Zeiss ZF.2 35mm f/1.4 Distagon on Nikon D3x
Just added to my Guide to Zeiss ZF / ZE Lenses is a page of landscape examples with the Nikon D3x and Zeiss ZF.2 35mm f/1.4 Distagon.
What a lens! The Zeiss 35mm f/1.4 Distagon has a terrific synergy with the Nikon D3x. It offers an image rendition, an overall gestalt the equal of the very best offered by Leica for the Leica M. If manual focus works for you, grab one for yourself.
Reader Len S writes:
Your recent f1.4 images are stunning and have me wondering— should I switch to the 35mm f/1.4 Distagon?
I have the 35mm f/2 Distagon which I love. Aside from aperture, does the f/1.4 have attributes that the f/2 does not... for example at f2.8 or f5.6. You're probably gonna hear this question a lot, so you may as well tackle it.
DIGLLOYD: the 35/1.4 is a step up in several ways, not necessarily sharpness, but in color correction (essentially zero color fringing), negligible vignetting at f/2, versatility of f/1.4, the way it draws out of focus areas, and 1/2 to 2/3 stop brighter by f/2.8 versus both the Zeiss 35/2 and Nikon 35/1.4G. It is now my 35mm lens of choice on Canon and Nikon. But it feel like twice the size, and twice the weight, its only real downside.