ZF.2 Lenses!

[HansV]

News from Zeiss: the ZF.2 lenses include a CPU and can communicate with Nikon bodies (no more need to manually set focal length and max aperture). S- and P-modes seem to be supported now.
Zeiss are completely reworking and optimizing the ZF 2.8/25mm. Hmmm.
Source:
http://www.zeiss.com/photo, click on 'press releases'.

[Photog57]

Does anyone know what the prices for the ZF.2s will be?

I will be in NYC next month and had planned to buy the 35/2 Distagon. As I only get to the US once per year this was my only chance for the next 12 months to satisfy my Zeiss cravings --- now I'm torn whether to wait or just buy anyways. I'm afraid a lens released at the end of Nov will be hard to put my hands on in mid December.

[Amin Sabet]

This is great news for Nikon/Zeiss users. Hopefully they will provide a service, in the future, to allow ZF lenses to be chipped/converted to ZF.2.

[mikmik]

maybe it's a stupid question but does ZF2 lenses have aperture ring? does it work the same way as with chipped Voigtlander lenses (like ultron 40/2) or there is no aperture control ring at all and all is done by camera?

thanks

[gkanai]

I'm pretty sure, although I haven't seen one in person, that they are the same as the previous version but with the chip in the body of the lens. That means that yes, they will have an aperture ring.

[Photog57]

Gkanai is correct - The ZF.2 does have an aperture ring - 100% sure (I have the 35mm ZF.2)

[mikmik]

can you control the aperture on the lens or you have to set it on maximum value and than use the camera controls?

[klaju]

Friday I had a long talk to a support person by Zeiss in Germany. The ZF.2 behaves like the ZF if you like. You can use manual extension rings if you want, use the manual aperture ring to control the aperture, also the optics are exactly the same. The built-in cpu is only an add-on and a big help for the Nikon Dxx and Dxxxx cameras and you don't need to define the lens in the camera data either.

[Photog57]

You also can use the camera to set and change the aperture - by setting the physical aperture wide open and then using the camera control