Zeiss 85mm f2 ZM Lens on an M9 - How Good Is It?

[ZagatoV12]

Hi Folks,

Does anyone else have any field experience with this lens they would like to share? Or images showing portraits, group shots or street work.

I've just updated an extensive review of the Zeiss 85mm Sonnar lens on my M9 which is at http://www.theintuitivelens.com/equ...2-zm-sonnar-lens-review-revised-and-extended/ if anyone is interested in what I found and would like to add their views

Mike

 

[D&A]

Hi Mike,

I just read your revised, excellent report on this lens. It's very high on my list but only if I can luck out on one at a reasonable price without breaking the bank 🙂 . I did have a question though. The Leica 90mm f2 pre asph (E55) is a lens that in some way optically has similar traits to the Zeiss. Namely at f2, it has a ideal roundness thats works exceptionally well for portratits. A little bit of this roundness can still seen at f2.8 and by f4, it pretty much matches the last 90mm f2.8 (elmarit-M) adn 90mm f2.0 AA.....extremely sharp.

One other attribute of many fo the 90mm f2 pre asph, is that when shot at f2 and somewhat at f2.8 with lens set to infinity and subjects such as a distant detailed building at just around what would be considered the infinity distance and beyond, sharpness falls off quite dramatically, rendering the building quite soft. Yes at mid distances and of course close range, the lens at f2 and f2.8 renders nicely in terms of sharpness (as described above).

Since most of your representitive shots were at f4 and smaller apertures, did you shoot anything at distance (infinity) at f2, f2.8 and f4 and compare? I'd be quite interested in the results (especially the 100% crops at these three f-stops and subjects at distance.

Thanks!

Dave (D&A)

 

[horosu]

Superb review of the lens!! Congratulations!

 

[RHD]

I just uploaded a shot using the 85 ZM inside a Starbucks in a fairly strongly backlit situation. The small size upload is not completely respresentative. This was really a test shot from the first day of use. A link to the same shot on Smug Mug might be more useful. http://rhdilworth.smugmug.com/photos/1144364725_U3naE-XL.jpg

 

[sojournerphoto]

I'll try and add something later. It's a cracking lens on the M9, though my little M-Rokkor 4/90 is also very sharp, but can't do f2, alas.

Mike

 

[ZagatoV12]

Hi Mike,

......... One other attribute of many of the 90mm f2 pre asph, is that when shot at f2 and somewhat at f2.8 with lens set to infinity and subjects such as a distant detailed building at just around what would be considered the infinity distance and beyond, sharpness falls off quite dramatically, rendering the building quite soft. Yes at mid distances and of course close range, the lens at f2 and f2.8 renders nicely in terms of sharpness (as described above).

Since most of your representative shots were at f4 and smaller apertures, did you shoot anything at distance (infinity) at f2, f2.8 and f4 and compare? I'd be quite interested in the results (especially the 100% crops at these three f-stops and subjects at distance.

Thanks!

Dave (D&A)

Hello Dave,

Thank you very much for your comments. Actually, I think I did do some longer range shots with buildings in the background. I also recall, in my background reading, that someone else remarked on its infinity rendering. Let me look again at my other images and get back to you in the next few days. A very intriguing question. 🙄

Mike

 

[venchka]

I would strongly suggest that anyone needing an 85mm/2.0 lens look for the 1950s vintage LTM Nikkor lens. Take your camera and new lens on a very long road trip with your savings.

 

[sojournerphoto]

I would strongly suggest that anyone needing an 85mm/2.0 lens look for the 1950s vintage LTM Nikkor lens. Take your camera and new lens on a very long road trip with your savings.

Aye, you're probably right🙂

I've always liked 85/90s and seem to have collected (over many years!) one canon FD 85/1.8 one ef 85/1.8 an M-Rokkor 90/4 and the ZM. Not a bad lens amongst them. I'd go to one if they all fitted the same body...

Mike

 

[ramosa]

Sean Reid has a great review of this lens. You should check it out. Well worth the yearly fee IMO.

 

[D&A]

Hello Dave,

Thank you very much for your comments. Actually, I think I did do some longer range shots with buildings in the background. I also recall, in my background reading, that someone else remarked on its infinity rendering. Let me look again at my other images and get back to you in the next few days. A very intriguing question. 🙄

Mike

Hi Mike,

Thanks ever so much! I look forward to it, especially if the infinity shots of buildings or something with detail was taken at f2 and f2.8. This will give me some idea how it compares to the Leica 90mm f2 pre asph (E55). Crops of these shots would be especially helpful. I also look forward to your additions of portraits taken with the Zeiss, when you feel the time is right to post these. Again great review which makes for excellent reading!

Thanks!

Dave (D&A)

 

[ZagatoV12]

Mid to Long Distance Shots

Mid to Long Distance Shots

Hi Dave,

Forgive me if I get this wrong first time. I'm new here and haven't yet posted with attachments. So here goes:-

This is NOT what you asked for yet. I had a quick look through set one and saw this image of the Rialto Bridge shot from my balcony at f/8.0, 1/750th. ISO 160 handheld. As you can see it was taken against the light, so I've adjusted white balance, highlight recovery and set levels, but no contrast curve or sharpening at all. It is a 20 percent reduction and saved as Jpeg at quality 7, the only way to get the image under 200Kb, which I think is the upload limit. I cannot say it was focused at infinity because I think it was closer to me than that - I didn't know I would need to recall focus details 🙂. It's a start though and I will keep looking for you. If this upload works I will then post the 100 percent crops from this image.

 

[ZagatoV12]

Mid to Long Distance Shots

Mid to Long Distance Shots

Here are the other two 100 percent crops. I have to say that the 600 x 600, 195Kb limit is very frustrating. Is there no way around this folks?

Mike

 

[ZagatoV12]

Mid to Long Distance Shots No2

Mid to Long Distance Shots No2

Here is another which seems to be focused much more towards infinity - still can't recall from memory! The image is only twenty percent of the frame (from the top, centre) and its was shot at f/5.6, 1/500th ISO 160 handheld - this Jpeg is at quality 10. I'm still looking for you. This image needed white balance correction - late afternoon lighting and deep shade and levels - no contrast curve or sharpening

 

[ZagatoV12]

Mid to Long Distance Shots No2

Mid to Long Distance Shots No2

And the other two 100 percent crops as before. Is this REALLY the only way to attach images?

 

[D&A]

Hi Mike,

I cannot thank you enough for posting these shots, especially they crops. I can't specifically address your questions about the diffferent ays of posting images here nor the 600x600 limite, but neverless, they are all helpful and have begun to illustrate some of the things I am looking for. Yes, I can see the somewhat excessive CA in the shot (crop) with the family of four in the boat, especially that it was taken at f8.

The f5.6 crops might look a bit soft since the exposure of those light color building in the background were slightly overexposed and brightly lit (which would wash out detail).

Still at f5.6 and f8, I expect even shots at infinity would hold a good amount of detail. The issue with many fast 90mm lenses, especially those optimized for portraits, is when they are used at f2 and f2.8 at infinity, they can go very-extremely soft. If you might have some shots at infinity, taken at these apertures (f2 & f2.8), that would of course provide some valuable info as to whether lenses such as the Zeiss, can be used also for general use when wide open and stopped down to f2.8. Thats in essence has been the issue with some of these lenses but not sure if Zeiss circumvented this or not in their design.

It also appears the Zeiss like the Leica 90mm f2 Pre Asph (E55), is lower in contrast, which is a big plus for both portrait work as well as shooting on bright contrasty days.

Thanks again and I'll keep a lookout if you happen to come accross any f2/f2/8 infinity shots.

Dave (D&A)

 

[sojournerphoto]

Here are a couple from my first few days with the combo, and 100% crops. The images are nothing to write home about, but I've only shot in low light and at slow shutter speeds since, so these ar probably more useful.

Both frames are just straight through LR3 with white balance and no other adjustments away from the defaults (i.e. sharpening at 25,1,50 and colour noise reductoin at 25,50 (not that it's needed at iso 160). Both were probably at a slightly lower shutter speed than is ideal (around 1/125) and I'm not sure what the aperture was. Anyway, they give a sense of the look at this distance.

You should be aware that the M9 framelines are very very tight for the ZM85 (and the 35 Biogon!)

Mike

 

[sojournerphoto]

Here's a portrait, converted to monochrome and split toned in LR3. Fairly simple raw conversion with basic levels, contrast and a bit of fill light and vignetting added. I think this was at about f2.8 - the exif says 3.4 and there's not a lot of depth of field - and I'm not sure there isn't a bit of motion blur in his face, hence the second crop of the shirt.

Mike.