Zeiss lenses

[Joseph Ramos]

I was just wondering if anyone was using any of the new Zeiss lenses with an M8 and if so what were your thoughts?

 

[Mike Hatam]

I've tried the Zeiss ZM 21 Biogon f2.8, and the Zeiss ZM 18 f4, and really like both lenses. They both offer the classic Zeiss "look" (high microcontrast and sharpness throughout the image).

They don't have the "Leica glow" when shot wide-open, and produce slightly cooler colors than the Leica glass.

For landscape/architecture type shots, they are excellent, with their sharpness and contrast.

Mike

 

[Joseph Ramos]

Mike,
Do they have IR focus marks on them?
Thanks

 

[Mike Hatam]

I'm not sure - I don't shoot IR. That would be a good question for someone like Jim Collum who shoots a lot of IR with these lenses.

Mike

 

[Woody Campbell]

Mike,
Do they have IR focus marks on them?
Thanks

The ZM 21 f 2.8 does. I hadn't noticed it before - it's a thoughtful feature that most manufacturers don't bother with.

You should check out Sean Reid's excellent review.

 

[jonoslack]

Hi Joseph
I use the 25mm biogon, which is as crisp and sharp as you could wish for, microcontrast is wonderful, and it's sharp to the corners.

Also the 50mm f1.5 sonnar - which is dreamy and noctilux like up to f2.8, and then as zeiss as you could wish for; a lovely jekyll and hyde of a lens.

They both have red IR marks on them.

 

[innerimager]

I use the 18/4 a lot. Crystal clear sharpness to the corners, has the Zeiss warmth rather than coldness to my eye. Superbly crafted.....Peter

 

[cmb_]

Joseph - Ditto what Jono says for the 25mm Biogon, I have it and this lens packs a lot of bite.

 

[cmb_]

Joseph,
Here is some more info:
http://forum.getdpi.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2038&highlight=zeiss+25mm

 

[JimCollum]

i've used the 21/2.8, 28/2.8, 18/4 and 50/1.5

all have been excellent lenses. QC seems to be excellent with Zeiss.. focus has never been off (unlike a number of Leica lenses).

the Zeiss seem to handle flare better than the Leica lenses.. i've been able to shoot directly into the sun without issues.

for IR shooting, I got a hotspot with the 21 adn 50.. but not the 28 (one of my most used lenses for IR work)

jim

 

[Hacker]

I had both the 25mm f2.8 and 35mm f2 6-bit coded but did not like the feel/handling of the lens (personal preference). The rendering was very nice though. The only ZM lens that I have left is the ZM85 f2.

 

[Joseph Ramos]

Thanks for everyones response. I just got an M8 again and I am getting into IR and since these have IR marks they seem like logical choices.

 

[Erik Five]

They are great. I have tested/owned most of them except 15 and 85 me thinks.

 

[Hacker]

I would have gotten the ZM15 except that it is not RF coupled.

 

[glenerrolrd]

Twin Peaks Co....Zeiss 21:2.8...M8

Roger Dunham

 

[irakly]

Mike,
Do they have IR focus marks on them?
Thanks

no there is no IR focus mark, but amazingly 2.8/28 images are sharp wide open with an IR-pass filter. I have yet to figure out why

 

[Joseph Ramos]

O.K. now I am confused. Some people have already posted that there are IR marks on the lenses.

 

[irakly]

now i am even more confused... i just looked, and 18mm has the IR mark, while 28 has not.

 

[Tim Gray]

I don't have IR markings on my ZM 35/2. I've shot Kodak HIE through a 29A and an R72 filter and had no problems with focus.

 

[MrSlezak]

I wrestled between the 21mm & 25mm for a while before I decided that the 21mm Biogon offered a good wedge between the 35mm and 15mm I currently have.

I ordered from PopFlash and to get the modified mount. But after reading Sean Reid's review of the various Zeiss lenses, I'm curious if anyone can suggest a different lens cap I could pick up?