LT,

You are absolutely correct "No losers"

This isn't a good shot. It isn't even a mediocre shot. In fact, it is only a test shot, but it shows the character that I love so much in the Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Distagon ZF.2 which made me buy one recently. Unfortunately the small blemish on the front element turned out to be a series of small but nasty scratches and I sent it back. Double unfortunately it was in Austria and the guy who I bought it from had meanwhile spent the money, so he has to raise some cash to refund me, which could take until the end of the month. @#%!#$!@

It is not possible to NOT like that lens.

I was just browsing through some undeveloped files and found this bokeh shot with the CY version.


IMG_8600 1280 by Wilhelm Frank - Stockholm, on Flickr

Argh,

just when I thought that I didn't need the 85 ZF

Very nice

Yowsa, that's some pretty hard-edged boke. I haven't seen the ZF.2 version do that, but then I haven't spent that much time with it yet either...

carstenw wrote:
This isn't a good shot. It isn't even a mediocre shot. In fact, it is only a test shot, but it shows the character that I love so much in the Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Distagon ZF.2 which made me buy one recently. Unfortunately the small blemish on the front element turned out to be a series of small but nasty scratches and I sent it back. Double unfortunately it was in Austria and the guy who I bought it from had meanwhile spent the money, so he has to raise some cash to refund me, which could take until the end of the month. @#%!#$!@


I've been contemplating this lens for such a long time (ZE for me) but have yet to find one at a time I could pull the trigger. So long as you use the lens in its sweet spot (medium to long distance), I love the look it gives. I must find one!

A shot with my C/Y 50/1.4 on the NEX5N at f/2.8...

Nice bokeh, W!

85 ZF2 is by far my favorite lens.

adrianb wrote:
Can you tell me how does the Biotar 58 f/2 (m42) stack up against my Planar (zebra) 50 1.8 (m42) in terms of IQ (sharpness, bokeh,color rendition, etc etc)?

Sorry, I've only used the white MC version of the Pancolar, but what I've seen from the Biotar is that it has much stronger swirly bokeh than the Pancolar. The Pancolar already has some of this effect, but it's much more exaggerated with the Biotar. You can use it creatively but it gives some people a feeling of motion sickness (as if the image is spinning). Look for posts from Jim Schemel -- he has been posting some images taken with that lens recently.

LT, what a beautiful rendition and composition Woman's facial expression is very powerful.

anthonysemone wrote:
LT, what a beautiful rendition and composition Woman's facial expression is very powerful.

Thank you, sir. Looking forward to seeing more pics of parisiennes from you

Thought I'd share a nice CY setup here. I am a bit stalled in my photography part because I have too many lenses that I like. After 2 years of acquiring lenses that caught my interest I have finally sold off a couple. But still I have these (for a Canon 5D2) and a dozen more. 10+ is too many I think, I dont know what to mount before I leave home. I dont like large bags I only want one mounted and perhaps another in the pocket. How do you guys do? Sell off more?


DSC02366 1280 by Wilhelm Frank - Stockholm, on Flickr

Good question. I also suffer a bit from "too much good equipment paralysis". I tend to have a few favourites, and not use the others too much, although I try to rotate. My set is: ZF.2 21, 28, 50P, 50MP, 100MP, and I intend to get the 85. There is also a Leica 35/1.4 R in there, and a Leica 180/2 R, as well as a few AF Nikkors. The AF Nikkors are just for practical things, when I need AF. I tend to neglect the 50MP a bit, and the 21 as well, except when I go urbexing. My favourites are 28, 50P, and sometimes 100MP. If I go out with one lens, it is almost always the 50P or Leica 35 Lux.

Wilhelm -- Ha-ha! you won't find me agreeing that you have too many lenses!

I don't know that I could have too many lenses (or bodies). I've been selling off experiments and whims, consolidating down to what I really like. Without having any tele-primes above 135mm, I've got 20 lenses for my Canon kit, and still a few more on the wish list! Some I don't use often, but they are always there when I want or need them.

This doesn't count the M43, or film for 35mm and medium format. Those actually get short shrift in my approach (film is least used).

Pick a lens or two and have an outing. Next time choose something different if you like. The trick is finding and acquiring great lenses.

Good luck with your dilemma!

wfrank wrote:
Thought I'd share a nice CY setup here. I am a bit stalled in my photography part because I have too many lenses that I like. After 2 years of acquiring lenses that caught my interest I have finally sold off a couple. But still I have these (for a Canon 5D2) and a dozen more. 10+ is too many I think, I dont know what to mount before I leave home. I dont like large bags I only want one mounted and perhaps another in the pocket. How do you guys do? Sell off more?


DSC02366 1280 by Wilhelm Frank - Stockholm, on Flickr


wfrank,

Please do not show anymore of these, I am going to have a heart attack. Zeiss\Contax lust is raising my blood presure.

carstenw wrote:
Good question. I also suffer a bit from "too much good equipment paralysis". I tend to have a few favourites, and not use the others too much, although I try to rotate. My set is: ZF.2 21, 28, 50P, 50MP, 100MP, and I intend to get the 85. There is also a Leica 35/1.4 R in there, and a Leica 180/2 R, as well as a few AF Nikkors. The AF Nikkors are just for practical things, when I need AF. I tend to neglect the 50MP a bit, and the 21 as well, except when I go urbexing. My favourites are 28, 50P, and sometimes 100MP. If I go out with one lens, it is almost always the 50P or Leica 35 Lux.

TMGEP-syndrome it is. I wish I had favorites but like them all for various and different reasons. I am now avoiding the word "love" not to expose myself too much as a gear-head-nut. Not visible in the CY porn shot above there are lenses like ZE21/2.8 and Rokkor 58/1.2 which NEED usage otherwise someone else should own them. So tomorrow when I am free around lunch the forecast shows possible sun in between the grays at noon so then I will take a stroll with the ZE21. The Rokkor still need some grinding to make it work beyond 7-10 meters, perhaps I'll do that tomorrow too. Thanks for your vision C, always helpful.


Gunzorro wrote:
--
Good luck with your dilemma!

Thanks Jim, you have the perfect attitude. I will adapt and survive :-)

bushwacker wrote:
wfrank,

Please do not show anymore of these, I am going to have a heart attack. Zeiss\Contax lust is raising my blood presure.

You know most of these babies are available for less than their ZE/ZF counterparts, and performance is as good or better


Lieutenant Z wrote:
Nice bokeh, W!

85 ZF2 is by far my favorite lens.


Thanks Z. I would have bet the 85 was your fav. You do so well with it, always inspirational!

First attempt with my new Zeiss ZM 50 f1.5 Sonnar. Just a random cat shot - next week I'll have some time to go out and get to know it better.

wfrank wrote:
carstenw wrote:
Good question. I also suffer a bit from "too much good equipment paralysis". I tend to have a few favourites, and not use the others too much, although I try to rotate. My set is: ZF.2 21, 28, 50P, 50MP, 100MP, and I intend to get the 85. There is also a Leica 35/1.4 R in there, and a Leica 180/2 R, as well as a few AF Nikkors. The AF Nikkors are just for practical things, when I need AF. I tend to neglect the 50MP a bit, and the 21 as well, except when I go urbexing. My favourites are 28, 50P, and sometimes 100MP. If I go out with one lens, it is almost always the 50P or Leica 35 Lux.

TMGEP-syndrome it is. I wish I had favorites but like them all for various and different reasons. I am now avoiding the word "love" not to expose myself too much as a gear-head-nut. Not visible in the CY porn shot above there are lenses like ZE21/2.8 and Rokkor 58/1.2 which NEED usage otherwise someone else should own them. So tomorrow when I am free around lunch the forecast shows possible sun in between the grays at noon so then I will take a stroll with the ZE21. The Rokkor still need some grinding to make it work beyond 7-10 meters, perhaps I'll do that tomorrow too. Thanks for your vision C, always helpful.


It didn't really feel helpful when I wrote it, more like an echo, but you are welcome

But yeah, I struggle with this, especially when I am thinking of buying more. There are practical limits to how much equipment someone can own and use regularly and still put out great work, I think.

Anyone know of a good lens hood I can use for my 50/1.4 Planar? It seems like the original Contax hoods are overly expensive and are very scarce.