85/2.0 Sonnar Anybody??????

[horosu]

Thanks Larry for the correction,

I was assuming pediatric because the cannulae seemed small, but that was just an impression, it seems.

Looking forward to other shots with your Sonnar.

Best, Horea

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

 

[YEGEY]

I really wonder how this new ZM 85 compares to old Sonnar design lenses, such as Nikon 85/2 ltn, or even Jupiter 9 (which, I'm sure, mechanically is not even close to ZM)? I have seen some absolutely stunning photos from those and wonder if this lens betters them in any way. Unfortunately not many photos are out there from new ZM 85, so hard to tell. But from what little I have seen, and considering the price of ZM vs Old Ltm 85 lenses, I really cant see a good reason, other than collector value, to get this new ZM 85. Any thoughts on this?

 

[horosu]

Sean Reid has a comprehensive review of the 90 mm FL M-lenses. The Zeiss 85 is simply outstanding...

Regards, Horea

 

[noimmunity]

different 85/2s

different 85/2s

I really wonder how this new ZM 85 compares to old Sonnar design lenses, such as Nikon 85/2 ltn, or even Jupiter 9 (which, I'm sure, mechanically is not even close to ZM)? I have seen some absolutely stunning photos from those and wonder if this lens betters them in any way. Unfortunately not many photos are out there from new ZM 85, so hard to tell. But from what little I have seen, and considering the price of ZM vs Old Ltm 85 lenses, I really cant see a good reason, other than collector value, to get this new ZM 85. Any thoughts on this?

It is sure that the ZM lens will better them in some ways (contrast, color, sharpness), isn't it? But then, these old sonnars will offer a look that is different. And that can be stunning.

I recently shot a conference with the 85/2 Nikkor on Eastman 5222 Double X. Really pleased with the results. For other applications I'd rather have the ZM lens, but for head and shoulder portraits of a scholarly proceeding, the aberrations of the Nikkor lens are simply endearing!

sharp enough without being too clinical...

So far, my use for tele lenses on an RF is limited. Above 50 I often just switch to an SLR. But when I'm travelling to a conference and want to document the people, it's easier to take only one body. F/2 is pretty useful in these venues, so for me, the Nikkor 85/2 (black) is really perfect.

Here is an example of a photo where I wished I would have had the definition and contrast of the ZM 85/2:

Temple Festival, Tamsui, Taiwan.

So I'm still waiting for the ZM 85/2.8 . I expect it will outdo the M Hex 90 I have in every way.

 

[ljsegil]

I do have the Nikon 85/2 in a Contax SC mount and could try some comparisons with the Zeiss ZM as I get the time. I do not have the Nikon 85/2 in the Nikon S mount (anybody trying to unload one, particularly in black??) or the older Zeiss 85/2 Sonnar for the SC Contax, so cannot provide any insight into those. The OR is not the most conducive setting for these lens comparisons, but I'll do what I can, and maybe someday even get some time out of doors.
More 2.0/85 Zeiss Sonnar images pending, will post as able.
Best,
Larry

 

[Krosya]

To me those images from Nikkor 85/2 look at least as good as ones from ZM 85. So far I really dont see why I'd want a ZM one. I hope there will be more ZM 85/2 pics posted to show what that lens can do, but so far Hex 90 and Nikkor 85 seem to be a better choice to me.

 

[furcafe]

Nice, & compelling, examples.

I think 1 of Zeiss's main goals w/the Sonnar may have been simply to get better close-up results than its main target/competition, the Leica 90/2 APO-Summicron ASPH, which also only focuses down to 1m & is not known for delivering its best results @ close distances.

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.
LJS

 

[the_jim]

Slightly off-topic (and perhaps covered elsewhere): why does Zeiss refer to this lens as a Sonnar? Judging by the block diagram it seems to be a Gauss derivative lens.

I only mention this, because it is being compared to Nikon 85/2 which is a Sonnar design.

I'm sure this lens is phenomenal, but it would still be nice to see Zeiss use all of their tricks and make some RF lenses in the vein of their master primes.

 

[summilux]

i only have the old/original contax/50s version.

 

[photovdz]

Having both (well more than both) version of the historical sonnar, I suspect that there are subtle difference between nikkor and Zeiss version... As there are difference in the 50mm version where the nikkor excels at close and mid distance... as the Zeiss is better from mid to infinite...
I'll make a roll with 4 versions
Post war Coated CZJ (the original sonnar in coated version) / Zeiss Opton FT coated version (the rarest of the rarest, noone knows what TF means...) recomputed / a nikkor for contax version... / and a jup 9 ... so all on contax mount on a bessaR2C
Wait and see... if any one has a spare ZI lense I could compare ;-)

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

i only have the old/original contax/50s version.

Yep, me too. I really like it; the images are wonderful shot wide open. Its handling is a little odd, compared with all the other lenses I own (the next one in odd handling for me is the 40mm f/2 CLE M-Rokkor, although that's one smooth-focusing lens).

It's a lens that needs time and dedication; not for casual shooting with the Contax-to-Leica adapter.

 

[photovdz]

and for non casual shooting, is the adapter allright ? ;-)

 

[summilux]

yeap, the handling of those old contax lens is odd to say the least, you know the lens is designed by the engineer with the least contribution from photographers.

i am using it on R2C, from Cosina. those adapters on ebay are not really well made and quite expensive. hopefully one day Cosina will release some adapters for contax to leica.

the sonnar bokeh is the one to die for.

 

[Tony Rose]

Zeiss 85mm F2.0

Zeiss 85mm F2.0

Well after 2 years of waiting, Popflash Photo now has the Zeiss 85MM F2.0 ZM finally in stock.

TR🙂

 

[dcsang]

Well after 2 years of waiting, Popflash Photo now has the Zeiss 85MM F2.0 ZM finally in stock.

TR🙂

WHOA 🙂

that's cool.. seriously.. cuz I really thought the lens was going to be a "pie in the sky" one 🙂

Way to go Tony!! 🙂
Dave

 

[back alley]

congrats tony!

but i'm afraid to check to check out the price...

 

[Hacker]

May I know what framelines the ZM85 bring up on a Leica?

 

[Hacker]

May I know what framelines the ZM85 bring up on a Leica?

Found out that it brings up the 90mm frameline.

 

[Hacker]

I find the Zeiss huge both in terms of width and length compared to another Sonnar gem, the Nikkor 8.5cm f2:

 

[fuwen]

I find the Zeiss huge both in terms of width and length compared to another Sonnar gem, the Nikkor 8.5cm f2:

Hacker, u are really tempting me for the 85/2, size of lens not a problem to me. But luckily the price of the lens is not so tempting ha ha!

Based on MTFs the 85/2 is better then the ZF/ZK.... series of 85/1.4, was surprise because for this focal length SLR designs should not need to cater clearance for the mirror.