New ZM lens in 2013

[Tim Gray]

Looks like there is a new ZM lens coming in 2013:

For fans of the Carl Zeiss family of ZM systems for rangefinder cameras, Carl Zeiss has a special surprise in store. In 2013, at least one fast lens with M bayonet will go on sale.

http://blogs.zeiss.com/photo/en/?p=2745

 

[kmallick]

wow! can't wait to find out. welcome news indeed.

 

[nlubis]

Cool. It will be interesting to see what they come up with. In all formats, SLR, mirrorless, and especially a fast M mount lens.
I know where my tax return is going to go.

 

[lam]

Should be interesting to see what focal length it is! i'm truly interested, even though I don't own a venerable Leica M body at the moment. I've always been a fan of the Zeiss ZM glass, 50/1.4, 35/2 and vintage LTM 50/1.4 Sonnar.

 

[Monochrom]

Fine! 35/1.4???

because the 50mm line is very complete...

 

[ark8012]

Wow, Great News!!

 

[boomguy57]

I am indeed curious about what this lens is...and how much it costs!

 

[BobYIL]

Fine! 35/1.4???

because the 50mm line is very complete...

+ ONE! TWO! TWO HUNDRED!

(Hopefully with the bokeh and anti-flare characteristics of the C-Biogon.. that would be perfect.. )

 

[kmallick]

could it be a slim planar 85 f/1.4? I must be dreaming!

well they discontinued the sonnar 85 f2 and the tele-tessar 85mm f4 is a slug. otherwise a nice mid-tele for that zeiss ikon's large viewfinder and superb base length would be fantastic. well if i am dreaming, why not?

 

[FrozenInTime]

I would kind of like a 0,7/35 in ZM ( I guess only for non RF use )

 

[jsrockit]

50mm 1.4 Planar is my guess... but it's probably something more exotic.

 

[f16sunshine]

It will be an Apo Planar 50mm f1.4 that sells for $6500. One stop faster than the new Apo Summicron 50mm f2 and ... $500 less cheese to slice out of your block to get it. 😀

 

[BobYIL]

It will be an Apo Planar 50mm f1.4 that sells for $6500. One stop faster than the new Apo Summicron 50mm f2 and ... $500 less cheese to slice out of your block to get it. 😀

Cruel but true.. Only Zeiss could do such a lens and with no great fuss.. Just like the Macro-Planar 100 vs Apo-Elmarit 100; the former with f2 and still to be regarded as the reference lens of this FL...

 

[EdwardKaraa]

The only weak area in the ZM line is the 85mm upwards.

 

[Matus]

I am curios for which mirrorless system will the AF lenses for. Most probably Sony, but I think Zeiss plans to expand to other mirrorless systems too.

Let's see 🙂

 

[Monochrom]

ZM lenses and Voigltander ones are made by the same factory...if you look at the lens lines of each one, they never step into the toes of one another...let´s see which lens is at last to be released...

 

[BobYIL]

The only weak area in the ZM line is the 85mm upwards.

(Any better performing lens around this focal length?)

 

[bensyverson]

They already have a 50mm ƒ/1.5—I highly doubt they would release a 50 ƒ/1.4. 85 or beyond is simply not going to happen.

They mention in the press release:

Using lenses from the ZM series with adapters is also very popular on mirrorless system cameras.

I interpret that to mean that this new ZM will do double duty. They want to sell it to full frame users of the Ikon & Leica, as well as the much larger mirrorless market. So I think the focal length will be CSC-friendly (crop-friendly).

My guess is 28mm ƒ/1.8 or 35mm ƒ1.4. Those focal lengths work well on crop bodies, but are also very popular for FF.

 

[kxl]

24 or 25 f/1.4

 

[david.elliott]

(Any better performing lens around this focal length?)

That lens is not in the ZM line and I don't believe the quoted person meant technically weak. I believe he meant 'weak' as in the 85+ focal length does not have a variety of Zeiss lens options.