New ZM lens in 2013

Would love, as many people would, a 35/1.4. And/or they should bin that 50 Sonnar and release a ZM 50/1.4 Planar. Don't know why they didn't in the first place -- that's one of the more famous optical designs they've ever had.
 
They promised a new lens, but haven't specified focal length or aperture. Other than "High Speed," I don't think we know much. A few people think a 25mm f/1.8, similar to the new CV 21mm f/1.8 that was announced. I think a few others expect a 35/1.4 or a 50/1.4. I think they may introduce a 55mm f/1.4, since they're making such a lens for the Nikon / Canon full-frame mounts.
That would be a good focal length as it is just that bit more of a difference from 35mm. On the other hand, one would have to get used to it being inside 50mm framelines.
 
While we are in the "dreaming on" mode:
I would like a ZM 28/2;
I would seriously consider a compact ZM 35/1.4;
And I would snatch up a ZM 85/2.8 without another thought.
(Although I'm guessing this last one is not in the cards, given the "fast" announcement).

Whatever it will be, I am actually hoping it will *NOT* be a Zeiss Zeiss. After all, this Rangefinder thing is just a hobby for me...
 
We really need that 85 f/2 lens back! Do you hear us Zeiss? You already have the design, just let cosina produce it, and everybody will be happy ever after.
 
Any hints or news yet? I'm thinking of getting 2 zeiss lenses for my ikon but now I can't buy them because there might be something faster or smaller soon in the future...
 
I have just purchased a Nokton 35MM F1.2 V2 - second hand (or ' preloved' in cheesy 21st centenary sales speak), which mean Zeiss will probably announce a new 35 f1.4 best performing M mount lens of that focal length/aperature ever, any day now.
 
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Haha thanks kram – but despite your heroic actions, I haven't seen anything announced

Still no news? The suspense is getting to me
 
I don't think Zeiss will announce the new ZM lenses anytime soon. The market is quickly shifting towards mirrorless, and this is where the money is.
 
A lens like this would be exactly what my mirrorless camera would need.
Why?
-usable on both APS-C and FF
-not overly bulky
-proper manual aperture ring (one more control not being on the cramped body)
-proper manual focus (low light AF is still too slow, unpredictable)
-possible to focus closer with a helicoid adapter (versatile)

If they already developed it, it will come out later on but if they don't expect it to sell that well then the price will be much higher than the 35/2.
I hope it can be a cheaper alternative for the Summilux.
 
The thing is, if it was to be released in 2013 as planned, it should be in production by now, and we would have started to see "leaks". We don't even know what FL and aperture and Zeiss did say "at least" one ZM. I think they will be very busy with the Touits for a while.
 
I contacted Zeiss to see if there were any developments, they said:

The new ZM lens will be launched by the end of this year and it will be a moderate, wide angle fast lens probably a 1,4 mm.
That´s all we can say for now, please keep yourself informed by checking on our website now and then.


NB they then clarified "1,4 mm" was a typo, it should read "f 1,4"

So a 35mm f1.4 is how I read that (eg the zeiss 35mm on the RX1 is also described as a moderate wide angle). I'd love a Zeiss fast 35mm!
 
So a 35mm f1.4 is how I read that (eg the zeiss 35mm on the RX1 is also described as a moderate wide angle). I'd love a Zeiss fast 35mm!

That sounds amazing. I'd much prefer a Zeiss fast 35 to, say, a Nokton. I'm interested to see how they would fit something like their big, heavy ZF 35 1.4 into a rangefinder aesthetic. Thanks for passing this along!
 
I contacted Zeiss to see if there were any developments, they said:

The new ZM lens will be launched by the end of this year and it will be a moderate, wide angle fast lens probably a 1,4 mm.
That´s all we can say for now, please keep yourself informed by checking on our website now and then.


NB they then clarified "1,4 mm" was a typo, it should read "f 1,4"

So a 35mm f1.4 is how I read that (eg the zeiss 35mm on the RX1 is also described as a moderate wide angle). I'd love a Zeiss fast 35mm!

Arghhh... just how many 35mm lenses am I going to accumulate! :bang:

Not exactly willing to part with my 35/2 Biogon or 35/1.2 Nokton. :(
 
thx, interesting :) wonder how much smaller new ZM could be compared to 1.2 Nokton?

I contacted Zeiss to see if there were any developments, they said:

The new ZM lens will be launched by the end of this year and it will be a moderate, wide angle fast lens probably a 1,4 mm.
That´s all we can say for now, please keep yourself informed by checking on our website now and then.


NB they then clarified "1,4 mm" was a typo, it should read "f 1,4"

So a 35mm f1.4 is how I read that (eg the zeiss 35mm on the RX1 is also described as a moderate wide angle). I'd love a Zeiss fast 35mm!
 
Very interesting news indeed. It would be nice to have a high performance 35/1.4 with no focus shift and closer MFD to use on Leica M or mirrorless bodies. However, the 35/2 is so good that Zeiss really have to design something spectacular. If it's not better than the 35/2 at f/2 I doubt many will let go of the biogon for 1stop faster.
 
Very interesting news indeed. It would be nice to have a high performance 35/1.4 with no focus shift and closer MFD to use on Leica M or mirrorless bodies. However, the 35/2 is so good that Zeiss really have to design something spectacular. If it's not better than the 35/2 at f/2 I doubt many will let go of the biogon for 1stop faster.

Not necessarily Edward, in my opinion. Just look at Leica. Just prior to the latest Leica 35mm Lux FLE, they had the 35mm f2 cron asph and the 35mm f1.4 Lux asph (pre FLE). The cron at f2 was superior edge to edge compared to the Lux asph at f2, yet many with the cron often traded up to the Lux for that extra f-stop.

The one thing 'been fairly consistent is since Zeiss and Voigtlander have a working relationship, each focal length lens that both companies produce is generally a different speed lens...such as in both their 15mm lenses, their 85mm lenses and so forth. VC already has a 35mm f1.4 . Yes, I know, both companies have a 50mm f1.5 but in that case, they couldn't be more different and designed for different purposes...so it will be interesting to see what Zeiss comes up with.

My guess is if they want to shake things up and be different and also have a lens that's not duplicated with speed by VC...they just might on the outside chance release a 28mm f1.4 in M mount. I suppose that's a tough design or it would have been done already, so Maybe that's why it's taken so much time for Zeiss to design and announce this lens.

Dave (D&A)
 
Arghhh... just how many 35mm lenses am I going to accumulate! :bang:

Not exactly willing to part with my 35/2 Biogon or 35/1.2 Nokton. :(

Yup that's my current 35mm M-Mount lineup too. I wouldn't give up my 1.2 nokton (still the champ for night work), but I'd swap the biogon for a 35 that performed as well or better, was a stop faster, while still meaningfully smaller/lighter than the big nokton.

The current 35mm summilux asph FLE would fit that bill, but $5k is a big hurdle. I'm still pretty tempted, but if Zeiss can bring something with comparable performance at a significantly better price, I'd buy it for sure.

Off the top of my head, I think I'd fairly happily pay say ~$1.5k if it was a regular spherical elements lens like the biogon, and up to ~$3k if it was a more complex floating elements and aspherics design like the FLE asph
 
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