New Zeiss ZF 18mm announced

[Nils J. Nesse]

Zeiss ZF 18mm f/3.5

 

[C.H.Haskell]

Hey Nils. I was just looking at this thinking..."how did I miss this one"? So its new huh? I am will toss one on the RED and give it a test spin.

 

[Nils J. Nesse]

Yeah, it hasn't been released yet. But I bet it'll be good!

So you decided to go with ZF?

 

[C.H.Haskell]

Yeah I want am working to build a set of ZFs...I am getting peter sensor of RP lenses to trick them out for me, i know its extra but at least the glass is new and color matched. I am thinking now...18, 35, 50, 85...depends when they have in mind to release the 18? Is there some press on it?

 

[Paul Hazlett]

that seems like a real light hungry lens doesn't it?

 

[chuck colburn]

The old design was a little soft on the edges wide open (f4). But that might not be so much of a problem when using it on a smaller format like S35. But at least it focuses cinewise.

http://slrlensreview.com/content/view/385/51/

 

[ATF]

Ooo... add it to my Zeiss ZF "must buy" list. I have the 100mm Macro F2 and the 50mm F1.4. These lenses ROCK.

Got an adapter to convert them to a Canon mount so I can use them on my EOS 1DS MKIII, too.

Thanks for the heads up!

ATF

 

[Rick Darge]

Damn, too bad its a 3.5.. Why is it that my 17-35 is an f/2.8 but this prime can't get past 3.5 ?

 

[C.H.Haskell]

Anyone know when this thing is available?

 

[Tony Lorentzen]

This is great news!

Its scheduled for delivery beginning July 2008. MSRP is 960 euros (excl. VAT).

 

[Florian Stadler]

F3.5 = T3.8 OUCH, what a bummer.

Almost as light hungry as my 25-250 Cooke...

Especially for the wide shots where you can't walk a light in a little...

 

[Tony Lorentzen]

Yeah it's definitely not one of the fastest lenses around, but it is pretty hard to make a wide lens with no CA that goes beyond around f2.8. In the lens world everything is a compromise but considering the price and performance on this lens I'd say it's pretty reasonable. I'm guessing a street price of around $1500 USD.

 

[C.H.Haskell]

Red can handle it! I was down at BH the other day and playing with the ZF set and so impressed how well built the mechanics are....the focus is smooth as butter, the glass is heavy duty feels rock solid.

 

[Shane Kelly]

Red can handle it! I was down at BH the other day and playing with the ZF set and so impressed how well built the mechanics are....the focus is smooth as butter, the glass is heavy duty feels rock solid.

It's also really easy to remove the iris click stops yourself.

 

[C.H.Haskell]

Shipping in july...thats great news! Would this be July 1st?

 

[Tony Lorentzen]

Shipping in july...thats great news! Would this be July 1st?

Let's see - I'm sure the Japanese eBay stores will have it in stock as soon as it hits the street. Remember that it's Cosina that makes these lenses for Zeiss, so they're made in Japan anyway.

 

[C.H.Haskell]

Good point Tony...still no signs of this lens stateside.

 

[Damon Meledones]

F3.5 = T3.8 OUCH, what a bummer.

Almost as light hungry as my 25-250 Cooke...

Especially for the wide shots where you can't walk a light in a little...

Just curious, but how are you arriving at T3.8? Or is it just a guess based on the average prime lens?

 

[C.H.Haskell]

Where is this lens!?! Oh and does anyone recomened the 100mm, Nils I know you are working with it. Not to get off topic but what would be the zoom equivalent to this set, in terms of build quality as well?

 

[Ryan E. Walters]

I am thinking now...18, 35, 50, 85...depends when they have in mind to release the 18? Is there some press on it?

You'll want to get either the 25mm or the 28mm lens, and the 100mm lens too. Going from 18 to 35 is a big jump, and having something in-between will help out a lot. The 100mm is also great for those macro shots or XCU's you need to get. Boy it adds up quick...