Zeiss ZF Lenses: Can we start the definitive thread?

[Y Sol]

Here's a shot I made with the ZF 85mm on D3x at F5,6. I bought the lens some days ago and I need to do some more testing. But what I see till now is:
this lens is far from perfect, there are some focus shift problems (between 1-2,5m at F2,0-4,0) and the closest distance to focus is only 1 meter which is not close enough for a good portrait lens (Nikon: 0,8m). I'll need some more time next week to shoot some portraits and I also hope to do a comparison between the Nikkor F1,4/85mm AF and the ZF.

Y Sol

 

[tjv]

The more I shoot with the two ZF lenses I have, the more I like them. I love the 35mm ZF. It's stunningly sharp and has great character, and I really like the 50mm Planar. I think the Planar has a bad wrap which to a large degree is unjustified, but it does have a lot of CA noticeable under certain conditions, and it's very soft wide open. I can only imagine how good the Makro-Planar is - the Planar is a stop gap for me and the Makro-Planar will no doubt come my way in due course. Best of all, I really enjoy using these lenses on my D700. When I sold my Leica kit I was really worried I wouldn't enjoy photographing people like I did with my little M lenses and camera. I needn't have worried, the manual, tactile experience is very good with the ZF lenses and the results speak for themselves. I may even splash soon on a ZF 28mm if the bank lets me...

 

[episa]

I have been using the ZF 35mm on my D700 for 2 years now and it remains my best landscape lens. It always enhances the colors and brilliance of the scene like no other lens and the sharpenss is stunning.

episa