Birth of the Zeiss Ikon 85mm f/2.0 Sonnar?

[awilder]

I hope that when they redo the mechanics, they also increase the focus throw a little more. It's a very fast focus like the 75/2 APO Summicron and I feel it hurts the ability to precisely focus the lens thus take advantage of it's great optics.

 

[SDK]

I have the pre-ASPH model which is just a hair longer than the 75 Cron. ... snipped ... What the 15 and 85 ZM have are floating elements for close-range correction, a first for any RF lens ...

Not to poo-poo the new 85mm/2 ZM, which will surely be a fine optic. However, though Zeiss announced their tele before the Leica 75mm/2, which also has floating elements, Zeiss is tardy in manufacturing and marketing their lens. Leica actually produced and marketed the first floating element RF lenses with the 75mm/2 two years ago and the 50mm/1.4 ASPH later.

 

[x-ray]

My 90 Cron focuses perfectly at f/2 and 1 m on my 0.85 M6TTL, thank you very much. 😀

My 90 apo asph is very disappointing performance at less than 8-10 feet even at 5.6. It's soft even compared to my v1 90 Elmarit. I was so disappointed that I dent it in for service and to ber checked and the report was it's perfectly fine. Beyond 10 ft it's excellent but much of my work is close and I want tack sharp images. I don't take much stock in Erwin P's reports but even he reported it was the poorest performer of the 85/90 lenses he tested at close range. The Canon 85 1.2 out performed it in his test and the 85 f2 Sonnar prototype that he had beat them all. Since I work close with my 90 I'm planning on buying the Sonnar as soon as it's released. I may ditch the summicron apo.

Overall I'm much more pleased with my Zeiss ZM lenses than I am my current crop of Leica glass. I would immagine the Sonnar will follow the others in performance with even better build. Not that there's any problem with the build of the ZM's.

 

[Ronald M]

90 pre ASph and ASPH and the 90 2.8 current all go soft up close. The 90 4.0 macro does not.

Leica was right, the lens is OK

 

[RObert Budding]

I'll keep my CZJ

I'll keep my CZJ

I picked up a very nice 85/2 Zeiss Jena (post-war) lens for about $300 (when I factor in the CLA). So I see no need for a Sonnar an M-mount.

 

[Berliner]

Where is that CZ 85? Any word yet?
RE:90 AA--big, heavy, somewhat soft until f5.6. I traded this in for 90 Elmarit-M: Smaller, lighter, performance wide open is fine, and sharper from f4 on. Though the size was the primary factor. I had/have no focus problems on either wide open, at short distances, or otherwise, on an M6ttl, and MP. I use/have used Leica, CZ, Konica, & VC lenses on my Leicas. The CZ wides are great, the Leica 50 & 90's are great, the VC, ultra fast wides, and ultra wide wides are great. We are very lucky to have so many brands of excellent M lenses ranging from VERY affordable, to legendary, sell-your-first-born- expensive. Even in the LH/A publications they ACTUALLY discuss the CZ's, and VC's M-mounts, without disdain...

 

[jjovin]

Where is that CZ 85? Any word yet?

The word today from Richard Schleuning of Zeis USA is that the Sonnar 85mm f2 will start shippint in about 2 months from now. Based on the images and a review at the link below it appears to beat the similar Leica lenses.
http://www.imx.nl/photosite/zeiss/test85/t004.html


Zoran

 

[sepiareverb]

I really like the way the Zeisse render colors. The G's and the ZM 28 are great at color. I'm just got the first roll of color going with the ZM25, but I will bet it will be much the same.

 

[JSpicer]

85mm Sonnar and 15mm Distagon production resumes

85mm Sonnar and 15mm Distagon production resumes

Check this link to the Carl Zeiss web site http://www.zeiss.com/C12567A8003B58B9/ContentsWWWIntern/F5F4F7360656084AC12572ED004641F7 .

 

[Bullwinkle]

Check this link to the Carl Zeiss web site http://www.zeiss.com/C12567A8003B58B9/ContentsWWWIntern/F5F4F7360656084AC12572ED004641F7 .

Here's the text. It must have just been posted within the last couple of days:


Available Soon: Sonnar T* 2/85 ZM
and Distagon T* 2,8/15 ZM

Availability and delivery of the Sonnar T* 2/85 ZM was delayed until now. Finally, we were able to improve the telephoto lens in such way that it meets the high standard requirements of Carl Zeiss. Thanks to which we started the serial production immediately.

The first batch of the Distagon T* 2.8/15 ZM has been delivered completely and we have started with the second batch now.

We ask you kindly to have a little patience as due to a large demand of theses lenses the advance orders must be settled with priority. To receive such a lens, please pass your order to your trusted local photo dealer as soon as possible.

 

[haagen_dazs]

it seems like this 85/2 lens is coming in JUNE
http://www.bigcameraworkshops.com/default2.asp

 

[FanMan]

if there is another delay I will definitively have a look at the new Leica Summarit 90mm. It is expected for November and has further advantages (not so big, much cheaper)

 

[Nachkebia]

Indeed Summarits will bring alot of competition in that segment...

 

[FanMan]

indeed - and the more I think about the 90mm the more interesting it gets for me. Minimal focus distance is 1m - fine for me. Maximum aperture is 2.5 - fine for me - even 2.8 would be sufficient. And I am not sure whether the "floating elements" will work properly from the beginning or whether there will be some "surprises" as with the C-Sonnar. And the price difference ...

The only doubts I have is that the framelines show 85mm while the lens has 90mm - not sure whether this will be a problem or not.

 

[troym]

The only doubts I have is that the framelines show 85mm while the lens has 90mm - not sure whether this will be a problem or not.

The 85mm framelines on the ZI are spot on for 90mm lenses. Shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Lars Menzel]

if there is another delay I will definitively have a look at the new Leica Summarit 90mm. It is expected for November and has further advantages (not so big, much cheaper)

Don't worry.

I will get my 2.0/85 tomorrow. 🙂)
My merchant has called me today that it is in Shop now!
I can't wait till then.

So no more delay.

Lars F. Menzel

PS: You don't get floating Elements from Leica so far.

 

[thomasw_]

The Zeiss 15mm, and 85mm seem to be cases of 'we can do better than anyone else : if we so choose' - which can sometimes be just what's required.

I guess you mean by required, that this product's price point is required by zeiss in the market? I can say that for me, however, this lens is way beyond my means, hardly required perhaps only dreamed🙂 For the hobbyist, workingman like myself, we can save and afford the great zm wides 18 mm to 50mm; but for the 15 and 85 FLs, the VC lenses and the used market offer very fine alternatives, particularly when one considers how rarely these FLs are used by most RF users. I think you have to be very, very wealthy or a pro photographer like xray to buy the specialty ZM 15 and 85 lenses.

respectfully, thomas

 

[FanMan]

Don't worry.

I will get my 2.0/85 tomorrow. 🙂)
My merchant has called me today that it is in Shop now!
I can't wait till then.

Then it would be great if you could share your impressions as soon and as detailed as possible 🙂 of course test shots would be also very much appreciated.

 

[Lars Menzel]

My first shots with the new 2/85.
All with aperture 2.0 on my M8.

This are only testshots no good fotos you know ;-)

Lars F. Menzel

 

[haagen_dazs]

have the USA dealers started taking orders on this lens ?