Home · Register · Join Upload & Sell

Moderated by: Fred Miranda
Username  

  New fredmiranda.com Mobile Site
  New Feature: SMS Notification alert
  New Feature: Buy & Sell Watchlist
  

FM Forums | Leica & Alternative Gear | Join Upload & Sell
1
       2       3       …       251       252       end
   

Archive 2017 · Zeiss Lens Photos and Discussion
  
 
carstenw
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Zeiss Lens Photos and Discussion


Note: for people interested only in reading about and posting photos from ZF/ZE/ZS lenses, there is another thread: https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/860134

This thread tries to tie up the rest of the Zeiss/FM universe in one place, to avoid having all these little threads pop up and die, and the information getting lost. Additionally, people owning both ZF/ZE and Contax lenses may post all their photos in this one thread, if they prefer not to be spread over several threads.

This thread is meant for all Zeiss lenses, whether ZF, ZF.2, ZE, ZS, ZM, ZA or older Contax 135 or 645 format lenses, Hasselblad V, Contax G, or even Zeiss large format lenses, not to mention Zeiss Jena lenses. In short, if the word Zeiss appear on your lens, you are welcome to post photos made with it here.

Here is a partial list of Zeiss-related links, which I will update as I discover more (leaving out single-poster and minor threads):

- ZE/ZF/ZM Lenses
- Contax Lenses
- Contax N Lenses
- Contax N Camera
- Contax 645 Discussion
- Contax 645

- Contax vs. ZE 21/2.8
- ZF/ZE 25/2.8 vs. Leica 28/2.8 R II
- ZF/ZE 25/2.8 vs. Olympus 24/2.8
- Contax 35/1.4
- Contax 35/1.4 MM on Canon
- ZF/ZE 35/1.4
- ZF/ZE 35/1.4 vs. 35/2
- Contax 35/1.4 vs. ZF/ZE 35/1.4 vs. ZF/ZE 35/2
- Contax 50/1.7 on Canon
- ZF/ZE 50 MP vs. 50 P
- ZF/ZE 50 MP and 100 MP Nodal Point
- Contax 60/2.8 Macro
- ZF/ZE 85/1.4 vs. Rokinon
- ZF/ZE 85/1.4 White Spots
- Rollei 85/1.4
- ZF/ZE 100 MP vs. 85L

- Contax 35-70/3.4
- Contax 80-200/4
- Contax 100-300/4.5-5.6

- Which first Zeiss
- Zeiss Infinity Adjustment
- Zeiss MTF Charts
- 3D Pop
- Zeiss Ikon Contina lens on Canon

I will start off with a shot taken in the rain last Friday in Tiergarten, in Berlin, Germany. Nikon D3, 50 Planar ZF.2 (borrowed):

http://throughthelensdarkly.com/forums/CW_20110512_NikonD3_38323.jpg

Edited on Oct 26, 2014 at 02:22 PM · View previous versions
May 14, 2011 at 01:14 PM
carstenw
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Zeiss Lens Photos and Discussion


I have been asked some questions about the Contax 80-200/4 Vario-Sonnar, which I will try to answer.

I was looking for a longer Zeiss lens, not a lens which would compete in any way with my (fantastic) 200/2 VR, but the 180 doesn't have such an amazing reputation, the 200/2 is too close to the VR, and generally not as good. In the end, there was just two choices I was considering, the 80-200/4 and the 100-300, but the latter is too expensive for a lens I probably will not use so much. Besides, Samuli has posted some gorgeous shots made with the 80-200/4, so I decided to try it out.

I bought mine in nearly new condition from Japan, which with shipping, customs fees, the Leitax mount with pre-installed Dandelion chip ended up costing about 400 Euro all told. Now there are some sitting in Germany's eBay at around 270 Euro, Buy it now price. I thought briefly about buying an extra copy or two in case some kind of revival is kicked off, but decided not to. I am not doing photography to make a profit, and would rather spend my time shooting.

Anyway, great lens, not all that large. Longer but thinner than the 100 MP ZF.2:

http://throughthelensdarkly.com/forums/CW_20110430_NikonD3_38153.jpg

My copy is very sharp, although not quite as sharp as a modern ZF lens stopped down. It takes sharpening in Photoshop well, however. It has very little CA, less than the 100 MP and other ZF lenses. The boke is very gentle in my shots so far, almost Leica-like, but it still has that Zeiss feel to it. The push-pull zoom mechanism works well, and it doesn't move when I point the lens down. It is a very easy-to-focus lens, coming crisply into focus. I would say that it is easier to focus than my ZF/ZF.2 21 Distagon, 50 MP and 100 MP, although the latter comes close. Something about the way it snaps into focus. I was very happy to discover this, since I was worried that the f/4 could have made it hard.

At the current prices, buying one is IMO a no-brainer, although I don't know how much copy-to-copy variation there is. I do know that Samuli got his from a friend who bought 4, kept the best one for himself, sold the second-best one to Samuli and resold the other two, so at least there might be a little variation.

I don't expect that this lens is as sharp or clear as the best lenses in this region, like the Leica 180/2.8 APO, but I sure don't find many faults with it, so for the price, it is a steal.

Here are some shots made with it. The bird shot is a little soft due to its fast movement.

http://throughthelensdarkly.com/forums/CW_20110513_NikonD3_38358.jpg

http://throughthelensdarkly.com/forums/CW_20110513_NikonD3_38364.jpg

http://throughthelensdarkly.com/forums/CW_20110513_NikonD3_38366.jpg

Edited on May 15, 2011 at 03:35 AM · View previous versions
May 14, 2011 at 01:26 PM
rsrsrs
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Zeiss Lens Photos and Discussion


hi,
more of it
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/927029/0

reinhard
May 14, 2011 at 01:47 PM
carstenw
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Zeiss Lens Photos and Discussion


Ah, good link, I had completely forgotten about that thread!
May 14, 2011 at 01:54 PM
edwardkaraa
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Zeiss Lens Photos and Discussion


Nice shots Carsten and excellent thread idea.

I agree about the 80-200. I've used it for a long time, it is full of Zeissness and was the perfect companion for my 35-70.


May 14, 2011 at 01:56 PM
carstenw
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Zeiss Lens Photos and Discussion


Have you found any weaknesses to it, other than the possible slight performance drop near MFD and also at 200mm? For example, have you ever seen busy boke from it?

Do you use it with an A900? I would love to see some base ISO shots, if you have some.
May 14, 2011 at 01:57 PM
AhamB
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Zeiss Lens Photos and Discussion


I remember that thread linked to above very well, especially the shots by TeamSK Jay.

Edited on May 14, 2011 at 02:17 PM · View previous versions
May 14, 2011 at 02:04 PM
carstenw
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Zeiss Lens Photos and Discussion


Here is another 50 Planar shot:

http://throughthelensdarkly.com/forums/CW_20110512_NikonD3_38334.jpg
May 14, 2011 at 02:09 PM
edwardkaraa
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Zeiss Lens Photos and Discussion


Unfortunately, I sold all my Contax lenses when I bought the A900. I regret it now because I wasn't aware of the existence of leitax.

I used the 80-200 mainly on the 1Ds2 as well as Contax film bodies. Being an f/4 lens, I didn't pay much attention to the bokeh, but I haven't noticed anything ugly either. It was a pleasure to use, small, light, with a very useful range, and excellent IQ. I'll try to find some shots in my archives soon.
May 14, 2011 at 02:15 PM
AhamB
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Zeiss Lens Photos and Discussion


Do I see correctly that the VS 80-200 has 9 aperture blades? See here.
May 14, 2011 at 02:17 PM
carstenw
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Zeiss Lens Photos and Discussion


Yes, looking through mine I can confirm that.
May 14, 2011 at 02:22 PM
abhijeeth
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Zeiss Lens Photos and Discussion


Carsten, appreciate the write-up. The 50 planar shots are lovely. Beautiful rendering of that lens. All the 50 P shots are making me weep now !! :-)
( I had thought long and hard about this very specific point - rendering at mid-distance to infinity and it is special indeed. However everything else considered, I found the MP better suited me, so went with that instead)

Back to the 80-200 f/4. It looks good! Looking forward to more shots from it. How do you find the contrast levels out of the box? (Shooting with the modern Zeiss designs has me spoiled a little bit).



May 14, 2011 at 02:40 PM
carstenw
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Zeiss Lens Photos and Discussion


Thanks! The 50 Planar is a lens which I will probably always wonder if I would enjoy more than the 50 MP. However, there is room for both. I will certainly end up buying the Planar.

The 80-200 is maybe slightly less contrasty, and slightly less sharp out of the box than the better ZF lenses. It is not slouch, however. The almost complete lack of CA puts it in another ballpark, IMO. I would easily pay more for my ZF.2 lenses to have less CA. Ultimately, the IQ of my 80-200 is high enough that another tick on the Contrast and Vibrance sliders pulls it even, with a touch extra sharpening in Photoshop.
May 14, 2011 at 03:05 PM
AhamB
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Zeiss Lens Photos and Discussion


carstenw wrote:
Yes, looking through mine I can confirm that.

Interesting. I didn't know any of the C/Y lenses had more than 8 aperture blades. I wonder if the 100-300 has 9 blades too.

About the rendering of Contax vs Z*: when I compared the ZF 25/2.8 to my Contax 28/2.8, I preferred the slightly more rounded/gentle look of the Contax (even though it's very contrasty on it's own). The contrast of the ZF 25 has more "bite" to it and felt almost a bit too aggressive for me in some way.

Edited on May 14, 2011 at 03:25 PM · View previous versions
May 14, 2011 at 03:19 PM
Dergiman
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Zeiss Lens Photos and Discussion


Contax Apo-Makro-Planar 120/4 on Fuji Astia

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3591/3351599812_45a9930131_z.jpg


Rollei Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 120/4 PQS

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4668240515_9eafda407c_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4004/4517651942_76584d42d7.jpg



May 14, 2011 at 03:22 PM
carstenw
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Zeiss Lens Photos and Discussion


Great stuff, Philipp! I am very happy to see some Contax 645 glass in here, as well as Rolleiflex 6008, both systems I love (although I don't own a 6008, yet). Are the Rollei shots with a digital back?

I will have to dig around in my archives to see what I can find to post here. In fact, I have one or two landscape shots with the Sinar e54 which could be posted...
May 14, 2011 at 03:27 PM
abhijeeth
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Zeiss Lens Photos and Discussion


I know what you mean. There is definitely room for both from a performance point of view.

On a lighter note,I wonder if Zeiss are getting more and more crafty! In the modern designs, we have at least two choices on the 35s and two on the 50s. Not an easy choice on either focal length...
May 14, 2011 at 03:27 PM
carstenw
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Zeiss Lens Photos and Discussion


In the meantime, here is a Contax 80-200/4 shot. Not a great shot, but it shows that this lens really is quite sharp when you nail focus and it keeps boke and CA under control even in tough conditions.

http://throughthelensdarkly.com/forums/CW_20110513_NikonD3_38399-2.jpg

Edited on May 14, 2011 at 03:36 PM · View previous versions
May 14, 2011 at 03:28 PM
Dergiman
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Zeiss Lens Photos and Discussion


carstenw wrote:
Great stuff, Philipp! I am very happy to see some Contax 645 glass in here, as well as Rolleiflex 6008, both systems I love (although I don't own a 6008, yet). Are the Rollei shots with a digital back?

I will have to dig around in my archives to see what I can find to post here. In fact, I have one or two landscape shots with the Sinar e54 which could be posted...

Yup, i use a Hy6 with e54LV. But i no longer have the C645.

Edited on May 14, 2011 at 03:31 PM · View previous versions
May 14, 2011 at 03:30 PM
carstenw
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Zeiss Lens Photos and Discussion


Lucky man, nice system.
May 14, 2011 at 03:30 PM
1
       2       3       …       251       252       end
FM Forums | Leica & Alternative Gear | Join Upload & Sell

1
       2       3       …       251       252       end
    
 

You are not logged in. Login or Register

Username       Or Reset password



This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.