Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2005/04/15
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Re: the Zeiss 85, I don't know about pro portrait photogs. I'd think a medium format lens in an equiv FL more likely (mamiya, 'blad), or in 35mm a Nikkor 85/1.4 or Cannon 85/1.2 more likely choices. Me'thinks it's intended for the smaller enthusiast/fondler/collector market. I continue to wonder - Japanese worker pay scales are comparable to German pay scales. So why are all the lenses made in Germany *so* much more than pricey than premo Japanese lenses, incl. CV lenses. Scott Bill Marshall wrote: > Well said, Scott. I'll suggest a couple of things to look for in these > reviews once they come out: > > 1. How do the 50/2 Planar & 35/2 Biogon actually perform at f/2? MTF > data indicate that these two lenses are as good or better at maximum > aperture as the comparable Summicrons. Leica lenses excel in their > performance wide open & it will be interesting to see in real world > photographs if Zeiss lenses can do the same. > > 2. How do the 21, 25, & 28 Biogons perform up close? Zeiss claims that > these lenses can be focused to 0.5 meters, like the Contax G lenses. > It was one thing to do this with the unique focusing system on the > Contax G, but can sufficient parallax correction be obtained on the ZI > body to obtain accurate framing? No other RF bodies are RF coupled > this close, so we'll have to wait until the summer for such reviews > when the ZI is available. > > Regarding the 85, it's not for me either at that price. All of the > modern lenses which Don suggests as an alternative are at least a stop > slower. The fact is that Leica is the only RF portrait lens available > at this speed. And with the new round of price increases announced by > Leica, the 90 Summicron shoud be over $2600 by July 1, so it will be > in the same price neighborhood as the 85 Sonnar. I have to think that > this is a speicalized tool, designed for those who think that the > investment will be worth the returns for them - perhaps professional > portrait photographers? Zeiss must think that it is something special > or why else would they offer it? Their other offerings can be > justified as a price alternative to Leica & the 15 Distagon is unique, > but this lens will go head-to-head with Leica at a slightly higher > cost. As Don suggests, there are other alternatives & Rollei offers a > nice Zeiss design in an 80/2.8 Planar at less than half the price for > the Zeissaphiles. > > Bill > >> Scott McLaughlin wrote: > > >> I don't know. There aren't a whole lot of well written, in depth >> reviews handy around on the web. As these emerge, the Zeiss lenses >> may well be attractive alternatives (look, price, or quality >> depending on the lens) to the current Leica and CV offerings. > > > We'll see. > > Yes, I don't get the 85. Maybe the exotic wides can carry a premium, > but to me, it's just too darned pricey for a short tele. > > Scott > > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information