Zeiss ZE's for my new Dragon?

[Aris_Gavriilidis]

Hello everyone, I've read some threads on this topic but they were a few years old and I was wondering if anyone had updated info on this. I've just gotten my canon mount Epic Dragon and I'm looking into buying some Zeiss ZE lenses, though I am uncertain whether or not I'll be able to control the iris through the camera, as I know there have been issues with these lenses in the past. Are the Zeiss ZE's currently supported in the new firmware? Currently I'm running 5.3.42 by the way.

 

[Bill Stengel]

I have a set and they work without issue on my Epic Dragon.

 

[Maik Müller]

Hello everyone, I've read some threads on this topic but they were a few years old and I was wondering if anyone had updated info on this. I've just gotten my canon mount Epic Dragon and I'm looking into buying some Zeiss ZE lenses, though I am uncertain whether or not I'll be able to control the iris through the camera, as I know there have been issues with these lenses in the past. Are the Zeiss ZE's currently supported in the new firmware? Currently I'm running 5.3.42 by the way.

Just a side-note. You can get the ZF-versions and use them with Leitax-Adaptors on a Canon-Mount. It's just a matter of taste: manual iris (can be declicked) or electronic iris.

 

[Aris_Gavriilidis]

I wanted to get the Duclos ones since they are modded and have a manual iris but I can't since I live in the UK ( high EU import taxes). If I use ZF's with a leitax adapter, won't that affect the backfocus of the lens?

 

[Maik Müller]

I wanted to get the Duclos ones since they are modded and have a manual iris but I can't since I live in the UK ( high EU import taxes). If I use ZF's with a leitax adapter, won't that affect the backfocus of the lens?

It works. The lenses are calculated for both systems, the adaptor takes care of the different focal flange distances and i guess there that little playroom you usually have on still-lenses (in regards of focus-markings and focusing beyond infinity) does the rest.

BTW, Duclos uses the Leitax-adaptors too.

P.S.: I actually like the electronic aperture on my Otus ZE lenses.

 

[Nick Morrison]

I wanted to get the Duclos ones since they are modded and have a manual iris but I can't since I live in the UK ( high EU import taxes). If I use ZF's with a leitax adapter, won't that affect the backfocus of the lens?

Leitax adapters are of superb quality (Duclos himself uses them), are made of solid steel, and are designed to ensure perfect backfocus.

We use Leitax adapters on a number of Contax and other gass, and have been incredibly impressed.

 

[Jason Mavrokefalos]

Hi Aris,

I've tried both ZE and ZF, and as others noted Leitax is the way to go if you choose ZFs. They are also in Europe (Spain), so there are no import charges involved, and you can install them yourself, even if you don't have prior experience. De-clicking and focus gears can be installed by many technicians in the UK (like Truelens for example). Don't get me wrong, Duclos is great, but he is quite far from Greece/UK.

Concerning back-focus, it is a gamble, these are stills lenses after all. Ironically my ZF/ZF.2 with Leitax EF adapters where spot on, while I had a couple of ZEs that were a bit off past infinity.

Personally I prefer the ZEs, electronic aperture is much nicer than a pseudo-cine de-clicking (you also get precise increments). With the ZFs, the iris ends up creeping or you move it accidentally because the lenses are small and the aperture ring is close to the focus gear, and quite frankly, they weren't designed to do that.

I also have a nice Nikon Ais 10-lens set, that I chose not to de-click, just added focus gears, 80mm fronts, and adapters, and it works great.


At the end of the day, if you really need cine lenses, you should get properly re-housed lenses. I got a couple of CN-Es, and they work as they should (and you still get the aperture reading while being fluid).


The good thing with Zeiss ZFs, is that they are fairly cheap, since the newer ZF.2s came out. In addition, they are a bit smaller compared to the ZEs.


I have some ZEs and a couple of spare Leitax EF adapters if you want to check them out in Athens, just send me a pm. They also allow you to mount the lenses with the aperture reading on the side.


Regards

 

[Aris_Gavriilidis]

Extremely helpful info, looks like I'll be going with the ZF.2's with leitax adapters since I prefer a manual aperture rather an electronic one. I don't really care about de-clicking it though. When my budget allows it, I'll install the PL mount and get a few Schneider Xenon FF lenses, which I've tried and fell in love with! But for now, since budget is tight and I'll also be doing quite a few projects with a relatively small setup, stills glass is the way to go and from what I've seen/heard these Zeiss lenses are a superb choice!

 

[Jason Mavrokefalos]

That's great, just keep in mind that the ZF/ZF.2 focus the Nikon (opposite) way, meaning that you would have to use a reversible FF or gear in order to have them focusing the way you are used to with cine lenses. For small/personal productions it was never a problem, but when working with different/larger crews it can be a small annoyance.

Agreed on the Xenons as well, they are really nicely made, and render a beautiful image.

 

[George Nelson]

I have a set of Zeiss ZE lenses and the camera shot wonderfully with them. Currently I'm having an issue with my EF mount stopping it's self down by itself if I make any iris adjustment to the camera. I kind of wish I had a manual feature on the ZE's other then adjusting the Iris on my DSLR, locking the iris, and then switching it to the Dragon.

The declicked ZF.2's are the way to go IMO.