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Archive 2010 · Couple questions about Zeiss

IndyFab
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Couple questions about Zeiss

Been thinking about selling my 24 70
Using on crop

Would the Zeiss 24/ 85 converted to EOS be its equal,.does it come with AF or manual focus.

Other possibilies would be going prime
Zeiss 21 ze
Zeiss 50 ze or
Zeiss 85 ze or canon 85m ii

Your thought and any and all suggestions .
For that matter, any other 3rd party lenses to consider.
Bang for the buck that will give Zeiss a run for its money.

Oh do I love the Zeiss color saturation, as I am sure others do.

Mar 29, 2010 at 04:01 PM

Tri Tran
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Couple questions about Zeiss

From the samples I've seen the Zeiss 24-85 N will eat the Canon 24-70 for breakfast. I had the unconverted version on film and it was fantastic.

Mar 29, 2010 at 04:16 PM

Ajay C
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Couple questions about Zeiss

<i> Zeiss 21 ze
Zeiss 50 ze or
Zeiss 85 ze or canon 85m ii </i>

I used the 85 ZE and 24-70 f/2.8L. Zeiss 85/1.4 is superior if you don't mind manual focussing and giving up AF. The biggest problem with Zeiss 85 is focus shift at close to medium working distances at large apertures. At infinity, the problem is mostly gone. If you are fine with this, the 85 is a killer lens starting f/2. The same issue with Zeiss 50 ZE unless you are talking the 50/2 Makro Planar. Another alternative is the 100/2 Makro Planar. The cost is over 50% more than a brand new Zeiss 85, but it's a stellar performer wide open. Probably the 85 1.4 will give you the best Zeiss pop and contrast.

Highly regarded lens in the Zeiss lineup are 21/2.8, 35/2, 100/2 MP.

Here are some shots with;

Zeiss 85/1.4:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ajaykrc/4389369342/

Zeiss 100/2:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ajaykrc/4471920685/

Mar 29, 2010 at 04:25 PM

philber
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Couple questions about Zeiss

When one loves the Zeiss colours, then no Canon lens will do, not even the 135L, which comes closest. Even flawed, old Zeiss lenses, like some of the lesser Contax deliver thazt in spades.
But that does not mean that all Zeiss lenses are superior to every other lens in every respect: sharpness, absence of CA, control of flare, etc...
Here I posted more or less the same picture with 4 Zeiss lenses. That could help you some, I hope.
ZE Images, page 23

Mar 29, 2010 at 04:44 PM

Andi Dietrich
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Couple questions about Zeiss

I always found the 24-70L to be a great lens, heavy though and some people dont get along with it very well. The Contax 24-85 is great for size and speed of AF. IMO people should not buy it thinking it does everything better than the Canon zooms. For pixelpeeping in the corners, the N does not replace the full range of primes. That said it is a very nice lens with some advantages.

Mar 29, 2010 at 05:00 PM

Jeffrey
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Couple questions about Zeiss

As a recent convert to the Zeiss philosophy (3 in my bag now), I must say that I have not given up on Canon L lenses. Until recently I made many of the fine images (I believe!) on my website, and so many large fine art prints from canon glass. I am not about to give up my 500 f4 and 300 f2.8! I am fortunate to have all this glass, and use what is appropriate for the job. I also shoot 4x5 a lot and use Schneider, Rodenstock, Nikon and Fuji lenses with superb results.

Mar 29, 2010 at 05:33 PM

Grenache
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Couple questions about Zeiss

If you can financially float the costs over perhaps a period of time, I would rec keeping the 24-70 but adding the Zeiss primes (ZE or CY versions) as you can. Start with what you shoot most or would most like the Zeiss look for and pop that one in your bag.

I am in love with a newly acquired C/Y 85mm f/1.4 and will certainly get a 21 ZE when funds permit. As has been said, neither would replace my 24-70, but they each do things that it can not and vice versa.

Jim

Mar 29, 2010 at 07:40 PM

charles.K
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Couple questions about Zeiss

I am also recently converted zeiss groupie. As with Jeffrey, I have and will continue with L series of primes.

I would temper the enthusiasm depending which crop camera you have. I also have the 7D, and without a well calibrated focusing screen, the lenses are a lot more difficult to use.

The first decision would be see which focusing screens are available for your camera, and test the focusing screen first with your existing lenses.

Mar 29, 2010 at 09:17 PM

IndyFab
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Couple questions about Zeiss

I read mention of calbrating focusing screens, but have no idea what or how they are used/work
Can someone explain.

Thanks everyone thus far, for shinning in on the Zeiss.

Keep it coming.

Mar 30, 2010 at 01:09 AM

staticInc
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Couple questions about Zeiss

charles.K wrote:
I also have the 7D, and without a well calibrated focusing screen, the lenses are a lot more difficult to use.
At least the original Canon replacement screens with high precision matte are supposed to be perfectly calibrated.

Mar 30, 2010 at 01:21 AM

charles.K
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Couple questions about Zeiss

I was eluding to that if you have the 7D, it is no easy task, if at all possible to change the focusing screen. With the older models of crops, it is possible to find a Canon screen that would fit. For this reason alone, I don't use the ZE range on the 7D. The zeiss are beautifully suited for the 5DII, until the next model comes out and then it may not possible to change the focusing screen either.

I have tried them on the 7D, without the equivalent focusing screen, it is not worth the effort IMHO.

Mar 30, 2010 at 06:28 AM

Cableaddict
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Couple questions about Zeiss

Charles,

I shoot a 5D with a brightened Ee-s, so it doesn't matter, but how does not being able to change screens affect only Zeiss lenses? Alt screens are primarily beneficial for ANY lens faster than f/2.5.

There's nothing unique about Zeiss that makes them harder to focus. If anything, just the opposite since they typically have extremely high micro-contrast.

Edited on Mar 30, 2010 at 03:08 PM · View previous versions

Mar 30, 2010 at 01:04 PM

ersatz
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Couple questions about Zeiss

The 7d does lack the -s focusing screen but I've found you can use live view so I wouldn't be dissuaded from using a MF lens on a 7d.

Mar 30, 2010 at 02:01 PM

IndyFab
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Couple questions about Zeiss

Did a quick price check on the net for
21 ze
50 planar macro ze
100 planar macro ze
grand total was $4858.00 lots of meat and potatoes.

So what earlier versions would be cost more effective, and get you close to where the ze is presently. Remember the the focal legenths we are talking about 21 to 100 primes

It appears the zooms talked about will be a hard find

Mar 30, 2010 at 05:47 PM

Ataboy
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Couple questions about Zeiss

Contax 24-85 is absolutely great. I compared it to Canon 24-70 and found it to be better in every aspect except two: 1) slower (3.5-4.5 vs Canon's 2.8) and 2) not quite as sturdy, no weather sealing, etc. Still excellent build, just a bit more delicate. But I believe it has better IQ both in center and corners, produces that magic 3D effect that half of people can't even see and it is almost half of Canon's length when hood is attached on both.

Mar 30, 2010 at 08:16 PM

charles.K
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Couple questions about Zeiss

Cabbleaddict: You are right. It does not only affect Zeiss lenses...it is great for any narrow DOF lens, or any faster lens. I had it installed on my 5D and now my 5DII well before the ZE range were available. It is a lot harder IMO, to focus without the screen installed, and somewhat negates the advantage of MF only lenses. I have used the ZE range on my 7D, and I choose to not use them on the 7D for this reason alone. Should there be a decent focusing screen that comes available for the 7D, I will install it.

ersatz: Live view is a definite option, as it accurate, but I find it slower. I personally find the Eg-S screen on the 5DII as it is a fantastic tool. I prefer to have the combination of both.

Edited on Mar 30, 2010 at 11:05 PM · View previous versions

Mar 30, 2010 at 10:59 PM

Cableaddict
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Couple questions about Zeiss

Fair enough. I wasn't thinking "AF vs MF" because I never use AF, even on my Canon lenses. For me, it just gets in the way. (with the exception of my 300/4.)

AF ? - Good LORD, man, remember which forum you're posting in!

Mar 30, 2010 at 11:03 PM

charles.K
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Couple questions about Zeiss

The is a link to focusing screens with a procedure the replace the focusing screen in the 7D, http://www.focusingscreen.com/ , but I have not had any experience with them.

I have had two Brightscreen split and micro prism focusing screens for the 5DII, and found the actual target focus point did not correlate. Some calibration issue, so went back to the Canon Eg-S... no problems.

Mar 30, 2010 at 11:20 PM

philber
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Couple questions about Zeiss

IndyFab, you are out of luck with the 21 ZE, because the Contax version is essentially the same price, around 1500$ (or was at least, the last time I looked).
You could buy a very good wide angle, though not as good as the 21, in the 28mm f:2.8, either in ZE form, or, much cheaper, in Contax version.
There are 100mm Contax alternatives, such as the superlative 100mm f:2.0, but they are not easy to find (none right now at KEH or Adorama)
But you could get a very good and very cheap 50mm Planar f:1.7 for less than $200, plus adapter. And, if you buy the 100 macro, you won't be needing themacro capability of the 50.
Hope this helps

Mar 31, 2010 at 01:15 AM

zombii
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Couple questions about Zeiss

I really like the N 24-85. I sold my 24-105L after I got the N and saw what it could do.

Mar 31, 2010 at 11:51 PM

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