Zeiss lens for Canon EOS Cameras

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Archive 2008 · Zeiss lens for Canon EOS Cameras

John64
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p.1 #1 · Zeiss lens for Canon EOS Cameras

There are two Zeiss ze planar T* manual focus lens for canon EOS cameras. one is 50mm f/1.4, is $660 in B&H. The other one is 85mm f/1.4, is $1170 in B&H.
Does anyone have one of them or both? Can you post some photos and share your experiences? Thanks!

Dec 02, 2008 at 04:44 AM

RGS65
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p.1 #2 · Zeiss lens for Canon EOS Cameras

Check the alternative forum for info.

Dec 02, 2008 at 04:50 AM

bob_wfmc
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p.1 #3 · Zeiss lens for Canon EOS Cameras

Yes, and more are on the way, including an updated 21 mm Distagon with, based upon the MTF graphs, slightly better performance.

Dec 02, 2008 at 05:36 AM

John64
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p.1 #4 · Zeiss lens for Canon EOS Cameras

50mm f/1.4 is made in Japan, is it not good as made in Germany?

Dec 02, 2008 at 06:11 AM

SoundHound
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p.1 #5 · Zeiss lens for Canon EOS Cameras

Or Canada.

Dec 05, 2008 at 11:54 PM

jcolwell
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p.1 #6 · Zeiss lens for Canon EOS Cameras

In the nineties, Zeiss migrated their Contax Carl Zeiss lens production from Germany to Japan. Most Contax Zeiss lenses from Japan are as good as their earlier versions made in Germany, and some are better, see: http://photo.net/equipment/contax/shea-lenses

Dec 06, 2008 at 12:11 AM

PetKal
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p.1 #7 · Zeiss lens for Canon EOS Cameras

Jim, that's an excellnt link, thanx.

Dec 06, 2008 at 03:41 AM

philber
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p.1 #8 · Zeiss lens for Canon EOS Cameras

I tested the 50mm f1.4 and the 85mm f:1.4 against the Canon 50mm f:1.4 and 85mm f:1.8 yesterday, and, on the basis of quick comparison tests, I purchased the 2 Zeiss units and traded in my Canons.
My firsthand experience is that they have a high quality feel, maybe higher than my "L"s (more density, more weight). Focus ring feels smooth and solid (it better be, since they are MF). Autofocus confirm works about 65% of the time, and delivers accurate focus on the basis of my limited experience.
I did a low light test of the 2 85s, and by comparison it looked like the Canon was almost OOF, so badly so that I repeated the test 3 times to make sure it was not user error. Verdict is: the CZ 85 when wide open is sharp even on 100% crops, and the Canon is not by a long shot. Repeated the test at f:2:8 to see how things changed, and the difference was still there, though less shocking. My dealer said that it takes f:4:0 for the Canon to be really sharp, but then what is the point of shooting a fast prime?
Beyond the wide open sharpness, there is an acquisition of small detail, of contrast and of colour gamut with the CZ that is just not there on the Canon.
Now in France, the CZ runs almost 3x the price of the Canon, so, for that money, it better be a better lens. I feel that the CZ delivers very high IQ for much less weight and money than the 85 f:1.2 L, and that is fine with me.
Comparison between the 50s was less shocking, though the CZ did show the same type of improvements over the Canon that the 85 did. More details, more contrast, more colours. While the difference in IQ was less, the difference in price is also less (2x rather than 3x), so there could be a cause-and-effect. I might not have traded in my 50mm only, but felt that my Canon 50 would never be used, stuck between the superb 35 f:1.4 L and the CZ 85, so bought the 50mm as well, thinking of my forthcoming 5D2 evaluation for a possible upgrade from my present 40D.
IQ from the 2 CZs showed very similar character, closest to the Canon 135mm f:2 L, with tremendous detail and contrast, and the same feeling that it is totally unforgiving.
I look forward to the release in January of the CZ Distagon 21 to see if it is worth replacing my Canon 24mm f2.8 with either it or the new Canon 24 f:1.4 L MkII

Dec 06, 2008 at 05:44 AM

PetKal
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p.1 #9 · Zeiss lens for Canon EOS Cameras

Thank you for the report, Philber.
I think Canon camera/lens users are in need of an alternative really good and fast normal prime which performs well starting with its nameplate aperture. If ZE 50 turns out to consistently beat the EF 50 f/1.4 regarding IQ, then it will probably sell well even to the hard core AF crowd.

When it comes to 85mm, the EF 85 f/1.8 is generally a fairly good lens wide open and its overall performance and build are satisfactory. Therefore, ZE 85mm, even if better optically, is not likely to make a dent in Canon sales of the EF 85 f/1.8, let alone the mighty 85L.

Dec 06, 2008 at 12:26 PM

poison
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p.1 #10 · Zeiss lens for Canon EOS Cameras

why go manual focus?

Dec 06, 2008 at 12:34 PM

edwardkaraa
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p.1 #11 · Zeiss lens for Canon EOS Cameras

Any photographer who uses MF lenses regularly, (or who still remembers how to with this age of auto everything) will tell you about the higher keeper rate of sharp images compared to AF lenses. MF lenses are manufactured to tighter tolerances as the focusing mechanism is more precise. People who use MF lenses tend to focus on the exact point of interest, while placing an AF point on the subject does not guarantee that the camera understands exactly what you intend to do. Compose, focus, shoot, tend to be more precise than focus, re-compose, shoot. There are many instances where MF is not practical (sports for instance) but when you have the time MF can produce better results.

Dec 06, 2008 at 01:05 PM

edwardkaraa
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p.1 #12 · Zeiss lens for Canon EOS Cameras

PetKal wrote:
Thank you for the report, Philber.
I think Canon camera/lens users are in need of an alternative really good and fast normal prime which performs well starting with its nameplate aperture. If ZE 50 turns out to consistently beat the EF 50 f/1.4 regarding IQ, then it will probably sell well even to the hard core AF crowd.

When it comes to 85mm, the EF 85 f/1.8 is generally a fairly good lens wide open and its overall performance and build are satisfactory. Therefore, ZE 85mm, even if better optically, is not likely to make a dent in Canon sales of the EF 85 f/1.8, let alone the mighty 85L.

IMHO, regardless of which lens is sharper, Zeiss lenses will inevitably start to build a following among Canon users, same as it already did with Nikon users, for more subjective reasons such as color reproduction, micro-contrast, 3D rendition. The Zeiss look is quite thought after by professionals who have in the past used Zeiss lenses on Hassies, Rolleis and Contax 645 and 35mm.

Dec 06, 2008 at 01:10 PM

dolina
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p.1 #13 · Zeiss lens for Canon EOS Cameras

In my mind if you have the time or inclination to use MF then use MF if not get a AF lens.

Based on some reviews i've seen the 50mm f/1.2L does not appear be 'perfectly L' in terms of image quality thus this opened my options to the 50 from Zeiss though paying more for a f/1.4 with no AF is a bit bothering.

Dec 06, 2008 at 06:09 PM

Wilfredo
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p.1 #14 · Zeiss lens for Canon EOS Cameras

I purchased the 50mm ZE a few days ago and I've been playing with it. It is my fisrt prime for my Canon's. I've been so happy with my two L zooms I never bothered with a prime, but I am really happy I made the purchase, the sharpness of this lens is notable. The auto focus confirm makes manual focusing quite easy.

Jul 18, 2009 at 05:35 PM

globalkiwi
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p.1 #15 · Zeiss lens for Canon EOS Cameras

Post some shots if you can!

Jul 18, 2009 at 05:51 PM

dolina
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p.1 #16 · Zeiss lens for Canon EOS Cameras

I think a focusing screen replacement would be an ideal upgrade if you were to get the ZE 50.

Jul 18, 2009 at 06:01 PM

philber
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p.1 #17 · Zeiss lens for Canon EOS Cameras

Paolo Dolina wrote:
I think a focusing screen replacement would be an ideal upgrade if you were to get the ZE 50.

+1. I got the Canon specialized screen, which is a distinct improvement, and will look into a more "exotic" one when I come back from holiday.

Jul 18, 2009 at 06:03 PM

n0b0
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p.1 #18 · Zeiss lens for Canon EOS Cameras

Wouldn't those MF focusing screen be dark or look frosted with only a circle area in the middle to help you focus? If that's the case, wouldn't you still have to focus and recompose?

edwardkaraa wrote:
Compose, focus, shoot, tend to be more precise than focus, re-compose, shoot.

Jul 18, 2009 at 06:21 PM

dolina
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p.1 #19 · Zeiss lens for Canon EOS Cameras

n0b0 wrote:
Wouldn't those MF focusing screen be dark or look frosted with only a circle area in the middle to help you focus? If that's the case, wouldn't you still have to focus and recompose?

edwardkaraa wrote:
Compose, focus, shoot, tend to be more precise than focus, re-compose, shoot.

If that's the case then I think it is a compromise well worth the fast lens. I'm thinking of doing this to my 5D

Jul 18, 2009 at 06:27 PM

n0b0
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p.1 #20 · Zeiss lens for Canon EOS Cameras

I'm just asking because, as I quoted, edward said that with MF lens, you can be more precise since you don't don't need to re-compose.

Jul 18, 2009 at 06:40 PM

Breitling65
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p.1 #21 · Zeiss lens for Canon EOS Cameras

poison wrote:
why go manual focus?

Exactly, AF and Photoshop - two things making good shots this days

Jul 18, 2009 at 06:57 PM

dolina
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p.1 #22 · Zeiss lens for Canon EOS Cameras

Breitling65 wrote:
poison wrote:
why go manual focus?

Exactly, AF and Photoshop - two things making good shots this days

Cause Zeiss neglected to install an AF motor and you bought the lens for the Zeiss optics not AF.

And some of us like to take a different workflow that isn't dominated by Photoshop. I believe a lot of us took up the hobby or profession because of the camera work rather than sitting and Photoshoping.

Jul 18, 2009 at 07:02 PM

n0b0
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p.1 #23 · Zeiss lens for Canon EOS Cameras

Paolo Dolina wrote:
And some of us like to take a different workflow that isn't dominated by Photoshop. I believe a lot of us took up the hobby or profession because of the camera work rather than sitting and Photoshoping.

Now define "dominated". It seems like people are trying to find some excuse to spend a little time as possible in Photoshop. I've even heard of comments like "I'm a photographer, not a graphic artist" and I wonder why... back in film days, didn't people need to spend quite a lot of time in the dark room burning, dodging etc. when developing their films? Why should it be any different now?

IMHO, what you get from your shooting is just, excuse the pun, RAW material to work with. Softwares like Photoshop is then needed to refine it, and in the right hand, even a great photo can become better.

Besides, optical quality like colour rendition and saturation is purely subjective. I know a few people who like their colour super saturated and at the same time, I know some other people also like B&W and digitally, PS channel mixer gives you the best result with maximum control.

Jul 18, 2009 at 07:46 PM

freaklikeme
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p.1 #24 · Zeiss lens for Canon EOS Cameras

n0b0 wrote:
Wouldn't those MF focusing screen be dark or look frosted with only a circle area in the middle to help you focus? If that's the case, wouldn't you still have to focus and recompose?

No experience with third party screens, but the Ec-S and Eg-S are both a tiny bit darker than their C counterparts. It's not a hinderance, though. When I test drove the ZE 85, my keeper rate was improved dramatically with the Ec-S over using the C.

Jul 18, 2009 at 08:10 PM

n0b0
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p.1 #25 · Zeiss lens for Canon EOS Cameras

Thanks mate. I would really like to see what it's like to look through the viewfinder with these screens but so far, Google image search only shows a technical drawing of them. The closest thing I have is the old Canon TLb film DSLR.

Jul 18, 2009 at 08:16 PM


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