Ib M Posted February 5, 2012 Share #1 Posted February 5, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Is there anyone who now more accurately why Zeiss ZM 85 mm f2 Sonnar is discontinued and is there an updated version on the way, or are there other good alternatives, in addition to Leica 75 and 90 mm Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 5, 2012 Posted February 5, 2012 Hi Ib M, Take a look here Zeiss ZM 85 mm f2 Sonnar. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Alnitak Posted February 5, 2012 Share #2 Posted February 5, 2012 Is there anyone who now more accurately why Zeiss ZM 85 mm f2 Sonnar is discontinued and is there an updated version on the way, or are there other good alternatives, in addition to Leica 75 and 90 mm Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk I asked Zeiss about this and they confirmed it was discontinued, although they didn't say why. There were never very many made or sold--I believe about 2,000 lenses in total. They don't intend to make another version; the f/4 version is what will remain. It is a superb portrait lens and there isn't a good alternative except the old 75mm Summilux. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
haroldp Posted February 5, 2012 Share #3 Posted February 5, 2012 I asked Zeiss about this and they confirmed it was discontinued, although they didn't say why. There were never very many made or sold--I believe about 2,000 lenses in total. They don't intend to make another version; the f/4 version is what will remain. It is a superb portrait lens and there isn't a good alternative except the old 75mm Summilux. Jeff Nikon made a limited series of RF lenses (originally for S2 and SP) in leica screw mount. The 85mm f2 was one of them and they are excellent if you can find one. I have Nikon 35mm f2.5 and 50mm F1.4 in leica mount . The 35mm is phenominal,(and tiny) and the 50 F1.4 is sharp, but not as contrasty as leica lenses. Unlike screw mount Canon RF lenses, these were made by Nikon to mount on Leica's and the RF coupling is accurate. Regards ... H Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpwhite Posted February 5, 2012 Share #4 Posted February 5, 2012 I much prefer my 85 ZM Sonnar to the Leica 75 f/2 or any of the Leica 90's. I agree with post above that you will not find a comparable alternative lens, so maybe searching the used market for an 85 ZM is your best approach. Two additional thoughts from my experience shooting the 85 ZM on my M9: The 85 ZM renders beautiful color fidelity and warmth, but it is prone to flare and will yield chromatic aberations at the edges of the frame when open more than f/4. The close focusing capability is outstanding (and better, in my experience, than the 75 f/2 that I sold). You can correct the CA in post-processing, but the brilliant performance at 4 to 5 feet is a unique strength. The closest alternative I would suggest is the 135 APO Telyt, if you would go slightly tighter in framing. My idea may seem a bit of a big jump, but here is my thinking-- the image quality of the APO Telyt is at least as good (if not superior) to the 85 ZM; I shoot my 85ZM at f/3.6 or 4 to get a bit of depth, and f/4 or f/4.8 are the ideal settings for the Telyt; the color fidelity rendered by the Telyt is right there with the 50 SX ASPH; and the Telyt does not obstruct the viewfinder in the manner that the large bulk of the 85 ZM does. Good luck! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobSkeoch Posted February 6, 2012 Share #5 Posted February 6, 2012 I'm one of the Zeiss dealers in Canada. Although a wonderful lens, that some people loved it just didn't sell that well. When Zeiss sold out of the last batch they decided to drop the lens instead of making another batch, which would have to be at least 200 units. They decided 200 units couldn't be built and sold in a reasonable time frame and decided to drop the lens. I've sold 100's of Zeiss lenses over the years but never sold a single 85 f2 or the 15 f2.8. -Rob Skeoch Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Negative Posted February 6, 2012 Share #6 Posted February 6, 2012 It's a great lens, as is the 4/85 ZM - but neither are hot-selling items. One's too slow and the other's too large/expensive (fast). What's nice about the 2/85 is the whole Sonnar design and characteristics. But on the flip-side, and as mentioned above - has some flare/CA. The Leica Elmarit-M 90mm f/2.8 is a sweetheart of a lens and a better choice, or the APO-Summicron-M 90mm f/2 ASPH if you need the speed. Of course, older versions are good too, but research them before deciding. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ib M Posted February 7, 2012 Author Share #7 Posted February 7, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Many thanks for the reply. A pity that the 85 mm. Zeiss is discontinued and will not be replaced. I will keep an eye on used 85mm, or acquire a new Leica 75 f/2, or even better, 75mm summilux Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
akiralx Posted February 8, 2012 Share #8 Posted February 8, 2012 Nikon made a limited series of RF lenses (originally for S2 and SP) in leica screw mount.The 85mm f2 was one of them and they are excellent if you can find one. What is old Zeiss Jena Sonnar 85mm f2 like? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aoresteen Posted November 12, 2013 Share #9 Posted November 12, 2013 .....Unlike screw mount Canon RF lenses, these were made by Nikon to mount on Leica's and the RF coupling is accurate. Regards ... H All my Canon screw mount RF lenses focus perfectly on my Leicas. I'm not sure what you are refering to. I currently have the black 50mm f/1.8, 50mm f/1.2 and the 135mm f/3.5 III. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
christoph_d Posted November 12, 2013 Share #10 Posted November 12, 2013 What is old Zeiss Jena Sonnar 85mm f2 like? The Sonnar f2 / 85 CZJ is probably not as perfect as the "new" one, but renders beautifully. Rgds C. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted November 12, 2013 Share #11 Posted November 12, 2013 What is old Zeiss Jena Sonnar 85mm f2 like? I do not own the ZM 85/2, but FWIW here is a quick comparison I made a while ago between old 85/2 lenses: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m-lenses/253049-view-through-older-glass-64.html#post2386901 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick in CO Posted November 12, 2013 Share #12 Posted November 12, 2013 Has anyone tried out the f2.8 Sonnar converted from the Contax G1/2 mount? It makes me wonder why Zeiss chose to make the f4 Tele-Tessar instead of a ZM f2.8 85mm lens? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdk Posted November 14, 2013 Share #13 Posted November 14, 2013 Since they discontinued production of Zeiss Ikon film cameras, would it not make sense for Carl Zeiss to design new 90mm/2 and 90mm/2.8 ZM lenses or a 75mm lens aimed at Leica users? If they kept cost down and quality up, these would sell well now. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
furcafe Posted November 20, 2013 Share #14 Posted November 20, 2013 Ditto, I've never heard of any problems switching between Canon & Leica LTM lenses. To the original poster's question, the Canon 85/1.8 in LTM is an excellent fast short-tele lens, even by today's standards (IMHO), as is the 100/2. All my Canon screw mount RF lenses focus perfectly on my Leicas. I'm not sure what you are refering to. I currently have the black 50mm f/1.8, 50mm f/1.2 and the 135mm f/3.5 III. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted November 21, 2013 Share #15 Posted November 21, 2013 Has anyone tried out the f2.8 Sonnar converted from the Contax G1/2 mount? ... I borrowed one from an acquaintance but the pictures didn't impress me to the extent that I had hoped. I have a 1947 Carl Zeiss Jena 85 f/2 Sonnar and the pictures it produces pleased me much more despite the lens appears to be nearing the end of its natural life. When I researched the Contax-G 90 f/2.8 Sonnar I discovered that it's not actually a Sonnar design but an older Ernostar design, which has a different signature to the Sonnar and might explain why its pictures didn't impress me. Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aoresteen Posted January 5, 2016 Share #16 Posted January 5, 2016 Canon made a number of 85mm f/2, f/1.9. & f/1.8 lenses. I used a Canon Serenar 85mm f/2 in 1982ish until my camera strap broke and my M3 with the Canon 85mm f/2 hit the Salzburg cobblestones. The Leica M3 survived but the Canon 85mm did not. I just bought another Canon Serenar 85mm f/2 (1951 vintage). I sent it to DAG for a CLA and am looking forward to using it again with my current M3. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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