" The ZF.2 lenses are available in eight focal lengths, six of which will be available from the end of November: 3,5/18, 2,8/21, 2/35, 1,4/50, 2/50 and 1,4/85. The Distagon T* 2/28 ZF.2 and macro Planar T* 2/100 ZF.2 will be introduced in Spring 2010. “We are currently completely reworking and optimizing the Distagon T* 2.8/25 ZF. As a result, it will be available for other mounts somewhat later,“ says Klottig.
The prices for these new lenses will lie between EUR 545 and EUR 1.386 (excluding VAT). With the new ZF.2 series, Carl Zeiss extends its acclaimed ZF family of lenses, for which there is still high demand and possibly long waiting times.
“We will offer the ZF series as long as the demand lasts,” stresses Klottig. "
I don't know if this news was posted before. If so, I apologize.
So the differences are basically just the addition of a CPU to communicate with the body, right? I'd be curious to find out what they mean by "re-working and optimizing" the 25mm. I really like the current ZF 25mm, so I hope they don't mess up some it wonderful qualitative characteristics.
I just emailed Zeiss and asked them if I caoukd send my lenses back to them for chip implantation. The optical formula of these lenses are the same except the mount. Any ZF lens owners out there thinking about doing the same thing.
It seems to me that these lenses basically implement for Nikon what the ZEs have for Canon, except that they also maintain an aperture ring. Or am I missing something? The 25, OTOH, seems to be a work-in-progress, as was the 21 not so long ago. That could be a good sign...
Honestly since they seem to be the same optical formula, I do not really see the urge to upgrade to the new line if you already own the ZF.1. It's just a matter of some additional convenience of being able to shoot in Shutter priority or Program modes, which I believe most owners don't really use anyway with MF lenses. It's nice to have it though if you're buying now, but no big deal imho.
edwardkaraa wrote:
Honestly since they seem to be the same optical formula, I do not really see the urge to upgrade to the new line if you already own the ZF.1. It's just a matter of some additional convenience of being able to shoot in Shutter priority or Program modes, which I believe most owners don't really use anyway with MF lenses. It's nice to have it though if you're buying now, but no big deal imho.
Well, the chip upgrade would be HUGE help in using the lenses with my Kodak SLR/n. It would give me access to all the camera's features. Right now, I can just use it in complete manual mode (no metering, no anything).
In your particular case, effectively, there would be a huge advantage in using the chipped version. I hope that Zeiss will make it possible to change the mounts on the older ZF.1 lenses.
Lotusm50 wrote:
Well, the chip upgrade would be HUGE help in using the lenses with my Kodak SLR/n. It would give me access to all the camera's features. Right now, I can just use it in complete manual mode (no metering, no anything).
edwardkaraa wrote:
It's interesting that Zeiss calls this line semi-professional. Does it mean that there will be a professional line in the future?
Maybe they honestly admit that the current lenses do not really match professional needs anymore: AF, lens correction tools, TS and zoom lenses are still missing in this line. For Nikon user it is quite something to get lenses with the CPU though, congrats Zeiss! ;-)
As for the 25 it never really received a lot of prise, common sense was that it is good for APS cameras. They should also try to design a new 18mm which can at least match Canons TS-E and Nikon's 14-24
Andi Dietrich wrote:
As for the 25 it never really received a lot of prise, common sense was that it is good for APS cameras. They should also try to design a new 18mm which can at least match Canons TS-E and Nikon's 14-24
And I think this sentiment about the 25mm is relatively unfounded. I really find it to be a wonderful lens. Certainly miles ahead of the Contax 25mm. It seems to me that if a lens isn't sharp in the corners when wide open, it is dismissed by certain reviewers. This is a tough challenge for any wide angle lens, but they then tend to overlook, or seem uninterested, or significantly undervalue, all the lens' other qualities. The ZF.1 25 is really sharp -- blisteringly sharp when stopped down a little, has lovely bokeh, great color, outstanding flare resistance, trivial CA (if any at all), close focus, and a lovely drawing style. I just hope they don't compromise any of these attributes in their "re-working". And if Zeiss can improve it further without sacrificing anything -- beyond wide open corner performance (essentially a field curvature issue, as is typical for wide angle lenses), what else could they be shooting for? -- I'll place my order right now because it will be magnificent.
Lotusm50 wrote:
It seems to me that if a lens isn't sharp in the corners when wide open, it is dismissed by certain reviewers. This is a tough challenge for any wide angle lens, but they then tend to overlook, or seem uninterested, or significantly undervalue, all the lens' other qualities.
+100
Who cares about bokeh or corner-to-corner sharpness if an average shot (meaning, every shot) is just plain boring/flat/uninteresting/lifeless?
Lotusm50 wrote
And I think this sentiment about the 25mm is relatively unfounded. I really find it to be a wonderful lens. Certainly miles ahead of the Contax 25mm. It seems to me that if a lens isn't sharp in the corners when wide open, it is dismissed by certain reviewers. This is a tough challenge for any wide angle lens, but they then tend to overlook, or seem uninterested, or significantly undervalue, all the lens' other qualities. The ZF.1 25 is really sharp -- blisteringly sharp when stopped down a little, has lovely bokeh, great color, outstanding flare resistance, trivial CA (if any at all), close focus, and a lovely drawing style. I just hope they don't compromise any of these attributes in their "re-working". And if Zeiss can improve it further without sacrificing anything -- beyond wide open corner performance (essentially a field curvature issue, as is typical for wide angle lenses), what else could they be shooting for? -- I'll place my order right now because it will be magnificent. ...Show more →
I was tiptoeing around this lens, for the price it seems very good as it is. But why, do you think Canon can ask twice as much for their L's?
Andi Dietrich wrote:
I was tiptoeing around this lens, for the price it seems very good as it is. But why, do you think Canon can ask twice as much for their L's?
And I think this sentiment about the 25mm is relatively unfounded. I really find it to be a wonderful lens.
(...) and a lovely drawing style.
I can absolutely agree with that. I have 3 Zeiss lenses, and the 25 is my favorite one. (my others being the 35ZF and the 85). I use the 25 on my Canon 5d and the Fuji cameras, and the drawing style is awsome - on the 5d it gives a 3- dimensionality that I have never seen with a Canon lens, let alone third party lens.
