35mm f1.2 and I can noticeably see the benefit of 1.2 over my Summilux-SL50 1.4 all the time in low light. 

Are there any other people who have used this lens?

What is it like? What lens profile is best used for this lens?

Any sample images besides the ones from the other thread? 

Is this the closest thing we have to a 35mm Noctilux? 

To be clear, I am not asking if this is superior to any of the usual Leica 35mm lenses. I  just want to know thoughts from people who have used it before for my curiosity. Considering how no one is selling this lens and my current finances, I'm likely to land on a 35mm Summarit-M. 

[Anbaric]

There are some more images on Flickr from Leica Rumors here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/leicarumors/albums/72157712877553957/

I haven't used one, but I can't say it appeals to me. From the samples it's soft wide open (as you'd probably expect), nothing special at other apertures, and is huge and heavy, more than the weight of any M body. Perhaps it would be better balanced on your SL, though I imagine focusing it accurately when opened up would be something of a challenge. You have to really, really want f/1.0 to spend more than the price of a secondhand Summilux on this beast. I would consider it a special purpose rather than a do-it-all lens, because you can get significantly better (even stellar) performance elsewhere in a much smaller and lighter package with what most people would still think of as a fast aperture like f/1.4. For low light on a camera like the SL, I would just push the ISO, which seems usable when shooting raw and exposing carefully up to about 12500; the main purpose of a lens like this is razor thin DOF (and bragging rights!). In general, I wouldn't think of autofocus as a crutch, but rather a tool to help you get the results you want. You can always override it on an AF lens if necessary.

[Ko.Fe.]

It is "what else to buy" lens for g.a.s.ers. 

Soft until f2.

https://prophotos.ru/reviews/21031-zenit-m-i-zenitar-1-35-test/3

If you are looking for more less "practical" use fast 35 in M mount CV has f1.2 lens. 

 

[voyance]

Hahaha just to be clear, I have no intentions of buying this lens unless it is truly amazing especially at f1.0. Even if I wanted one, there arent any in the market right now. Im just curious why this lens is not particularly brought up as much as Id expected it to be. Better yet, Id just like to know what this lens is like considering how obscure and "rare" it is. 

In general, Im just looking for a manual 35mm lens. Ideally, a Summilux because f1.4 is really nice to have. In Leicaland, it is never wrong to go summilux or summicron depending on preferences. The 35mm lux or cron really are the do-it-all lenses. 

[Herr Barnack]

$3995 USD for this lens, if you can find one?  No freaking way.

My choice would be https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/827619-REG/Voigtlander_BA237B_Nokton_Aspherical_35mm_f_1_2.html  IMHO this is a better lens for 25% the cost of the Zenitar 35/1.0.

Or if price is not an issue, the current version of the Leica 35mm Summilux ASPH.

Edited November 6, 2021 by Herr Barnack

[Keith (M)]

Very happy with my VM 35mm Nokton III f1.2. Relatively light (332g) and whilst larger diameter than Leica equivalents is still fairly compact (55mm filter).  An album on Flickr.

[pippy]

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7 hours ago, voyance said:

...I have no intentions of buying this lens unless it is truly amazing especially at f1.0...

It is not 'truly amazing' (nothing like it) and especially not at f1.0 so my advice to you would be to consider other options; there are many stellar-performing super-fast 35mm lenses in M-mount available on the market.

The Zenitar is a curiousity but nothing more. IMO, of course. YMMV.

Philip.

[darylgo]

The images posted from lens reminds me of the 35 Summilux pre asph or the Noctilux f1. The outdoor shots are soft and glowy, the indoor shots look to have potential except the colors and contrast lighting leave a great deal to be desired.  It’s a lens I would try, not a modern rendering, therefore many dismiss it.  At the price, I’d rather shoot the Leica offerings, if Leica does offer a 35 Noctilux as rumored, the price will be several multiples of the Zenitar, and I guess more like the 75 Noctilux rendering.