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Archive 2016The mystery of the Zeiss look?
p.30 #1The mystery of the Zeiss look?
sjms wrote:
i have never really needed to explain things to people and at this point even less so.
i'll just muddle along doing what i do.
Hmmm . . . "never really needed to explain things to people" -- with 22K+ posts here, you seem amazingly shy at the moment.
I'm asking you for simple clarification of an image you posted and multiple comments you've made on this thread. Why so snarky and reticent?
i have never really needed to explain things to people and at this point even less so.
i'll just muddle along doing what i do.
Hmmm . . . "never really needed to explain things to people" -- with 22K+ posts here, you seem amazingly shy at the moment.
I'm asking you for simple clarification of an image you posted and multiple comments you've made on this thread. Why so snarky and reticent?
Mar 13, 2016 at 05:55 PM
p.30 #2The mystery of the Zeiss look?
jcolwell wrote:
I actually had somebody ask me if I was a dentist, when I was offering a Leica-R lens for sale.
Tread carefully there, you'll be pulling teeth next.
OTOH, which "actually better" Nikkors would you stack against the Summicron-R 50/2 E55, Elmarit R 90/2.8 E55, and Apo-Telyt-R 180/3.4 ? (not to mention many other excellent -R lenses that I haven't owned)
I'd dare say that could be a tough one. Given its usual going price though, I might give it a go with the 105 2.5 you know what, and save a considerable amount of moola attempting to do so.
I actually had somebody ask me if I was a dentist, when I was offering a Leica-R lens for sale.
Tread carefully there, you'll be pulling teeth next.
OTOH, which "actually better" Nikkors would you stack against the Summicron-R 50/2 E55, Elmarit R 90/2.8 E55, and Apo-Telyt-R 180/3.4 ? (not to mention many other excellent -R lenses that I haven't owned)
I'd dare say that could be a tough one. Given its usual going price though, I might give it a go with the 105 2.5 you know what, and save a considerable amount of moola attempting to do so.
Mar 13, 2016 at 06:03 PM
p.30 #3The mystery of the Zeiss look?
jcolwell wrote:
I actually had somebody ask me if I was a dentist, when I was offering a Leica-R lens for sale.
OTOH, which "actually better" Nikkors would you stack against the Summicron-R 50/2 E55, Elmarit R 90/2.8 E55, and Apo-Telyt-R 180/3.4 ? (not to mention many other excellent -R lenses that I haven't owned)
jancohen wrote:
Tread carefully there, you'll be pulling teeth next.
I'd dare say that could be a tough one. Given its usual going price though, I might give it a go with the 105 2.5 you know what, and save a considerable amount of moola attempting to do so.
I have the 105/2.5 AI, It's a very nice lens. I was wondering about "betters" at more-or-less the same focal lengths and apertures. Every product line has some excellent lenses, including Leica-R.
Of course, this is getting off topic, or off course, as you might say.
I actually had somebody ask me if I was a dentist, when I was offering a Leica-R lens for sale.
OTOH, which "actually better" Nikkors would you stack against the Summicron-R 50/2 E55, Elmarit R 90/2.8 E55, and Apo-Telyt-R 180/3.4 ? (not to mention many other excellent -R lenses that I haven't owned)
jancohen wrote:
Tread carefully there, you'll be pulling teeth next.
I'd dare say that could be a tough one. Given its usual going price though, I might give it a go with the 105 2.5 you know what, and save a considerable amount of moola attempting to do so.
I have the 105/2.5 AI, It's a very nice lens. I was wondering about "betters" at more-or-less the same focal lengths and apertures. Every product line has some excellent lenses, including Leica-R.
Of course, this is getting off topic, or off course, as you might say.
Mar 13, 2016 at 06:06 PM
p.30 #4The mystery of the Zeiss look?
jcolwell wrote:
Every product line has some excellent lenses, including Leica-R.
Agreed, more or less.
Every product line has some excellent lenses, including Leica-R.
Agreed, more or less.
Mar 13, 2016 at 06:10 PM
p.30 #5The mystery of the Zeiss look?
SKumar25 wrote:
How was there ever going to be real conversations when people brought their baggage along to the thread... 
So far as I know... it is impossible to go ANYWHERE without our baggage. Objectivity is really fools gold... even where it is purported to exist, it is worthless.
CGrindahl wrote
I note this thread has finally achieved a level of absurdity that makes ANY real conversation about mystery of Zeiss impossible.So far as I know... it is impossible to go ANYWHERE without our baggage. Objectivity is really fools gold... even where it is purported to exist, it is worthless.
Mar 13, 2016 at 06:43 PM
p.30 #6The mystery of the Zeiss look?
jcolwell wrote:
I'd dare say that could be a tough one. Given its usual going price though, I might give it a go with the 105 2.5 you know what, and save a considerable amount of moola attempting to do so.I have the 105/2.5 AI, It's a very nice lens. I was wondering about "betters" at more-or-less the same focal lengths and apertures. Every product line has some excellent lenses, including Leica-R.
Of course, this is getting off topic, or off course, as you might say.
On a memorable day shooting with a fellow who is NOT a dentist but who owns a half million dollar airplane AND an amazing collection of lenses, I had the opportunity to shoot first with the Voigtlander 125 f/2.5 SL, then the Zeiss 100 f/2 and the Zeiss 50 f/2. But the piece de resistance was the Leica R 90 f/2. I was content with my kit of Nikon manual focus lenses in relation to the first three, but there was a glow to the Leica that was captivating to me. Had I not invested so much of my time and energy with the Manual Focus Nikon Glass thread I might have explored Leica a bit further... within the limitations of my budget, of course. But this thread is about Zeiss... or at least it WAS...
Can't resist... Leica R 90 f/2 with a Nikon mount wide open on a D700...
jcolwell wrote
I actually had somebody ask me if I was a dentist, when I was offering a Leica-R lens for sale.Earlier quote
OTOH, which "actually better" Nikkors would you stack against the Summicron-R 50/2 E55, Elmarit R 90/2.8 E55, and Apo-Telyt-R 180/3.4 ? (not to mention many other excellent -R lenses that I haven't owned)jancohen wrote
Tread carefully there, you'll be pulling teeth next.I'd dare say that could be a tough one. Given its usual going price though, I might give it a go with the 105 2.5 you know what, and save a considerable amount of moola attempting to do so.
Of course, this is getting off topic, or off course, as you might say.
On a memorable day shooting with a fellow who is NOT a dentist but who owns a half million dollar airplane AND an amazing collection of lenses, I had the opportunity to shoot first with the Voigtlander 125 f/2.5 SL, then the Zeiss 100 f/2 and the Zeiss 50 f/2. But the piece de resistance was the Leica R 90 f/2. I was content with my kit of Nikon manual focus lenses in relation to the first three, but there was a glow to the Leica that was captivating to me. Had I not invested so much of my time and energy with the Manual Focus Nikon Glass thread I might have explored Leica a bit further... within the limitations of my budget, of course. But this thread is about Zeiss... or at least it WAS...
Can't resist... Leica R 90 f/2 with a Nikon mount wide open on a D700...
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Mar 13, 2016 at 07:02 PM
p.30 #7The mystery of the Zeiss look?
jancohen wrote:
Steve, is that reduction of the Hiroshima Genbaku Dome a crop? If so, any chance you could post a copy of what sold?
there were 4 images. i will look into getting the images to show you.
sjms wrote
yeah, it was that first atomic bomb thing 1800 ft up and to the left of where i shot it.there were 4 images. i will look into getting the images to show you.
Mar 13, 2016 at 07:18 PM
p.30 #8The mystery of the Zeiss look?
CGrindahl wrote:
...Can't resist... Leica R 90 f/2 with a Nikon mount wide open on a D700...
Here's a West Coast image from my -R 90/2 on 5D, in 2010. It's an awesome lens, but I prefered the CZ 85/1.4 CY. Now, I have neither.
It's all in the eye of the cameraholder.
Leica Summicron-R 90mm f/2 at f/2 on Canon 5D
...Can't resist... Leica R 90 f/2 with a Nikon mount wide open on a D700...
Here's a West Coast image from my -R 90/2 on 5D, in 2010. It's an awesome lens, but I prefered the CZ 85/1.4 CY. Now, I have neither.
It's all in the eye of the cameraholder.
© jcolwell 2016
Leica Summicron-R 90mm f/2 at f/2 on Canon 5D
Mar 13, 2016 at 07:31 PM
p.30 #9The mystery of the Zeiss look?
CGrindahl wrote:
Objectivity is really fools gold... even where it is purported to exist, it is worthless.
Objectivity is too mainstream, lets go with subjectivity...
Objectivity is really fools gold... even where it is purported to exist, it is worthless.
Objectivity is too mainstream, lets go with subjectivity...
Mar 13, 2016 at 08:06 PM
p.30 #10The mystery of the Zeiss look?
One thing for sure, Zeiss stirs up all sorts of emotions from all sides. 30 pages and still going like the energizer bunny. I bet you could barely hit 5 pages discussing Canikon lens imagining styles.
Mar 13, 2016 at 08:26 PM
p.30 #11The mystery of the Zeiss look?
chez wrote:
One thing for sure, Zeiss stirs up all sorts of emotions from all sides. 30 pages and still going like the energizer bunny. I bet you could barely hit 5 pages discussing Canikon lens imagining styles.
Actually, we're at 5,467 pages celebrating Nikon manual focus lenses..., 109,324 posts at the moment. Of course, we don't spend a great deal of time analyzing what these lenses produce, but rather enjoy sharing with one another the images we capture while encouraging one another to buy more lenses. Our motto is "Kit Building is Forever..." Obviously, we're enjoying our conversation. At the moment for the SECOND time, we're sending a lens around the world so folks who enjoy hanging out with us can put the lens to work in new environs. The first adventure took an 85 f/1.8 H.C. AI lens to 20 different photographers over an 11 month time frame. If you want to read the story check the WWW at the bottom of this post. You can read my concluding remarks and if you have the time you can go back through the journey that lens took.
So there really are many way to do this and even more ways to enjoy the process with kindred spirits.
One thing for sure, Zeiss stirs up all sorts of emotions from all sides. 30 pages and still going like the energizer bunny. I bet you could barely hit 5 pages discussing Canikon lens imagining styles.
Actually, we're at 5,467 pages celebrating Nikon manual focus lenses..., 109,324 posts at the moment. Of course, we don't spend a great deal of time analyzing what these lenses produce, but rather enjoy sharing with one another the images we capture while encouraging one another to buy more lenses. Our motto is "Kit Building is Forever..."
Obviously, we're enjoying our conversation. At the moment for the SECOND time, we're sending a lens around the world so folks who enjoy hanging out with us can put the lens to work in new environs. The first adventure took an 85 f/1.8 H.C. AI lens to 20 different photographers over an 11 month time frame. If you want to read the story check the WWW at the bottom of this post. You can read my concluding remarks and if you have the time you can go back through the journey that lens took.So there really are many way to do this and even more ways to enjoy the process with kindred spirits.
Mar 13, 2016 at 08:38 PM
p.30 #12The mystery of the Zeiss look?
Amazing what can be accomplished when a sense of community exists:
CGrindahl wrote:
...we're at 5,467 pages celebrating Nikon manual focus lenses..., 109,324 posts at the moment. Of course, we don't spend a great deal of time analyzing what these lenses produce, but rather enjoy sharing with one another the images we capture while encouraging one another to buy more lenses. Our motto is "Kit Building is Forever..." Obviously, we're enjoying our conversation. At the moment for the SECOND time, we're sending a lens around the world so folks who enjoy hanging out with us can put the lens to work in new environs. The first adventure took an 85 f/1.8 H.C....Show more →
CGrindahl wrote:
...we're at 5,467 pages celebrating Nikon manual focus lenses..., 109,324 posts at the moment. Of course, we don't spend a great deal of time analyzing what these lenses produce, but rather enjoy sharing with one another the images we capture while encouraging one another to buy more lenses. Our motto is "Kit Building is Forever..."
Obviously, we're enjoying our conversation. At the moment for the SECOND time, we're sending a lens around the world so folks who enjoy hanging out with us can put the lens to work in new environs. The first adventure took an 85 f/1.8 H.C....Show more →Mar 13, 2016 at 08:50 PM
p.30 #13The mystery of the Zeiss look?
jancohen wrote:
Amazing what can be accomplished when a sense of community exists:
Very good indeed...
Amazing what can be accomplished when a sense of community exists:
Very good indeed...
Mar 13, 2016 at 08:55 PM
p.30 #14The mystery of the Zeiss look?
I'd seen something similar fall apart at Nikon Cafe but we had the advantage of spending a year and a half getting to know one another before we started. There was so much excitement generated during that adventure that we were adding 10,000 posts to the thread in around eighty days... over one hundred a day. The thread was electric and everyone was complaining that it moved so fast they couldn't keep up.
This was the note I found when the package arrived in San Francisco...
We really did an amazing thing and we're clearly nowhere near done with this conversation. It is almost THREE years since that adventure ended.
This was the note I found when the package arrived in San Francisco...
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We really did an amazing thing and we're clearly nowhere near done with this conversation.
It is almost THREE years since that adventure ended.Mar 13, 2016 at 09:11 PM
p.30 #15The mystery of the Zeiss look?
CGrindahl wrote:
the piece de resistance was the Leica R 90 f/2.
Excuse me while I mop up some drool.
The 90/2.8 Elmarit is as close as I'll likely get to such anytime soon. Paired with the Nikon 105/2.5 AIS (and the Canon 100/2) it offers different rendering options. I tend to think of the range of renderings as going from punchy to pleasant, or smooth to abrupt ... depending on my subject and vibe I might desire to present.
the piece de resistance was the Leica R 90 f/2.
Excuse me while I mop up some drool.
The 90/2.8 Elmarit is as close as I'll likely get to such anytime soon. Paired with the Nikon 105/2.5 AIS (and the Canon 100/2) it offers different rendering options. I tend to think of the range of renderings as going from punchy to pleasant, or smooth to abrupt ... depending on my subject and vibe I might desire to present.
Mar 13, 2016 at 10:03 PM
p.30 #16The mystery of the Zeiss look?
CGrindahl wrote:
On a memorable day shooting with a fellow who is NOT a dentist but who owns a half million dollar airplane AND an amazing collection of lenses, I had the opportunity to shoot first with the Voigtlander 125 f/2.5 SL, then the Zeiss 100 f/2 and the Zeiss 50 f/2. But the piece de resistance was the Leica R 90 f/2. I was content with my kit of Nikon manual focus lenses in relation to the first three, but there was a glow to the Leica that was captivating to me. Had I not invested so much of my time...Show more →
the 90 cron is so far my favorite lens for portraits in the 75-135mm range (i used the m version, not the R, but they are optically very similar). like it better than any of the zeiss or nikon offerings i've tried. it's probably for the best you didn't continue to explore, having lenses with focus rings that move in opposite directions can be quite annoying...
a couple pics from the 90 cron:
incredulous b&w by sebboh, on Flickr
twin peaks sunset by sebboh, on Flickr
CGrindahl wrote:
I'd seen something similar fall apart at Nikon Cafe but we had the advantage of spending a year and a half getting to know one another before we started. There was so much excitement generated during that adventure that we were adding 10,000 posts to the thread in around eighty days... over one hundred a day. The thread was electric and everyone was complaining that it moved so fast they couldn't keep up.
This was the note I found when the package arrived in San Francisco...
http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WVqkW-SnqBU/UVJIi4GpATI/AAAAAAAASvM/zeOCJqteodIG1bcGGQDExmkKR-qHYQaiwCCo/s912-Ic42/50.1.2.NikkiThankyouNote.jpg
We really did an amazing thing and we're clearly nowhere near done with this conversation....Show more →
that's fantastic!
if you guys are ever interested in doing something similar with a rokkor 58/1.2 or canon 55/1.2 that have been converted to nikon mount, let me know.
On a memorable day shooting with a fellow who is NOT a dentist but who owns a half million dollar airplane AND an amazing collection of lenses, I had the opportunity to shoot first with the Voigtlander 125 f/2.5 SL, then the Zeiss 100 f/2 and the Zeiss 50 f/2. But the piece de resistance was the Leica R 90 f/2. I was content with my kit of Nikon manual focus lenses in relation to the first three, but there was a glow to the Leica that was captivating to me. Had I not invested so much of my time...Show more →
the 90 cron is so far my favorite lens for portraits in the 75-135mm range (i used the m version, not the R, but they are optically very similar). like it better than any of the zeiss or nikon offerings i've tried. it's probably for the best you didn't continue to explore, having lenses with focus rings that move in opposite directions can be quite annoying...
a couple pics from the 90 cron:
incredulous b&w by sebboh, on Flickrtwin peaks sunset by sebboh, on FlickrCGrindahl wrote:
I'd seen something similar fall apart at Nikon Cafe but we had the advantage of spending a year and a half getting to know one another before we started. There was so much excitement generated during that adventure that we were adding 10,000 posts to the thread in around eighty days... over one hundred a day. The thread was electric and everyone was complaining that it moved so fast they couldn't keep up.
This was the note I found when the package arrived in San Francisco...
http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WVqkW-SnqBU/UVJIi4GpATI/AAAAAAAASvM/zeOCJqteodIG1bcGGQDExmkKR-qHYQaiwCCo/s912-Ic42/50.1.2.NikkiThankyouNote.jpg
We really did an amazing thing and we're clearly nowhere near done with this conversation.
...Show more →that's fantastic!
if you guys are ever interested in doing something similar with a rokkor 58/1.2 or canon 55/1.2 that have been converted to nikon mount, let me know.
Mar 13, 2016 at 11:10 PM
p.30 #17The mystery of the Zeiss look?
We better watch out here... turning a Zeiss thread into a Leica thread... 
The Twin Peaks shot is gorgeous. The muted colors are sublime. I live about fifteen miles north of San Francisco so most of my photos are taken looking south rather than north as this shot is. And they're exclusively taken with Nikon lenses so obviously don't belong in this conversation.
The Twin Peaks shot is gorgeous. The muted colors are sublime. I live about fifteen miles north of San Francisco so most of my photos are taken looking south rather than north as this shot is. And they're exclusively taken with Nikon lenses so obviously don't belong in this conversation.
Mar 13, 2016 at 11:43 PM
p.30 #18The mystery of the Zeiss look?
CGrindahl wrote:
We better watch out here... turning a Zeiss thread into a Leica thread...
The Twin Peaks shot is gorgeous. The muted colors are sublime. I live about fifteen miles north of San Francisco so most of my photos are taken looking south rather than north as this shot is. And they're exclusively taken with Nikon lenses so obviously don't belong in this conversation.
very well, here's a shot from nearly the same spot with a zeiss lens (contax g 45mm):
clear day in the city by sebboh, on Flickr
i do miss SF, my old apartment was a ten minute walk from twin peaks.
both images can be viewed much larger if you follow the flickr links.
obviously both shots are stitches and the light is very different, but one can still see the difference in rendering between a classic mandler design and a classic zeiss planar... or maybe it's just the huge difference in lighting...
We better watch out here... turning a Zeiss thread into a Leica thread...
The Twin Peaks shot is gorgeous. The muted colors are sublime. I live about fifteen miles north of San Francisco so most of my photos are taken looking south rather than north as this shot is. And they're exclusively taken with Nikon lenses so obviously don't belong in this conversation.
very well, here's a shot from nearly the same spot with a zeiss lens (contax g 45mm)
:clear day in the city by sebboh, on Flickri do miss SF, my old apartment was a ten minute walk from twin peaks.
both images can be viewed much larger if you follow the flickr links.
obviously both shots are stitches and the light is very different, but one can still see the difference in rendering between a classic mandler design and a classic zeiss planar... or maybe it's just the huge difference in lighting...
Mar 14, 2016 at 12:04 AM
p.30 #19The mystery of the Zeiss look?
sebboh wrote:
obviously both shots are stitches and the light is very different, but one can still see the difference in rendering between a classic mandler design and a classic zeiss planar... or maybe it's just the huge difference in lighting...
It's probably both, but the lighting makes the biggest difference in my opinion. Nevertheless, most Zeiss lenses have a 'in your face' rendering with lots of microcontrast and color. The Loxia lenses carry that signature in a very intense way. I reviewed the Samyang 2/135 after the Loxia 2.8/21 and although the Samyang performed extraordinary in all measurable categories, I missed the vibrancy of the Zeiss images. One of my favorite lenses for it's rendering is the Vario-Sonnar 3.4/35-70. High sharpness, contrast and clarity + great colors and also lovely bokeh, a great lens.
I personally love that for most applications but I can understand people who prefer a more muted look.
obviously both shots are stitches and the light is very different, but one can still see the difference in rendering between a classic mandler design and a classic zeiss planar... or maybe it's just the huge difference in lighting...
It's probably both, but the lighting makes the biggest difference in my opinion. Nevertheless, most Zeiss lenses have a 'in your face' rendering with lots of microcontrast and color. The Loxia lenses carry that signature in a very intense way. I reviewed the Samyang 2/135 after the Loxia 2.8/21 and although the Samyang performed extraordinary in all measurable categories, I missed the vibrancy of the Zeiss images. One of my favorite lenses for it's rendering is the Vario-Sonnar 3.4/35-70. High sharpness, contrast and clarity + great colors and also lovely bokeh, a great lens.
I personally love that for most applications but I can understand people who prefer a more muted look.
Mar 14, 2016 at 05:02 AM