Bummer! Matthew Duclos says, cheap SamyangRokkinor/Bower lens is damed close to Zeiss

[Postmaster]

Mathew Duclos from Duclos lenses, a well known and respected optics company tested Zeiss glass vs. cheap Samyang/Rokinon/Bower lenses.

Though the Zeiss lenses are better build and more precise in any aspect, he found that the cheap Korean glass performs surprisingly well against the German ZF lenses.

I wish I could say the Zeiss blows the Bower out of the water. But the truth is, if I was looking for a high speed, budget 35mm, the Bower is a great option and really makes one wonder why the Zeiss is so much more expensive.

I have the Samyang 35mm f1.4 and the 85mm 1.4 and this is exactly what I also found.
In real world production, the image quality is almost up to way more expensive glass.
Yes, the build quality and coating could be better, but for 350 Euros - what more can I ask for?

Here is the whole article:
http://matthewduclos.wordpress.com/2011/09/14/35mm-f1-4-showdown/

Frank

 

[DevonH]

Would these match well with my Nikkors?

 

[Chris Santucci]

The Zeiss ZF lenses are made in Japan as far as I know.

 

[Jordan Scott Price]

I wonder if this goes for the 14mm 2.8, as well. I have been eying that lens for a while now to fill my ultra-wide-angle void.

 

[David W. Jones]

The Zeiss ZF lenses are made in Japan as far as I know.

The glass for the Zeiss CP.2 lenses are made in Japan as well, then shipped to Germany for assembly in the housings so they can print Made In Germany on the lens.