Give Contax Distagon T* 35/2.8 a try

kopimorning · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 97 Location: Jakarta-Bali

I decided to try a Contax Distagon T* 35/2.8 (MM), despite of it's average performer judgement from many reviews on the net. The lens is coming my way.

So far I couldn't find any review about the lens on this forum. Would somebody share their experiences?

Thank you!

Orio · Expire: 2012-12-04

It is not at all an average performer. It is better in corner performance and colour rendition than the Flek 2.4/35 that so many rave about - and given the absurd raise in price of the Flektogon 2.4/35, it is now also cheaper in many cases.

Keysersoze27 · Expire: 2012-12-24

Very good lens also available as Rollei Color-Skoparex 2.8/35 .

ManualFocus-G · Expire: 2014-11-24

It's a great performer, and as mentioned already, has MUCH better corner performance than the Flek, although without the close focus ability. Photos taken with this lens tend to have a nice 3D element too, much like that of the DIstagon 28/2.8. I just find I don't particuarly like the focal length on full frame and tend to use the 28mm version instead.

timo832000 · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 544 Location: Germany / Cologne

Agree, great lens! One of my favs.
I like it`s sharpness, contrast and 3D look.

Here are some samples:

http://forum.mflenses.com/impressons-from-frysland-netherlands-t29281.html

http://forum.mflenses.com/back-to-austria-t30909.html

http://forum.mflenses.com/locomotive-museum-and-steam-train-t29466.html

http://forum.mflenses.com/zeissy-spring-pictures-t27555.html

http://forum.mflenses.com/sunandsnow-t24648.html

Timo

alex · Joined: 18 Apr 2009 Posts: 561 Location: UK

I got my Distagon 35 simply because it was at an irresistibly stupid price. Cosmetically, it's seen a bit of use, but no abuse ; optically and mechanically, it's perfect. I was surprised to find after a few weeks that it had displaced the D28 as my favourite wide. The D35 has a very pleasing perspective, which I now prefer to the 50 or 28. It's every inch in every way a Zeiss.

Morfeus · Joined: 01 Nov 2010 Posts: 22

Taken two days ago in Berlin with this lens:

Bode Museum by pictorlucis, on Flickr

Keysersoze27 · Expire: 2012-12-24

It has a distortion of >1% so it's very good for architecture photos ...

Bruce · Expire: 2014-11-22

Thanks kopimorning

I think I will take your advise soon and get one of these, I have the D35/1.4 already, but I might as well "beef up" my Contax collection,
and I always hear good things of this lens.

LucisPictor · Expire: 2013-12-03

Morfeus · Joined: 01 Nov 2010 Posts: 22

Hi Carsten,

yes, I had an old flickr account with too much non photography related stuff. When searching for a nick for the second account all nicks that I liked where taken, so I did some research Smile

. Thanks for the welcome, by the way.

To stay on topic, another shot with the Distagon 35mm. PP is LR style old pola, other than that very little PP.

Alte Nationalgalerie, Berlin by pictorlucis, on Flickr

Orio · Expire: 2012-12-04

Actually, it could also be Luce Pictor (Painter with the light) Wink

kopimorning · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 97 Location: Jakarta-Bali

Thank you very much for your generosity in sharing experiences and honest opinions about this lens. I'd like to thank to the beautiful pics as well.

Meanwhile, I can't wait for the leitax mount replacement in 8-10 days to come Sad

Here's the lens, pristine condition

kansalliskala · Expire: 2016-12-30

Oh, you got the original hood too! It's worth about $50 at least, I think. I have to use Sigma 50/2.8 hood in mine, that is almost blasphemy .. Smile

kopimorning · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 97 Location: Jakarta-Bali

francotirador · Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 894

Very interesting, I replace my Flektogon 35 2.4 (which is new)
I find the image very weak at the edges, and for my job is fatal.
In a vertical frame, the face is out of focus.

Apart from this lens, what Distagon is better?
Thanks & greetings Crying or Very sad

Orio · Expire: 2012-12-04

Franco, I have a Distagon 2.8/35 for sale. It is the one that I used for the blind test comparison with the Flek 35 here, and it proved to be better in edge performance and colour rendition. Since you already reserved my Sonnar 180, you might want to consider adding the Distagon within the same package.

You ask which Distagon is better... hard question as it related to what you expect from it. For low light photography and short DOF effects, the 2/28 and 1.4/35 are surely some of the best wide lenses you can find anywhere. But for your application, where you need best quality all over the frame, the 2.8/28 and 2.8/35 are better choices, as they offer better planarity, whereas the fast Distagons have a quite visible curvature of field (which is part of their "3D" charm indeed, but you don't want it when you need perfect centre-edges equality).

francotirador · Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 894

krell · Joined: 10 Dec 2010 Posts: 1

35/2.8
it's a sharp len!

poilu · Expire: 2019-08-29