aizan
Veteran
Better views of the focusing tab. I LOVE the new design.
https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20210215-1733701/
https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20210215-1733701/
das
Well-known
It's funny that the Zeiss lenses have generally had no variations but the VC lenses evolve constantly. To me, once the VC lenses start outperforming the Zeiss equivalents, the latter should probably end production or at least come out with a next generation. Some of those Zeiss designs are 15-20 years old now. I would like to see more latest VC versus Zeiss tests.
I get the SLR lens size thing. The newest SLR retrofocal aspherical lens designs are finally edging out rangefinder lenses in terms of performance. I mean, have you seen the MTFs for Nikon mirrorless prime lenses?
Voigtlander really should consider having a new film rangefinder camera as well as a digital full frame version on the same platform. A $1,000 film camera (like a next gen Hexar RF or Ikon) and a $2,000 M10 alternative would capture lots of folks who are in the mid range market for this stuff.
I get the SLR lens size thing. The newest SLR retrofocal aspherical lens designs are finally edging out rangefinder lenses in terms of performance. I mean, have you seen the MTFs for Nikon mirrorless prime lenses?
Voigtlander really should consider having a new film rangefinder camera as well as a digital full frame version on the same platform. A $1,000 film camera (like a next gen Hexar RF or Ikon) and a $2,000 M10 alternative would capture lots of folks who are in the mid range market for this stuff.
james.liam
Well-known
Aside from the lenses discontinued and not revised by Zeiss, there are rumors that many are already out of production and what’s available is really new-old stock. Kudos to them for introducing the superb 1,4/35 to everyone’s surprise but the future of ZM glass remains moribund.
Cosina does have finite resources and being the conduit of all Zeiss glass nowadays, must keep them busy. It is a shame that they have withdrawn from the film camera business because if anyone had the know-how and tooling for both 135 RF and 120 cameras, it’s them. Entry level Nikon and Olympus film SLRs were Cosina for over a decade as well as the short-lived, now cult camera Fujifilm GF670.
Cosina does have finite resources and being the conduit of all Zeiss glass nowadays, must keep them busy. It is a shame that they have withdrawn from the film camera business because if anyone had the know-how and tooling for both 135 RF and 120 cameras, it’s them. Entry level Nikon and Olympus film SLRs were Cosina for over a decade as well as the short-lived, now cult camera Fujifilm GF670.
On a site where people use 90 year old 35mm cameras and lenses, I fail to see how this is an issue.
das
Well-known
I'm not saying that all Zeiss M-mount lenses should be rounded up and pitched. What I am saying is that if VC lenses become better than the older Zeiss lenses, it makes little sense to continue producing the latter (in the case they are not already discontinued, as noted above). It would be like if Yashica at some point had started producing SLR lenses that were better and cheaper than 1980s/1970s Contax lenses. If Zeiss is essentially done with M-mount lenses, and VC lenses become just as good or better and cheaper, there is no need for a "Lexus to Toyota" paradigm of production, where old Zeiss lenses are still selling for 20-30% more than the VC equivalents.
james.liam
Well-known
Digital color sensors (and color film) are not ideal media for legacy lenses and 20 year-old glass designed for film presents similar problems. The ZM 21 C is a prime example (“Italian flag” color bands in the corners, smearing on color sensors).
stompyq
Well-known
So maybe some of us use film and not digital sensors?
james.liam
Well-known
...myself included. ‘Horses for courses’, as the adage goes.
Cosina made them for Zeiss, but Zeiss isn't owned by Cosina right? Some CV lenses were already better than Zeiss ZM lenses 15 years ago...
james.liam
Well-known
Zeiss subcontracted the construction to Cosina. Before that to Kyocera. They own the patents, the designs and they determine specifications.
VM lenses were more of mixed bag in the early days, in terms of build, optical design and tendency to develop haze and fungus. Those teething pains are long gone. The Cosina SL series of lenses for SLRs were top-notch from the start.