Yeah, it's in stock and ready to ship. I guess that completes
the Zeiss ZE line (except the revised 25 f2.8).
Are they working on anything new or that's it?
erichard wrote:
Will they ever get the 135 zeiss that Sony has? That looks like a winner.
Nope, it is a Sony exclusive design and I doubt they would let Zeiss make it for anyone else.
We will see what happens.
I suspect that wayne is right. If a 135mm appears in the Z* line, it would be optically different (if only to keep the ZA unique to Sony) and would obviously be MF.
I know that there is this leak about the (maybe) forthcoming 35mm f:1.4 But it would make a lot of sense for Zeiss to release a 135mm. As the Canon 135L does not have IS, Zeiss would not be at a disadvantange, which would be the case at longer FLs, since I don't think Zeiss offer stabilization. And Zeiss do not need to offer the exact same as the ZA desing, since they have the Contax design to hand, which can surely be cleverly updated...
Phil, wouldn't it be weird (hilarious maybe?) if a Z* lens was MF but with optical stabilization? Maybe not possible since I think I remember that some optical stabilization is dependent on the AF system, although I could never really figure out why.
Bobu wrote:
Today I received my 2/100mm ZE. But since I just returned from a trip to New Zealand with 6000 new pictures I will have probably no time to do some test shots during the next days with this lens.
Do you know the mass of the lens? I am not sure whether the 680 gr mentioned in the 2/100 ZE press release is correct. Or does it (unlike other ZE lenses) have the same mass as its ZF counterpart?
Toothwalker wrote:
Do you know the mass of the lens? I am not sure whether the 680 gr mentioned in the 2/100 ZE press release is correct. Or does it (unlike other ZE lenses) have the same mass as its ZF counterpart?
Paul Yi wrote:
I'd love to see some comparison between C/Y and ZE version if anyone has both...
And, I think you're a perfect candidate for that John......
My Contax 100's are sold already, so a nice A/B comparison isn't possible (for me). The 100ZE arrived earlier this week, but the weather sucks and the ZE has more or less just sat on the desk. I took around 50 pix just to make sure the ZE is functioning okay and based on those images, the ZE definitely seems a stop or two sharper at F2 than my last 100/2 AE. Overall the new ZE seems great, but until I get a chance to use it in good light, etc., I won't have much to say. My only niggle with the ZE is the added size compared to the original Contax's. It's not "that" much bigger, but it's not compact either. On the up-side the focus ring isn't as stiff as the ZF version I tried a year or so ago. I think the 50/2 MP has the stiffest focus ring of the bunch. When it comes focus ring stiff (since that's been a common gripe with the ZF's) -
18/3.5 ZE - finger touch light - feels like a smooth Leica M lens
21/2.8 - a light action as well, larger lens, so the added mass is tangible
28/2 - very light focus action, not quite as light as the 18, but lighter than the 21
100/2 MP - not stiff, but not light. I think most people will be okay with it.
50/2 MP - stiffest of the bunch. it doesn't bug me anymore, but i still notice it
John Black wrote:
My Contax 100's are sold already, so a nice A/B comparison isn't possible (for me). The 100ZE arrived earlier this week, but the weather sucks and the ZE has more or less just sat on the desk. I took around 50 pix just to make sure the ZE is functioning okay and based on those images, the ZE definitely seems a stop or two sharper at F2 than my last 100/2 AE. Overall the new ZE seems great, but until I get a chance to use it in good light, etc., I won't have much to say.
I have ordered an MP 2/100 ZE, and still have a P 2/100 MM. And an MP 2.8/100 AE for that matter. The 'old' 2/100 has been my favorite lens for the past 12 years or so, and if the new one is better and more adorable ... hmm. But of course I will need to convince myself.
John, again, it was your review of the C/Y Planar that hooked me on that lens...
And, I'm very grateful for that.
The price difference (though used vs new) is pretty hefty, so I'm kinda waiting out to see some thorough review of the ZE 100/2.0 lens.
I strongly doubt though ZE can be THAT MUCH better....
If you need the direct comparison of the two lenses for your write-up, let me know...I have the C/Y 100/2.0 MMJ version.
