Rumor: Zeiss Digital RF in developmnent

[reverie]

Taken from the newly created Zeiss Rumors (yes there's one now for Zeiss too)

Someone seems to have some secret info. claiming that Carl Zeiss has been in "active" collaboration with Sony recently, whatever "active" means. You may think it is nothing special as the two companies have been in collaboration for years, that's how we are seeing those Sony Zeiss lenses. But apparently rather than Sony getting stuff from Zeiss, this time is Zeiss getting stuff from Sony.
Our source claims that Zeiss is working on a digital rangefinder with a Sony sensor, he goes further saying that unlike all the current dRFs the Zeiss dRF will use a CMOS sensor, making this rumor a bit hard to swallow. It's been long known that CMOS sensors are catastrophic at capturing when the light hits the sensor at a not-so-perpendicular angle, which is a common issue on dRF. This is one of the reasons why Leica's M9 chooses to use a CCD.
That's all we are told so far, we don't know release/announcement date, what size the sensor will be (yes, my title misled you), or what body it will build on (this is easy to guess, we all know it will build the Zeiss Ikon).

 

[peter_n]

Maybe they'll call it a Contax... 😉

 

[Pablito]

oooooooohhhhhhhh............RUMOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[axiom]

I know something they don't. Well, technically it's not a rumor - it's true... 😉

Were you the one tipping them?
Tell us more

 

[Trius]

Well, Sony has a new backside CMOS chip in the works, so if they can scale it to "Full Frame", who knows?

 

[Paddy C]

Would be lovely if true. I love my ZI. Could my favourite amongst all the cameras I've owned/used. And a digital to go along with the film one would be very nice.

 

[Pickett Wilson]

But what if it had no EVF? 😱

 

[MCTuomey]

Maybe they'll call it a Contax... 😉

or a zeisso-nycon ... arr, arr, arr

 

[johannielscom]

But what if it had no EVF? 😱

Let's call Gavin in to explain we don't need it😉

 

[bwcolor]

Getting everything right the first time around is a tall order. Leica has been at it for a long while and they have yet to make it. With the new M9 pushing up the cost of a 35mm format digital rangefinder, there is sure room for a less expensive competitor. Lots of ifs.. but clearly Zeiss will need to move on to digital, or get out of that side (camera bodies) of the business. I bet they will give it a go. With Cosina making the bodies, they probably are better able to acquire Japanese technology... better situated than Leica.

 

[ZeissFan]

If the camera were to use a CMOS sensor, then it would be another reason to stick with Zeiss lenses, which were designed with digital in mind as light rays strike the film plane/sensor at a 90-degree angle.

Zeiss has no responsibility to provide legacy support for Leica or Cosina Voigtlander lenses, and it gives them another reason to push sales of their lenses as being compatible or the most compatible with their cameras.

I see this as a win-win scenario for Zeiss.

 

[Keith]

Getting everything right the first time around is a tall order. Leica has been at it for a long while and they have yet to make it. With the new M9 pushing up the cost of a 35mm format digital rangefinder, there is sure room for a less expensive competitor. Lots of ifs.. but clearly Zeiss will need to move on to digital, or get out of that side (camera bodies) of the business. I bet they will give it a go. With Cosina making the bodies, they probably are better able to acquire Japanese technology... better situated than Leica.

Let's not forget that Zeiss dropped the Ikon on the market a couple of years back now ... and whether the Leica fan club like it or not it's specs and performance made the M7 look like a doorstop.

And at a third of the price ... I hope they do it! (digital)

 

[horosu]

They have updated the site. Apparently it will use Sony's EXMOR R CMOS, in which the light receiving surface is upfront (in contrast to conventional CMOS sensors), which will provide "acceptable" angle-of-incident light.

What I remember from the three ZI's I owned was the viewfinder and the very precise rangefinder. A digital equivalent for sub-5000 $ would be fantastic! However, for the time being, it's just a rumor...

 

[LeicaTom]

If they put a Sonnar f1.5 or f2 on it, I`m game.....that would be the answer to all my problems, a modern Digital camera with 60 year old plus lens tech, perfect for my PinUp Photography business 🙂

Tom

 

[kywong]

Please be true...

 

[yzblog]

I was expecting this rumor when I heard about the new Sony backlit cmos sensor
That new sensor may not be so sensitive for the angle of light hitting it
There are also rumors of new Sony dslrs using this sensor (a950 and cropped a750) coming this fall, so the sensor is ready to implement in dslrs
I'm not sure if it is ready for a drf yet...

But fingers crossed...

 

[Keith]

If this does have some substance to it ... plenty of reason to hang back on buying an M9!

It's not a rumour that Leica would be currently enjoying I would imagine. 🙂

 

[Paul T.]

it surely has to happen; the Zeiss relationship with Sony is much closer than thab between Leica and Kodak or Panasonic, and working with Zeiss on a RF would win credibility by association for SOny's D-SLRs.

But.. Sony have apparently denied the new sensor will feature in this autumn's DSLRs - the announcement was a typo apparently. At present they're only using this technology in smaller sensors.

 

[Silva Lining]

Unfortunately, nothing too juicy - but it's got my full attention.

Zeiss will be adding the 2/100 Makro-Planar ZE to their line-up this fall. I would imagine other mounts in the SLR line as well. For those that aren't aware, this lens has a bit of a cult following as well. I know I'll be in line for one.

That's the best news i've heard all week - currently saving for Nikon one with an Canon EF adapter....but now 😀

 

[veraikon]

Maybe they'll call it a Contax... 😉

Hmm "Contax" I don´t believe it. As far as I know the name belongs to Carl Zeiss Oberkochen but was rented to Kyocera to Label photographic equipment for a certain time. When Kyocera stopped to produce photographic material they don’t give the name back. So CZ has to wait till the licence agreement expires.

PS "reverie" nice nick 😉