MarkP Posted March 6, 2012 Share #21 Posted March 6, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Jaap is right. I sent my 1.5/50 Sonnar back to Zeiss Germany for digital calibration. It was done free of charge (I only paid for shipping one way to Germany) with turnaround time of eight or nine days from Australia....anyone in Solms listening:rolleyes: Furthermore the outer part of the lens mount ring on the newer ZM lenses is slightly recessed so that even temporary lens coding doesn't rub off easily. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 6, 2012 Posted March 6, 2012 Hi MarkP, Take a look here Zeiss Lenses. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
MarkP Posted March 6, 2012 Share #22 Posted March 6, 2012 Whilst we are discussing ZM lenses, does anyone have any experience with the Tele-Tessar T*4/85 ZM and the Distagon t* 2.8/15 ZM? Not much written about them.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Negative Posted March 6, 2012 Share #23 Posted March 6, 2012 Whilst we are discussing ZM lenses, does anyone have any experience with the Tele-Tessar T*4/85 ZM and the Distagon t* 2.8/15 ZM? Not much written about them.... Not too many own either. One's generally considered "slow" the other "expensive." The latter also isn't RF-coupled (insert debate on how it's not needed here). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
UliWer Posted March 6, 2012 Share #24 Posted March 6, 2012 Whilst we are discussing ZM lenses, does anyone have any experience with the Tele-Tessar T*4/85 ZM and the Distagon t* 2.8/15 ZM? Not much written about them.... Not much, though with the search function you may find a little bit about the Distagon: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/customer-forum/184336-zeiss-distagon-15mm-f-2-8-a.html#post1719271 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
horosu Posted March 6, 2012 Share #25 Posted March 6, 2012 I was a subscriber to his site some time ago and he was extremely enthusiastic about the Biogon 35/2 and the 25/2.8 ZM's. He provided many side-by-side shots with Leica lenses and these Zeiss lenses performed just as well or even better (35/2) than Leica's equivalent ones. I don't think this has anything to do with calibration, etc. Maybe a better sponsor deal for him from Leica? Wow, it is surprising that the views go from one extreme to the other. So much praise (in this thread) on the one hand, and on the other hand is a reviewer who sells his ZM lenses because they're not calibrated to digital M dimensions. How can views differ so much? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
armanius Posted March 6, 2012 Share #26 Posted March 6, 2012 I just went Zeiss crazy these past two weeks, and got the ZM 21/2.8, 28/2.8, 35/2 and 50/2 for the M9. After originally getting the M9 almost two years ago, I couldn't afford anything more than the Voigtlander lenses. Out of the new Zeiss lenses I got, I really like the 21/2.8. Sharp across the frame at 2.8, and unlike the Voigtlander Skopar 21/4, I haven't seen any red fringe on my photos (or maybe I'm not looking hard enough). The Zeiss 21 is smaller and 1/3 of the price of the 21 Elmarit. But it's relatively bigger and 3x the price of the Skopar. Not sure if the other lenses will be keepers. The 35 Biogon is nice, but I keep craving for a 35 Cron. But not sure if I want to pay $3000+ for a Cron. Oopst. Meant to say that the Zeiss 21 is slightly bigger than the 21 Elmarit. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IkarusJohn Posted March 6, 2012 Share #27 Posted March 6, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have the Distagon 2.8/15 ZM. On the M9, it isn't rangefinder coupled, but that isn't really a problem - focusing at this focal length is only an issue at closer distances, and you can see the scale clearly through the 21 view finder. Framing and composition is tricky with such a wide lens, and there is colour shift. I use mine mostly with a NEX-5n (equivalent focal length of 22.5 mm) and it works well. Focus peaking and video mode make it an interesting lens. I have found this lens quite different from my Leica glass (esp the 21 Summilux, which is the closest Leica focal length I have). Contrast seems higher, and colour more towards the blue/green. There have been some interesting images posted with this lens. It is not my most used lens, but I find it useful and interesting. Cheers John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdk Posted March 7, 2012 Share #28 Posted March 7, 2012 Whilst we are discussing ZM lenses, does anyone have any experience with the Tele-Tessar T*4/85 ZM and the Distagon t* 2.8/15 ZM? Not much written about them.... The 85mm/4 Tele-Tessar is a recent acquisition of mine. It’s fantastic for daylight work, very high resolution like my 75mm/2 Apo-Summicron ASPH (and seems better than the Leica 90mm/4 Elmar-C or 90mm/2.8 Tele-Elmarit lenses I used to own), and has beautiful out of focus blur when focusing on close subjects. Some people may find the f/4 maximum aperture limiting, but the advantage it it’s so light and compact that whether you stick it in a coat pocket or keep it on the camera, you hardly notice the weight. I use the hood from my old Nikkor 135mm/3.5 which seems to work fine on the Tele-Tessar. Here is an Tele-Tessar image of Witch Hazel blooming that I shot recently, the image reduced to 960px wide and a detail at full resolution from my M9P. I think this was shot at f/5.6. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/174193-zeiss-lenses/?do=findComment&comment=1946527'>More sharing options...
sdk Posted March 7, 2012 Share #29 Posted March 7, 2012 I also have early 21mm/2.8 and 25mm/2.8 Biogons ZM and a new 35mm/2.8 C Biogon ZM. They are all very nice lenses, provided I remember to pick the right coding on the M9P. I have used the 21mm and 25mm a lot on film and they make stunningly good color negatives, with high resolution and contrast, beautiful tonality and an almost medium format look (though much more depth of field). It’s interesting that Leica isn’t really making equivalents anymore, so if you want an 21mm/2.8 Elmarit ASPH or 24mm/2.8 Elmarit ASPH, you have to find a used one. Leica is only making either faster Summiluxes or slower Elmars in these focal lengths now, almost as if they decided they could not compete economically with Zeiss’ 21mm and 25mm Biogons. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecaton Posted March 7, 2012 Share #30 Posted March 7, 2012 ZM Sonnar 50, a backfocusing beast fully open paying back with wonderful rendering if mastered. At f5.6 and beyond, sharp and contrasty. Compact and lightweight make it great for travel. I like its different character compared to the Summilux asph, which is my go to 50 mm otherwise. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlindstrom Posted March 7, 2012 Share #31 Posted March 7, 2012 I have nothing but good experiences with Zeiss ZM lenses. I've had one and still own another one. I had the ZM 21/2,8 when I had the M8 and now I have the ZM 28/2,8 with my M9. Both are brilliant lenses and have been easy to code manually. Never had any problems with them and both provide excellent quality pictures. //Juha Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted March 7, 2012 Share #32 Posted March 7, 2012 ZM Sonnar 50, a backfocusing beast fully open paying back with wonderful rendering if mastered. At f5.6 and beyond, sharp and contrasty. Compact and lightweight make it great for travel. I like its different character compared to the Summilux asph, which is my go to 50 mm otherwise. Back focus fixed with a quick trip to Zeiss Germany for adjustment. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithlaban.co.uk Posted March 7, 2012 Share #33 Posted March 7, 2012 Back focus fixed with a quick trip to Zeiss Germany for adjustment. As I understand it the back focus is an issue at f1.5 & f2 and particularly noticeable at closer distances? Could some kind soul who has had the lens tweaked by Zeiss confirm that this tweak doesn't just shift the problem elsewhere? Your feedback would be gratefully received. Thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPH1962 Posted March 7, 2012 Share #34 Posted March 7, 2012 well, you have two types of sonnars on the market: - the ones that are adjusted for 1.5 (early one or modified ones) - the ones (as delivered nowadays) adjusted for 2.8 A sonnar as delivered today can be adjusted for 1.5. This lens has a focus shift, that means, as you stop down, the focus goes a bit backwards. If your lens is adjusted for 1.5, the fous goes a bit backwards as you stop down, from 5.6 - 8.0 on the shift is coverd by increased DOF. If your sonnar is adjusted for 2.8, it means that your focus shift is covered by DOF from 2.8 on as you stop down - but focus goes a bit forward if you open the aperture to 2.0 or 1.5 It is true that the difference is visible the most at close distances. If you have your lens adjusted to 1.5, you will have perfect focus at 1.5 ... but will notice the backfocus as you stop down. I have that lens since a couple of months and have strictly no problem with that - mine is as I got it from the shop, adjusted for the 2.8. If you get used to this lens and understand the issue... its really no problem at all. Bye JPH Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithlaban.co.uk Posted March 7, 2012 Share #35 Posted March 7, 2012 If you have your lens adjusted to 1.5, you will have perfect focus at 1.5 ... but will notice the backfocus as you stop down. Many thanks for your reply. This is my concern, having had the lens adjusted for f1.5 is there then a 'real world problem' at smaller apertures? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecaton Posted March 7, 2012 Share #36 Posted March 7, 2012 Back focus fixed with a quick trip to Zeiss Germany for adjustment. I prefer to have some backfocus at f1.5 and 2.0 and accuracy at 2.8 and beyond. With some practice it's not a big deal in real life. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithlaban.co.uk Posted March 7, 2012 Share #37 Posted March 7, 2012 Live view on the M10 would effectively solve the issue Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted March 7, 2012 Share #38 Posted March 7, 2012 Live view on the M10 would effectively solve the issue Yes – as long as we focus at working aperture. But focusing accurate focusing becomes progressively more difficult as we stop the lens down. LB Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPH1962 Posted March 7, 2012 Share #39 Posted March 7, 2012 I prefer to have some backfocus at f1.5 and 2.0 and accuracy at 2.8 and beyond. With some practice it's not a big deal in real life. You mean "front-Focus" don't you? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesk8752 Posted March 7, 2012 Share #40 Posted March 7, 2012 As I understand it the back focus is an issue at f1.5 & f2 and particularly noticeable at closer distances? Could some kind soul who has had the lens tweaked by Zeiss confirm that this tweak doesn't just shift the problem elsewhere? Your feedback would be gratefully received. Thanks My Sonnar 50/1.5 is adjusted for "perfect" focusing accuracy at f2, so it slightly front-focuses at f1.5 and slightly back-focuses at f2.8 and f4. In all cases the depth of focus is sufficient that I have no focusing issues in the real world. In practice I find that the lens focuses at the front of the in-focus region when slightly stopped down, so my subject is always in focus. Regards, Jim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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