A letter to Mr Zeiss

[jjovin]

I would like to add my desire for a 75mm Zeiss M lens.
Hopefully, f2, compact, under 1.5K$ and within a year from now.

Zoran

 

[Mazurka]

In the last couple of years or so, I've been back doing some photography after a very long period of just snapping during the holidays. I have set up a digital darkroom, and tried out various types of cameras and lenses.

The more I think about it, the more I am convinced that from the technical point of view, once you have a rig with a good digital sensor, or a film one with a decent film and scanner, what really makes a difference in your images is the lens.

This not only relates to sharpness, but also to the type of drawing, in and out of focus passage characteristics, 3D rendering, colour rendering, flare resistance, versatility, size and speed.

No. Any half-decent medium format rig blows away anything in 24x36mm.

Do yourself a favour and get a Hassey, Contax 645, or even a Rolleiflex if you need as compact a camera as possible.

 

[jsuominen]

The point of this message is the following: as much as I enjoy the ZM line, I wish there were two or three extra lenses available, which would round out this line perfectly:

- a 35/1.4 Distagon, possibly much smaller than the CV 35/1.2
- a 50/1.4 Planar, possibly as good as the 50/2 Planar in the close range
- a compact Tessar f2.8 with a killer 3D effect, in the 35-50mm range

I vote for a ZM 50/1.4 Planar, too. But I don't need a 35-50mm range Tessar f/2.8, because I have a Sonnar version of it... 🙂

As for the 40, there is the Rollei 40/2.8 in LTM mount that was produced for the Rollei RF. Everything I see from that lens is superb.

Yes, Rollei Sonnar 40/2.8 in LTM is a great performer. The lens was made in Germany with co-operation of Zeiss, Rollei and Cosina. So, you can call it Zeiss lens. 🙂 Here are my sample shots with 40/2.8 lens http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsuominen/tags/rolleisonnar40mmf28

 

[Nachkebia]

mfogiel wow! amazing photo! the last one!

 

[mfogiel]

Mazurka,
The same concept applies in the MF. There is definitely a lot of difference between Zeiss lenses and other brand lenses in that format as well. BTW I already have a Hasselblad system with numerous lenses. If you look up the examples at the beginning of the thread, the 3D one is from the SWC/M and the rectilinearity example is from Planar 100/3.5, among the best lenses in that line.

 

[Fotohuis]

I would like to add my desire for a 75mm Zeiss M lens

We will see the next few weeks when the new Summarit 2,5/75mm is comming and will have a nice place with the other M-and C.V. lenses.

Eur. 1200,- (19% VAT included) is indeed still a lot of money.

Best regards,

Robert

 

[indianavince]

Carl is gone and I think I am afraid the German Ziess manufactuting is too. Frankly I think a softer lens would have rendered the "sharpness" photo better. Hey you made some great images.... and started another argument!!!

Why don't cute women photographers argue about this stuff. I knew a girl in Graduate school that did some wonderful work with the Pentax K1000 and 50mm
f2. While men waste their time in camera shops she blew me away with her images made with that cheapo camera and wonderfull lens. 16x20 full frame prints at her thesis show that were as good technically as anything you have shot here....

 

[jbf]

The only thing keepig me from buying a 50m Planar is the speed. If only it was a stop or so faster much like the sonnar I would buy it in an instant so long as it's optical characteristics are much like its slower brother.

Seriously...

 

[Mazurka]

Carl is gone and I think I am afraid the German Ziess manufactuting is too.

You need to visit www.zeiss.com/photo and the rest of their website.

 

[aoresteen]

I'm just waiting for the 85mm f/2 Sonnar. Where is it?

The only other lens that they need to make is indeed the 50mm f/2.8 Tessar; they should copy the Contaflex version.