ljsegil
Well-known
Anybody using this lens yet? Opinions, experience, pictures would be appreciated greatly. If positive enough, perhaps the kit shrinks from a 75 and a 90 (75 is annoying enough to use without framelines on the ZI) to a single 85mm? I might do something sensible for a change (doubtful, wouldn't bank on it)?
But I need to hear from real live users of the optic!
Please,
LJS
But I need to hear from real live users of the optic!
Please,
LJS
noimmunity
scratch my niche
There is a new ZM85/2 group on flickr, but it only has two members and no images so far. http://www.flickr.com/groups/zeissikon85mm/
At least one of them happens to be a member of RFF. Perhaps he will post some images soon. I think he is using an M8...
At least one of them happens to be a member of RFF. Perhaps he will post some images soon. I think he is using an M8...
ljsegil
Well-known
Actually, my ship has come in, quite unexpectedly. I have one coming from Tony Rose at Popflash, so will hopefully have something to post and report soon, postal service and a bit of free time permitting.
Larry
Larry
RObert Budding
D'oh!
I use an 85/2.0 Zeiss Jena in a Contax RF mount from the 1950's. It's hard to imagine that the new version could be any better.
noimmunity
scratch my niche
Larry, great news!
I look forward to seeing some photos. the ones shown earlier by FanMan showed oof rendering that looked unbeatable.
which 75 do you have? The AA 'cron? I'm interested in how the different minimum focus distance between the two FL (85 and 75) lengths works in practice.
what happens if you decide to keep all three lenses
?best,
jon
ljsegil
Well-known
Yes, the AA-cron, and I too am very curious. The close focus of the 75 if something I do take advantage of with some frequency.
Larry
Larry
back alley
IMAGES
that must have been some ship...
i look forward to some everyday shots from this mysterious lens.
joe
i look forward to some everyday shots from this mysterious lens.
joe
35mmdelux
Veni, vidi, vici
I presume the 90mm FL will pop up?
ljsegil
Well-known
The ZI has 85mm FL rather than 90. One of the big problems with using the 75 AA-cron on the ZI is the lack of 75mm FL. The lens brings up the 50mm lines, and one can manually flip between the 50 and the 85mm lines to guess the framing. I finally got a 75mm CV finder and found it to be the most satisfying solution when framing with the 75 is critical. I'm hoping the 85/2.0 ZM will provide the best solution of all, though it will have to be powerfully good to match the image quality of the 75 'cron. If so, expect the lens market to be flooded.
Here's hoping,
LJS
Here's hoping,
LJS
ljsegil
Well-known
Got it in my grubby little hands, will begin shooting today and hopefully have something to show for it by the end of the week, including some comparisons with at least the 75 AA'Cron.
It is a big'un though, as others have said, but I can still get it in as part of a (now tighter) four lens kit (for today ZM 35/2.8, ZM 50/1.5, 75/2.0 AA'Cron) with the ZI in the Tamrac Velocity Six sling back that I favor when on the move with my ZI.
Well, here goes, perhaps time for the 90/2.0 AA'Cron later in the week, work permitting.
LJS
It is a big'un though, as others have said, but I can still get it in as part of a (now tighter) four lens kit (for today ZM 35/2.8, ZM 50/1.5, 75/2.0 AA'Cron) with the ZI in the Tamrac Velocity Six sling back that I favor when on the move with my ZI.
Well, here goes, perhaps time for the 90/2.0 AA'Cron later in the week, work permitting.
LJS
noimmunity
scratch my niche
this will be something to watch!
back alley
IMAGES
i look forward to your results.
not like i'll be getting the lens anytime soon though
not like i'll be getting the lens anytime soon though
ljsegil
Well-known
Should be able (spouse permitting) to get some scans up over the weekend.
LJ
LJ
ljsegil
Well-known
Sonnar in hand!
Sonnar in hand!
Well, I have my first few rolls with the 2.0/85 Zeiss Sonnar back, and a few early impressions. First, it does produce photos with a Sonnar look to them, though I don't think quite as dreamy as the 1.5/50, but I wasn't shooting under the dreamiest of circumstances either (you can only shoot where you gotta be, so my apologies if the atmospherics of the examples offend anybody). I did quite a bit of shooting at closest focus and wide open, and although I did miss sharpest focus on occasions, it is easily possible to get some sharp results this way (at least with the rangefinder baseline length of the ZI). Backing off and stopping down just a bit of course helps a lot, without losing the look of the lens. I didn't detect any consistent misfocusing by the lens. I don't think this lens has quite the biting sharpness of the Leica 50/1.4 ASPH Summilux which I have used in the same setting, but I was also hampered by the 85's closest focus distance of 1 meter. I definitely missed the 0.7 meter closest focus of the Leica 50 and 75mm lenses (the project I am working on requires a lot of close work with the highest possible detail rendition, and I don't think this is the lens for this kind of work. In fact my best results not surprisingly are with medium format). In fact, the lack of closer focus is my biggest disappointment in the lens. With all the trouble Zeiss went to, floating element and all, I would have thought they could have designed the lens to achieve a closer nearest focus.
The lens is big but I found the handling to be fine, and not unbalanced on the ZI body. It feels like a longer lens and is definitely not inconspicuous, particularly with the hood attached. The front element is very prominent and is easily banged when putting on the lens cap (very difficult but possible to do without removing the hood), I plan to invest in a protective filter, which is not my usual habit. The focus throw is long enough to enable reasonably precise focusing, but perhaps a bit too long for very quick focusing (at least in my hands). The aperture ring is well separated from the focus ring and is easily set without removing the camera from the eye.
Anyway, the attached samples may give a little bit of a feel for what the lens can do. I need more opportunity to work with the lens, and some more pleasing settings, before I can form much more in the way of judgment, but so far I am pleased with what Zeiss has accomplished.
LJS
Sonnar in hand!
Well, I have my first few rolls with the 2.0/85 Zeiss Sonnar back, and a few early impressions. First, it does produce photos with a Sonnar look to them, though I don't think quite as dreamy as the 1.5/50, but I wasn't shooting under the dreamiest of circumstances either (you can only shoot where you gotta be, so my apologies if the atmospherics of the examples offend anybody). I did quite a bit of shooting at closest focus and wide open, and although I did miss sharpest focus on occasions, it is easily possible to get some sharp results this way (at least with the rangefinder baseline length of the ZI). Backing off and stopping down just a bit of course helps a lot, without losing the look of the lens. I didn't detect any consistent misfocusing by the lens. I don't think this lens has quite the biting sharpness of the Leica 50/1.4 ASPH Summilux which I have used in the same setting, but I was also hampered by the 85's closest focus distance of 1 meter. I definitely missed the 0.7 meter closest focus of the Leica 50 and 75mm lenses (the project I am working on requires a lot of close work with the highest possible detail rendition, and I don't think this is the lens for this kind of work. In fact my best results not surprisingly are with medium format). In fact, the lack of closer focus is my biggest disappointment in the lens. With all the trouble Zeiss went to, floating element and all, I would have thought they could have designed the lens to achieve a closer nearest focus.
The lens is big but I found the handling to be fine, and not unbalanced on the ZI body. It feels like a longer lens and is definitely not inconspicuous, particularly with the hood attached. The front element is very prominent and is easily banged when putting on the lens cap (very difficult but possible to do without removing the hood), I plan to invest in a protective filter, which is not my usual habit. The focus throw is long enough to enable reasonably precise focusing, but perhaps a bit too long for very quick focusing (at least in my hands). The aperture ring is well separated from the focus ring and is easily set without removing the camera from the eye.
Anyway, the attached samples may give a little bit of a feel for what the lens can do. I need more opportunity to work with the lens, and some more pleasing settings, before I can form much more in the way of judgment, but so far I am pleased with what Zeiss has accomplished.
LJS
Attachments
horosu
Well-known
Completey OT, but this is a pediatric heart procedure. Glad to know there is another fellow RFF member working in this setting .
Best, Horea
Best, Horea
ljsegil
Well-known
Hi Horea,
Still OT, but actually this is an adult coronary artery bypass grafting. I don't do kids, way too terrifying. Proximal end of the vein graft to the OM is visible just overlaying the aorta in both images.
Back OT, both images shot with the 85mm Zeiss on HP5 rated at 400, closest focus, stopped down to probably around f11, -1 EV exposure compensation. Image in this post sharpened in PS, previous image without sharpening, straight out of the scanner other than cropping, didn't even pass through PS, resized for the posting in Irfanview (quick plug, great program).
Plan to shoot some less distasteful stuff this afternoon, actually out of doors, not confined by the four walls of an OR, hopefully able to post within the coming week. See what the lens (and I) can do in a more pleasant environment.
Best,
LJS
Still OT, but actually this is an adult coronary artery bypass grafting. I don't do kids, way too terrifying. Proximal end of the vein graft to the OM is visible just overlaying the aorta in both images.
Back OT, both images shot with the 85mm Zeiss on HP5 rated at 400, closest focus, stopped down to probably around f11, -1 EV exposure compensation. Image in this post sharpened in PS, previous image without sharpening, straight out of the scanner other than cropping, didn't even pass through PS, resized for the posting in Irfanview (quick plug, great program).
Plan to shoot some less distasteful stuff this afternoon, actually out of doors, not confined by the four walls of an OR, hopefully able to post within the coming week. See what the lens (and I) can do in a more pleasant environment.
Best,
LJS
noimmunity
scratch my niche
Thanks for the quick preview. It might make an interesting series to do photos that pair hands in action with faces.
As far as the lens is concerned, your comments are very helpful. I look forward to seeing more photos from the lens and your work.
I suppose the decision about which lenses to keep isn't going to be simple...
mfogiel
Veteran
Ijsegil
If you want a stunning lens for closer up work, get the Makro Planar 100/2 - this is the sharpest lens I've ever seen, and I've seen a few... it will work great on any well calibrated Nikon body.
If you want a stunning lens for closer up work, get the Makro Planar 100/2 - this is the sharpest lens I've ever seen, and I've seen a few... it will work great on any well calibrated Nikon body.
