yukosteel

I think rumored Fuji 33 F1 will be superior lens in overall image quality, just because Fuji has more power to design and make excellent lens.
 
I'd strongly recommend to buy this ZSM 35mm 0.95 II lens ONLY from the place where you can easily make a return. Just in case : )
 
I purchased my ZSM sample from one of eBay Hong Kong seller, just because his -9% special, and nice return policy.
When I communicated my concerns, seller replied fast and checked other samples for me, and offered replacement or return.
But finally I realized that everything is fine with my sample, and I very like how it performs.
 
Slightly asymmetric look of closed aperture blades, it's observed on many samples:

 
Anyway, you may have different experience, or just don't like how the lens work for you. This lens is relatively expensive for manual focus type, so will be hard to re-sell.
Once I've purchased used SLR Magic 50mm 0.95 for about $950, and sold it in about year, just because it's too specific lens with very low interest to it on the market.
 
This ZSM is more interesting, it's smaller, lighter, much easier to use. It's sharp in the center, even wide open.
But this lens is not as perfect in corners like its equivalent 'Nikkor 50mm 1.4 on FF sensor'.
 
Many of you have Fuji XF 18-55mm lens.
It's just slightly bigger than ZSM 35mm (Fuji: 65 x 70mm vs ZSM: 63 x 60mm), and about 150 g. lighter (Fuji: 310 g. vs ZSM: 460 g.)
 
 

I see other Zhongyi lens also have Mark II versions, and also Lens Turbo II adapter has improved quality. It's great they keep working on making better and more competitive optics.
 
I like improved sharpness of this ZSM 35mm mk-II in the center, it's nice to use it for cropped shots when needed instead of switching to 50mm or 140mm lens. E.g. I wanted to catch this scene with more narrow angle, and just stopped down to f2.8 and later cropped to 50mm and 140mm correspondingly:
 
 
35mm:

 
50mm:

 
140mm (100% crop):

Hi,
 
I've now updated the OP with all the new information. (Added Wesley Macro MC, MOG Primoplan, moved some newly released lenses in the upper list etc.)
 
To me, this Wesley lens looks like it's made in the same factory as the zonlai ones, just with switched focus/aperture ring. I've therefore merged them into one category, but put them as separate lenses.

I have bought a tilting adapter to fit an old 17mm Nikon mount lens onto Fuji X cameras. It works remarkably well as a landscape lens setup. It has completely replaced my Nikon 24mm tilt shift lens.
 
Since this application requires a tripod mounted camera in any case, the fact that AF is not available is no problem. Perhaps the only trap to avoid is the rotation of the lens assembly. It really requires some care to ensure that the tilt is in precisely the correct direction.
 
This rig does quite a lot of work for me now. Of course, the usual Scheimpfug rules apply to this just as they do to full frame lenses.

Frozen to about -20 Celsius, this ZSM 35mm has more stiff focus ring rotation, however it's large diameter keeps it still comfort enough.
What I liked is the aperture ring stiffness - it is rotating like focus ring in normal room temperature.
 
NOTE: if you decide to repeat such fridge experiment with any lens, make sure it's packed in ziplock first with minimum of air inside. I did so to prevent condensing moisture on lens surfaces and body (and possibly inner glass), and only unlocked plastic bag after lens warmed up to room temperature.

Saying about handling and lens size, it's very compact - only about 2" long including adapters.
I've used NikonF>LeicaM>FujiX adapter pair.
 
Focus ring is a bit far, but still in comfortable zone.
 

 
 
Lens has 52mm filter thread. I've put LH-40N lens hood for extra protection, and screwed in 39mm filter from the inner side to keep size smaller.
 

Keep looking for manual alternative of XF 27mm 2.8 lens.
 
Decided to try Voigtlander 28mm 2.8 SL II in Nikon F mount (Canon mount version is heavier and larger).
 
I like how it performs on Fuji sensor.
 
F2.8

 
F2.8

 
F5.6

well, the response to these threads of mine on adapting lenses and weird lenses is, has been, as always, overwhelming     ... so, in the end I did get de helicoid macro tube and I did manage to adapt a slide projector lens on it , for the time being it is not, yet, the 50mm Elmaron but I have tried a 100mm Isco anastigmant.
 
The results of this last lens are not really exciting. Predictably the lens quality (no aperture) is not huge and especially contrast is very low. This required corrections both is shooting and some in post production but this is the result.
 
As you can see the lens is soft and has a decent “ bokeh” ( whatever that is)  

I'll put it to the fridge today, to test that : ) From what I see there is a lot of grease, and all helicoid parts look like made of aluminum or aluminum alloy.
I think they should work fine in cold conditions.
 
BTW, saying about loose/stiff focus ring on 12mm. It reminds me again that aperture ring is very loose on my ZSM sample. It has same surface as focus ring, so I often accidentally touch it and rotating instead of focus. I'd be happy to have it very stiff out of the box, or have "clicks" there.
As a workaround I simply put wide rubber ring (piece cut from bicycle tire pipe), so the rubber ring border firmly grips aperture ring, and it rotates with more effort now : )

Voigtlander Nokton Classic 40mm f1.4 S.C on Fuji X-E2
 

 

 

 

BTW, I've partially disassembled my Mitakon II 35 0.95 week ago.
I didn't discover yet how to move further with disassembly to reach aperture area, so assembled it back.
 
Few observations:
Parts inside look a bit unfinished, with sharp edges and metal cut signs.
 
Mount ring is heavy. Looks like it's brass alloy inside. It's secured with 3 long but thin screws.
Rear lens is firmly attached to the lens mount ring, even some glue is used.
 
Outer helicoid part made of quite thick aluminum.
Black ring with DOF scale can be put in any position, so if your sample has it rotated, it's easy to put the ring back.
 

I'd personally recommend you to return ZSM and spend more time with XF 35mm 1.4, look like you really enjoy it, and it's a great lens indeed.
 
The only thing I miss in Fuji lens is direct manual focus. I'd pay 1.5x of ZSM price for Fuji XF 35 1.4 converted to fully manual mode : )

Just to summarize.
There are at least three totally different adapter types on the market, to adapt Nikon F mount lens:
 
1 - "simple metal ring", allows to attach any Nikon F glass to Fuji X mount. Limitation - can't control aperture on Nikon lens that have no aperture ring.
 
2 - "metal ring with aperture control", similar to type 1, but has ring that connects to Nikon aperture lever, and can close/open aperture even on Nikon "G" lens.
 
3 - "metal helicoid with(or without) aperture ring", similar to type 1 or 2, but has separate focus ring that allows to extend adapter length. It's good choice for extending macro distance of any Nikon F lens to very close. Another benefit - adapter focus ring can be used instead of lens focus ring, which is much more convenient due to closer ring location to Fuji camera body.
 
I personally use combination of Nikon F > Leica M adapter + Leica M > Fuji X. It has a bit slimmer look, and provides flexibility of using Nikon / Leica mount lens.
 
NOTE: usually more expensive brand adapter are made with better precision standards, so mounted lens will not play on camera and focus distance will be precise. However I personally buy cheap adapters ($10 - $20), and just repeat that until receive good quality sample.

Just noticed this Wesley 24mm 1.8 is listed in Fuji-X mount.
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/391626837082
 
looks like It's not zonlai but another type, focus ring is on front and aperture near mount.

I love the pictures of animals/birds. Looks like it's not very easy to master the lens to make bokeh less busy, but I like that unusual look! : )

Voigtlander Nokton Classic 40mm f1.4 S.C on Fuji X-E2
 

 

 

 

Voigtlander Nokton Classic 40mm f1.4 S.C on Fuji X-E2
 

 

 

 

***** OPEN THREAD *****
 
feel free to add images taken with 300mm mirror lens
 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

front elements disassembled by simple trick.
 

Spent some time today playing with Fuji XF 27mm 2.8 lens. Disassembly went well, and I was able to remove one very big and annoying dust particle.
 
Sharing these photos just to show how this nice tiny pancake lens is constructed inside.
I was not able to disassemble main front lens module thought. Probably the front plate can be unscrewed/removed somehow, but it can be also put on glue. At least the rear lens group was secured with tiny glue applications in.
 
 
Fuji XF 27mm 2.8 - mount parts

 
Fuji XF 27mm 2.8 - main lens frame with autofocus drive and focus ring

 
Fuji XF 27mm 2.8 - inner lens module where all glass is located

 
Fuji XF 27mm 2.8 - rear lens module is secured with square glue applications

 

SLR Magic HyperPrime 23mm 1.7 is good alternative to XF 23mm 1.4. It's smaller, has silky smooth manual focus, and can focus to very close distance.

When you change "EVF/LCD SETTING" to "EVF" - X-E2 will show all information in EVF only, no exceptions. It's global setting, no matter if you are shooting or Playback image.
 
X-E2 is much slower comparing to most DSLR, so it will take time to get used to new shooting style.
 
E.g. Nikon D7000 camera is always ON (viewfinder is always powered when battery is alive), and you can instantly turn the switch and make shot in less than a second.
While X-E2 needs at least 1 full second to start from "sleep mode", or about 2.5 seconds to start from OFF mode. You still can make a shot with X-E2 in about second after turning ON, which is not bad.
 
X-E2 often requires to calm down some DSLR-speed oriented habits, and get used to its slower performance.

Thank you! Looks like I missed to do it right with X-E1, now it sounds so simple.
Yes, it's a pity that some important functionality is lost in newer model.