Tag: zeiss

New Zeiss lenses for Canon

Nicolai Grossman Leave a comment

Zeiss are [finally] releasing Canon EF mount versions of their Z series manual focus 35mm/digital SLR lenses! First out will be the Planar T* f/1.4 50mm (SRP of 579 euros) and the Planar T* f/1.4 85mm (SRP of 999 euros (both prices include 19% German VAT)).

From the current "issue" of Carl Zeiss Camera Lens News:

Carl Zeiss is expanding its successful line of SLR lenses: ZE lenses with EF bayonet for all analog and digital EOS camera models. As with all EF lenses, the new ZE lenses from Carl Zeiss transfer all information exclusively via electronic contacts. This means that all exposure modes such as programmed auto exposure, shutter priority, aperture priority and manual setting are supported. The camera’s automatic focus confirmation also remains available to an unlimited extent with these manual focus lenses. With digital SLRs, the lens data and all exposure data can also be accessed via the camera’s EXIF file. Even E-TTL flash metering is supported. The first lenses to be available will be the Planar T* 1,4/50 ZE and the Planar T* 1,4/85 ZE in the last quarter of this year. Further focal lengths will be added to the line within the next few months.

Immense shitload of new Zeiss F, M, and CF lenses

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Zeiss are blasting out a huge range of new manual focus lenses:

Leica M mount

  • Distagon T* 18mm f/4
  • C Biogon T* 21mm f/4.5

Nikon F mount

  • ZF Distagon T* 35mm f/2
  • ZF Makro-Planar 50mm f/2
  • ZF Makro-Planar 100mm f/2
  • ZF Distagon T* 25mm f/2.8

Hasselblad CF mount (appear to be vintage-look versions of the currently available equivalents)

  • Makro-Planar T* 120mm f/4
  • Distagon T* 50mm f/4
  • Sonnar T* 180mm f/4

Check out Photos and commentary at The Online Photographer or Zeiss’ rundown (minus the Hasselblads).

Via Auspicious Dragon’s photostream blog

Zeiss Ikon SW superwide 35mm viewfinder camera

Nicolai Grossman 3 Comments

Carl Zeiss AG Press Release:

Oberkochen, August 15, 2006. The Zeiss Ikon SW is the 35mm precision camera for uncompromising superwide photographers. Its lens mount takes any lens with M bayonet, in particular the ZEISS high performance superwide-angle lenses Distagon T* 2,8/15mm ZM and the Biogon T* types from the ZEISS ZM range. An accessory shoe directly above the lens takes the corresponding superwide Viewfinder. A second shoe is built in to take a flash, a bubble level or other accessory. The electronically controlled metal focal plane shutter offers speeds ranging from 1/2000 sec. – 8 sec. in automatic mode (AE-lock is available) and 1/2000 – 1 sec. + B in manual mode. Fastest flash synchro speed is 1/125 sec.

The Zeiss Ikon SW offers the same extremely high image quality as the known Zeiss Ikon rangefinder camera: far above today’s digital cameras. It is fully integrated into the Zeiss Ikon system. The Zeiss Ikon SW comes without the complex rangefinder and is therefore considerably more affordable than the rangefinder camera.

The Zeiss Ikon SW will be available as of October 2006. List price is 799,00 € (without VAT)

Technical Data

Camera type: 35mm camera with focal plane shutter and TTL light metering.

Film format: 24 x 36mm on 35mm film

Lenses: Intended to be used with short focal length types of the Carl Zeiss T* ZM-mount lens family in combination with an external viewfinder. Other M-mount lenses, including M39 screw mount lenses with an M – mount adapter can be used.

Exposure metering: TTL center-weighted metering at working aperture.

Metering range at ISO 100 and f/2: EV0-EV19 (f/2-4 sec., f/16-1/2000 sec.)

Film speed range: ISO 25-3200 manually set in 1/3 f-stop increments.

Exposure modes: AE with aperture priority or manual; AE lock option for a single exposure or for a sequence of exposures; exposure compensation +/-2 f-stops in 1/3 stops set at shutter speed dial.

LED display: Combination of 3 LED indicates shutter speed setting situation.
Shutter and shutter speed: Vertical-travel metal focal-plane shutter with electronically controlled speeds accurate to 1/12 f-stop.

Range in Automatic mode: 8 sec. to 1/2000 sec.

Range in Manual mode: 1 sec. to 1/2000 sec. in 1-stop increments; B.

Flash synch: Synchronization at 1/125 sec. and longer shutter speeds

Film transport: Rapid-wind manual advance lever, with ratcheted partial advance

Camera body: One-piece aluminum base structure, external magnesium covers, tripod thread 1/4 inch in base, two accessory shoes for external viewfinder and flash

Batteries: One CR 1/3 Lithium or two 1.5 V cells type LR44 or SR44

Dimensions: 138mm W x 72.5mm H x 32mm D (5.4” W x 2.9” H x 1.3” D).

Weight: 395g (13.9 oz.)

Carl Zeiss is a leading international group of companies operating worldwide in the optical and opto-electronic industry. Carl Zeiss AG is headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany. The business groups, which each operate with sole responsibility, are generally ranked first or second in the strategic markets of biosciences and medical technology, system solutions for industry and optical consumer goods. They offer products and services for biomedical research and medical technology, system solutions for the semiconductor, automotive and mechanical engineering industries, as well as high-quality consumer goods such as camera lenses and binoculars. In fiscal year 2004/05 (ended 30 September) the Carl Zeiss Group generated sales totaling EUR 2,222 million. Carl Zeiss has 11,500 members of staff, including 3,300 outside Germany. The Carl Zeiss Group is directly represented in more than 30 countries and operates production facilities in Europe, America and Asia.

The eyeglass business now operates as Carl Zeiss Vision International GmbH and is the number two eyeglass provider in the world. This company is owned 50:50 by Carl Zeiss AG and a private equity company.

Via PhotographyBLOG

Resolving power record with Zeiss 2.8/25 ZM lens

Nicolai Grossman Leave a comment

Apparently Zeiss’ Biogon T* 2.8/25 ZM lens for Leica M is ludicrous in at least one department.

From issue 24 of Zeiss Camera Lens News, released today:

"The result was a whopping 400 lp/mm on film, recorded with the Biogon 25 at f/4 in the center of the image. This value, 400 lp/mm, corresponds to the maximum resolution theoretically possible at f/4; in other words it represents the calculated ‘diffraction limited’ performance at this aperture…"

Continue reading at Zeiss.com

Um, seriously: holy shit.

Of course this is only one specification, and I’d personally be more interested in rectilinearity (the lack of which drives me utterly batshit when I’m after sharp photos) and chromatic aberration, but this is just insanely impressive.

(lp/mm = line pairs per millimeter)

Zeiss ZF lenses: test results and pricing announced

Nicolai Grossman Leave a comment

Some updates on the new ZF Nikon F mount SLR lenses from issue 24 of Zeiss Camera Lens News, released today:

"The best we had ever achieved before with any SLR lenses was 250 lp/mm.

"The new Planar T* 1.4/85 ZF achieved that same resolution at f/5.6, and even down to f/2.

"The new Planar T* 1,4/50 ZF went even further: It reached 320 lp/mm in the aperture range from f/5.6 to f/2.8, and 250 lp/mm at f/2…"

Continue reading "The Sharpest SLR Lenses we’ve ever Tested"

Pricing was also announced for the first two models (excl. VAT):
Planar T* 1.4/50 ZF: 499.00 EUR
Planar T* 1.4/85 ZF: 999.00 EUR

The lenses will be available for ordering from Zeiss’ Web site starting 1 April, 2006.

New Zeiss lenses announced: ZF (Nikon F mount) and ZS (M42 mount)

Nicolai Grossman Leave a comment

Zeiss announced their new range of ZF lenses a day early in issue 23/Jan 2006 of Camera Lens News.

Highlights:

  • As previously hinted, they will indeed be in Nikon F mounts. They will all be primes.
  • Announced are a 50mm Planar T* (7 elements in 6 groups) and an 85mm T* Planar (6 elements in 5 groups). Both are f/1.4 – f/16, click-stopped in half-stop increments. There’s a technical data sheet here. They’re expected to be available in early summer 2006.
  • They will have "round" irises but the number of blades wasn’t mentioned.
  • As a surprise, the same lenses will be issued in parallel as the ZS range with identical optics but with M42 mounts, with the idea that they be used with adpater rings, which will make this range useable on, among other systems, Canon EOS and FD bodies as well. I didn’t see any mention about whether the lenses will be shorter to compensate for the thickness of the adapter ring or not, so infinity focussing ability for the ZS range is currently unknown [to me].
  • The lenses will be made by Cosina.
  • Zeiss will be setting up a new distribution network to replace? in addition to? their normal distributors. Details will be announced at www.zeiss.com/photo

There’s also a Q&A about the range with Dr. Winfried Scherle, VP & General Manager, Camera Lens Division and Kornelius Mueller, Marketing Manager of Zeiss.

Another quasi-update on the new Zeiss lenses

Nicolai Grossman Leave a comment

Zeiss’ Camera/Cine Lenses page says that they’re releasing new lenses for SLRs (see previous posts 1 and 2). After a few hints over the last few weeks, it now says, "The solution will be revealed on 01/18/06. Until then, you will find out a little more each week from our images.".

So far, they’ve said "ZF", so they’re likely in Nikon F mount, and there’s now a picture of a lens labeled "Planar 1.4/50".

Quasi-update: Zeiss lenses in new SLR mounts? Lookin’ like Nikon!

Nicolai Grossman 2 Comments

Zeiss promised “More” today about the “Millions of SLR Photographers Will Soon Discover a New Dimension in Photography” hint on their Camera/Cine Lenses page (see previous post). Teases that they are, all they’ve done is say “Carl Zeiss Presents ZF!” and cover the previous message with a “Top Secret” folder. Which is to say that they’ve told us a lot: it’s likely a line of Zeiss lenses with Nikon F mounts. Yay for Nikon shooters!

More info is promised for Wednesday, 28 December 2005.