Archive 2010 · Will Zeiss discontinue ZF lenses?

swnow
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Will Zeiss discontinue ZF lenses?

Since ZF.2 is out, I wonder if Zeiss will discontinue ZF soon.

Jan 18, 2010 at 08:57 AM

Lotusm50
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Will Zeiss discontinue ZF lenses?

I think it is likely. When existing stocks run out, that will be it.

Jan 18, 2010 at 09:24 AM

burningheart
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Will Zeiss discontinue ZF lenses?

Yes, why would they keep 2 product lines of lens for the same mount, especially when the price difference is only a couple of hundred dollars. It would make no sense to continue manufacturing the older line.

Jan 18, 2010 at 11:38 AM

sirimiri
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Will Zeiss discontinue ZF lenses?

Is the ZF analogous to the Ai-S mount?

And the ZF.2, is it like the new (cheaper but also electronic) G mount?

Jan 18, 2010 at 01:19 PM

Valorin
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Will Zeiss discontinue ZF lenses?

The new ZF.2 is essentially conforming to AI-P specs, chipped manual focus with aperture ring.

Jan 18, 2010 at 01:23 PM

sirimiri
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Will Zeiss discontinue ZF lenses?

That doesn't sound so bad at all? Unless, there are Nikon bodies that require electronic diaphragms only? But that wouldn't be any different than just the regular ole' ZF mount anyway.

Or am I missing something? FWIW, I'm not in the market at all for any Zeiß glaß
Valorin wrote:
The new ZF.2 is essentially conforming to AI-P specs, chipped manual focus with aperture ring.

Jan 18, 2010 at 03:02 PM

Valorin
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Will Zeiss discontinue ZF lenses?

The aperture diaphragm is not electronic, in the same sense as a Canon lens for example. On Nikon's the only lenses that currently have true electronic aperture are the PC-E lenses. All other lenses have the aperture mechanism mechanically actuated using a lever in the camera. The difference between a chipped and non-chipped lens is that with a chipped lens (including G), the lever itself is used to control how far the aperture is stopped down by changing the travel distance of the lever. On non-chipped lenses, the lever is fully actuated and the aperture ring is used to stop the aperture mechanism from stopping past the selected aperture. The aperture on chipped lenses is therefore camera controlled, but not electronic.

I personally don't see any huge reason to use a chipped lens, but I prefer to use the aperture ring. I also don't see any real benefit to using a true electronic aperture.

Jan 18, 2010 at 03:10 PM

swnow
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Will Zeiss discontinue ZF lenses?

Does this mean that one can use both aperture ring and camera to adjsut ZF.2 aperture?

Valorin wrote:
The new ZF.2 is essentially conforming to AI-P specs, chipped manual focus with aperture ring.

Jan 18, 2010 at 04:55 PM

Valorin
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Will Zeiss discontinue ZF lenses?

On those cameras that support metering while using the aperture ring, it is possible to still use the aperture ring with a specific camera setting. However, you aren't able to do both at the same time, you can either use the aperture ring or the dials on the camera to select the aperture. There is a bit of a bug with some of the newer Nikon's where choosing to use the aperture ring with a chipped lens resulted in the camera locking up while trying to use LiveView. This may have been fixed.

Jan 18, 2010 at 05:54 PM

Nick Dakota
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Will Zeiss discontinue ZF lenses?

Yes they are not making the ZF anymore. Only the ZF.2. They'll be available until existing stock is gone.

Jan 18, 2010 at 08:09 PM

fluffybug
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Will Zeiss discontinue ZF lenses?

The advantage of the camera-controlled mechanical stop down of the ZF.2 lenses is that they can be selected to 1/3 stop increments, rather than being restricted to the half-stops... The EXIF shows up the 1/3 stops too (whereas, I think the ZF lenses just show to the nearest full-stop)... Oh, and you don't have to input manually the FL and max aperture of the lens...

Personally, I think the ZF.2 advantages, though small, improve the usability just that little bit that I would find it worthwhile... I might upgrade my 35 to ZF.2... Will see ;p

Jan 19, 2010 at 12:15 AM


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