Carl Zeiss presents a new series of lenses: ZF.2 for F bayonet

Is that because of the needs of incorporating electronics on the new ZE lenses?
Zeiss decides to as well to add the new ZF.2 line lenses with CPUs in them.

OBERKOCHEN/Germany, 16.11.2009.
Optics specialist Carl Zeiss today announced its introduction of a new series of lenses for the semi-professional market: the ZF.2 with F bayonet for digital SLRs. Thanks to its electronic interface (CPU), these new ZEISS lenses support all- important operations such as the automatic mechanisms for time, aperture setting and program. The CPU also supports manual exposure settings, including those for camera casings that are not AI-compatible. Since the lens now transmits the EXIF data such as manufacturer, date, metering system and exposure to the camera, photographers no longer need to set the parameters manually. These quicker and faster handling capabilities of the ZF.2 lenses are especially useful under hectic shooting conditions.

ZEISS lenses truly come into their own in situations that demand extreme photographic creativity and maximum image quality. Carl Zeiss’ established fixed focal length lenses are known for their high light sensitivity and precise manual handling, leaving the photographer in full control. The new ZF.2 series will be especially interesting for photo enthusiasts who value creative, high-quality images combined with the comfort of automatic settings.

Martin Klottig, Marketing Manager of the Camera Lens Division at Carl Zeiss AG: “The ZF.2 lenses are ideal tools for photographers who want to concentrate more on the subject than on their camera equipment. Whether at a wedding, a toddler’s first steps or impressions from faraway countries, these lenses are perfect for photographers who want to capture once-only moments quickly and accurately. These situations demand first-class technology that captures spontaneous actions without too much effort and delivers fantastic images each time.”

The ZF.2 lenses are available in eight focal lengths, six of which will be available from the end of November: 3,5/18, 2,8/21, 2/35, 1,4/50, 2/50 and 1,4/85. The Distagon T* 2/28 ZF.2 and macro Planar T* 2/100 ZF.2 will be introduced in Spring 2010. “We are currently completely reworking and optimizing the Distagon T* 2.8/25 ZF. As a result, it will be available for other mounts somewhat later,“ says Klottig.

The prices for these new lenses will lie between EUR 545 and EUR 1.386 (excluding VAT). With the new ZF.2 series, Carl Zeiss extends its acclaimed ZF family of lenses, for which there is still high demand and possibly long waiting times.
“We will offer the ZF series as long as the demand lasts,” stresses Klottig.

A list of compatible camera models is available under: SLR lenses with F bayonet mount for cameras from Nikon

Sounds like the way to go. Now they can't claim their lenses don't depreciate as fast due to the old fact that they are fully mechanical.

Link: Maximum image quality meets the comfort of automatic control

Zeiss launches EF Distagon T* 35mm f/2.0 for Canon

Thornwood, NY – A squirrel nimbly scampers along a moss-covered tree trunk. It has made a promising discovery amongst the fallen leaves of an oak tree. A deer emerges from the half darkness of the woods. A photographer documents the winter preparations of various woodland creatures. This requires a versatile, high-speed, easy to use lens that produces razor-sharp images of the details and the entire scenery.
Optical expert Carl Zeiss has now added an EF bayonet to its proven lens for photographic reporting: the Distagon T* 2/35 ZE. The high-speed, moderate wide-angle Distagon T* 2/35 ZE fits all analog and digital EOS cameras. Its classic 35 mm focal length is particularly well-suited for advertising, travel and nature photography as it captures dynamic perspectives with high depth of focus and few distortions. With a moderate wide angle of 53 degrees (horizontal), the Distagon T* 2/35 ZE can easily capture wide scenery without forcing photographers to consider perspective effects as design elements as they would have to with shorter focal lengths. The relatively short angle of rotation of the precision focusing mechanism enables fast but precise focusing when required.
For the growing number of photographers and videographers using DSLR’s for movie making, the Distagon T* 2/35 ZE is one of four prime lenses making a core set, joining the Distagon T* 2/28 ZE, Planar T* 1.4/50 ZE and Planar T* 1.4/85 ZE. These lenses are well suited for HD video applications due not only to their exceptional image quality, but for the smooth focus and long focus rotations.
The Distagon T* 2/35 ZE features high image quality for the entire aperture and focusing range. Thanks to its sophisticated optical design in which nine lens elements are perfectly aligned, it permits particularly high imaging performance across the entire image field.
When a tripod is not available, the fast f/2 aperture allows easily handling under low light, making perfect pictures possible even under difficult lighting conditions. Thanks to its special optical design and the Zeiss T* anti-reflection coating, this lens captures bright light sources without artifacts. The Distagon T* 2/35 is also perfect on-the-go thanks to its all-metal and extremely durable precision mechanics for which Carl Zeiss lenses are well-known.
This is ZEISS’ fourth wide-angle lens with an EF bayonet (ZE mount). It follows the recent introduction of the two ultra-wide-angle Distagon T* 3,5/18 ZE and Distagon T* 2,8/21 ZE lenses, as well as the moderate wide-angle Distagon T* 2/28 ZE.
The Distagon T* 2/35 ZE will begin shipping on November 16th for a suggested retail price of $870. For more information, visit www.zeiss.com/photo.





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