New fast Zeiss ZM 85mm 'ish lens

[DMJ]

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Interesting email exchange with Zeiss. I have a ZM 35mm f1.4 on order & chanced my arm by asking them if they have any plans on releasing a 85mm 'Otis equivalent' for the Leica mount. Quite rightly they explained that a ZM f1.4 85mm would be huge & look silly on a Leica but they did not rule out a fast 85mm'ish lens. They explained that they could not offer information outside of any official press releases. This may be a standard answer (neither yes or no) but I found it interesting that it was not ruled out. I wonder if Zeiss will become more active in the ZM lens arena.

[Rick in CO]

Interesting email exchange with Zeiss. I have a ZM 35mm f1.4 on order & chanced my arm by asking them if they have any plans on releasing a 85mm 'Otis equivalent' for the Leica mount. Quite rightly they explained that a ZM f1.4 85mm would be huge & look silly on a Leica but they did not rule out a fast 85mm'ish lens. They explained that they could not offer information outside of any official press releases. This may be a standard answer (neither yes or no) but I found it interesting that it was not ruled out. I wonder if Zeiss will become more active in the ZM lens arena.

 

I have had some email exchanges with Zeiss about the ZM line as well.

They would not commit an answer about anything except to say that the current ZM lenses could not be adjusted for the digital sensor. The 85mm f2 ZM lens (which I have and use) did not sell very well, likely because the price point was, at the time, not much different from the 90mm Apo-Summicron. Might it be less expensive made in Japan? I don't think the optical design would need to be significantly changed, being a tele lens already having a flat field and excellent edge-edge resolution and contrast.

My vote would be for a 50mm f2 Planar updated with the optical formula of the new Loxia line. Same optics in a new mount adjusted for the ZM register would be pretty straightforward with low development costs.

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[gberger]

I'm beginning to suspect Zeiss may want to "eat Leica's lunch" in the M series lens department.

[michaelwj]

The 85mm f2 ZM lens (which I have and use) did not sell very well, likely because the price point was, at the time, not much different from the 90mm Apo-Summicron. Might it be less expensive made in Japan?

 

I always think the ZM 85's would have sold better if they were 90's. Most cameras they're used on have no 85 mm framelines.

If Zeiss really wanted to play in the M mount game, then the Ikon would have had 90 mm (and 75 and 135 mm) framelines too.

Just my opinion of course, but it's what stopped me getting a ZM tele.

 

So I hope they release a 90 mm, that'd be a real sign they want Leica's lunch

 

Michael

[duckrider]

According to Murphy's law they should bring out a wide open 90mm in near future, because I purchased my new 4/85 some weeks ago!

 

It's only 4.0, but a tiny worry stone according the haptic & optical performance of my Zeissies line.

 

1.4/85 Planar does make more sense on SLR in my opinion...

[jml]

I always think the ZM 85's would have sold better if they were 90's. Most cameras they're used on have no 85 mm framelines.

 

Michael

 

85 mm framelines are useless as there are only differences of 1.3° horizontal angle and 1° vertical angle between a 85 & a 90mm... The framelines accuracy is far lower than the gap between those 2 focal lenghts! 90mm framelines may be confidently used with a 85mm...

[michaelwj]

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85 mm framelines are useless as there are only differences of 1.3° horizontal angle and 1° vertical angle between a 85 & a 90mm... The framelines accuracy is far lower than the gap between those 2 focal lenghts! 90mm framelines may be confidently used with a 85mm...

 

 

It's not rational, and as you say there's no real difference, but I still think they would sell more if they were labelled as 90mm.

 

Michael

[DMJ]

I'm beginning to suspect Zeiss may want to "eat Leica's lunch" in the M series lens department.

 

 

Zeiss are quite active of late with Sony, Nikon & Canon, so why not move into Leica's patch too. Always good to have a bit of variety to choose from.

[Rick in CO]

The 85mm f2 Sonnar was originally intended for the Zeiss Ikon ZM film rangefinder camera. The 90 frame on my M9 is perfectly adequate at normal distances out to infinity, at close-up the 75mm frame is more accurate. Best of both worlds.