Zeiss Lenses

[keithlaban.co.uk]

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Jim, thanks, much appreciated.

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[macjonny1]

I had a 21mm Zeiss and it developed a wobble. I googled "Zeiss wobble" and found out this seems to be a common issue. Certainly fixable and Zeiss is a lot cheaper than a Leica counterpart, but are they as reliable?

[bill]

When I ordered my ALC MP4, I deliberately chose to match it with Zeiss glass - a 35mm Biogon and a 50mm Sonnar. Both have been back to the factory - the Biogon for focussing stiffness and the Sonnar for optimisation to 1.5 - under warranty. I was familiar with Zeiss from my long use of Contax SLRs and these do not disappoint. I am one of those who is tired with the clinical sterility of the modern Leica glass and I find the Zeiss signature and rendition more to my tastes.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

[rramesh]

The OP sought a general opinion on the quality of Zeiss ZM lenses on the M9.

 

Some of the posts have zoomed into focus shifting on the Zeiss 50mm Sonnar. I don't believe this lens is representative of the Zeiss family for quality.

 

The Sonnar is special in the sense that it is a reproduction of an old lens design intentionally mimicking the look and rendering of an old lens and focus shift is inherent in this design. This has been stated by Zeiss in all marketing material.

 

I have lately tried both the Zeiss ZM 21 and 25 and I think these lens are very accurate and of very high quality. Of course I have not yet tried the equivalent Leica lens to compare.

[algrove]

Also, Lloyd Chambers has many reviews on Zeiss ZM lenses and also field test comparisons between Leica and Zeiss lenses.

[MarkP]

 

... the Zeiss 50mm Sonnar. I don't believe this lens is representative of the Zeiss family for quality.

 

 

Hi Ramesh,

 

I completely disagree. The Sonnar is made by Zeiss and therefore open to comment as are the other Zeiss lenses. I have the 2.8/25 Biogon, 1.5/50 Sonnar, and I am just parting now with the 4.5/21 Biogon (only because of the red edge on digital but otherwise it is a fantastic lens).

 

My 50mm lenses include: 1.0/50 Noctilux, 1.4/50 Summilux FLE, and the 1.5/50mm Sonnar so I think you would agree that I have reasonable lenses with which to compare the Sonnar.

 

I consider the Sonnar to be an outstanding lens. Perhaps not quite the Summilux FLE in my eyes (but preferable to the Summilux for others such as Bill who has posted above).

 

The Sonnar's great advantage is it's price, speed, compactness (hence C-sonnar for Compact) and that it is really two lenses in one. It renders gently when wide open and is tack sharp with lovely contrast and colour once stopped down below f4.0 or thereabouts. Once recalibrated for digital by Zeiss I have had no focus issues with the Sonnar (and I think that is also Bill's experience if I'm not wrong).

 

The 1.5/50 Sonnar is quite appropriate for discussion in this thread.

That it is special is probably why it also attracts so much discussion.

(However, I do agree that it's focus shift has been discussed ad-nauseum elsewhere.

[rramesh]

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Maybe I should not have said 'quality' rather 'different' as the Sonnar cannot be used as representative of Zeiss lens family as a whole. It's a great lens and I was contemplating getting one myself, but having said that...

 

Focus shift is not what a modern lens should be doing. In the past it was inherent in lenses due to design limitations and the need need to work around this limitation with optimizations. Modern day lenses have since overcome this. If they still exhibit this it is a quality issue like some CVs.

 

The Sonnar design has been intentionally retained by Zeiss for this very feature as some photographers have accepted this design limitation as a merit that renders images in a unique way. Calibration does not remove focus shift. Rather it just shifts optimization to F/1.5 as you can see from this note from Zeiss.

"Out of factory the C- Sonnar T* 1,5/50 comes with an adjustment for the best compromise regarding focus shift at all f- stops. The only chance is to send the lens to Oberkochen for a readjustment."

[exile]

I love my ZM21/2.8. Fantastic lens. Best wide angle I have ever used.

 

I used some Araldite to glue a 35 'cron focussing tab onto the lens because I could not get used to the "speed bumb" on the focus ring. I also put a step-up ring on the front of the lens to stop the stupid silver ring reflecting light onto the front element.

Appart from those two minor modifications, it's a perfect lens IMHO.

[matlep]

I just got a Zeiss C-Biogon 35 f2.8. And it is truly a masterpiece.

 

For photography on f2.8 up to f16 it is as good as my Summilux 35 FLE. And even in some instances like weight, size and not at least, price... It puts my Summilux to shame.

 

I am really pleased

[jaapv]

Ummm..2.8 is not 1.4.....Each stop faster doubles the price at least... And, barring very good design, the size and weight, irrespective of brand. It makes more sense to compare to the Summarit 35.

[matlep]

Ummm..2.8 is not 1.4.....Each stop faster doubles the price at least... And, barring very good design, the size and weight, irrespective of brand. It makes more sense to compare to the Summarit 35.

 

I can only compare it to what i own. And of course they are two different species. But i was not expecting the Zeiss to be as good as it is.

[Double Negative]

You simply cannot compare the C Sonnar to any other ZM except perhaps the Sonnar 2/85 ZM. They're unique designs (that is, Sonnar). As I mention in my review of the C Sonnar, it's a love-it or hate-it lens. Yes, it has focus shift... But if you learn to deal with it and adjust appropriately (or have it "optimized" for f/1.5 or f/2.8) you're rewarded with one of the most unique renderings out there. I love the thing.

[jaapv]

I can only compare it to what i own. And of course they are two different species. But i was not expecting the Zeiss to be as good as it is.

That is the nice thing about M lenses, whatever brand. There are virtually no dogs out there and most are surprisingly good and quite a few spectacularly good I will buy Zeiss or CV without hesistation.

[sblitz]

i have the zm21 2.8 and it is perfectly fine for my uses -- especially on dollar weighted basis: time on the camera vs quality. the leica might be better but for me, for the dollars, the zeiss is perfect.

[LVSBB6]

Anyone know where I can find a 85mm F2 ZM?

[Mauribix]

Anyone know where I can find a 85mm F2 ZM?

 

Most probably somewhere in HK.

Anyway that's a discontinued lens, so it's getting more and more complicated. Even because that's not been a bestseller in the past.

[jamesk8752]

Anyone know where I can find a 85mm F2 ZM?

 

I got my copy of this lens (used but in mint condition) from Matsuiyastore in Japan a year ago. Even then they were very difficult to find. As Mauribix says, I suspect that Hong Kong would be your best possibility these days, unless you are lucky enough to find a used copy as I did.

 

BTW, it's an astonishingly good lens IMO - fully as good as the Summicron 90 AA.

 

Regards, Jim

 

BTW, the design of this lens resembles a Double-Gauss more than a Sonnar, IMO, unless you want to consider the space between elements 2 and 3 an air lens. But not to quibble; it's a great lens no matter what you label the design.

[Double Negative]

Agreed, the Sonnar T* 2/85 is a really nice lens - lovely rendering. But yes, it's pricey and rather hard to find. Especially now that it's been discontinued.

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[gjames9142]

I have he 35 2.8 Biogon, and it is a remarkable lens. Don't care the focusing bump, but it is the best technical performer in its length -- zero distortion, incredible resolution, good colour rendition, and so much less expensive than a Lux or even a Cron, or even a V4 Cron, which I also like a lot. Don't need the speed, since I don't shoot in moonlight.