@CJRodgers:
Don't you have FRIENDS travelling, CJ? They can send the
empty lens packaging per post...
@Stone: Thank you! How does the Sony AF work on Zeiss? These lenses have a huge focusing range from 25 cm from the sensor to infinity (and sometimes beyond :
, is a moving sensor capable of focusing there?
Honestly, I find MF not that difficult and I don't miss AF about 80% of the time for my shooting habits. I use a focusing screen, and f/2 lenses. It makes me think more: 1. think about holding it, choosing where to put my fingers on the focusing ring so that they grip both the ring and the body (fine focus). 2. Think about composition and point of interest without RECOMPOSING after AF! 3. Pre-focus on moving subjects (I did practice on surfers in the waves, you need practice indeed, but after a day or two you start loving it, and after a week/month my shots are 90% In Focus even at f2 in low light, it is manageable) 4. Using LiveView is a delight with these things, you see how things fall into focus, it's a lot easier than the Canon AF EF line.
I have the impression that Zeiss resolution goes way above the current AND coming sensors. I bought them because I noticed how frustrating it is to wait for a new 24-70 L +/- IS or for an update on the 24, 35, 50 and I don't know how many updates just because Canon tries to match lens resolution to the expected up-coming sensor resolution (what a cry-out would happen when people buy a 40MP 1D and look through some of the current L-lenses, detail, corners etc etc).
Now, people say that the 35/1.4 is a lot easier to focus than initially reviewed, I have seen examples on many websites, it looks impressively clear and detailed, and the OOF rendition is beautiful even if stopped down. So, I am curious if I can handle it when I get it in June. Some say that the red colour is difficult to focus as compared to all the others, and is not on the same plane as the others. I can't see this outside of the specific testing situation. But the MTF charts comparing the 35/2 to 35/1.4 T* do not tell the truth about sharpness, detail, microcontrast etc, the current users say. I can't speak for myself but initial buyers are quite impressed. Wait and see for yourself. Surely, it is not THE ideal lens (rarely there is one) and it is expensive, but Zeiss didn't lift the price above the average for the 100 MP, 21/2.8 and some other recent releases. (Per kilo price is quite good though ;D)
I just put all my effort into being patient until a 5D3 release (as I can't waste money on a 5D2 for all the IQ issues it still has, despite the amazing photos already taken with it by millions of people these issues are visible on better lenses, monitors, printers... but this is another thread...)
