Anything Zeiss....

[Kit]

D800E + Zeiss Distagon 18mm f/3.5


central business district by arkitectural photography, on Flickr

Full size image
All sizes | central business district | Flickr - Photo Sharing!​

 

[ManWearPants]

D800E + Zeiss Distagon 18mm f/3.5

Full size image[/B]
All sizes | central business district | Flickr - Photo Sharing!​

Welcome Kit. How does the ZF 18mm on D800E compares to TS-E 17mm on your Canon body in terms of sharpness and clarity?

 

[Kit]

Thanks.

I doubt I can do a fair comparison between the 2 setup because the D800E definitely outclass my 5DII where resolution is concerned. I've not taken similar photos using both setup for comparison. The TS-E 17mm was wonderful for what it does and there's no equivalent. You do get a little deterioration in IQ when the lens is shifted to the extreme but its not a big deal to me. Here's a photo taken with the TS-E 17mm + 5DII.

academic facility - indoor sports hall by arkitectural photography, on Flickr

Full size photo.
All sizes | academic facility - indoor sports hall | Flickr - Photo Sharing!​

However, with the Chinatown photo, I felt that the Distagon 18mm was not as good as I thought it would be. Looks a little soft on the edges but that could be due to lack of local contrast in the buildings. I should be able to get a better idea as I use the lens more. I am definitely getting a little colour fringing with this lens though. You can see it along the edges of the lift shafts at both ends.

I bought that 18mm as a compact alternative to my 14-24mm because there are times when I just don't want to carry that much stuff around. Stay tuned for more photos

 

[365asia]

Hi forum buddy , anyone can tell me how this lens >>Carl Zeiss Contax Vario Sonnar T* 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 , need what type of mounting / adaptor to let it work /fix in D700 ? thanks.

 

[Obelix]

The Carl Zeiss Contax Vario Sonnar T* 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 only comes with the N mount. Special conversion by Conurus is required to be able to use for EOS bodies with proper metering and Auto focus enabled. Currently, there is no other adapter that can used for Nikon bodies. Originally, the Contax N mount was build with electronic diaphragm for the use in Contax N1, NX and N Digital bodies. Sometime in the year 2006, Conurus managed to unscramble the Contax N and Canon EF protocols and that is where the birth of the conversion takes place and gave the 9 Contax N lenses a new lease of life.

Hi forum buddy , anyone can tell me how this lens >>Carl Zeiss Contax Vario Sonnar T* 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 , need what type of mounting / adaptor to let it work /fix in D700 ? thanks.

 

[365asia]

Thanks for the useful info , Obelix. That mean Nikon user didn't have chances to try that lens ?

 

[Obelix]

Not on N mount lenses. But, there are still lots of Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar in C/Y mount for you to use on Nikon bodies using Adapters. The CZ VS 35-70 f3.4 is an example of a good version of Vario Sonnar which is rumored to be as good as primes.

 

[365asia]

;pok . noted.

 

[ManWearPants]

Thanks.

I doubt I can do a fair comparison between the 2 setup because the D800E definitely outclass my 5DII where resolution is concerned. I've not taken similar photos using both setup for comparison. The TS-E 17mm was wonderful for what it does and there's no equivalent. You do get a little deterioration in IQ when the lens is shifted to the extreme but its not a big deal to me. Here's a photo taken with the TS-E 17mm + 5DII.

However, with the Chinatown photo, I felt that the Distagon 18mm was not as good as I thought it would be. Looks a little soft on the edges but that could be due to lack of local contrast in the buildings. I should be able to get a better idea as I use the lens more. I am definitely getting a little colour fringing with this lens though. You can see it along the edges of the lift shafts at both ends.

I bought that 18mm as a compact alternative to my 14-24mm because there are times when I just don't want to carry that much stuff around. Stay tuned for more photos

I have the same colour fringing on my SD15. These 2 cameras are similar in that they both lack AA filter. Maybe these Zeiss optics need to be further tested on cameras that do not have AA. Of course in my case, there could be other possibilities such as sensor, adapter, etc.

Portability is the same reason why I bought the Distagon 24/2.8 and adapt to Sigma SD15. The lack of AA makes for very sharp IQ. The foveon sensor means there should be no moire effect. This camera seems to also produce better DR than Canon sensors. However, the biggest drawback in my case is the lack of UWA options due to the unfavourable 1.7x crop. So I have to rely on stitching panorama shots together. The below is composed of 5 images. I feel this scene is a good test for the capability of camera + lens combo. Other than my framing not exactly straight (handheld), I think this combo didn't disappoint. IMO, the Distagon 24/2.8 is a forgotten little giant. Easier to carry around compared to Distagon 21 and probably better corrected.

 

[Kit]

Quite frankly, colour fringing don't really bother me but it was an observation I made.

I would have gone for the Distagon 15mm instead of the 18mm if I could find it. Still waiting for mine to come.

 

[frederickykfoo]

Hi forum buddy , anyone can tell me how this lens >>Carl Zeiss Contax Vario Sonnar T* 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 , need what type of mounting / adaptor to let it work /fix in D700 ? thanks.

Normally the mount to convert Contax Zeiss lenses to Nikon required an adaptor with a glass in between them.
Lens Adapter Contax Yashica C Y to Nikon AI D700 D300 | eBay
Contax / Yashica To Nikon Lens Adapter (C/Y to Nikon)
Thus, it may degrade the picture quality. Many do not like that.:cry:

Only getting Zeiss ZF2 lenses Photography ones need not such adaptors or glass.:thumbsup:
But they are still Manual focus.
Carl Zeiss preparing 55mm F1.4 for DSLRs and family of lenses for mirrorless: Digital Photography Review
Only Contax N series lenses is AF and can be converted to EOS and still have AF.

 

[365asia]

Thanks for the info, Fred ..

 

[sanfong]

Any Canon user go for ZF instead of ZE?

Cos the aperture ring allow me to use on some cameras.

 

[ManWearPants]

Any Canon user go for ZF instead of ZE?

Cos the aperture ring allow me to use on some cameras.

I am using ZS on both Canon and Sigma. IMO, if solely using Canon, best stick to EF for the electronic aperture. Its more convenient. If you are using 2 different system like me, then go for whatever suits your needs.

 

[1912123]

CARL ZEISS JENA DDR FLEKTOGON 2.4/35MM, a magic lens.

 

[Zeisser]

Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar 28-85mm F3.5/5.6 thru CY/EOS adapter



IMG_0038 by Leon Liew (Zeisser2008), on Flickr

 

[Obelix]

A shot of my favorite model (my 3rd daughter - preparing for her graduation concert peformance) with Contax N 85mm f1.4 - shot at wide open with minimum room lighting.

 

[betta01]

CARL ZEISS JENA DDR FLEKTOGON 2.4/35MM, a magic lens.

What and where is the 'magic'??
Seems like any regular shot.

 

[betta01]

Hope can see some magic in this one.
Contax N 17-35 @ 33mm f2.8. Convert to B/W low contrast preset in LR.

Not so much of magic but I see a nice Zebra pleco L46

 

[betta01]

I am not a Zeiss basher but so far I have not really see the 'magic' in it, maybe one fine day I will.

Regarding 'CARL ZEISS JENA DDR FLEKTOGON 2.4/35MM, a magic lens' this I totally do not understand, if that photo is representative of Zeiss lens 'magic' then I will give it a :thumbsd: and avoid buying Zeiss lens at all cost