It's hard to find one nowadays that doesn't have fog/haze, and it gets worse over time. When it's just starting, it can be difficult to see. It occurs on the inside of the last (rear) element, caused by the glue between that element and the one that's joined to it.
In a dark location, shine a flashlight through the front element to the back. If it's subtle, you may not see it in the bright light. Position it from varied directions so that it's just glancing off the rear element. If it's starting to haze, you'll see a very slight milky look over part or all of the glued area when the light hits it just right. I'll stress again that you may have to shine it from various directions to make it show up. It's probably safe to assume that this lens will have hazing unless it can be proven otherwise.
I think all eventually would develop haze. I think anyone with this lens, has to assume the last element may very possibly have to be recemented. There was a discussion of a company in Honk Kong that re-cements it and it is possible also to ask http://zeisscamera.com ... I bought a copy in Japan, and was very scared that I had haze, but so far it was just micro dust on the outside edges. One poster had shipped only the rear element. If you have a spanner or the Hobby Tools gaskets, this may be the cheapest and easiest.
My internal wish is that some had used a different glue, and never separate. I will think that way, and if it separates, I know it's just asking an expert that will know how to do it properly and cross my fingers. It's a lovely lens for sure.
What I've read is that Zeiss experimented with various glue types during manufacture; most will haze, but some will not. If it hasn't hazed yet...you could have one of the lucky ones!
Thanks for the information. I guess unless it specifically states no haze/fog it's not safe and even then potential owners should be looking for a rear element reglueing (unless you got super lucky).
I wonder if Zeiss will ever make a Loxia tele zoom
I liked the VS 100-300, but I now stepped back and sold my 3rd (perfect) copy of this lens and will not look back. Reason is, I upgraded from A7R7II to A7RIV and decided that only the very best native AF lenses are qualified to be used with this body.
As good as the optics of the ancient VS 100-300 might be, I did not want a push-pull zoom to fill the new cam with dust.
So I sold all the (excellent) old stuff and my kit is now 24 GM, 50 ZA and 135 GM.
PEKA62 wrote:
I liked the VS 100-300, but I now stepped back and sold my 3rd (perfect) copy of this lens and will not look back. Reason is, I upgraded from A7R7II to A7RIV and decided that only the very best native AF lenses are qualified to be used with this body.
As good as the optics of the ancient VS 100-300 might be, I did not want a push-pull zoom to fill the new cam with dust.
So I sold all the (excellent) old stuff and my kit is now 24 GM, 50 ZA and 135 GM.
GAS?
Cured...
TBC
Glad you’ve moved on, but I think most, like myself, we’d like a comparable lens—in terms of IQ, size, and FL. I owned the 70-300L, which has lots of modern lens amenities like AF, individual AF and zoom rings, weather sealing, buttons, etc, but I didn’t like the rendering that much, and it was decently larger.
I think there’s room for an updated 70-300 MF from CV or Zeiss.
DannyBurkPhoto wrote:
What I've read is that Zeiss experimented with various glue types during manufacture; most will haze, but some will not. If it hasn't hazed yet...you could have one of the lucky ones!
Fingers crossed for the one I ordered off eBay the other day – hopefully no haze as per description. These sellers don't usually check with the LED lights, though, so no way to know for sure until it shows up.
DannyBurkPhoto wrote:
What I've read is that Zeiss experimented with various glue types during manufacture; most will haze, but some will not. If it hasn't hazed yet...you could have one of the lucky ones!
Does the IBIS on your S1R work with this lens? With non-chipped lenses I've always read the focal lengths have to be entered manually, so wondering if you have to set up three custom lenses 100-200-300 and only use this lens at those exact zoom increments.
highdesertmesa wrote:
Does the IBIS on your S1R work with this lens? With non-chipped lenses I've always read the focal lengths have to be entered manually, so wondering if you have to set up three custom lenses 100-200-300 and only use this lens at those exact zoom increments.
IBIS on Sony 7R3 and Nikon Z7 will work using adapter lenses, but not full 5-axial of native lenses. You do need to input the lens focal length. I don't know about Panasonic S1R, but would assume it has similar implementation.
highdesertmesa wrote:
Does the IBIS on your S1R work with this lens? With non-chipped lenses I've always read the focal lengths have to be entered manually, so wondering if you have to set up three custom lenses 100-200-300 and only use this lens at those exact zoom increments.
I think so. I've been severely ill and hospitalized beginning 2 weeks ago - getting a tiny bit better each day but with ongoing problems. Browsing now for something to do and will write more when I feel better.
DannyBurkPhoto wrote:
I think so. I've been severely ill and hospitalized beginning 2 weeks ago - getting a tiny bit better each day but with ongoing problems. Browsing now for something to do and will write more when I feel better.
Sorry to hear that Danny. Good luck on your recovery.
DannyBurkPhoto wrote:
I think so. I've been severely ill and hospitalized beginning 2 weeks ago - getting a tiny bit better each day but with ongoing problems. Browsing now for something to do and will write more when I feel better.
Wow, Danny! Wishing you a swift recovery back to 100%.
DannyBurkPhoto wrote:
I think so. I've been severely ill and hospitalized beginning 2 weeks ago - getting a tiny bit better each day but with ongoing problems. Browsing now for something to do and will write more when I feel better.
IndyFab wrote:
Finally joined the club, and I think I found a nice copy.
I have a Novaflex collar that I am not going to be using for it, if anyone needs one
Great representative example of the sharpness and more importantly the micro-contrast this lens demonstrates. Like you I have the Novaflex collar that I am using less and less. I'm finding out that, in my case the Sony A7r's, these bodies can handle 925g without problem.
DannyBurkPhoto wrote:
I think so. I've been severely ill and hospitalized beginning 2 weeks ago - getting a tiny bit better each day but with ongoing problems. Browsing now for something to do and will write more when I feel better.
