Zeiss Biogon 35 ZM
Ever since I got my X-T2, I’ve been tempted to try some Leica M-mount lenses. While I appreciate the performance of my XF lenses—they’re sharp, distortion-free, and reliable—they sometimes feel too clinical and lack a bit of personality. Plus, I’m not a fan of their handling: the metal coating feels slippery, focus-by-wire can be frustrating, and the aperture ring is too loose (I’ve lost count of how many times the aperture setting has accidentally changed while pulling the camera in and out of my bag).
So, last Saturday, I finally made the jump: I picked up a Fujifilm M Mount Adapter and paired it with a Carl Zeiss Biogon T* 35mm F2 ZM. The Biogon attaches firmly via the adapter, and the entire setup feels very solid in hand. Of course, there’s no autofocus, but thanks to the focus peaking feature on the X-T2, manual focusing is straightforward. The focus ring on the Biogon is a joy to use—smooth with just the right amount of resistance. However, since aperture isn’t controlled electronically, closing the diaphragm darkens the viewfinder, which can take some getting used to. It doesn’t affect the final photos, but it’s something to adapt to.
After a few test shots, I’m thrilled so far! The lens delivers a beautiful color cast, sharp focus where intended, and a pleasingly soft bokeh. There’s almost no distortion, but you do get slight vignetting, and the corners aren’t razor-sharp when wide open—just as expected. It’s not about clinical perfection but rather capturing photos with character. This lens might just become my new favorite!
If you want to see all the photos I took with that lens, simply follow the link.
