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Archive 2016 · Does the Zeiss ZM Sonnar T* 85mm f/2 actually exist?

jhinkey
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p.2 #1 · p.2 #1 · Does the Zeiss ZM Sonnar T* 85mm f/2 actually exist?

edwardkaraa wrote:
I used to have the tele tessar before I got the sonnar. It is a nice lens by all means, but f/4 can be very limiting in terms of background separation and low light shooting. While it is no slouch sharpness wise, once you shoot with the sonnar nothing else can compare. THe sonnar is so much sharper.
PS. The sonnar also tends to flare, which is unusual for a Zeiss lens. The tele tessar has zero flare, in line with all other ZM.

For some of us the weight/size of a lens is the big issue. I wish the TT85 were a stop faster, but for the vast majority of the hiking/climbing images that I take weight & size are critical with lens speed a far secondary concern.
I agree though, once you shoot fast glass it's tough to go back to a "lowly" f/2.8 or f/4 lens. That's why I have the Zeiss 135/2 APO around

May 15, 2016 at 11:55 AM

jhinkey
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p.2 #2 · p.2 #2 · Does the Zeiss ZM Sonnar T* 85mm f/2 actually exist?

rico wrote:
John, don't be shy about posting some images from that TT85.

I certainly won't, I just need to get some time in the next few weeks. I'll be taking it on vacation in about a month and should have a ton of images from France, Italy, and Switzerland.

- John

May 15, 2016 at 11:57 AM

edwardkaraa
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p.2 #3 · p.2 #3 · Does the Zeiss ZM Sonnar T* 85mm f/2 actually exist?

jhinkey wrote:
For some of us the weight/size of a lens is the big issue. I wish the TT85 were a stop faster, but for the vast majority of the hiking/climbing images that I take weight & size are critical with lens speed a far secondary concern.
I agree though, once you shoot fast glass it's tough to go back to a "lowly" f/2.8 or f/4 lens. That's why I have the Zeiss 135/2 APO around

.

I think you misunderstood my comments. It's not about the speed but sharpness. The sonnar is much sharper at f/4, and even at f/2. I like the rendering of the tele tessar. It is very well behaved, with no flaws, but no accolades either. It would certainly be my choice if I shot landscapes, but I shoot mostly people and street, often in less than ideal light.

May 15, 2016 at 12:11 PM

edwardkaraa
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p.2 #4 · p.2 #4 · Does the Zeiss ZM Sonnar T* 85mm f/2 actually exist?

A few old shots with the tele tessar:

M9 Tele-Tessar 85 ZM by edward karaa, on Flickr

M9 + ZM 85 Tele-Tessar by edward karaa, on Flickr

L1001385 by edward karaa, on Flickr

May 15, 2016 at 12:31 PM

Mike Tuomey
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p.2 #5 · p.2 #5 · Does the Zeiss ZM Sonnar T* 85mm f/2 actually exist?

No use for the 90AA here - I cannot focus it reliably even after adjustment.

ZM 85/2 -- want!!

May 15, 2016 at 03:03 PM

sirimiri
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p.2 #6 · p.2 #6 · Does the Zeiss ZM Sonnar T* 85mm f/2 actually exist?

It is a really easy lens to focus, for its focal length. The ring's travel is smooth and long.

May 15, 2016 at 11:52 PM

nehemiahphoto
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p.2 #7 · p.2 #7 · Does the Zeiss ZM Sonnar T* 85mm f/2 actually exist?

I like 85s, and have shot lots of high end ones, and after doing some research, I am not interested in the ZM85. Here's a review for you:

http://www.pebbleplace.com/Review/Zeiss_85_F2_ZM_Page_1.html

Not sure if you want to go native m mount, or if an adapter has been made, but the Contarex 85 f2 is an awesome lens, though the character is a bit different.

May 16, 2016 at 12:14 AM

edwardkaraa
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p.2 #8 · p.2 #8 · Does the Zeiss ZM Sonnar T* 85mm f/2 actually exist?

nehemiahphoto wrote:
I like 85s, and have shot lots of high end ones, and after doing some research, I am not interested in the ZM85. Here's a review for you:

http://www.pebbleplace.com/Review/Zeiss_85_F2_ZM_Page_1.html

Not sure if you want to go native m mount, or if an adapter has been made, but the Contarex 85 f2 is an awesome lens, though the character is a bit different.

I concur with the findings in the review.

May 16, 2016 at 02:53 AM

rscheffler
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p.2 #9 · p.2 #9 · Does the Zeiss ZM Sonnar T* 85mm f/2 actually exist?

Mike Tuomey wrote:
No use for the 90AA here - I cannot focus it reliably even after adjustment.

ZM 85/2 -- want!!

That's what live view is for! I mostly shoot nearer to infinity, so it's less critical. Just bought a Canon 100/3.5 LTM to compare. I hear it's sharp enough... Might be good as my daylight walk around urban landscape lens.

Edit: maybe it will make me stop thinking about the 90/4 Macro... but probably not.

May 16, 2016 at 04:21 PM

rico
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p.2 #10 · p.2 #10 · Does the Zeiss ZM Sonnar T* 85mm f/2 actually exist?

rscheffler wrote:
Edit: maybe it will make me stop thinking about the 90/4 Macro... but probably not.

Ha, ha, I know that feeling.

May 16, 2016 at 08:24 PM

rscheffler
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p.2 #11 · p.2 #11 · Does the Zeiss ZM Sonnar T* 85mm f/2 actually exist?

Well, I have to exhaust reasonable options first, so might as well start at the low end of the price scale ($100 for the 100/3.5, so low risk and hoping its condition is good, as described).

May 16, 2016 at 08:35 PM

edwardkaraa
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p.2 #12 · p.2 #12 · Does the Zeiss ZM Sonnar T* 85mm f/2 actually exist?

Just buy the 90/4 Ron and let it out of your system

May 16, 2016 at 09:59 PM

rico
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p.2 #13 · p.2 #13 · Does the Zeiss ZM Sonnar T* 85mm f/2 actually exist?

Edward the Enabler.

Cool feature of the Elmar macro is the ability to inspect your bankruptcy forms up close.

May 17, 2016 at 12:57 AM

edwardkaraa
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p.2 #14 · p.2 #14 · Does the Zeiss ZM Sonnar T* 85mm f/2 actually exist?

rico wrote:
Edward the Enabler.

Cool feature of the Elmar macro is the ability to inspect your bankruptcy forms up close.

May 17, 2016 at 01:23 AM

Gary Clennan
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p.2 #15 · p.2 #15 · Does the Zeiss ZM Sonnar T* 85mm f/2 actually exist?

Ron - you still thinking about that macro? I think you really need one! Actually, I almost bought one a year ago for longer range landscape shots. The samples I saw were nothing short of amazing.

May 17, 2016 at 08:51 AM

jhinkey
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p.2 #16 · p.2 #16 · Does the Zeiss ZM Sonnar T* 85mm f/2 actually exist?

jhinkey wrote:
I certainly won't, I just need to get some time in the next few weeks. I'll be taking it on vacation in about a month and should have a ton of images from France, Italy, and Switzerland.

- John

Well I took a few quick snaps yesterday afternoon with the TT85 on my a7RII with a cheap Fotasy adapter and I must say I'm very impressed. One was at MFD of my daughter (close crop candid) and her eyelashes came out crisp and clear. Another shot at infinity (at least as far as the Fotasy adapter would let me get to infinity) came out with excellent sharpness completely from border to border even wide open. Haven't checked out the corners yet, but my shots with the lens before I bought it suggested they were pretty good at f/4 and way good enough at f/5.6.

May 19, 2016 at 12:04 AM

rscheffler
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p.2 #17 · p.2 #17 · Does the Zeiss ZM Sonnar T* 85mm f/2 actually exist?

For some reason I revisited this thread today and noticed the links to the photos I posted were no longer working. Reviving the thread so I can go back to the old messages and fix the links!

Jul 14, 2020 at 12:39 AM

SlowDriver
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p.2 #18 · p.2 #18 · Does the Zeiss ZM Sonnar T* 85mm f/2 actually exist?

There's one on eBay (from Japan) for a mere $6,890...:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/MINT-Carl-Zeiss-Sonnar-T-85mm-F-2-ZM-Lens-For-Leica-M-Mount-w-Hood-2430/293629621902?hash=item445db0768e:g:MOMAAOSw5cRZFXzM

Jul 14, 2020 at 06:42 PM

rscheffler
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p.2 #19 · p.2 #19 · Does the Zeiss ZM Sonnar T* 85mm f/2 actually exist?

Seems they've gone up in price. I kind of regret not buying a demo model offered to me by a friend who was a Zeiss distributor for a while. Might have been around $2000, but don't recall precisely (it was nearly 10 years ago). I was fresh into Leica M and didn't really appreciate the opportunity...

Years later I got a Leica 90AA, which I think is the technically logical choice (better LoCA control), but I still prefer the ZM's rendering (from the little I've used it).

Jul 14, 2020 at 08:39 PM

rico
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p.2 #20 · p.2 #20 · Does the Zeiss ZM Sonnar T* 85mm f/2 actually exist?

For that kind of money I would sooner pick up an Otus.

Jul 14, 2020 at 09:04 PM

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