new sonnar?

[xayraa33]

will any lens manufacturer ever produce a new f1.5 or f1.4 50mm lens in LTM or Leica M mount, of the Sonnar design?...... This optical design produces its own unique look to a photograph...... Both Nikkor and Canon and the Soviets produced their version of this classic Zeiss offering, in the 1950s, some. even in the 1930s/40s..... I know it is not a cheap lens to build, but are you willing to buy a new version of this lens for your rf camera, what are your opinions on this?

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

I got the first two rolls I took with my CZ 50 f/1.5 Sonnar the very same day I took them, and I was very pleased. Of course, I think my pre-asph Summilux blows it away, but the reputation of the Sonnar is not hype.

If you look at Zeiss's own definition of "Sonnar" you'll see that they say that "today it is the basis for compact high-performance medium telephoto lenses with speeds up to f/2.8".

The Planar formula is great in "normal" focal lengths; it is reputedly (as the name hints) virtually distortion-free.

I really think that it would be a sensation if they use this formula again, perhaps retune it to compete against the ASPH Summilux, and offer the 50mm f/1.5 Sonnar.

 

[Huck Finn]

No, they will not build one today. Too expensive. I'd like one, but not at the price they would likely charge

 

[JoeFriday]

probably true.. I'm glad I got mine for $210 with a Contax IIa thrown in