Contax Distagon T* 35mm f1.4 Reviews

Rating
Reviewed by:

fishyu
( Expert)

Review Date
October 2, 2004

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
1 votes

Review 1 of 4

Price Paid: $600.00 from Second hand

Summary:

Probably the best 35mm lens I have used and the best I can have. (Leica R35/1.4 is at least triple as much as this one) I had a Distagon 35/2.8 for some time used on my Canon via a adapter, which is my first Zeiss and I start to discover the quality of Germany optics (although made in japan) and I love it.I saw one 2nd hand and I think the price is right while i want 1.4 also. After a few rolls i find that it is sharp at all apertures (even sharper when stopped down), excellent colour retention, nice contrast, beautiful bokeh...all that you want from a lens can be found in this lens. I have tried the Nikon AI 35/1.4 Canon 35/1.4L and Minolta 35/1.4G. Nikon is a loser and being knocked out for its softness and vignetting. Minolta is a bit cold on colour and a little soft when open which is not my taste, Canon is soft when open, colour is right but far too expensive (twice as this one). I would say this is One of the best in its class.

Strengths:

Sharpness, colour, contrast, bokeh....try it and you will love it.

Weaknesses:

A bit expensive and heavy

Similar Products Used:

many other 35mm lens...

Customer Service:

none yet

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Rating
Reviewed by: simon rodgerson
(Intermediate)

Review Date
April 1, 2003

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
1 votes

Review 2 of 4

Price Paid: $400.00 from helsinki

Summary:

I love this lens. It took me by surprise really as didn´t expect all that much. I already have the 35 2.8 and I like it also, but I couldn´t knock this deal back. It is great lens wide open, very sharp! I can use it as a portrait lens wide open , with obvious care, or simply as an available light lens of people generally, whether it be inside or out. Its tack sharp and the colours remain vibrant and punchy. Whether it´s better optically than the 35 2.8 for other uses I cannot say, but it does seem a little warmer. The luxury of 1.4 with a 35 is easy to get used though.

Strengths:

build quality and tack sharp wide open which often is how I like to use it

Weaknesses:

Obviously bloody heavy.

Similar Products Used:

none except 35 f2 fd concave & convex 35 f 2.8 cz

Customer Service:

contax (Tasco)Syd. helpful but at times somewhat unsure

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Rating
Reviewed by: jutan
(Intermediate)

Review Date
December 4, 2002

Overall Rating
4 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
1 votes

Review 3 of 4

Price Paid: $1000.00

Summary:

The 35 mm 1.4 is amoung the best at it range.The 351.4 ASPH M Leica seem to be better corrected at the near range than this T* when shooting at infinity, but bear in mind this is a Retrofocuss type where the focal plane is far back than the Leica M. Colour rendition is better than the Leica and the focussing is very quick within a quadrant tilt will bring your picture in focuss.

Strengths:

with this lens is a compliment with the 85 1.4, most contax users tend to have high appraisal for this two as the kings of the primes line.

Weaknesses:

It is heavy ,but a trade off for it speed.

Similar Products Used:

35 1.4 ASPH, 35 f2.8HFT ,35 f2.8 schneider screw mount.

Customer Service:

Never apply

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Rating
Reviewed by: Suraphan Chiewpimolporn
(Intermediate)

Review Date
April 16, 2000

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Review 4 of 4

Model Reviewed:
Distagon T* 35mm f1.4

Summary:

This is the best 35mm lens I've ever used. You can see for yourself from printed. Try to enlarge the picture and you will see.

Strengths:

Very fast lens, produced very sharpe image and good color.

Weaknesses:

Big lens for 35mm focus length.

Similar Products Used:

Zeiss 35mm/2.8, Nikon 35mm/2

Customer Service:

N/A

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