Zeiss ZE 35 1.4 vs Rokinon 35 1.4...my unofficial comparison

Okay, everyone, at least those interested in my small time comparison of these 2 lenses. In earlier posts in this forum, I let on that I was able to get the Zeiss ZE 35 1.4, after some wait time from B&H...after I had already purchased the Rokinon 35 1.4. I won't get all techy on you(c'mon, I'm UPS Driver full time, what do I know about tech!!), but this was pretty fun taking pictures using these two lenses, and my wife is mad as Hade's at me for all the time I spend on the computer already!!! So here goes...


I really liked the Rokinon(Samyang) 35 1.4. I played with it for several weeks before I received the Zeiss, and became familiar with manual focusing....so much so, that I don't even use focus confirmation on the Zeiss or my 50L anymore...and I do have a EC-S focus screen on the way for my 1D4, so all these pics were taken using the good ol' fashioned way..For the price, this lens cannot be beat, hands down!! Sharp wide open, even in the corners, and good colors and saturation. I highly recommend it(William!!).


The Zeiss is a fantastic lens with a history behind it, and I have pointed some to another forum where some people have the Contax/Yashica or Rollei version of the Zeiss Distagon 35 1.4 from then...tough for the new one to compete, and I don't know if my photo skills do the new version justice after looking at some of the photos taken by members of this FM forum. Here is the link to it, all 57 pages, but please check it out...really cool!!
Rokinon 35 1.4 gallery


https://picasaweb.google.com/112876940890442133557/Rokinon3514?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKGoso7J6 PiG8gE&feat=directlink


Gregg

Thanks for putting the effort in to do this comparison. If you shuffled these photo

Thanks for looking, William...the Rokinon is a great lens, and you'll love it!! I will always post more in the future, especially when the next baby, Giovanni, is born...to be honest, the 35's haven't left my camera in some time now!! They are really that versatile!! good luck...


Gregg

Awesome. Looks like you can

Both lenses are fantastic, but I do like the Zeiss a bit better...that's why I'm keeping it. It also has better focus fall off than the Rokinon...more examples here..No post in any of these at all, unless otherwise noted..and all shot wide-open


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I did some post in this, but no sharpening...


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I really love this lens....getting more and more used to it everyday!! I have a focus screen coming, but all the above pictures, and the ones linked to Picasa, were taken with ttl focusing with my eye, not even focus confirmation!! I am looking forward to Bryan's review(I know you're backlogged!!) of this lens, as there are only a few out there, since this lens is still very new and hard to come by! It hasn't left my camera in days, and we are getting ready to head on a short vacation with a day trip into Yosemite, where I plan to put it to good use(as much as I can with a 4yr old and pregnant Mom in tow)!!

Nice shots Gregg, it is a beautiful lens, I personally love the weight and feel of the lens and the performance speaks for itself.


I like that third shot of the kids watching the cake and the bench shot has a 3D spatial effect.


Steve

Hi Gregg,


Thanks for the comparison!


Both lenses look really great, but I seem to be more drawn to the Zeiss Lens as well. The Zeiss images just seems to have a little better color rendition, contrast and pop.


Rich

Steve and Richard....thanks for the comments! I apologize for taking so long to get back. I was in Yosemite for a short 4 day stint with the family, so picture taking was relegated to the daylight family hours(which is fine), but I've been itching to try the ZE out and about at night downtown Santa Cruz soon!! And, I just got Canon's EC-S focusing screen, which works way better for manual focus(I'm not even using focus confirmation, on either the ZE of my 50 1.2L now)...but I know there are some alternatives out there...but they are rather expensive!! But I must admit, the ZE rarely comes off the camera right now, but it has made me appreciate my 50L that much more, though, too. The ZE is a tad sharper wide open, and I haven't shot either too far stopped down to compare..but the ZE is absolutely sharp, sharp, sharp at f2.8 and smaller!!


Here is a link to Picasaweb for some of the Yosemite and other shots while there...


https://picasaweb.google.com/112876940890442133557/YosemiteJuly2011#


Please feel free to check them out...


Gregg

Very nice shots Gregg. Really like the one in the BW thread.

You are always the first to respond, William!! thank you! Have you picked up that Samyang 35 yet?? You won't be disappointed!

I am pretty trigger happy aren't I. I do long shifts and have a PC beside me. I've just finished reading the whole of wikipedia and now I'm bugging everyone on TDP. [:#]


No not yet. Got to get some funds together first. I've sold a photo package including a calendar for $1,500, but the client doesn't need it till Nov. Got a picture being framed for sale in Perth $480, and two photos that have made the final 15 in a competition with $1,000 prize money. I haven't seen a single dollar yet but with all this pimping myself out I should make a buck or two then get the lens.


I was only joking about reading all of Wikipedia, I'm only halfway. [:P]

You're funny!! Great news on all the "pimping"!! I hope to get some funds coming in soon, too! I should be selling some prints here before the summer is out. I need to get some more of my shots up on my website(very generic right now...greggFotography,com...)....there is only 2 galleries, and I need to sooooo much more. but with another little one on the way, and my wife cracking the whip on my ass to get things done, and off the computer...well. That's one reason why I like the ZE 35 much...shots out of it really don't need too much post!!!





Gregg

A slight typo in your web address Gregg. Try a period instead of a comma : ) Nice photo

As a big fan of the Zeiss 35mm, I thought I would contribute this shot, just a little cropping nothing else.


You gotta love the colour, even though the light was harsh.


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35mm f5.6 ISO 100 1/500sec.


Steve

Steve...Awesome shot...yes the colors and contrast of this lens are very hard to beat!! It gives my 50L a run for it's money in that category, too!!! Glad to see you're contributing....let's keep it going!!


I will be posting some more today from Mason's 4th birthday party today once I go through them...


Cheers,


Gregg