Sampling various Zeiss lenses on E-P1

[scottwallick]

Yesterday I received my CV Leica M to micro four thirds adapter from Stephen. So, this morning, over a cup of coffee I did a quick trial with four Carl Zeiss lenses on the Olympus E-P1:

1. Biogon 2,8/28 ZM
2. C Biogon 2,8/35 ZM
3. Planar 2/50 ZM
4. Tele-Tessar 4/85 ZM.

Now, my little experiement wasn't well planned, so I didn't produce great results. Basically I shot two pics with each lens wide open: one at closest focus, one at infiinity.

All the photos are over on my Flickr. Whatever their value, enjoy.

Here are the close focus samples.

1. Carl Zeiss Biogon T* 2,8/28 ZM (Darkness is operator's fault. I believe I accidentally spot metered while playing with the Fn function.)
   
   
2. Carl Zeiss C Biogon T* 2,8/35 ZM
   
   
3. Carl Zeiss Planar T* 2/50 ZM
   
   
4. Carl Zeiss Tele-Tessar T* 4/85 ZM
   
   

I have been quite pleased with the Tele-Tessar on the E-P1. While brings along some camera shake issues, It's a focal length I'm not terrible used to. Fun.

 

[scottwallick]

Sampling Zeiss lenses: Camera porn addendum

Sampling Zeiss lenses: Camera porn addendum

Apolgoies for neglecting the necessary camera porn. As above respectively below:

1. Olympus E-P1 with Carl Zeiss Biogon T* 2,8/28 ZM
   
   
2. Olympus E-P1 with Carl Zeiss C Biogon T* 2,8/35 ZM
   
   
3. Olympus E-P1 with Carl Zeiss Planar T* 2/50 ZM
   
   
4. Olympus E-P1 with Carl Zeiss Tele-Tessar T* 4/85 ZM
   
   

The E-P1 with the Tele-Tessar 85/4 is pretty unweidly. The C Biogon 2,8/35 is a great combo, though.

 

[ishpop]

Interestingly, they all have a similar feel to them, I guess Zeiss is consistent. haha.

For the subject, the 85mm is my fave due to DoF and framing, but I realize your intent was simple to compare the same subject across all lenses.

 

[Avotius]

Great stuff, today I bought an EP1 with the kit zoom lens as I am not much of a fan of 35mm lenses. I also got Zeiss lenses and a couple Leica's. I was surprised to find however that my jinfinance adapter does not mount to the camera! It just wont fit at all. The one I tried is the redone one they sent out to people who bought the first one and it did not focus to infinity. I dont know if they did anything else besides shiming the adapter, the original one I got I left in China, will try it out in a few weeks when I get back.

 

[nzeeman]

that tele-tessar looks pretty good - but i dont see it much on the net...

 

[scottwallick]

Agreed - I haven't come across much about it at all. I'd love to see more.

i won't dilute this thread with film pics with the Tele-Tessar, so here's a link to one pic taken on the Zeiss body, f/4 at 1/90.

It's a nice lens but, yes, slow. Almost too slow on on the E-P1. While its in-body IS does a good job, at an (135) effective 160mm focal length, camera shake is an issue when the light is anything other than bright.

But so far I've liked the vibrant colors the Tele-Tessar seems to produce. Contrasty and pretty sharp.