So where is the 85mm Sonnar?

ljsegil

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The mystery lens. Has anyone seen any sign of it anywhere, touched one , put it on a camera, shot pictures with it? The great Zeiss lens vanishing (or never appearing) act?
LJS
 
FanMan has one and has shown a brilliant example.
The lens is available in retail stores in Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong and probably other places, too. I've seen one but could not handle it. It is a big, heavy lens that takes superb pictures and costs a lot. because of the size, weight and cost, it isn't my choice for a tele, although I have fantasized about what a combo it would make with the CV 35/1.2 Nokton (and strong wrists)...I am of the belief that Zeiss will surely offer a compact 85/2.8 in the near future that will satisfy my every wish and challenge me to be half as good as it...
 
sonnar

sonnar

I had the chance of fondling one at a dealership. Fresh from the box! A truely impressive piece of lens, but, the focusing feel was awful, no comparison to a Leica Lens or a even a Voigtländer. Very disappointing with that price tag and the fact that it is made in Germany.
Best regards Wolfhard
 
super yuk...
I agree. Possible reasons:

- 85/2 more difficult to focus than people think
- 1.3 crop factor makes focusing even more difficult and reduces usefulness of 85mm lenses
- Rangefinder & lens calibration is really important
- Choice of motif betrays a photo geek who is more interested in lenses than in picture taking

Philipp
 
I agree that it is hard to conclude too much from these examples. Presumably the lens is designed to be used with the ZI with its longer EBL, and on film which may render the image rather differently than a digital sensor with a 1.3 crop. Certainly conclusions regarding color rendition cannot be reached from a digital capture.
Nevertheless, not too encouraging a preview. Sean Reid seems much more positive in his latest look at the lens.
I anxiously await further appraisals from real world as well as "expert" reviewers as the lens gets out into the hands of the photographic community.
LJS
 
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