Megapixel interview with Zeiss at Photokina 2012

Megapixel did a very extensive interview with Zeiss at photokina 2012, the interview is very informative, it sums up pretty much the future direction of Zeiss in the near future. Here is a few key points to note

A few points from the interview:

• All other things being equal you can potentially decrease the size of a lens by 20-30 percent when going from Full Frame to APS-C and about 30-40 percent when moving to micro 4/3 – but this really depends on the type of lens.
• The point of developing the new Carl Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 is to bring unprecedented performance in open apertures. The lens design is actually made of a combination of two different lenses and is a new, first of its kind for a 50mm lens.
• The new 82mm front element was designed to produce sharpness across the entire frame.
• Don't expect any AF capable lenses from Zeiss in the foreseeable future for Canon/Nikon.
• Zeiss can add a stabilizer to manual focus lenses but this will degrade the optical quality of the lens to a degree (it will require some freedom of movement from the optical elements) and so not something Zeiss plans to do anytime soon.
• Zeiss highly recommends that you use a focusing screen when using a MF lenses – this is because the conventional focusing screen of digital cameras isn't ideal for manual focus (we can surly attest to that).
• Our final question had to do with a hypothetical size of a 50-100mm f/2 lens compared to the more conventional 70-200mm f/2.8. The answer – we are looking into a heavier and larger design and not something most people would like to carry or pay for…

Copied from: http://www.megapixel.co.il/english/archive/36565

Links:
http://www.megapixel.co.il/english/archive/36565
http://www.megapixel.co.il/photokina2012-en

Focusing screen makes a difference

We have reported the issue of the lack of an official hi-precision screen from Canon. For those who would like to shoot manual Zeiss on newest Canon's, the solution lies in 3rd party screen suppliers. A post at Vít Kovalčík photography illustrates what difference a screen can make. If you still have your stock screen that optimizes AF, take a moment to see what it means to have a hi-precision screen.

Link: http://www.pastel.cz/en/2013/01/presna-matnice-pro-canon-5d-mark-iii/

Zeiss 15mm Hood Removal

For those 15mm owners you may be bothered by the fixed pedal hood, because there are times you want to use different filter sizes. If you have also thought about sawing off the pedals, here is a quick tip to proceed.

Posted by LensRentals.com, there illustrates a step-by-step procedure of removing the hood on the 15mm lens. Not for the faint-of-hearts..

Link: http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2013/01/zeiss-15mm-hood-removal

Zeiss Ikon film RF cameras are officially discontinued

Source from fujiyacamera from Japan
【ついに生産完了！】カールツァイス Zeiss Ikon & Zeiss Ikon SW が生産完了！在庫限りにつきお早めに！

Discontinued - finally! Carl Zeiss production completion] Zeiss Ikon & Zeiss Ikon SW! For as long as stock as soon as possible!

Link: https://twitter.com/fujiyacamera/status/276534767091081216


My apology to all followers that I am not able to keep ZR up to date due to personal reason. But this news has to be announced.

Photokina 2: New FF Zeiss lens line

prototype on high res FF camera

New Carl Zeiss full frame manual focus lens line for Canon and Nikon mounts: The new lens line will deliver uncompromising image performance, with extremely high resolution including the picture edges even at F1.4 aperture. Chromatic aberration will be extremely low. The new lens line aims at FF-sensors with a resolution of 30+MP. Sensors with a lower resolution will also profit from a better contrast at maximum aperture. According to todays statements the new lens line will 'approach' (confusing translation from German to English) medium format image quality, while the CZ announcement from Sep. 8th referred to image performance that will equal medium format quality.

1.4/55 distagon prototype

At the time, three lenses are under development for launch in autumn 2013. More lenses are planned. CZ does not want to reveal further information about what focal lengths will be launched in autumn 2013 and what lenses are planned for a later release. Today, the prototype of a 1.4/55mm Distagon only is known. The distagon type lens - usually a wide angle type of lens construction - for a standard focal length provides better image performance than the planar type. It will be interesting to see how the distagon behaves in terms of field curvature. 




This new lens line will be made from the Zeiss manufacturer network in Japan according to CZ standards for a real lens performance corresponding to it's theoretical potential. 

Prices for the lenses will be around 3000 Euros. 

Link: http://blogs.zeiss.com/photo/en/?p=2860 and http://blogs.zeiss.com/photo/en/?p=3307
youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZFENV-a7BU&feature=player_embedded#!
one more link for the image quality with thanks to Vishal: http://vishalsabharwal.com/2013/01/08/zeiss-55-distagon/