What to know whether MKI , MKII or MKIII?

[Harcharan Singh]

Hi,
What are the characteristics ...physically or technically which one should know when one purchasing used Zeiss Superspeed lenses.Thks
Harcharan

 

[Dave Blackham]

Id like to know this too, particularly about the changes in coatings. Thanks.

Dave

 

[Evin Grant]

Optically all series of Super speeds have the same formula.
There were some improvements in the coatings from the "B" bayonet series to the MKI series that allowed for the lenses to be relabeled T1.3 instead or T1.4 as well as the switch from a triangular 3 blade iris to a traditional 6 blade.
From there the coatings are the same for the MKI, II & III.

Mechanically the MKIs and MKIIs only differ in the rotation of the focus barrel.
MKIs are 180º MKIIs are 350º.

The MIII series has the same 350º rotation but adds a double sided focus scale dedicated to either feet or meters (instead of having both) which means you do not have to flip the lens to work on the dumb side.

B speeds were only made in Arri bayonet mount.
MkI speeds were made in bayonet and PL mount.
MKIIs and MKIIIs only in PL mount.

 

[FocusOptics]

Optically all series of Super speeds have the same formula.
There were some improvements in the coatings from the "B" bayonet series to the MKI series that allowed for the lenses to be relabeled T1.3 instead or T1.4 as well as the switch from a triangular 3 blade iris to a traditional 6 blade.
From there the coatings are the same for the MKI, II & III.

Mechanically the MKIs and MKIIs only differ in the rotation of the focus barrel.
MKIs are 180º MKIIs are 350º.

The MIII series has the same 350º rotation but adds a double sided focus scale dedicated to either feet or meters (instead of having both) which means you do not have to flip the lens to work on the dumb side.

B speeds were only made in Arri bayonet mount.
MkI speeds were made in bayonet and PL mount.
MKIIs and MKIIIs only in PL mount.

Evin,
The coatings are the same in all the superspeed sets the b speed mki mkii and mkiii. The b speeds has 9 iris blades in them. also the mki mkii and mkiii are all optically the same design and the 18mm 25mm and 35mm b speed are the same design the 50mm and 85mm b speed are a different design
Stuart
Stuart

 

[Evin Grant]

So what accounts for the T Stop difference between "B" speeds and MKIs, IIs & IIs as well as the triangular iris?

 

[Dave Blackham]

Guys, thanks for the info so far. All very useful.

Dave

 

[Stephen Williams]

So what accounts for the T Stop difference between "B" speeds and MKIs, IIs & IIs as well as the triangular iris?

Hi Evin,

If you measure them you might be in for a surprise, not all lenses in the set are as fast as marked. I hear that the same applies to some new prime sets, not been able to test myself yet.

Stephen