Zeiss Ikon lenses out of stock...

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I wonder if the reason for the Zeiss Ikon lens shortage is the recent earthquake disaster in Japan or could it be that they are re-designing their whole lineup to be more "compatible" or suitable for digital and the M9 in particular. A redesign of the lenses to correct the red-edge syndrome from the beginning without software tweaking could be a reasonable motif. That would open Zeiss' products to more M9 users that simply can't get their hands on the Leica lenses they want.

 

The first theory is (unfortunately) probably the correct one while the second is more wishful thinking... Does anybody know anything?

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[M. Valdemar]

I just bought one. They are not out of stock everywhere.

 

If you do some searching you can find them in stock.

[DFV]

I just bought one. They are not out of stock everywhere.

 

If you do some searching you can find them in stock.

 

Well, they are out of stock directly from Zeiss in their own web shop which is what strikes me as odd. I have been looking for the 35mm 2.8 and no luck so far...

 

Anyway, my post was not about sourcing an Ikon lens but rather if anybody new what is going on over there.

[kdriceman]

They were out of stock on the website (at least for several of the lenses) before the earthquake. I think the main reason is the same reason there is a shortage of Leica lenses... Lots of M8/M9 users grabbing up premium lenses. Although, I'm sure the earthquake hasn't helped.

[tappan]

I was told by Kurland photo that the earthquake is the delay reason.

[M. Valdemar]

This place has had plenty in stock the last few weeks:

 

EP LEVINE

[John Ricard]

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This place has had plenty in stock the last few weeks:

 

EP LEVINE

 

I searched everywhere for a Zeiss 50mm and couldn't find one. I was even posting on Twitter that I was looking for one. I finally bit the bullet last week and ordered one from a Hong Kong vendor on ebay! It was $100 over cost and I was afraid it would never arrive. Fortunately, it has arrived and the lens is perfect.

 

Too bad I didn't know aobut EP Levine. Would have saved $100.

[M. Valdemar]

Not really related to this thread but the f1.5 50mm Zeiss Sonnar is one of the sharpest lenses I have ever used, after f4 or so.

 

At f1.5, it is a little "dreamy" unless you nail focus 100%, but I have never seen anything so sharp stopped down a little.

 

It is better than a 1950's Sonnar used with an Amedeo adapter, but not that much. Enough to be perceived as sharper though. Maybe the modern multi-coating or better glass.

[muddyT]

Not really related to this thread but the f1.5 50mm Zeiss Sonnar is one of the sharpest lenses I have ever used, after f4 or so.

 

At f1.5, it is a little "dreamy" unless you nail focus 100%, but I have never seen anything so sharp stopped down a little.

 

It is better than a 1950's Sonnar used with an Amedeo adapter, but not that much. Enough to be perceived as sharper though. Maybe the modern multi-coating or better glass.

 

I have CZJ Sonnar T 5cm f/1.5 (1945-46) with Amedeo adapter pretty sharp at 1,5 with no focus shift problem, color is very natural on a worm side.

There are minor issues with a bit of problem on long throw focusing, and glass bubbles

It costed me 350+270 $ (lens +Amedeo adapter), save me 600 Usd. from mordern Sonnar.

enough to make me forget about sharpness of ZM.

I am waiting for "CZO"(opton) sonnar T 50 mm F/1.5 circa 1950 to deliver to compare with CZJ:D:D

[M. Valdemar]

I have six 50mm f1.5 Sonnars, including the 324th 50mm Opton Sonnar made.

 

All are very similar with very accurate focus with the Amedeo adapter, except for the early Opton. It was slightly off, could not get a sharp image.

 

I finally figured out that at some point in the past the lens had been re-shimmed for a Nikon rangefinder mount. I tried the lens with a Nikon Amedeo adapter and voila, it was perfectly in focus.

 

Luckily, I bought these Sonnars before the prices went crazy. Early 1950's Jupiter 3's are wonderful too.

[adan]

Cosina's HQ and main plant are in the central "Japanese Alps" (Nagano prefecture), so unlikely to have been directly affected by the quake(s) and tsunami. But they may source some parts out of the affected areas - a lot of companies not centered in the disaster area have had trouble with parts from affected suppliers.

[muddyT]

I have six 50mm f1.5 Sonnars, including the 324th 50mm Opton Sonnar made.

 

All are very similar with very accurate focus with the Amedeo adapter, except for the early Opton. It was slightly off, could not get a sharp image.

 

I finally figured out that at some point in the past the lens had been re-shimmed for a Nikon rangefinder mount. I tried the lens with a Nikon Amedeo adapter and voila, it was perfectly in focus.

 

Luckily, I bought these Sonnars before the prices went crazy. Early 1950's Jupiter 3's are wonderful too.

I envy you, I try to get Nikon "c" on my M9 so far no luck.

[RobSkeoch]

I own an M9 but also own a retail store in Canada that sells Zeiss gear. I have almost every black lens in the lineup on order. They are all backordered. They arrive in drips as the stock arrives in New Jersey.

Lenses like the 50mm planar have been backordered since January. The 21mm F2.8 for example is expected to come in mid August.

They do make them in batches. It will take about three batches of the 50mm just to catch up on the backorders.

 

Right now in stock I have only the 25mm and the 21 4,5.

 

The reason is more complex than just saying the earthquake hit Japan. The production is maxed out with the new Zeiss lenses for Nikon, Canon and video pushing their way into the production schedule. Plus these lenses are more in demand than the M mount overall. The Voigtlander lenses are also taking up production space.... although these have also become hard to get and stocks are very low.... I only have a 35, 28 and 12 in stock.

 

The reality that Leica lenses are hard to get new, pushes the photographer to consider the Zeiss, which have become scarce on their own. Also photographers wanting a lenses have put in orders at 3 or 4 stores hoping that someone will get stock, then they cancel the other orders... this creates a false demand and pushes the ETA on your new order back farther.

 

This is how I see it anyway.

 

I think it's healthy for the industry that the production of M lenses is maxed out and might be for years to come.

 

-Rob Skeoch

[Ecaton]

I own an M9 but also own a retail store in Canada that sells Zeiss gear. I have almost every black lens in the lineup on order. They are all backordered. They arrive in drips as the stock arrives in New Jersey.

Lenses like the 50mm planar have been backordered since January. The 21mm F2.8 for example is expected to come in mid August.

They do make them in batches. It will take about three batches of the 50mm just to catch up on the backorders.

 

Right now in stock I have only the 25mm and the 21 4,5.

 

The reason is more complex than just saying the earthquake hit Japan. The production is maxed out with the new Zeiss lenses for Nikon, Canon and video pushing their way into the production schedule. Plus these lenses are more in demand than the M mount overall. The Voigtlander lenses are also taking up production space.... although these have also become hard to get and stocks are very low.... I only have a 35, 28 and 12 in stock.

 

The reality that Leica lenses are hard to get new, pushes the photographer to consider the Zeiss, which have become scarce on their own. Also photographers wanting a lenses have put in orders at 3 or 4 stores hoping that someone will get stock, then they cancel the other orders... this creates a false demand and pushes the ETA on your new order back farther.

 

This is how I see it anyway.

 

I think it's healthy for the industry that the production of M lenses is maxed out and might be for years to come.

 

-Rob Skeoch

 

Thank you for the information. On another note, looking how irrationally used Summilux prices exploded (35mm or 50mm) over the last few months, I hope Zeiss starts thinking of introducing a fast 35mm and fast modern design 50mm lens soon. On another forum a used Summilux asph 35 II just sold for USD 8000 and used asph 50mm are now priced in the USD 5000 range.

[SangNguyen]

I did order one 50 planar at a Brussels camera shop but after 3 weeks waiting, it has not arrived yet. The shop assistant said it was late because of the tsunami effect in Japan. I am later turn to 50 cron

[Xmas]

...or could it be that they are re-designing their whole lineup to be more "compatible" or suitable for digital and the M9 in particular. A redesign of the lenses to correct the red-edge syndrome from the beginning without software tweaking could be a reasonable motif. That would open Zeiss' products to more M9 users that simply can't get their hands on the Leica lenses they want.

 

The red edge is a problem of the M9 not a problem with ZM lenses, you can only code the ZM lens to a nearly equivalent Leica lens.

 

The next firmware update may help.

 

Noel

[leicanut2]

I own an M9 but also own a retail store in Canada that sells Zeiss gear. I have almost every black lens in the lineup on order. They are all backordered. They arrive in drips as the stock arrives in New Jersey.

Lenses like the 50mm planar have been backordered since January. The 21mm F2.8 for example is expected to come in mid August.

They do make them in batches. It will take about three batches of the 50mm just to catch up on the backorders.

 

Right now in stock I have only the 25mm and the 21 4,5.

 

The reason is more complex than just saying the earthquake hit Japan. The production is maxed out with the new Zeiss lenses for Nikon, Canon and video pushing their way into the production schedule. Plus these lenses are more in demand than the M mount overall. The Voigtlander lenses are also taking up production space.... although these have also become hard to get and stocks are very low.... I only have a 35, 28 and 12 in stock.

 

The reality that Leica lenses are hard to get new, pushes the photographer to consider the Zeiss, which have become scarce on their own. Also photographers wanting a lenses have put in orders at 3 or 4 stores hoping that someone will get stock, then they cancel the other orders... this creates a false demand and pushes the ETA on your new order back farther.

 

This is how I see it anyway.

 

I think it's healthy for the industry that the production of M lenses is maxed out and might be for years to come.

 

-Rob Skeoch

 

 

 

 

Zeiss 21 2.8 MID AUGUST, POOP I wanted to try that one and pre paid for it almost a month ago on Demo Day. I thought they where joking when they said the silver one would take 3 or 4 months to get in.

I was thinking month maybe 2

 

Jan