p.4 #1 · Zeiss Distagon 2.8/15 ZE official, release in May 2012
matanuska wrote:
I dunno. If the "world-class" 14-24 Nikkor zoom can be profitably manufactured and sold at right around $2k, I don't think it's unreasonable to assume that an equally "world-class" single FL 15mm prime couldn't come in at around that price too.
It possibly "could" if it was to be produced with the same material selection, the same production techniques, and in the same volume. Unfortunately, it is not. Smaller production numbers, all-metal construction, and more hand assembly --not to mention more stringent quality control, does lead one to expect a higher price.
p.4 #3 · Zeiss Distagon 2.8/15 ZE official, release in May 2012
Lotusm50 wrote:
It possibly "could" if it was to be produced with the same material selection, the same production techniques, and in the same volume. Unfortunately, it is not. Smaller production numbers, all-metal construction, and more hand assembly --not to mention more stringent quality control, does lead one to expect a higher price.
OTOH, it's a manual focus prime - significantly less complex than an autofocus zoom. And the Nikon Brand prices itself at a premium over most others as well.
p.4 #6 · Zeiss Distagon 2.8/15 ZE official, release in May 2012
sebboh wrote:
meh, the Z* 21mm is too wide for me. i have no interest in a lens like this. what do people use a 15mm for anyway? interiors? taking pictures of puddles that make them look like lakes?
Hehehhe!
My thoughts on usefulness the focal length tho... this would be the same as the wide end of the Lumix 7-14 and that's awesome for all kinds of photography! I see good street shots (when the photographer knows how to use the histogram) with it, great party and event shots with it, even sports where the photog can get close - like local ping-pong championships/play-offs, pool and park skaters, snow boarding, ballooning, etc. The creative and interesting shots I see at the wide end of the 7-14 even in spite of the low DR on µ4/3, make me think 7.5mm (15mm equiv) is not too wide to be useful! I used the Lumix for awhile and it sure took some getting used to but after the marriage ceremony the honeymoon was pretty sweet!
And this will make a fantastic 30mm for us µ4/3 users... Bahahahaaa
p.4 #7 · Zeiss Distagon 2.8/15 ZE official, release in May 2012
The lens certainly has some strong competition with the Canon 14/2.8MKII (the samples I've seen look rather nice) and, as talked about already, the Nikon Zoom.
p.4 #10 · Zeiss Distagon 2.8/15 ZE official, release in May 2012
I was hoping it would get the long focus-throw and consequent widely-spaced depth-of-field markings of the 18 mm Distagon, but that photo suggests it will be at least as cramped as the 21 mm.
p.4 #11 · Zeiss Distagon 2.8/15 ZE official, release in May 2012
Assuming the lens has what has been discussed so far in this thread ...
The inclusion of a filter thread is nice since most FF lenses wider than 16mm don't have one. Given that, I don't see why the hood needs to be built in. The filter thread obviously means that the glass isn't sticking out past the front of the lens body and so the extra protection isn't needed. Since Zeiss bothered to include the thread, it would've been nice to have the option to screw in a filter holder, as well. Now some people are thinking just hand hold the filters but you'll have to be very careful with reflections, especially with a focal length this wide.
p.4 #15 · Zeiss Distagon 2.8/15 ZE official, release in May 2012
Lloyd also mentions that it's an "all-new lens design" so the theories that it somehow relates to the the RF optical formula or will demonstrate a mustache-type distortion like the 21 are probably now unfounded. Canonistas will really be the ones for whom this will be a native-mount revelation, like the 14-24 was/is for Nikon users.
p.4 #16 · Zeiss Distagon 2.8/15 ZE official, release in May 2012
Optics is the science and art of intertwined impossibilities. The mustache distortion is a trade off for better managing of other optical problems. With the computerization of photography the remaining optical errors should be those that are the easiest to correct in PP.
It will no doubt be a new design, but within the distagon envelope. I´d be surprised if it would not follow the same route as the 18/4 to 18/3.5 took with a convex lens at front ala 21mm. Add the need to use environmentally friendlier glass.
As measured from the MTF-paper of the Contax 15mm, the front element has over 4.2 times larger diameter. Translating this to the rather wide looking rear element on the Zeiss teaser images of the new 15mm, a 95mm filter is close, very close.
Thanks. I have been to the blog in addition to reading everything in this thread.
If my post had a negative tone, it was unintentional. I'm actually very interested in this lens and kudos to Zeiss for including the filter thread. Just having the option to use a polarizer (with care, of course) is a big plus. I'm just thinking that a detachable hood would have provided even more options.
p.4 #19 · Zeiss Distagon 2.8/15 ZE official, release in May 2012
i really have a hard time understanding the thought behind designing such a lens...
ok its 15mm but there are other high quality 14mm glass on the market
the built in hood and the 95mm thread make it impossible to mount standard square filters and filter holders (i'm talking mostly about LEE grads), the bread and butter option for most landscape shooters (again, same basic drawback of all the 14mm primes)
i think a much more logical thing to do was, either redesign their current 18mm which had relatively bad rep for a zeiss glass, or go with something less extreme, like a 16-17mm f/2.8 prime with 82mm thread and better sharpness across the frame than the current lenses available on the market. now, THAT would sell!
p.4 #20 · Zeiss Distagon 2.8/15 ZE official, release in May 2012
? 'Halo' product as an exercise in engineering extremes that few will actually buy into boosts the image of the brand? For its time, the Nikkor 13/5.6 AI/AIS was the widest rectilinear lens made but it was only produced in small numbers (350) and to special order, at the time for a King's ransom (~$10,000).
Each one was even blessed by a Shinto priest, as rumor had it.
The more I think about it, the more I am leaning toward the upper estimates of the lens price, in the vicinity of US$3000.
