Zeiss 85/2 gone?

[fuwen]

To me the MIG ZM 15/2.8 and 85/2 have to be seen differently from the rest of the MIJ ZMs. I feel we must thank Zeiss for making the MIJ series affordable to most people who like M photography and want something price between Leica and Voigtlander. So Zeiss has made that happen for the most commonly used focal length.

As for the two MIG ZMs, Zeiss has decided to make them special, and therefore the high price. But no matter what they are around Leica price. I dun see a reason why Zeiss cannot sell lenses at Leica price. In the Contax C/Y days they had also made very expensive high speed lenses like 55/1.2 Planar and 85/1.2 Planar.

Anyway, if they have stop producing the 85/2 Sonnar, maybe they are thinking of a cheaper f2 or a f2.8 : )

 

[kossi008]

Or maybe an 85/2.5? Hey, I can always dream... :angel:

 

[MCTuomey]

How about a Sonnar-like Ernostar 90 for US$500 or less? That would be the Konica Hexanon 90/2.8, as Andy mentioned ... 😉

+4 on the photos. Gorgeous (sonnar flaws and all).

 

[Krosya]

I love that CY f2.8/85 as well. It's essentially an Ernostar scheme iirc rather than a true sonnar. Zeiss used the same scheme in the Contax G-series f2.8/90mm. So did Konica in their f2.8/90 in M mount. Here is another from the old Contax rf lens. This one in color and with lotsa bokey at mid distance. View attachment 85301

I think these examples are a good proof that old design was great and this is what Zeiss ZM should have gone with. Great shots!

 

[hellomikmik]

btw same happened to ikon sw camera
it disappeared in silence

 

[haempe]

btw same happened to ikon sw camera
it disappeared in silence

Yes, I noticed this also. Not a nice policy, this silent retreat.

 

[tlitody]

Yes, I noticed this also. Not a nice policy, this silent retreat.

The silver (special edition) version diappeared quietly too but came back just as quietly. So it may be that its just out of stock.

I emailed zeiss and the question I asked was: Is this lens still in production?

The reply I received was:

At the moment there are no Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 2/85 ZM lenses available.
Currently we cannot confirm your order. We will inform you as soon as this product is available.

Since I hadn't ordered one I'm now confused and they didn't actually answer the question. I give up.

 

[tlitody]

I'm now looking at the CV Heliar 1.8/75. What are they like? Any recommendations?
And a bloody site cheaper.

 

[ferider]

How about a Sonnar-like Ernostar 90 for US$500 or less? That would be the Konica Hexanon 90/2.8, as Andy mentioned ... 😉.

Or how about a Sonnar-like Ernostar 90/2 for US 6-700, or so ? That would be ..... (few people realize) .... the Summicron 90/2 v3. Kind of funny if you think that the 85/2 ZM "Sonnar" is a double Gauss.

 

[aleksanderpolo]

Or how about a Sonnar-like Ernostar 90/2 for US 6-700, or so ? That would be ..... (few people realize) .... the Summicron 90/2 v3. Kind of funny if you think that the 85/2 ZM "Sonnar" is a double Gauss.

Which one is the v3? Is it the one with 90 on barrel? or the one before it? I love the drawing of contax G 90/2.8, but to have it converted is kinda painful...

 

[ferider]

Which one is the v3? Is it the one with 90 on barrel? or the one before it? I love the drawing of contax G 90/2.8, but to have it converted is kinda painful...

The one I use is the last version before the apo-asph, serial 3,177,211 - 3,750,000, E55 and yellow 90 on the barrel.

As said above, your other option is the 90/2.8 M-Hexanon.

Roland.

 

[venchka]

Coulda. Shoulda. Woulda.
Don't pine over that which is unobtainable.
Buy what you can you should.
Elmarits. Nikkors. Hexanons. Sonnars from the Dark Ages. A Summicron even.
Lots of them.

 

[MCTuomey]

Or how about a Sonnar-like Ernostar 90/2 for US 6-700, or so ? That would be ..... (few people realize) .... the Summicron 90/2 v3. Kind of funny if you think that the 85/2 ZM "Sonnar" is a double Gauss.

Great point. I've wanted to try the 90/2 v3 for awhile but just haven't looked hard enough to find one since I don't use 90s often. I would love to have an extra stop for club/music shooting.

One in the classifieds just sold for over US$1,000, yikes.

 

[MCTuomey]

I'm now looking at the CV Heliar 1.8/75. What are they like? Any recommendations?
And a bloody site cheaper.

Have you seen this thread?

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=99997

 

[tlitody]

Have you seen this thread?

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=99997

I hadn't but I have now. Looks good and impotantly is seems ideal for portraits not being too contrasty.

p.s. everytime I see your avatar I'm reminded of a pub in Corbridge I used to frequent.

 

[Tim Gray]

The one I use is the last version before the apo-asph, serial 3,177,211 - 3,750,000, E55 and yellow 90 on the barrel.

Too bad they don't go for $600-700 any more. I was looking for one for one for quite awhile for that price and never found one. I've moved on now...

 

[aleksanderpolo]

Maybe they've heard too many complaints about the "Sonnar" name and will reissue it as Planar, and sell it for more.

 

[Mister E]

Too bad they don't go for $600-700 any more. I was looking for one for one for quite awhile for that price and never found one. I've moved on now...

For me, I had little interest in such a LARGE lens. I opted for nearly the smallest and the lightest 90mm Leica ever made.

 

[Tim Gray]

For me, I had little interest in such a LARGE lens. I opted for nearly the smallest and the lightest 90mm Leica ever made.

Actually, I do have the smallest and lightest Leica 90 (I think). But it's slow and I was thinking for something I could use inside. I kept on reading about how you could get the 90/2 pre-ASPH for $600-700, which sounds pretty reasonable. I just never found one for that price. And for $1100, or whatever it is they seem to be going for, I just wouldn't use it enough to justify it...

 

[venchka]

Nikkor 85/2.0 + lifetime supply of film & chemicals + lifetime supply of petrol to carry the lens places it has never been before + Canon or Leica body to hold it. Or this vaporware Zeiss lens? My money went to the first list.