Best Fast 35mm for A7? (Manual lenses okay)

I actually had the 35/1.2 on order and cancelled the order because I thought it would be heavier than I really wanted... though I was tempted by the speed. I ended up getting a used Zeiss ZM 35/2 and have been happy with it. I also have an EF Canon 35/2 IS version that I use on the MB III adapter, which I sometimes prefer for the IS and exif info though it's heavier and bigger.

I have the ZM f/2.0, which I no longer use on my film camera since I purchased the ZM 2.8. I tried the 2.0 and 2.8 on my A7 but didn't like the results and prefer an old 35mm SLR Hexanon. I understand that these lenses work better on the M-240

Sigma 35mm F1.4 Art is world class, see dxomark\reviews everywhere, the hype is deserved!

You can either go for the Nikon mount and use your existing adaptor or go for the A mount and buy a Sony adaptor (A to E) so you can have full AF (if needed).

The RX1 is a classic, Sony has wisely not done anything with it other than make an AA-less vsn. It was the opening shot in Sony's war on camera bloat, and what an effort. I'll wax on in a moment, but first:

the new Distagon M 35/1.4 will suit Leica users most of all - Zeiss generally does not get enough users to listen to them wen they say lenses these days must be optimised to sensors. It will also set you back $2300. I'd not buy one for Sony, as there may be a Loxia vsn in a year or so.

I never warmed to CV in M mount but many did, let's call it a learned preference.

AF is - sacrilege I know - quite useful at 35mm and f1.4 and no one buys a fast 35mm to use at f5.6. The Sony 35/1.4D may be a real sleeper lens, we must wait and see. The Loxia will I think be a terrific lens.

The RX1 - I never heard anyone complain about f2 not being fast enough due to the focus fade character, and very close MFD via macro. Optical quality is excellent, people tried to find faults and largely failed. Corners are great. Color is great. It's hand assembled. The body is strong as only an FLC can be.

The best part for an a7 series user, it's a backup as well as a 35mm lens.It's the prototype for the a7 series - so all the controls are similar and menus as well. Shutter release is truly excellent, and for all intents and purposes it's silent. In fact, it probably kept many users away from the a7s, which must wear a larger lens to get close to RX1 IQ.

Rob Sims said:

Hey,

I'm currently using a Voigtlander 35/1.2 and I'm not entirely happy with it. Shooting wide open I get all sorts of CA and colour fringing, as well as pretty soft corners and masses of vignetting. Even stepping down all the way to F2.0 isn't perfect. I know this all gives the lens 'character', but sometimes I just want a clean shot as my starting canvass... and especially given how heavy (and expensive!) this lens is - I think I could do better.

Just wondering what A7/A7S/A7R owners are using for fast 35mm? I would be tempted by the Sony 35/2.8 (although I prefer manual lenses), but really want something faster. F2.0 or F1.8 would be enough, F1.4 would be great but I suspect may be as large/heavy as my current CV35/1.2.

I already use an M-mount to E-mount adaptor, and also own a Nikon F-mount to E-mount adaptor, but wouldn't be adverse to a completely new lens mount adaptor if the lens in question was worth it.

Suggestions?

(Or should I just wait for the new Zeiss 35/2.0?)

--
My photoblog: http://sims.smugmug.com/
My Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/robsims/

Click to expand...

Hi All,

Sorry for leaving this thread unfinished. I had basically decided on the RX1, and was checking out 2nd hand prices... when my wife went into labour!!

So anyway, long story short, I managed get an RX1 the day after baby came out. Here are some the snaps I took in the hospital over the weekend:





And one of my new family:


Used a tiny tripod designed for a compact camera... worked great for the RX1

Thank you everyone for their contributions on this thread.

--
My photoblog: http://sims.smugmug.com/
My Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/robsims/

Oh, and just as this is an e-mount forum, I'd better balance out the post with some shots from my A7!!


Using a Nikon 85mm F1.4 AIS


Using a Nikon 85mm F1.4 AIS (at F2.0 I think)

--
My photoblog: http://sims.smugmug.com/
My Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/robsims/

Congratulations on the newborn!

How do you like the RX1 so far considering your quest for fast and good 35mm FL?

OleGeE said:

Congratulations on the newborn!

How do you like the RX1 so far considering your quest for fast and good 35mm FL?

Click to expand...

Thanks buddy. New addition to the family is awesome, and I now have a new (and constantly changing) subject for my photos ;-)

The RX1 is just beautiful. For my use I definitely made the right choice. The RX1 is actually lighter than the Voigtlander 35/1.2, so I've taken to carrying alongside my A7 + Leica summarit-m 90/2.5. Together that covers everything I really need, and means no lens changing outside which is a real bonus.

Also, I wasn't that bothered about AF originally, but actually quite useful as I can pass the camera over to the wife and know she'll actually be able to sue it! The bokeh is proper Zeiss buttery smooth, which is exactly what I was after. Yes, I've lost a stop of light compared to my Voigtlander 35/1.2, but the rendering is more pleasing to my eye, so it's worth it. A few recent photos using it:


Taken by the wife, something not usually possible with manual focus lenses.


Showing the smooth bokeh rendering from the Zeiss lens.


Showing that the camera can be used for more than just narrow DoF and bokeh...

Thanks everyone who contributed to this thread!

--
My photoblog: http://sims.smugmug.com/
My Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/robsims/

Great outcome. Parenthood is the ultimate challenge. Have fun and good luck.

Congrats, and it looks like you made a good decision. When you get tired of the RX1, you can always get the new FE 35/1.4 Distagon coming out in March

Rob Sims said:

Also, I wasn't that bothered about AF originally, but actually quite useful as I can pass the camera over to the wife and know she'll actually be able to sue it!

Click to expand...

Not an entirely trivial benefit of AF. I occasionally hand the camera over for an outsourced selfie, but never if it's sporting a manual lens. Not a single one of my friends - including some fairly serious DSLR users and folks who used to shoot manual back in the day - have the first clue what to do and it takes way too long to try and explain.

Congratulations on your investment!

--

I would purchase the zeiss 35mm 2.8 lens and put it in manual mode.

A more affordable option would be to try out the Rokinon/Samyang lenses. I personally haven't tried the 35mm but i own the 85mm 1.4 and the results are stunning.