New ZM Lens examples?

[jano]

I was under the understanding that the ZM lenses were lateral moves from the Contax G-series -- probably more closely associated to those than the CV lenses. ZM apparently have different character than G, but based off similar designs. I'll let you know after this weekend

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

These lenses shouldn't be considered as clones of each other. I mean, it's not one line of lenses that rolls down the line and at the end, half get a CV badge, and the other half get a ZM tag.

I know that down the assembly line, one car doesn't get a Lexus "badge" and another gets a "Toyota" badge, but everybody knows they're at heart very similar, if not the same; one is just the luxury version of the other. I think that's what the conventional wisdom has been about Cosina and Zeiss lenses (for LTM/M-mount).

I don't know how or whether the production is separate, but there is such a blur of lines in the Zeiss line and its partners (Zeiss/Contax, Contax/Yashica, Voigtlaender/Schneider, Schneider/Cosina, Cosina/Contax, Contax/Zeiss) that it's confusing to those of us who are not in the know.

The design may very well be different from the current "Voigtlaender" lenses, but if they are manufactured by the same source, well, it may be as valid to say Cosina-Zeiss as it is to say Cosina-Voigtlaender.

I personally hope they won't outsource the manufacturing of their optics.

 

[Mazurka]

A manufacturer can make more than one product

A manufacturer can make more than one product

I don't know how or whether the production is separate, but there is such a blur of lines in the Zeiss line and its partners (Zeiss/Contax, Contax/Yashica, Voigtlaender/Schneider, Schneider/Cosina, Cosina/Contax, Contax/Zeiss) that it's confusing to those of us who are not in the know.

If you can take the time to browse, Cosina publishes block diagrams and photos for all Leica mount lenses they (and Zeiss) make. www.cosin.co.jp Zeiss also explains the partnership very well. www.zeiss.de and www.zeissikon.com

The design may very well be different from the current "Voigtlaender" lenses, but if they are manufactured by the same source, well, it may be as valid to say Cosina-Zeiss as it is to say Cosina-Voigtlaender.

"The same source", whether Toyota, BMW or most other auto makers, can offer a whole range of different models at different price points, even though they all have four running wheels (or two as in the BMW bikes) and one engine installed. That doesn't mean they are all basically the same car regardless of price.

Feel free to say Cosina-Zeiss if you insists on hypenating names like GM-Buick, Toyota-Lexus or Honda-Acura.

Anyway, Voigtlander is merely a brand name, but Zeiss is a huge, thriving conglomerate. Big difference there.

I personally hope they won't outsource the manufacturing of their optics.

But they already have - to keep the costs down, whether it is true or not.

Guess what? The BMW X5 is not made by BMW either but an Austrian contractor. You'd better call it Magna-Steyr-BMW.

 

[Mazurka]

That's www.cosina.co.jp

 

[Mazurka]

Darn, Magna Steyr makes the BMW X3, not X5.

 

[FPjohn]

Cousins?

Cousins?

Perhaps CV and "Zeiss" lines are cousins.

Yours
Frank