I have now been 6 months of this lens with ZF.2 connection. I purchased it, at which a representative of Zeiss was present at the dealer in the context of "Open House". As this my characteristic of this lens - tried out even in comparison with the Zeiss 35mm 2.0 also - stated, I have not understood him correctly (I had previously only Nikon lenses). Unlike the Zeiss 35mm 2.0 is not 1.4 "allrounder", but trimmed specifically on bokeh and color reproduction. In the sun on the beach at aperture 8, the lens is not better or worse than other lenses in this price range also. In a subdued-lit restaurant or living room, so at places where the light creates a special mood, this lens is growing beyond itself and leaves everything else probably far behind (see also the description of the Obj. To the Zeiss-Webpage). At the table sits my son, the sharpness of focus on one eye, the last evening light from the side of the window Duch his face falling, in the background the burning candles from the Christmas tree and all in Aperture 2.0 or 2.8 ..... and completely unedited a formally so buttery soft bokeh and also the transition from sharp to blurry image are skin off my chair, almost comes across the mood. The color drawing is visible unlike Nikon. One can hardly describe, some speak of the "Zeiss" look, without that I know whether they mean the same thing. Another has once formulated well when he said that getting this Obj. Even really inconsequential photos an artistic touch. One can hardly believe when you have not even experienced it myself. In a comparison with lenses from Nikon (and I, among others, the 14-24 and the 70-200 2.8 VRII) I always think of only the comparison between a Bösendorfer grand piano and a Yamaha grand piano a. Because you can measure weight, volume, dynamic range, stop hardness and many other more and register in scale or rate. The different sound of the two instruments but you can only hear, never read. So this is the Zeiss lens: You have to see it.
This characteristic is obviously bought by relatively strong chromatic aberrations at full aperture, which disappear only beyond the aperture 4 into insignificance. These also make a correct focusing through the viewfinder (I have a D800E series with ground glass and Okularvergrößerungsline) difficult; using the electric. Focusing Aid (point with 2 arrows) does that quite well. The image itself is at 1.4 somewhat low in contrast, but then acts from 2.0 also without finishing very sharp, and both the distance than at close range. Build quality is second to none, just take time from the merchants in the hand.
One who understands more than just high resolution image quality under, is happy with this lens and would prefer 20 stars awarded. Who mainly test pictures of the books wall makes with angepinnten Siemens stars and AF also needs at this focal length, may buy more, the new Sigma Arts, which will be sharper at open aperture and is also much cheaper and easier.
