It doesn't seem to difficult to predict the next 3 lenses Zeiss will announce. Given that Zeiss seems to build their initial run of lenses based off the ZM line, and all the lenses will have a 52mm filter thread, we can narrow down the list to the following lenses:
rishio media wrote:
It doesn't seem to difficult to predict the next 3 lenses Zeiss will announce. Given that Zeiss seems to build their initial run of lenses based off the ZM line, and all the lenses will have a 52mm filter thread, we can narrow down the list to the following lenses:
So probably 3 of those. My bets are: 21mm f/2.8, 28mm f/2.8, and 85mm f/4.
We don't even know how great the modification of the ZM 35/2's design in Loxia 35 will improve the performance on the A7 series. I don't think we'll see any Biogons wider than that, and they'll likely require new designs.
douglasf13 wrote:
We don't even know how great the modification of the ZM 35/2's design in Loxia 35 will improve the performance on the A7 series. I don't think we'll see any Biogons wider than that, and they'll likely require new designs.
Yes. Also I still think a re-bodied G90/2.8 is a pretty good possibility. It's a very good lens, and not any bigger than the 85/4.
rishio media wrote:
It doesn't seem to difficult to predict the next 3 lenses Zeiss will announce. Given that Zeiss seems to build their initial run of lenses based off the ZM line, and all the lenses will have a 52mm filter thread, we can narrow down the list to the following lenses:
So probably 3 of those. My bets are: 21mm f/2.8, 28mm f/2.8, and 85mm f/4.
douglasf13 wrote:
We don't even know how great the modification of the ZM 35/2's design in Loxia 35 will improve the performance on the A7 series. I don't think we'll see any Biogons wider than that, and they'll likely require new designs.
Taylor Sherman wrote:
Yes. Also I still think a re-bodied G90/2.8 is a pretty good possibility. It's a very good lens, and not any bigger than the 85/4.
So I'd guess 18/4, 25/2.8, and 90/2.8.
The ZM25/2.8 is a killer lens. If it really is a 'simple' matter of tweaking lens spacing and some 'minor' modifications, it would be a shame not to see this lens available in its full glory in native FE mount.
How about a 105/2.5 Sonnar of Nikkor 10.5cm/2.5 heritage, but with modern capabilities? If they do an 85/2, I really hope they tackle the horrid purple fringing of the ZM. Maybe Cosina is at the stage now where they could also manufacture that lens, rather than in Germany as the ZM was. It'll probably still end up near $2000...
rscheffler wrote:
The ZM25/2.8 is a killer lens. If it really is a 'simple' matter of tweaking lens spacing and some 'minor' modifications, it would be a shame not to see this lens available in its full glory in native FE mount.
How about a 105/2.5 Sonnar of Nikkor 10.5cm/2.5 heritage, but with modern capabilities? If they do an 85/2, I really hope they tackle the horrid purple fringing of the ZM. Maybe Cosina is at the stage now where they could also manufacture that lens, rather than in Germany as the ZM was. It'll probably still end up near $2000...
agreed about the zm 25/2.8.
i'm told a lot of the expense and difficulty with the zm 85/2 construction came from making it work with a rangefinder. not by a credible source though, so who knows, maybe it could be a lot cheaper?
That is what the Zeiss data sheet for it implies, however they also mention floating elements:
"As [sic] innovative telelens with floating elements for the M-bayonet it is equipped with an extremely precise, non-linear rangefinder coupling."
While looking at the line drawing of the lens, it struck me that its profile is almost identical to the mystery lens at the right side here: http://blogs.zeiss.com/photo/en/?p=5340 that we were speculating to be a 35/1.4.... What I thought was a rear element protrusion might actually be the mount itself if one ignores what looks to be a lens mount flange just above that part... I don't know.... Back a couple years ago apparently Zeiss was going to make another batch of the 85/2 but decided not to... it's one lens that should be mirrorless compatible as is. They could drop the cam from it and reintroduce it at a lower price. Though it wouldn't really make sense to do that and not have it fit in with the Loxia lens design.
Andrew, do you still have your ZM85/2 and how does it perform on the a7R?
rishio media wrote:
It doesn't seem to difficult to predict the next 3 lenses Zeiss will announce. Given that Zeiss seems to build their initial run of lenses based off the ZM line, and all the lenses will have a 52mm filter thread, we can narrow down the list to the following lenses:
when coded as 21/2.8 pre asph it's killer, while the zm21/2.8 must play second fiddle in landscape work to the 21SEM, the zm18, while slightly different in the colors, is at least a match for the 21SEM, and may be sharper yet by 5.6, At f/4 I'd bet on the 21SEM
Regarding the 85 Sonnar, it is made in Germany because the special non-linear focusing helicoid cannot be assembled in Japan for lack of training. This special helicoid is designed to make the lens have a longer throw at close distance and is very complicated to get it to work with the RF mechanism. Zeiss does not need to make the Loxia version in Germany as Cosina has plenty of experience with floating elements, and if the Otus can be made in Japan so can the Sonnar 85.
uhoh7 wrote:
...
you left out the best of all of them by a fair margin:
zm18
...
I left it out because it seemed like the front filter would have to be bigger than 52mm and they wouldn't be able to redesign it for the Loxia line requiring that filter size. But I'm just guessing here..
rishio media wrote:
I left it out because it seemed like the front filter would have to be bigger than 52mm and they wouldn't be able to redesign it for the Loxia line requiring that filter size. But I'm just guessing here..
if they can have multiple filter sizes for the zm line why not the loxia line?
i wish they'd gone with 49mm filter threads for the lenses that would work on.
Yeah, I'm sure they're not going to not release a lens because it can't conform to 52mm filter size. I'm sure they'll figure out a way to get it to fit the spirit of the design.
Edward - how did the ZM85/2 perform on the a7? I'd guess it was OK?
edwardkaraa wrote:
Regarding the 85 Sonnar, it is made in Germany because the special non-linear focusing helicoid cannot be assembled in Japan for lack of training. This special helicoid is designed to make the lens have a longer throw at close distance and is very complicated to get it to work with the RF mechanism. Zeiss does not need to make the Loxia version in Germany as Cosina has plenty of experience with floating elements, and if the Otus can be made in Japan so can the Sonnar 85.
Hi Edward,
I did not know the exact reason as to why it was built in Germany.
