ZEISS Biogon T* 35mm f/2 ZM Lens (Silver)

I had this lens before. Sold it when I was contemplating ending my long run with digital M cameras. 2021 I bought an M10R and the Zeiss 35 f1.4 lens. The 35 f1.4 lens is superb. In my opinion better than the Leica 35 Summilux (I've owned both). I do not shoot too much at f1.4 so I wanted to see how well this smaller and lighter Zeiss 35 would fare on the higher megapixel M10R. In a word, TERRIFIC. Wide open at f2 images are crisp and sharp with nice smooth fall off towards the edges. And an added bonus is in areas with lots of highlights and backlighting, even shooting wide open, there is zero color fringing. I highly recommend this lens to anyone who wants a lovely, light, cost effective lens for a Leica M camera.

I love the look this lens gives my images. It is my go to manual focus lens on the Sony A7rIV when I want a compact camera to carry around. The lens is very sharp in the center at all apertures. It easily resolves the A7rIV's 9504x6336 pixel sensor. The bokeh is pleasing, out of focus background highlights are round. Edges can be a bit soft at f2 but if you use a lens like this for the its character not clinical accuracy. If that is what your after go for the Sony G master 35 1.4 or the Sigma Art 35 1.4. I chose this lens over the Zeiss 35mm F1.4 ZM because of size and price. Given how well the Sony works at high ISO I don't miss the extra stop.

Before I purchased the Biogon f/2, I spent nearly a year shooting with it's big brother, the Distagon f/1,4, and also got in a couple of weeks with a Leica Summicron 35 f/2. Here's my takeaway... Distagon f/1,4: Fast, amazing glass. Lovely bokeh. Incredible resolution and rich Zeiss colors. Big and heavy on my M9. The camera always felt awkward. I loved the images, but didn't enjoy carrying it around. Leica Summicron 35 f/2 ASPH: Felt weightless after shooting the Distagon. Best mechanics of the three lenses, beautifully built. Nice texture at f/2 and gets razor sharp in about 2 clicks. I found the images to be perfectly modern with zero distortion. Colors not as warm as the Zeiss. Zeiss Biogon 35/2 ZM: Took only a handful of shots for me to put the money on the table. I found everything I loved about the Distagon in a much smaller body. And with a 35mm lens, I didn't miss the f/1,4 aperture much. Same Zeiss colors I'd come to love and 100g lighter! Zero distortion. Sharp at f/2. The Summicron gets extra points for build, but not for image quality. Head to head with the Biogon, there is zero advantage in this area. It's just a question of preference. I've always preferred Zeiss colors and I'm extremely pleased with this lens.

This lens is what one would expect from Zeiss. For those who have grown up with mechanical, manual focus lens, it does not get any better than this one. In my opinion, this lens is a good as any Leica 35mm for a lot less money. The 1/3 stops are an added help with critical exposure. It is sharp, crisp, well constructed. There are only two draw backs; one, it does not come with a lens hood, for the price it should. However, with a great deal of effort from one of thesales persons, they located a Zeiss hood, metal construction, made for a Zeiss 1:2/50 and a 1:2/35; two, I have owned two modern Zeiss lens, both of which have lens covers that are difficult to use. One never knows when the lens cover is in place or ready to fall out. From what I have read, this is a common problem with the new Zeiss lens. That said,the lens is worth the price. I look forward to years of service from this well and beautifully made lens. It is a peace of art in and of itself. Winston

This is a fantastic piece of kit! I feel like both Leica lenses and Zeiss lenses are top tier and you can't go wrong with either one of them. I feel that the Biogon is easily equal to that of the Summicron 35 ASPH, given that I've used both extensively in a multitude of applications. Color reproduction is stellar and for those interested in bokeh, you won't be let down. You CANNOT go wrong with this lens!