| Latest Review Posted | Carl Zeiss Flektogon MC 35mm F2.4
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.
https://www.pentaxforums.com/gallery/images/11944/large/1_SG201131_Kodachrome_64_alt.jpg
I would give the Flektogon 8.5 points if the scale allowed it.
The lens is recommendable but, In my view, the high prices Flektogon... |
