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Archive 2013 · Zeiss ZF/ZF.2 Lenses

incrediblehark
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p.22 #1 · p.22 #1 · Zeiss ZF/ZF.2 Lenses

carlitos wrote:
I just spent several weekends shooting my 25/2 and my 28/2. You know at distance (200-250m?) with wide angle lenses, details (like trees and leaves) are going to be very small. I really like how both lenses handle white tree trunks, The 28 kind of inscribes them on film. But the 25, though sharp, doesn't handle them as well, because they are smaller on the horizon. They are more ghostly. Horses for courses.

Thanks for the info!

Nov 18, 2014 at 06:14 AM

Abuttolph
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p.22 #2 · p.22 #2 · Zeiss ZF/ZF.2 Lenses

incrediblehark wrote:
I can't wait to hear about your new 15mm, that's awesome!

How is your 21mm? I already have a 14-24, I tested both of them at the same time and fell in love with both.

I'm planning on getting the 21mm early in the new year. Lately I've been second guessing my choice. My Nikon 35mm f2D has been letting me down, making me think my money would be better spent filling in gaps in my gear (in lieu of the 21mm I could get 3 nikon G lenses). So it's a decision that's very hard for me....

-Adam

Thanks so much, Adam! The 15mm seems incredible. We have an inversion here, so the air is far from clear and I will need to wait until it clears to really go out and use the lens. Just playing with it in the house, it does a beautiful job.

The 21mm is fantastic. If you do get it, you will love it. It is a pleasure to use and feels so nice when working with it. The optics provide beautiful images. I cannot imagine regretting getting the 21mm. If you want to check out photos using the 21mm, take a look here: http://www.zeissimages.com/lensbrowser.php?page=3&lenstype=449
This site is nice because you can select any Zeiss lens and view images that different photographers have posted using that lens. The range of photos is pretty large, so there is a good sampling of images.

I would be interested in hearing about your purchase decision. It is not easy. In my case, I find that I just like my Zeiss lenses more than my Nikon lenses, so that is where I tend to spend my money in general, even though the Zeiss are more expensive. Good luck.

Nov 18, 2014 at 12:11 PM

incrediblehark
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p.22 #3 · p.22 #3 · Zeiss ZF/ZF.2 Lenses

Thanks for the great link. I'm already a few pages in.....

I tested the 21mm against a 14-24 a while ago and found I did like the Zeiss better in terms of IQ. I struggled with the decision because the zoom is so good throughout it's entire range, and has amazing IQ of it's own.

I decided on the 21mm and purchased it. I raced home, went outside in the backyard, and started taking some test pics with my new toy. To my heartbreak, right away I could tell something was wrong. The entire left side seemed severely OOF and it had a lot more distortion than the copy I tested previously.

Knowing where this was headed, I took some tripod mounted brick wall test shots throughout it's aperture range. You could clearly see the issue.

I contacted the retailer who agreed there was an issue and would take the lens back. I was kind of put off at this point, so I actually exchanged it for the 14-24. The 21mm was sent by the retailer back to Zeiss.

Later on I found out that Zeiss initially blamed me for dropping the lens, or somehow caused it to become de-centered. Before the retailer could respond, Zeiss quickly retracted that statement and said it had left their factory like that. (Who knew they kept their test shots from the inspections......) They asked me to retake the test shots with my 14-24 and send them in along with the ones I took with the 21mm. I guess they wanted to make sure I wasn't a moron, lol.

I didn't expect Zeiss to act the way they did, I was pleasantly surprised. Most lens companies wouldn't even be in a position to refer to QC test photos to solve a issue. I decided at that point I would be a Zeiss owner again at some point in the future.

I share this story with you guys, because I think it's important to know how a company conducts themselves, especially under less than ideal conditions. Zeiss really impressed me.

-Cheers

Nov 18, 2014 at 01:07 PM

Abuttolph
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p.22 #4 · p.22 #4 · Zeiss ZF/ZF.2 Lenses

Thanks for letting us know what Zeiss did. It is impressive that they have photos taken using the lens before it ever left the factory and that they cross- checked those.

The 14-24 is indeed a great lens too. Many of the images on the 14-24 thread are amazing. Hope that you are enjoying yours.

Nov 22, 2014 at 11:12 PM

incrediblehark
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p.22 #5 · p.22 #5 · Zeiss ZF/ZF.2 Lenses

Have you been able to get out shooting with your new 15mm?

Nov 23, 2014 at 07:58 AM

Abuttolph
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p.22 #6 · p.22 #6 · Zeiss ZF/ZF.2 Lenses

Not yet. We had an inversion here for several days and it was incredibly smokey until yesterday, when we had rain and snow. Today is looking so-so. It is kind of frustrating, but not much that I can do until the weather and air quality both are better.

Thanks for asking.

Nov 23, 2014 at 12:13 PM

webisweb
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p.22 #7 · p.22 #7 · Zeiss ZF/ZF.2 Lenses

Df + 50mm .ZF 2

Nov 24, 2014 at 07:26 AM

sandycrane
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p.22 #8 · p.22 #8 · Zeiss ZF/ZF.2 Lenses

Boise, ID.

d810 35/2 ZF @ f5.6

Nov 25, 2014 at 08:59 AM

Keith B.
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p.22 #9 · p.22 #9 · Zeiss ZF/ZF.2 Lenses

incrediblehark wrote:
Sorry, I was asking but I found some other forums that answered my questions.

Does anyone know how the 25mm f2 and f2.8 are at distances for sharpness? Same for the 28mm f2? Compared to the 21mm....

My observations, having owned and used all of the above, and still own and use the 28/2 and 21/2.8:
28/2 and 25/2.8 excellent at ∞, 25/2 while excellent at close and medium distances, is merely good at ∞, though technically the 25/2 is the better lens because it has
1) even performance all across the frame, and
2) less distortion than all the other Zeiss wideangles, including the 35/2.
The 21/2.8 is excellent at all distances.

Nov 26, 2014 at 03:06 AM

blutch
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p.22 #10 · p.22 #10 · Zeiss ZF/ZF.2 Lenses

Is the Z 100mm MP f.2 a 1:1 lens?

Nov 28, 2014 at 12:33 AM

NIH NSF
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p.22 #11 · p.22 #11 · Zeiss ZF/ZF.2 Lenses

No, only 1:2

Nov 28, 2014 at 03:04 AM

incrediblehark
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p.22 #12 · p.22 #12 · Zeiss ZF/ZF.2 Lenses

Keith B. wrote:
My observations, having owned and used all of the above, and still own and use the 28/2 and 21/2.8:
28/2 and 25/2.8 excellent at ∞, 25/2 while excellent at close and medium distances, is merely good at ∞, though technically the 25/2 is the better lens because it has
1) even performance all across the frame, and
2) less distortion than all the other Zeiss wideangles, including the 35/2.
The 21/2.8 is excellent at all distances.

Thanks for the info Keith.

Nov 28, 2014 at 04:30 AM

dubaiphil
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p.22 #13 · p.22 #13 · Zeiss ZF/ZF.2 Lenses

sandycrane wrote:
Boise, ID.

That shows off the rendering and colour of the 2/35 nicely, sandycrane

Nov 28, 2014 at 09:19 AM

dubaiphil
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p.22 #14 · p.22 #14 · Zeiss ZF/ZF.2 Lenses

D700, 2/35 Distagon - f4.5

Great for B&W conversions

http://philpage.zenfolio.com/img/s3/v38/p513124554-5.jpg

Nov 28, 2014 at 09:22 AM

dubaiphil
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p.22 #15 · p.22 #15 · Zeiss ZF/ZF.2 Lenses

And good for big pano's too:

http://philpage.zenfolio.com/img/s9/v90/p1596141298-6.jpg

large pano here

Nov 28, 2014 at 09:26 AM

dubaiphil
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p.22 #16 · p.22 #16 · Zeiss ZF/ZF.2 Lenses

and another multi exposure pano here:

http://philpage.zenfolio.com/img/s10/v104/p1849766659-6.jpg

large pano here

Nov 28, 2014 at 09:30 AM

blutch
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p.22 #17 · p.22 #17 · Zeiss ZF/ZF.2 Lenses

Would someone mind telling me the difference between a 1:1 and a 1:2 Macro lens in terms of macro photography?

Nov 28, 2014 at 10:50 AM

shmn
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p.22 #18 · p.22 #18 · Zeiss ZF/ZF.2 Lenses

blutch wrote:
Would someone mind telling me the difference between a 1:1 and a 1:2 Macro lens in terms of macro photography?

http://www.bythom.com/qadmacro.htm

Thom explains it very well.

Nov 28, 2014 at 03:59 PM

Nima M
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p.22 #19 · p.22 #19 · Zeiss ZF/ZF.2 Lenses

D800E/Otus 55

Untitled by funwithlight, on Flickr

Dec 02, 2014 at 06:23 AM

jbouchard
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p.22 #20 · p.22 #20 · Zeiss ZF/ZF.2 Lenses

One from my first day out with the 21/2.8 ZF.

downstream_starburst_reduced by JoeBouchard, on Flickr

Dec 02, 2014 at 10:17 PM

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