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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

New Zeiss 55mm f1.4

I have to admit, they hyped me with their promises and previews for this one. I'm a bit excited about their effort to create such a lens aiming for highest performance within a still considerable price-range. As i said in another thread, i can't wait to see how that lens performs on RED-cameras, it will probably be great for Dragon.
 
i wonder which way the focus turns and i couldnt tell, was it manual aperture?
 
I have been following this lens since Photokina, but what is still not clear is not only the focus throw, but also the number of aperture blades.
It looks like we have being seeing a pre-production model, however it will einteresting too to see what relationship this has to the CP.2 line. It would clearly be a good replacement for the very poor performing 50/1.4.
 
jordan levy said:
i wonder which way the focus turns and i couldnt tell, was it manual aperture?
Click to expand...

This prototype doesn't appear to be manual aperture and I have no idea which way its focus turns, but Zeiss stated a few months back that it will work like the ZF/ZE (Nikon has aperture ring and turns "Nikon" direction, Canon doesn't and turns "normal" direction).
 
I think this will be a revolutionary lens. Just wish it has a manual aperture, though I wouldnt be too sure about giving it to someone for declicking. If it doesnt barrel out it might be a fantastic normal lens. Would be great with dragon in an extreme dynamic range situation and hdrx modes. Would love to see video footage from this lens.
 
I think up to this point we have been seeing prototypes. I sense the final form factor will be a bit more adapted to most peoples needs.
 
Hmmm A 24mm f1.4 would be nice but and the design would transition nicely into the CP range as well. A liitle suspicous of this rumour when the reporter claims that the Zeiss Zx 85mm f1.4 is the weakest lens in the set. The 85mm is a stellar performer compared to the 50mm
 
Tom Gleeson said:
Hmmm A 24mm f1.4 would be nice but and the design would transition nicely into the CP range as well. A liitle suspicous of this rumour when the reporter claims that the Zeiss Zx 85mm f1.4 is the weakest lens in the set. The 85mm is a stellar performer compared to the 50mm
Click to expand...

Yeah I know, I saw that too and thought it was bunk. The Contax 85mm 1.4 (upon which the CP2 is based), has long been regarded as one of the best portrait 85s ever made. Has unbelievably little distortion, and is screamingly sharp stopped down.
 
I used to shoot model headshots on a Contax RTS with the 85mm f1.4. Pretty much required a #1 Softar for most models' skin. Only thing stopping that from being about as good a lens as I ever used was the super-thin focus ring that would distort and bind if you gripped it too hard.
 
There is no where near as much info on this family of lenses as I'd like. Super intriguing, does anyone know if it's only the Nikon mount version that has manual iris?
 
Has anyone here tried this Distagon 55mm f/1.4 lens?
Any test photos to see and compare with other lenses?
 
This should be a very good lens, it reminds me of the Hasselblad days...


1.4_55_ZEISS_if_Award-622x401.jpg



71854d1366555722-hasselblad-hc-lenses-120mmmacro-35mm-_mg_9401.jpg
 
I saw a prototype-almost-production model 55ZF1.4 on the IBC.. very long throw, pinsharp, no discernable CA.. Zeiss-pro-style yellow markings.. lovely! made some photo's but had to promise not to post them, sorry guys.. but worth the wait if you're already interested in buying the zf.2 50mm
 
Hehe yes I saw it at IBC ... I dragged David and Joost there because this thing is insane! And no, I am not exaggerating.

The 1.4 has such beautiful highlights - as Joost mentioned: no discernible CA and his thing is pin sharp. We were shown some prints... They look like middle format prints. Tack sharp, deep blacks and super fine lines. Wasn't allowed to record/ shoot with it but what I could see through the zoom in on the DSLR, this lens is sick! Looking through the view finder feels like having a grey layer removed from it.

Then lens looked exactly like in the pictures Ketch posted - sans hood.

It's got a nice heft to it. Every other 50mm still feels like a child's toy next to it. This thing feels like a pro cine lens. I kid you not! as does the focus pull.

Some Zeiss bird tweeted in my ear, that the Zeiss lens service also de-clicks your lenses, which seemingly could be done with the 55 as well from them... So I guess we would have to stay tuned, the aperture is pretty close to the mount, but with a RED this should still work.

End of October we all will know what the new series will be called - along with all the other information.

The next 2 lenses will be announced between October and beginning of next year with availability planned for end of 2014.
2 more lenses (a wide and a tele) seem to be in planning but no info on if these will become real. Probably also depends on the interest in these.


EDIT: the yellow markings also tell you a lot. They are trying to make sure this will be recognized as a pro lens in the master prime category :)
The focus scale doesn't have any plexi cover on top either, which makes it look even more like a cine lens. The Zeiss guy asked me what I thought about it and if it would make me worry about dust inside the lens. When I said that it reminds me of cine lenses and that I wouldn't worry because I'd believe the lens is sealed, he smiled ... guess I gave the correct answer ;)
 
Thank you Patrick, have been waiting for a bit more info on this line of lenses. Bring on the end of October! Was that aperture ring you were talking about on a Canon mount?
 
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