| Author: | | New Member Registered: July, 2016 Location: London, UK Posts: 5
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 8, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $140.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, bokeh, colour, build | | Cons: | Long focus throw (but that's a matter of taste) | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 8
Value: 9
Camera Used: Sony Alpha 7RII
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Absolutely stunning lens. The bokeh is really, really pleasing, and the colours come out perfectly 'real' and still gorgeous. Very Sharp (I gave it 'only' 9 as I also own the monstrous Sony Zeiss 55mm 1.8 , which is an utterly unfair paragon but still... it exists). Great build, it feels heavy & super-solid. By my taste this lens has only 1 disadvantage: long focus throw. But that also gives you precision, especially at the short end. Totally recommended.
 | | | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: January, 2012 Posts: 1,972
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 29, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $240.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | super sharp, close focusing, good flare resistance, smooth bokegh and great colours | | Cons: | expensive and sought after :), focsuing not as smooth as takumars, 6 apreture blades | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 8
Value: 9
Camera Used: Pentax K-01
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After I created a thread for a club for this lens I though I might add some short remarks and summarize somehow my 2 years of using this lens with this short review.
My copy is *very* sharp - I had seen another, white lettering copy and that was exactly the same sharp.
I also checked the f2.8 version - after I already had my f2.4 I found there was another version  - they both are basically similar - one is faster, f2.8 is focusing closer - both are sharp at the same apertures. I like my MC version for its coating - but if the money were a concern and I new about the f2.8 version = I would save few pounds and went with it as it often is cheaper than f2.4 .
Flare resistance is excellent - on par with my SM K mount lenses, but not as good as modern Pentax SMC coatings.
Rendering is superb, bokeh is usually very smooth across the range and apertures - something 6 aperture blades might mess up with it a bit. Sharpness is great from wide open , and in contrary to some other reviewers my copy is both sharp in close focus and at infinity distances.
Close focusing is a fantastic addition, if I was to have only one lens - that would be my Flektogon on APC-S camera ( and some macro 50mm on film camera ) - as it gives really nice field of view.
From disadvantages I mainly dislike the focusing - it is smooth - don't get me wrong , I can fine tune anything with it - it's absolutely smooth BUT it is not as smooth and silky easy to turn as my pentax K/ Takumar lenses.
And yeah, you got me right here : that is my main and only concern for this lens ! Here is how my lovely Zeiss looks like mounted on my K-01 - my usual manual combo. I use it with a large metal lens hood which was designed for a 50mm lens - with APCS crop factor it matches the Zeiss' FOV perfectly :
Check some shots below - for more - follow this link and check all the samples from this outstanding lens : Zeiss Flektogon 35mm lens club
,,,
' >' manntax
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: January, 2017 Posts: 462
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 26, 2021 | Recommended | Price: $145.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | color, close focus, sharpness, bokeh | | Cons: | little stiff focusing ring, six aperture blades, M42 | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 8
Value: 7
Camera Used: Pentax K-1
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I would give it 10 if not for little bit stiff focusing ring which can easily unscrew it from M42 Pentax adapter. However, I sorted that by applying some gaffers tape at the lens mount. Colors are really nice and it's a sharp lens with juicy bokeh. Very close focusing of some 19cm. I plan to use it as a general purpose and flower lens. I am not a big fan of 35mm and this is my first 35mm. Bought it just because I wanted one in my collection. For my style of shooting the lens is not wide enough because I am a big fan of 20 and 24mm lenses for landscape and it's not that suitable for portraits. However, it's a nice walkaround lens that can do almost everything from macro, to landscape and portraits in one package. Regarding build quality, it's ok and more on the excellent side. It's rather small diameter lens of 49mm only but extends pretty long because of it's macro capability. Is it worth it's premium price? Well, there are some equally good 35mm lenses which are cheaper but this is Carl Zeiss in some way and it will hold value good. I missed buying 35mm f2 Pentax SMC A when I had a chance which was cheaper but I was not impressed how it performed wide open. This one seems better wide open, although we are comparing f2 and f2.4. Also, the close focusing is an additional benefit.
 | | | | | New Member Registered: April, 2020 Posts: 1
2 users found this helpful
| | | | | | | New Member Registered: August, 2017 Posts: 5
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 23, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $160.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | IQ | | Cons: | none for this price | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 7
Camera Used: K3II
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This is a typical Zeiss from east Germany: Best Quality with best know-how but limited means of production.
The optical quality ist really good. Very good IQ with nice colours and very good sharpness, especially in short distance shots. Its nearly a macro lens.
The handling is ok, but not to compare with modern zeiss lenses - typical for zeiss Jena. For the price - try and have fun!
 | | | | | Junior Member Registered: January, 2016 Location: Warsaw Posts: 32
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 30, 2016 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Colors, sharpness, build. | | Cons: | Adapter... | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 9
Camera Used: K-3
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My copy is ultra sharp, with good contrast and typically Zeiss color. I have a lots 28mm and 50mm but only TWO 35mm lenses. SMC-K 35mm f/3.5 and this lens.
Generally I don't know which lens I prefer. SMC-K 35mm f/3.5 is legendary lens but Flek too.
In real life in my bag I can "found" Flektogon more often than SMC-K. I don't know why... Oh wait. This reason is a Zeisses colors ? Hmm. OK SMC-K is better in neutral colors and sharpness but Flek is clear winner with this overall character.
At last this lens is a two Distagon's - 28mm f/2 (SMC-K 28mm f/2) and 35mm f/2.8. And have a ultra short minimal focusing distance - 19 cm. | | | | | Junior Member Registered: August, 2014 Posts: 43 | | Review Date: November 7, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $160.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | | | Cons: | Chrome Abbr and coma abbr | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 9
Camera Used: Pentax K-5
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non functioning links removed on Flickr
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: November, 2008 Location: The Cow Belt Posts: 173 | | Review Date: May 25, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $145.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | unusual colour accuracy; quite sharp; fairly good contrast; close focus; | | Cons: | prone to flare; soft wide open; tricky focus for distant objects, price | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 8
Camera Used: Samsung GX20 Pentax K200D
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I use a Flektogon with the front ring engraving including MC in white. Some believe that lens performance varies with the style of lettering and serial number; I do not. The lens has accurate colour rendition and adequate contrast, the latter in an understated way. It is quite sharp in the centre but needs to be stopped down to f11-f16 to exhibit this quality. It is prone to flare and a lens hood is advisable . A comparison with the SMCP-M 35/2 in a strongly side-lit interior setting showed flaring in the multicoated Flektogon but none in the supermulticoated Pentax of about the same age. The Pentax, though hardly renowned for sharpness, is slightly sharper at all f-stops than the Flektogon.
However, the Flektogon is almost as effective as a dedicated macro lens for closeups; the SMCP-M 35/2, though it focuses close, is not quite there.
Focusing is not easy to judge. After the 3 metre mark on the focussing ring, the distance needed to be turned to reach infinity is very short. At the long end, a very slight turn of the focussing ring may bring it just short of infinity in landscapes, leaving backgrounds out of focus. Judging focus on a DSLR viewfinder with a 35mm lens is not easy and the Flektogon's focus throw does not make it easier.
I would give the Flektogon 8.5 points if the scale allowed it.
The lens is recommendable but, In my view, the high prices Flektogons command nowadays are not justifiable.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: January, 2011 Posts: 258
5 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 26, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $50.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp, Great contrast and color, great bokeh, macro | | Cons: | Absolutely nothing important for the price! | |
This is my favourite walk around lens! It can shoot almost everything. Great alternative to the plastic and not exciting DA 35mm 2.4! I call mine FLEKTOGON Limited .
So the cons are the same as in all other CZJ lens from it's time. Problems with mechanics and more specific - lubrication. But if it is re lubed - it is perfect. It doesn't feel like M lens but the feeling is quite nice.
The greatness is the soft rendering, CZ bokeh and it is very sharp from 2.4 in the center. The corners needs 5.6 or more to get perfect, nut they are not unusable even at 2.4. Other strange thing - I found that this and my other CZJ lens(pancolar 50 1.8 MC) is not getting that soft closed down to it's maximum like my other lenses. It almost looks like that diffraction is not a problem of this lens.
CZJ lenses are one of the big reasons to like pentax!
Some examples:
actually everybody can visit this link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/simbon4o/sets/72157626665011696/with/5687551630/
Resolution test on K200D:
 | | | | | Senior Member Registered: October, 2008 Location: Great Plain, Hungary Posts: 204 | | Review Date: August 8, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $30.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Optical quality, close focusing range, sharp | | Cons: | Aperture tends to stick with time, some built quality issues | |
I really like this lens. During the years I had some, but usually traded it over for something else. About a year ago I came across one in mint condition with caps and case that I finally kept and use it since occassionally.
There is nothing much to say that it is a great piece of metal and glass. East German optical industry had some weak point concerning quality control which is reflected in this lens as well, but the optical performance compensates us. The problems often occure with this lens are parts that stuck from grease (focusing becomes tough, aperture do not move etc.). Cleaning and lubrication usually help.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: January, 2009 Location: Brisbane Posts: 1,421 | | Review Date: August 6, 2009 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Shockingly sharp | | Cons: | Price - very sought after | |
Borrowed this lens from a friend for a little while, its amazingly sharp, colours are great, its just a general joy to use. Great feel, comfortable to hold and use.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: April, 2008 Location: Berlin, Germany Posts: 1,386
7 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 8, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $110.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Versatility, colors, bokeh, macro | | Cons: | aperture issues | |
Carl Zeiss Jena MC Flektogon 2.4/35 on K100D (all settings neutral) no crop, no postprocess, f/2.4 :
[IMGWIDEleft]https://www.pentaxforums.com/gallery/images/6817/1__IGP5143oocg.JPG[/IMGWIDEleft]
Used on cameras: Pentax K100D (APS-C 6MPix); Prakticar B200 (36x24 mm film SLR)
Similar lenses used: S-M-C Takumar 3.5/35, mass production M42 2.8/35 like Seimar, Vivitar(Tokina), Exakta. Too briefly used: Nikon AIS 2/35, Contax Distagon 2.8/35
This lens is quite compact and will deliver good colors and resolution right from full open. It has good bokeh and can focus real close. In other words, an allround lens, especially on APS-C format, with a distinct character. The 49mm filter thread on the front still leaves some spare room inside for the lens. This is to say, you will have no problem putting filters plus a decent lens hood on it with APS-C. My fave hood is the tapering metal hood originally for Pentacon 50mm. The lens seems to work quite well with a polarizer, too.
This lens has been produced in M42 in the earlier version with the higher (more digits) serial numbers and then in the lower (less digits) serial numbers on the later M42 versions. Both of these have been delivered in the 'electric' version as well, which makes them usable on aperture metering M42 Praktica bodies (other than that no diff. to the non-electric). The same design was also used in the Praktica B-mount version. The predecessor M42 Flektogon 2.8/35 is a different lens design.
Mechanics: A common problem with those lenses is the aperture getting stuck or slow. Check this out carefully before you buy. For the tinkerer it is not so bad, you can clean it and get a free aperture again, medium difficulty level I think. I've put a disassembly set on my flickr, for what looks exactly like the same aperture housing on the M42 CZJ Sonnar MC 3.5/135. It is probably enough to open the lens from the back and try to get the aperture going again with zipper fluid. For 'digital use' it would be enough to get the blades going and then just use the lens. Every sample of this lens (except the PB-mount versions) has an A-M switch, so it is easy to use on a DSLR. In terms of copy variations I have found that there is quite little of it. Never have seen a bad sample of this lens and they seem to perform quite consistently.
Optics: Looks 'very multicoated' and I never had or heard about issues with the coating or separation of elements. Someone mentioned rattling/loose elements, which I never encountered but it's probably wise to do the shake-check if you can before buying.
Handling: The focus throw is a little more than 3/4 of the whole turn, which makes you turn more on the close-focus side (or move your feet) but is a fine compromise to have enough throw on the long end imo. The original focus action is smooth but can be rougher when a CLA is on the horizon (never found a stuck focus though). Focus is an easily grabbable/feelable metal ring with pointed knurls while the metal aperture ring is striped, so easier to distinguish. Aperture clicks are rather soft and you have half stops all through the range, feeling right to me. This lens is small (like a small M42 standard lens) but well built.
Performance: I've heard some complaining about this lens being not so good in the corners on 36x24mm format (be it film or digital). This might be true in the lower f-stops. I've only shot some landscape slides closed down and there the corners were allright (crappy slides though). Some recent pics from a Canon 5D user look good in the corners, but then again this is stopped down. http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/790021
For me this lens has much in common with the M42 CZJ MC Sonnar 3.5/135. Both are color bombs and can focus way closer than the pack. Full open performance is already very good and the bokeh is smooth.
Exposure variations: This lens behaves like so many other M42 lenses. It is anodized on the back and will want around 1.3+ EV on a K100D to get good exposures (drifting from less +EV full open to more +EV stopped down). The aluminium foil trick will push this up to around 0.0 EV, like with most other M42 lens.
Rating/score: I'd give this lens a 9.0 rating for optical performance. Almost anything you could ask for except a wider aperture and autofocus. Some negatives I did not weigh in to the ranking score is a steadily climbing market price for this lens and the common mechanical issues with the aperture.
Conclusion: I do not use this lens as much as I should cause I am a 50-60mm guy (on K100D) but it is in the top three and probably #1 as a choice for a manual lens in this FL/aperture range. The all-metal build (except name ring and A-M switch) and excellent optical quality assures you that even with a CLA overhaul this lens will represent a sustainable value for a long time to come. As a manual APS-C standard lens, I can hardly think of something this lens can't do well except real low light stuff.
Pictures from this lens: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/44152-anyone-h...f-2-4-m42.html
http://www.flickr.com/groups/311992@N25/pool/
http://www.pbase.com/kkawakami/35mmf24
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/view?uname=beogeo&q=flektogon&cuname=beogeo#
Lens schemes, infos, reviews, tests: http://www.praktica-users.com/lens/mlenses/czjflek2.4_35.html
http://www.praktica-users.com/lens/blenses/czjp2.4_35.html
http://slrlensreview.com/web/carl-zeiss-slr-lenses-51/wide-angle-slr-lenses-...ns-review.html
http://www.slrlensreview.com/web/benchmarks-resources-131/121-35mm-challenge...ge-part-3.html
Disassembly links: http://www.kolumbus.fi/uusilehto/img/lenses/zeiss/disass/
http://forum.manualfocus.org/viewtopic.php?id=1594
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34694152@N00/746619911/in/set-72157594512669706/
All the best, Georg (the other)
| | | | | amateur dirt farmer Registered: December, 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Posts: 41,781
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 31, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $265.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | clarity, bokeh, color rendition, sharpness | | Cons: | build quality just is not there... | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 7
Value: 7
Camera Used: K-5 IIs
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end of the month review: Carl Zeiss Jena MC Flektogon 35mm f2.4
there's a reason this lens has a cult following - it's good, really good...
in every category except one, this lens is simply outstanding - color, clarity, bokeh, short MFD, pretty much anything you throw at it, this lens can handle it...
the only letdown is the build quality - it just isn't very inspiring to use - it's loose, the focus ring isn't damped very well, the tolerances between pieces seem large...
but get past that and let the lens' optics remind you what you are there for:
 cicada husk by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
 Laney by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
 arcade lights by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
 at the library by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
 chrysanthemums by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
I bought two M42 35mm lenses within a week of each other; this lens and a Super Takumar 35mm f2..... and I'm selling the Super Tak..
that's how good this one is....
and the rest of my album for this lens:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pepperberryfarm/albums/72157711611563161/with/49001773208/ | | | | | New Member Registered: February, 2012 Posts: 17
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 17, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $30.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Nice colours, good bokeh, very good close up, distinctive | | Cons: | A bit of fringing, other lenses are sharper, not very contrasty | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 8
Value: 10
Camera Used: Samsung GX20, Pentax K-x
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Mine is the 'electric' version. The extra contacts on the base don't affect its use with an M42-K adapter and a DSLR. I bought it from a Camera Shop for £15. My motivation was partly the speed (its quoted f2.4 being faster than my f2.5 Tokina-made Vivitar TX) and partly the price, since I have seen these go for around £100 on e-Bay.
The speed is honest; it is faster than the lenses I have compared it with:
- Vivitar 35mm f2.5 TX
- Cosina 35mm f2.8
- Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 AF
roughly in line with the manufacturers' claims.
Wide open, the Flektogon is the least sharp, then the Tamron, the Cosina, the Vivitar TX being the sharpest. The Tamron and the Cosina show no CA, the Flektogon a little, which reduces as you stop down, and the Vivitar lots, though it is easily dealt with.
The Flektogon is really good close up, with beautifully smooth bokeh and lovely colours. There is a 3D quality to my flower images. At longer distances and stopped down to f8, the pictures are pleasing, with slightly muted yet attractive colours. Stopped down to f5.6, the Flektogon overtakes the Vivitar, and whilst the Cosina is always sharper, I prefer the Flektogon. However, stopped down the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 AF is in a different class; more detail, more contrast, more saturated colours. It's not to say that the Flektogon isn't good. But I always prefer the Tamron in pictures where the superior bokeh of the Flektogon is not apparent.
Manual focus is O.K., but nothing special. The Flektogon is better than the Cosina, which is kind-of sticky, but the Vivitar TX feels much nicer than either. The A/M switch on the Flektogon makes Aperture Priority possible on a DSLR. Flare hasn't been a problem; I always use a hood.
For family snapping indoors in available light, I prefer the Kiron-made Vivitar 28mm f2; it is sharper wide open, faster, and has a bit of extra width.
For £15, the lens is good value, and I find f2.4 versus f2.8 a useful boost in speed. But £100 plus? For that you should be able to get the Pentax DA35 f2.4, brand new. The Flektogon will produce images with a distinctive feel, but for me, £100 is too much to pay for its quirkiness.
UPDATE: Well, I bought the DA35 f2.4, and confess to being very disappointed in it. The autofocus preferred to focus on the background than figures in the foreground, and I just like the images from the Flektogon better. And so do the people being photographed. Having slipped on a Scottish rock and decapitated my Tamron 17-50mm, this is now my go-to lens for taking pictures at weddings in churches.
1.0.0.20
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: October, 2010 Location: Berlin Posts: 33
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 21, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $200.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Close focus, colours, relatively fast | | Cons: | Not that sharp (my copy), expensive | | Sharpness: 7
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 6
Camera Used: Pentax K-5
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There are two reasons why you'd want this lens: the colours and the minimun focussing distance. Apart from that it's not bad, but nothing too special either. The colours are great: very saturated, at times the images look slightly surreal which I like. I just wish it was as good at infinity as it is for close objects. My copy seems to be very sharp at close range, but loses resolution at a distance. In comparison to my 28mm 3,5 Super Takumar it does not have the crispness and fine detail for landscape shots. But like I said it's very good for close-ups. Portraits are surprisingly good too. Overall a good lens with an interesting character but not quite the general-purpose-thing I was looking for.
IMGP9844.jpg von serpentine-photo auf Flickr
IMGP9247.jpg von serpentine-photo auf Flickr
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