New ZF Distagon 35mm f/1.4?

[Nemo]

Erwin Puts has published an analysis of the Leica M9 camera.

He compares the M8 with a Nikon D3X, and says he is using a new Zeiss Distagon 35mm F/1.4 with floating elements. I cannot paste a link because I have less than 2 posts...

Erwin Puts is a great optical critic. He has several analysis of Zeiss ZM lenses at his website, and free.

[Nemo]

Does anyone know about this new lens?

I suppose Puts is testing it...

[Nemo]

Here is the link:

http://www.imx.nl/photo/leica/camera/page155/m9part2.html

[Brian]

I've not followed the lens, but the link shows that the M9 has solved the IR problem without requiring Hot Mirror filters. That is a major leap forward.

[Amin Sabet]

Interesting find. There's a ZF 35/2 Distagon, which many consider to be one of the best ZF lenses, but he says he has a ZF 35/1.4 Distagon and gives results at f/1.4!

[johan1967]

I don't see any reason why Zeiss would make a ZF 35/1.4. The current 35/2 is one of the best 35 mm lenses ever.

To me it makes more sense that Zeiss will make a 1:1 APO macro lens or a 24 mm tilt/shift lens (as an addition to the Hartblei/Zeiss lenses that only go to 40 mm). I am still hoping for a longer tele, but I don't expect that to happen.

[Amin Sabet]

Looks like Puts removed the text referring to a new Distagon 35/1.4. The page no longer says what lens he was using on the D3X.

[Nemo]

Looks like Puts removed the text referring to a new Distagon 35/1.4. The page no longer says what lens he was using on the D3X.

It was there...

The most interesting thing is the floating elements in the lens... So it is a very complex design, and expensive, I assume.

The Leica Summilux-R 35mm from 1984 also was a f/1,4 lens with floating elements.

[Amin Sabet]

I saw it there too before her removed it. Wonder what Erwin is up to??

[Jaap]

My Contax distagon 35mm F1.4 has already floating elements and a aspherical lens and that's a design from decades ago but it's still one of the best 35mm ever made imo

[chmeyerindiana]

...and here's to hoping Zeiss will produce a ZE version of the 35. I'll buy one tomorrow.
The Planar 50 f/1.4 has changed the way I approach photography in a very productive way. The Canon 35 is a very fine optic, but I'd rather have a lens that, ya know, feels like a lens!
chris

[philber]

There was an instance this summer when Zeiss people asked prospective customers how they would feel about a 35mm f:1.4. So it feels like it is going to happen. Particularly now that Zeiss have come and said that they would expland the ZF/ZE/ZK line.

[philber]

...and here's to hoping Zeiss will produce a ZE version of the 35. I'll buy one tomorrow.


chris

According to Zeiss, the ZE 35 will be out this year, when all ZF lenses will exist in ZE mount. I have one on order.

[johan1967]

What do you guys think about the possibility that Zeiss will make a Manual Focus ZF 24-70 2.8 zoom lens? They made a AF variant for Sony. So why not one in the ZF-series?

Just a thought.

[chmeyerindiana]

According to Zeiss, the ZE 35 will be out this year, when all ZF lenses will exist in ZE mount. I have one on order.

That's great news!
I suppose I need to dig around their site more....and tuck away some of that freelance money.
c

[chmeyerindiana]

That's great news!
I suppose I need to dig around their site more....and tuck away some of that freelance money.
c

There is a link in Online Photographer that suggests the 100 macro; 50 macro, 35 and 28 are indeed coming soon for the EF mount!

http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/lenses/