New ZM lens in 2013

[EdwardKaraa]

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)

I think you're right about the lux vs cron analogy, so it must be similar with the ZM. I was probably talking about myself and my own preferences. Anyhow, I'm sure it's going to be a spectacular lens, no matter whether it's a 35 or 28, judging from the latest Zeiss introductions. at least, I hope so.

 

[horosu]

I, too, am betting on a 28/1.4, for the reasons stated above:

1) No duplication with the existing CV/Zeiss lineup
2) No Leica 28/1.4 to compete against

However, I still think there are never enough 35/1.4's out there 🙂.....This FL is just perfect on a rangefinder.

A 35/1.4 ZM would be a fantastic lens and would sell in much higher numbers as any 28/1.4, IMHO.

Regards, Horea

 

[sanmich]

would love a 35 f/1.4 or a 28 f/2 (or a 50 1.4 planar, but the "wide" anouncement rules it out)
half a year waiting. mhhh....

 

[padam]

http://www.cameraegg.org/zeiss-28mm-f1-4-85mm-f1-4-to-be-announced-in-2013/
I guess it will be 28mm if this rumor is not about SLR lens

 

[sleepyhead]

I'm hoping for a 28mm f/1.4.

That would really fill an unmet niche, and I would find one useful, if it isn't too large.

 

[Archlich]

I'm hoping for a 28mm f/1.4.

That would really fill an unmet niche, and I would find one useful, if it isn't too large.

It will be too large - take the current f/2 offerings for reference.

 

[furbs]

It will be too large - take the current f/2 offerings for reference.

Because of this, I think it will more likely be a 35 1.4. I think there's a market for such a lens if it's between the Nokton 1.2 and 1.4 in size.

 

[white.elephant]

I'd buy any of the lenses speculated in the thread above; any new ZM lens is welcome.

 

[Markus]

I would like to see a new Zeiss Ikon ZI, maybe a digital version. Just a 36x24mm Sensor and a screen on the back. No further changes like electric viewfinder because it needs too much energy. The rangefinder is a precise tool for focussing and works without power from the battery.

Perhaps a new Biogon, that combines the IQ of the C-Biogon and as fast as the 2.8-version 😎

Since mirrorless is becoming popular I think a new ZI (D) is the way to go. Or have most people forgotten what mirrorless really means 😀

 

[NazgulKing]

It will be too large - take the current f/2 offerings for reference.

Any lens of this variety will likely be at least have a front element of 3cm in diameter.

 

[sleepyhead]

It will be too large - take the current f/2 offerings for reference.

It's folly to speculate on anything related to this lens at this stage, but...

..."too large" is obviously a matter of personal limits.

For me, if Zeiss made a 28/1.4 lens that was basically the same size as the Leica 24/2.8 Elmarit ASPH that would be "ok large", but a lens the size of the 24/1.4 Summilux would be too big. In that case I would stick with the 28/2 Summicron I'm now using.

I have no idea if it's possible to design and build a good 28/1.4 that is similar in size to the Leica 24/2.8.

 

[white.elephant]

Man, a 28 f/1.4.... dreaming .... but I agree there is a limit to the size I'd be willing to work with.

 

[NazgulKing]

It's folly to speculate on anything related to this lens at this stage, but...

..."too large" is obviously a matter of personal limits.

For me, if Zeiss made a 28/1.4 lens that was basically the same size as the Leica 24/2.8 Elmarit ASPH that would be "ok large", but a lens the size of the 24/1.4 Summilux would be too big. In that case I would stick with the 28/2 Summicron I'm now using.

I have no idea if it's possible to design and build a good 28/1.4 that is similar in size to the Leica 24/2.8.

General ballpark figure for the size would be going by the f/# formula: focal length/entrance pupil diameter. So for a 28mm/f1.4 lens, it'd be a 20mm entrance pupil. Because of tolerances, and the desired field of view, the final front element would be probably be 1.5 times that at the least. Possibly more. If they use the retrofocus design, it means the back focal length would be long, and so we have a rather large lens...

 

[kram]

Folks 'medium wide angle' from the zeiss zm lens pages, is 35mm; 28mm is discribed as 'wide angle'. Would we like a lens smaller than the Leica FLE, and for it to be inferior is all respects, or larger/heavy but better ? I vote for better.

 

[Monochrom]

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!

To me that means also 35mm f1.4!!!

Would be really nice, waht will i do with my c-biogon!!!

 

[santela]

I really don't see a 28/1.4, it's going to be about 52mm. I'm counting on a 28/2 or a 35/1.4 to keep the size reasonable.

 

[Black]

Anyone any more info on this yet? Checked the Zeiss website and still no news (not surprising, as they're still listing the Ikon).

Anyone with any reliable "insider" knowledge?

 

[kram]

Less than 4 months until 2014. Might get announced along with a digital Ikon, who knows.

 

[lam]

I'm thinking new range of Touit for Leica's.
You put it on the camera and it just melts into a X-Pro1.

 

[regular]

Leica specialist Jean-Marie Sepulchre wrote that the micro-lenses on the sensor of the Leica M have a different profile than on the Leica M9's.

On one hand, in the Leica M9, the micro-lenses were designed to focus oblique light rays, and optimised for wide-angle lenses.

On the other hand, in the Leica M, those micro-lenses were optimised to gather as much light as possible with normal lenses.

If true, then Zeiss might have been force to redesign their lens.


my 2 cents.