ZF: New high power lens from Carl Zeiss

[birddog114]

18th January 2006.

http://www.zeiss.de/C12567A8003B58B9/?Open

[sirhc55]

High power = high cost

[birddog114]

High power = high cost

It's worth!

[huynhie]

I wonder what the difference in price between ZF lenses and some Nikkor primes eg 85 f1.4, 50 f1.4 and 35 f2?

[james m]

now are these new CZ lenses going to have a Nikon mount

[Dug]

I though Sony had bought a controlling share in CZ a while back?

Hence the CZ name on sony compact cameras.

[huynhie]

I though Sony had bought a controlling share in CZ a while back?

Hence the CZ name on sony compact cameras.

nope, it's still in German hands - Carl Zeiss Stiftung (Carl Zeiss Foundation).

[huynhie]

now are these new CZ lenses going to have a Nikon mount

yea that's why it's designated ZF.

[elffinarts]

as my friends at York Optical continualy taunt me with, "Zeiss is nice"

have to agree with them too. lovely glass!

[cyanide]

Link found via DPR... I checked the Japanese website as well, and the info is certainly as translated. (At this stage, CZ website has no new info.)

Listed on website: http://www.ogisaku.com/


Carl Zeiss lenses for Nikon F-Mount

Planar T* 1.4/50 ZF - JPY58,800 (equiv. approx AUD675)

Details (my translation):
Focal Length: 50mm
F-stop range: f/1.4～f/16　
Focusing distance: 0.45m～∞　
Lens contruction: 6 groups 7 elements
Filter thread size: 58mm　
Weight: 330g　
Maximum diameter: 66mm　
Total length (from mount): 45mm　
This is a manual focus lens.
Reversible bayonet lens shade (I believe it says included).

Planar T* 1.4/85 ZF - JPY117,600 (equiv. approx AUD1,350)

Details (my translation):

Focal Length: 85mm
F-stop range: f/1.4～f/16　
Focusing distance: 1m～∞　
Lens contruction: 5 groups 6 elements
Filter thread size: 72mm　
Weight: 570g　
Maximum diameter: 77mm　
Total length (from mount): 62mm　
This is a manual focus lens
Reversible bayonet lens shade (I believe it says included).


There is also an M42 lens mount version of the 50/1.4, called the "ZS" version.

** All are listed as scheduled to be available from Feb 2006 **

[huynhie]

Those prices are not that far off the Nikkor prices.

[birddog114]

Thanks Cyanide,
Yes, it's another way to take into reconsideration.

[huynhie]

I'll be interested in the 35mm if and when it come out.

[nito]

I read that they are MF lens on a nikon mount.

[birddog114]

I read that they are MF lens on a nikon mount.

nito,
Yes, they are, and I switched myself in using lot of MF then AF in non action shooting.

[huynhie]

I read that they are MF lens on a nikon mount.

yes they are AIS lenses

[Onyx]

Well, this takes care of the high end primes for Nikon... (perhaps at the cost of sacrificing its own market share) now when are those low cost DX primes gunna pop up?!

[birddog114]

Well, this takes care of the high end primes for Nikon... (perhaps at the cost of sacrificing its own market share) now when are those low cost DX primes gunna pop up?!

Onyx,
What I have learned, they may not produce DX lens and they will manufacture all high end primes for Nikon instead of as you wrote.
Nikon + Sony + Carl Zeiss = lens + CCD

[huynhie]

For some reason I dont think we'll see any Zeiss DX lenses.

[nito]

All it means is I need to learn to MF more often if I want to lust for these lens. The price is not bad.

[birddog114]

All it means is I need to learn to MF more often if I want to lust for these lens. The price is not bad.

nito,
To improve and quick learning in photography, using MF will have more chance to upper your skill.

[james m]

Carl Zeiss lenses for Nikon F-Mount

Planar T* 1.4/50 ZF - JPY58,800 (equiv. approx AUD675)

this I will be interested in to replace my Nikkor 50/1.4D

[huynhie]

The Zeiss site now has the "official" announcement

[birddog114]

The Zeiss site now has the "official" announcement

Happy lusting!!!!!

[huynhie]

Did you see the other two lenses a macro-planar and a distagon

Link to dpreview thread

[Steffen]

This is very exciting stuff! I can't wait to see what other lenses will be announced up until and at the Photokina. I wonder what distribution channels for these lenses we're going to have in Oz. I wouldn't mind Birdy and Poon ganging up to bring some into the country at good prices...

According to zeiss.de, the ZF lenses have a very large throw in the focussing ring, which makes obtaining precise focus a lot easier than with what we are used to now, even considering AiS Nikkors.

They also say that the aperture is near perfectly round, which should give good bokeh and minimise nasty interaction with digital sensors.

If I can get my hands on the 85 f/1.4 ZF I'll buy it and sell my 85 f/1.8 AF Nikkor...

Cheers
Steffen.

[nito]

I am building up my MF Chi in preparations for the ZF. Very interested in the 85 mm 1.4

[birddog114]

I am building up my MF Chi in preparations for the ZF. Very interested in the 85 mm 1.4

Unless, you u/g to the D200, the D70s won't have much benefits with the AIS or MF.

[Heath Bennett]

I wonder how the zeiss will compare to the noct... Could be cheaper quality with less coma.

[nito]

Unless, you u/g to the D200, the D70s won't have much benefits with the AIS or MF.

I am working on that problem birddog, slowly wearing away the barriers. slowly, slowly, slowly she will crack!

[james m]

Unless, you u/g to the D200, the D70s won't have much benefits with the AIS or MF.

there is nothing wrong with using manual focus lenses on a D70, I have a mate who uses nothing but manual focus lenses on his D100's

[birddog114]

Unless, you u/g to the D200, the D70s won't have much benefits with the AIS or MF.

there is nothing wrong with using manual focus lenses on a D70, I have a mate who uses nothing but manual focus lenses on his D100's

Yes, nothing wrong with both D100 or D70 with the AIS or MF lenses
I'm talking about the meter not the two bodies do not work with AIS or MF lens.
Shooting MF or AIS on those bodies similar "blind shooting" or "guessing" until you get used to them (the lenses + body) or you may need the light meter

[birddog114]

And the D200 or D2 can metering with those AIS or MF lenses.

[elffinarts]

I'm surprised at the nice low prices. I'd assumed them to be a fair bit more costly than ~au$650

**cheerily adds to SU800 on shopping list to bug wife with** hehe

[birddog114]

I'm surprised at the nice low prices. I'd assumed them to be a fair bit more costly than ~au$650

**cheerily adds to SU800 on shopping list to bug wife with** hehe

NLD is very sick!!!!!!!

[elffinarts]

I'm surprised at the nice low prices. I'd assumed them to be a fair bit more costly than ~au$650

**cheerily adds to SU800 on shopping list to bug wife with** hehe

NLD is very sick!!!!!!!

NLD? You've lost me there mate.

[birddog114]

I'm surprised at the nice low prices. I'd assumed them to be a fair bit more costly than ~au$650

**cheerily adds to SU800 on shopping list to bug wife with** hehe

NLD is very sick!!!!!!!

NLD? You've lost me there mate.

Nikon Lust Disease

[elffinarts]

LMFAO!! so true

[Grev]

I might be interested in both of them actually!! The prices aren't too bad!!

[elffinarts]

Zeiss just emailed an update:
Prices for ZF-lenses Now Set (excl. VAT):

Planar T* 1.4/50 ZF: 499.00 EUR = about AU $800
Planar T* 1.4/85 ZF: 999.00 EUR = about AU $1600

NLD is still alive and kicking!

The new ZEISS ZF lenses went to test for resolving power recently. Attached to a Nikon F6, which was mounted on a Sachtler heavy duty tripod, we exposed our Eastman resolution test chart onto Kodak Imagelink HQ film. The best we had ever achieved before with any SLR lenses was 250 lp/mm.

The new Planar T* 1.4/85 ZF achieved that same resolution at f/5.6, and even down to f/2.

The new Planar T* 1,4/50 ZF went even further: It reached 320 lp/mm in the aperture range from f/5.6 to f/2.8, and 250 lp/mm at f/2.

The resolution test chart was placed in the center of the frame, and the negatives were inspected directly on a research microscope. No other process involving projection (through even the best enlarging lens) or digitizing (in today's best currently available scanners) is capable of transferring such high resolution values.

What we are saying is this: Carl Zeiss lenses are capable of capturing enormous amounts of information, if required, and will not be the limiting factor in the imaging process. Knowing that the lens you are using is the strongest link in the chain always inspires confidence, and may be critically important in some cases.

from
http://www.zeiss.com/c12567a8003b58b9/C ... 1c00693b3f

[birddog114]

Pls. note:
Buying direct from Zeiss and pay at their full SRP.
Buying from their dealers, perhaps 10-20% cheaper.
It's natural.

[elffinarts]

Pls. note:
Buying direct from Zeiss and pay at their full SRP.
Buying from their dealers, perhaps 10-20% cheaper.
It's natural.

is there an Australian dealer for Zeiss?

[birddog114]

Pls. note:
Buying direct from Zeiss and pay at their full SRP.
Buying from their dealers, perhaps 10-20% cheaper.
It's natural.

is there an Australian dealer for Zeiss?

No, not at this stage but perhaps will be one in the near future.

[huynhie]

Some sample photos can be found here

[padey]

I like the look of the 50mm. 85mm doesn't do it for me as the Nikon 85mm f1.4 is really really good. The bokeh of the nikon 85mm is unmatched.

My colleague uses the Canon 85mm f1.2, but the bokeh isn't as good as the Nikon 85mm.

Anyone know the best place to buy one? Local or OS?

[Alpha_7]

Interesting, I'd be keen to see any members shots of these when and if they get them. See how they compare to Nikon lens, in real world tests/shots.