Zeiss Carl Distagon T1.4 35 ZM vs Leica Elmarit S 30MM F2.8 ASPH

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Carl Zeiss Distagon T1,4/35 ZM

Standard Prime | Leica M

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Leica Elmarit S 30MM f2.8 ASPH

Wideangle Prime | Leica M

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Carl Zeiss Distagon T1,4/35 ZM vs Leica Elmarit S 30MM f2.8 ASPH Comparison Overview

Here we are comparing two lenses with different focal types: Carl Zeiss Distagon T1,4/35 ZM for the M Mount is a Standard Prime lens with a 35mm focal range and a max aperture of F1.4 whereas the Leica Elmarit S 30MM f2.8 ASPH for the M Mount is a Wideangle Prime lens with a 30mm focal range and max aperture of F2.8.

We will start by looking briefly at the main specs of these two lenses, and in the next section, we will start analyzing them in more detail and listing the pros and cons of each lens.

Carl Zeiss Distagon T1,4/35 ZM Key Specs

35mm Focal Range

F1.4 Max Aperture

Filter Thread: 49mm

Max Format: 35mm FF

Leica M Mount

Weight: 381g.

Diameter: 63mm

Length: 65mm

Min Focus Distance: 0.7m

Max Magnification: 0.06x

Leica Elmarit S 30MM f2.8 ASPH Key Specs

30mm Focal Range

F2.8 Max Aperture

Max Format: 35mm FF

Leica M Mount

Weight: 1140g.

Diameter: mm

Length: mm

What type of photography are the Carl Zeiss Distagon T1,4/35 ZM and Leica Elmarit S 30MM f2.8 ASPH lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Carl Zeiss Distagon T1,4/35 ZM and the Leica Elmarit S 30MM f2.8 ASPH for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type	Carl Zeiss Distagon T1,4/35 ZM	Leica Elmarit S 30MM f2.8 ASPH
Bird/Wildlife	Poor	Poor
Sports	Poor	Poor
Portrait	Average	Average
Travel	Average	Average
Street	Excellent	Excellent
Wedding	Average	Average
Walk Around	Average	Average
Vlogging	Good	Good
Landscape	Very Good	Very Good

Size and Weight Comparison

The weight of a lens is as important as its external dimensions, especially if you are planning to hand hold your camera and lens combination for longer periods. Carl Zeiss Distagon T1,4/35 ZM weighs 381g, which means it is 759g (66%) lighter than the Leica Elmarit S 30MM f2.8 ASPH which has a weight of 1140g.

Lens Mounts

Both the Carl Zeiss Distagon T1,4/35 ZM and the Leica Elmarit S 30MM f2.8 ASPH has the same Leica M lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Leica M lenses are Leica M11, Leica M10 and Leica M Typ 262.

Focal Range

Carl Zeiss Distagon T1,4/35 ZM is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 35mm. Leica Elmarit S 30MM f2.8 ASPH is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 30mm.

Reasons to choose Carl Zeiss Distagon T1.4 35 ZM over Leica Elmarit S 30MM F2.8 ASPH

Focal Length - Tele	35mm vs 30mm	5mm more Tele coverage
Max Aperture - Wide	1.4 vs 2.8	Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele	1.4 vs 2.8	Wider aperture at tele end
Diaphgragm Blades	10 vs	Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Aperture Ring	Yes vs No	able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Weight	381g vs 1140g	759g lighter
Max Magnification	0.06x vs x	higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Leica Elmarit S 30MM F2.8 ASPH over Carl Zeiss Distagon T1.4 35 ZM

Focal Length - Wide	30mm vs 35mm	5mm Wider coverage
Diameter	mm vs 63mm	63mm smaller in diameter
Length	mm vs 65mm	65mm shorter
Minimum Focus Distance	m vs 0.7m	can focus closer to the subject

Common Weaknesses of Carl Zeiss Distagon T1.4 35 ZM and Leica Elmarit S 30MM F2.8 ASPH

Image Stabilization	No vs No	Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization
Autofocus	No vs No	Slow and less accurate focusing
Weather Sealing	No vs No	not safe under rain and dust

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Carl Zeiss Distagon T1,4/35 ZM vs Leica Elmarit S 30MM f2.8 ASPH Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications

General
Brand	Zeiss	Leica
Lens Type	Prime	Prime
Price	CHECK PRICE	CHECK PRICE
Lens Type	Standard Prime	Wideangle Prime
Lens Mount	Leica M	Leica M
Max Format	35mm FF	35mm FF
Focal Range	35mm	30mm
Image Stabilization	No	No
Colour	-	-
Zoom Method	No Zoom	No Zoom
Power Zoom	No	No
Zoom Lock	No	No
Zoom Ratio	1.0X	1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture	F1.4	F2.8
Min Aperture	F16.0	F22
Aperture Ring	Yes	No
Diaphragm Blades	10	-
Optics
Optical Elements	10	13
Optical Groups	7	9
Focusing
Min Focus Distance	0.7m	-
Max Magnification	0.06X	-
Autofocus	No	No
AF Motor Type	None	No AF
Full Time Manual	N/A
Focus Method	-	-
Distance Scale	Yes	-
DoF Scale	Yes	-
Distance Scale	Yes	-
Focus Distance Limiter	No	No
Physical Specs
Weight	381g	1140g
Diameter	63mm	-
Length	65mm	-
Materials	metal barrel, metal mount	-
Weather Sealing	No	No
Filter Thread	49mm	-
Tripod Collar	No	No
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