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Zeiss ZF.2 lens set - which lenses? Or any other lens set recommendations?

E

Eirik Fiskkjønli

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Coming from from Samyang lenses (10mm,24mm and 50mm, the Canon 16-35 II and the 70-200 IS II.
I have now had these lenses for a while and have started selling them - getting ready to buy a full set.

Was happy with the canons and the 50mm Samyang, But to complement the Dragon i want a set of lenses.

Have been looking at the Sagma ART and the new XEEN, But have concluded that I want rigid and small full manual lenses.
So I will eventually convert the ZF.2 with leitax adapters if i do not go over to the dark side (Nikon) for dslr's.

Also doing timelapse work with kessler and second shooter, so manual lenses is perfect for that.

Are there other sets in the same price range i should look out for?

Thinking to have a 6 lens set:
Zeiss 15mm 2.8 ZF.2 Distagon
Zeiss 25mm Distagon ZF.2 T* f/2.0
Zeiss 35mm 1.4 ZF.2 Distagon
Zeiss Makro-Planar T 50mm f/2 ZF.2
Zeiss Planar T 85mm f/1.4 ZF.2
Zeiss 135mm f/2 ZF2

Thinking of starting the set with the 35mm, 50mm and the 85mm

Very uncertain what i want in the lower end;
15mm and 25mm or 18mm 21mm
135mm or 100mm

Any inputs before I go ahead?
 
I like the 28mm f2 a lot personally.

you've chosen wisely going with the 50mm f2 Makro.

if you do a lot of product or Makro work I think the 100/2 Makro is a fantastic lens, used it a few times vs the 135, 135 is also a nice length, but I find myself not using the long end of lenses during most narrative work, but if I do then I bring out a long zoom like 70-200 or 80-200
 
I use the zf lenses a lot and generally okay with them. I tend to aim to shoot all the lenses at 2.8. You get a very nice characteristic and very sharp/contrasty image at that point.

Not so much wide open. But they're an improvement over Samyangs no doubt.

I'd probably consider keeping the canon 70-200. I don't own one, but whenever I use it, I'm always impressed with the image quality. I'd say it's one of my favourite dSLR lens.

The only other lenses at the same price range that's worth considering is the new SLR magic cine lens PL mount line. Unfortunately, they only have a 50mm coming soon with the rest slowly trickling out after. But after seeing some test footage, the lens actually looks great. Especially at the price of $1000 per lens.
 
Thanks for the replys!

Feel like the 70-200 is mostly sitting on the shelf, but maybe ill just keep it and dont buy a 135mm/100mm.

Also i like being able to use filters so ill wait with the 15mm as well - but i do like shooting wide.

Hard to choose between the 18mm,21mm and the 25mm....
More input?
 
Just have in mind that some lenses are newer designs, and some older.

The 15/25/35/50MP/100MP/135MP are all new designs, the 85mm derives from the older Zeiss/Contax one (like the 21/ 25 2.8 / 28 /50 1.4). Coatings are the same along the ZF line, but the rendering is a bit different, personally I prefer the newer ones, but you are missing some interesting focal lengths like 18/21, which are also great lenses, especially the 21mm. On the other hand you might feel that the 85 closes a pretty large gap, which is understandable. As others noted, I tend to not use the telephoto primes, but instead grab the Canon 70-200 IS II that you already own. For wides/normal the 15/25/35/50MP is a dream team, after that it's a matter of need/style.

Personally I've owned most of them but decided to keep the 28/2, it's an odd lens, technically imperfect, but has some magic in it like Dan said, also the 50MP which is my favourite lens on FF, and the 100MP, for close-ups/macro. I had the 25/2 and 25/2.8 as well, which similarly to the 28/2, focus very close. The 25/2 is a better match to the 50/100, and is technically extremely good, but sometimes you have different priorities. For example the 25/2 has a very short focus throw. The 50MP has a small focus throw for normal distances as well (90 degrees until 0.35m, most of its focus throw is dedicated under that).

Essentially, you will have to prioritise the importance of specific focal lengths / bigger focus throws / better lens designs / etc :)
 
I have the 25mm along with the others you mentioned except my 50 is the other one, not the macro. The 25mm is a beautiful lens with no distortion so it's excellent for shooting video. I also shoot with the 21mm ZF2 2.8 which is fantastic, again very little distortion so it's great for video. After the 21mm you're getting into fish eye territory in still lenses so, for me they do not provide very much utility. I had them modded at Duclos. They all match well and are super sharp with lovely contrast and color. I think they're great. The difficulties around them compared to cinema lenses persist such varying throw and pulling aperture can be a challenge.

I use a Zacuto FF to get the focus direction reversed. There are a few others that have that and I highly recommend it, especially if you're going to work with an AC. Also, get a crank. It makes it a lot easier to pull the 85mm

I see those Xeens and they are tempting but I wonder if, despite the utility, the images would be as good. I think I'll be renting PL glass for projects that can afford them for the near future. If I could afford them, I'd like to get a set of the schneider xenon ffs. For my own work, and for pretty much everything I've done for clients, these lenses have been a fantastic value. I've never had a complaint about them, not even from ACs (that's more about the good nature of the ACs then the lenses... just good guys making stuff happen). I love the images. I do. They're great glass for the money.
 
I used to have Zeiss ZF 35/2 and 25/2. The 25/2 is one of the best lenses out there. The 35/2 is pretty great too.
The ZF F/1.4 lenses were soft wide open from my research, so I suggest the F/2 if you go with a 25/35/50. I was on the verge of getting the 50/2 but I switched to Sigma Art.
I don't know enough about their 85 to suggest anything but you can check:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=481

The 18/3.5 is kinda slow and 21/2.8 might be too slow in certain conditions, and they both have 82mm filter threads, which you might find annoying if you use 77mm filters. I'd go with the 25/2.
 
I had Zeiss ZF 35mm f1.4 and was sharp fully open.

" After the 21mm you're getting into fish eye territory in still lenses so, for me they do not provide very much utility"
Not true, especially regarding fantastic Zeiss 15mm. One of great lenses to own with 21mm.


 
I noticed, wider than the 21mm the kind of wide angle distortion that approaches a fisheye look where near to the lens, size distorts, corners pincushion. I am sure you're right and the 15 is not correctly called a fisheye. Thank you for the correction. I just noticed how things move wider than the 21mm where too wide a lens, and for me, that's a 21, the motion from far to near has a circular component as lines converge. I find that sort of motion distracting in that it calls attention to itself so I don't like it except as an effect. But it's just a preference. In still photography this is much less an issue I think. For reference, my experience so wide has been with a Tokina 11-16. I love it for stills but not so much for motion.
 
Hugh Scully said:
I noticed, wider than the 21mm the kind of wide angle distortion that approaches a fisheye look where near to the lens, size distorts, corners pincushion. I am sure you're right and the 15 is not correctly called a fisheye. Thank you for the correction. I just noticed how things move wider than the 21mm where too wide a lens, and for me, that's a 21, the motion from far to near has a circular component as lines converge. I find that sort of motion distracting in that it calls attention to itself so I don't like it except as an effect. But it's just a preference. In still photography this is much less an issue I think.
Click to expand...

Anything wider than a 21mm on full frame, yes.

But Dragon sensor isn't quite that big.

Don't forget, a 18mm is a staple in most S35mm kits. 16mm primes are popular too.

So, going wider than 21mm is by no means objectionable.

Terence Malick regularly shoots quite a but wider than 21mm.....for example....as does Chivo...so you can certainly make riveting content, while going wide, that isn't so distorted that it becomes distracting...

That said, from what I remember, Spielberg loves a 21mm...I believe that's one of his fave focal lengths...
 
Personally I am not fond of the ZE and ZF 18mm
Might consider an older Canon 14mm 2.8 in PL mount for similar money.
Or.. (still a slowish lens) a Lomo 18mm 3.4 in PL mount.. diferent flaws than the Zeiss, and less pricy.
I guess I think that the Zeiss 18mm CP is just plain ugly and poorly color matches the other lenses in the set.
I love the 18mm superspeed.
 
Thanks again for the reply's, have made up my mind to just copy the Duclos Lenses pro set, consisting of:
Zeiss ZF.2 21mm f/2.8
Zeiss ZF.2 25mm f/2.0
Zeiss ZF.2 35mm f/1.4
Zeiss ZF.2 50mm f/2.0 Macro
Zeiss ZF.2 85mm f/1.4

A bit worried that there are bad copies of the 35/1.4 out there, but looking pictures from the good ones, it looks amazing.

Have ordered the adapters from Leitax allready, the de-clicking is not important for me and alot cheaper to buy them in Norway and mod them myself.
 
Eirik Fiskkjønli said:
Thanks again for the reply's, have made up my mind to just copy the Duclos Lenses pro set, consisting of:
Zeiss ZF.2 21mm f/2.8
Zeiss ZF.2 25mm f/2.0
Zeiss ZF.2 35mm f/1.4
Zeiss ZF.2 50mm f/2.0 Macro
Zeiss ZF.2 85mm f/1.4

A bit worried that there are bad copies of the 35/1.4 out there, but looking pictures from the good ones, it looks amazing.

Have ordered the adapters from Leitax allready, the de-clicking is not important for me and alot cheaper to buy them in Norway and mod them myself.
Click to expand...
Zeiss Otus isn't an option for you?

It's soonish a 3-lens kit, the "mystery" wide gets announced this month. The 55mm and 85mm lenses are just spectacular. And the budget you are investing into those 5 lenses isn't far off from what you need for three Otus lenses.

Just saying. ;)
 
If you need something wider a great option is the Canon 16-35 f4, not the 2.8. It is a great lens and very reasonable and has a very good IS. I usea mix of Zeiss ZE, Otus and Contax, and CN E primes and zooms, with a little effort it cuts well with all of them. Another thing for a good quality zoom it is very light and sealed. I travel a lot and always have it on the Dragon when on the move. It balances nicely with just the side handle and 5" monitor and monopod.
 
scott devitte said:
If you need something wider a great option is the Canon 16-35 f4, not the 2.8. It is a great lens and very reasonable and has a very good IS. I usea mix of Zeiss ZE, Otus and Contax, and CN E primes and zooms, with a little effort it cuts well with all of them. Another thing for a good quality zoom it is very light and sealed. I travel a lot and always have it on the Dragon when on the move. It balances nicely with just the side handle and 5" monitor and monopod.
Click to expand...
Agree with that. The 16-35/4.0L IS is a very nice performer and great option for a low-weight-setup.
 
Maik Müller said:
Zeiss Otus isn't an option for you?
Click to expand...

You got me thinking, but i do want a bit more bang for the buck - actually pulled the trigger on the lenses today, do not think i will regret it.
Looking for lensgears now, Duclos Lenses requires the lenses to be sent in unfortunately.
This guy makes some good ones http://www.followfocusgears.com/ but some were a bit wide not like the Duclos ones.

Thanks for letting me know these lenses cut easily, the 16-35/f4 sure looks nice.
 
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