Zeiss ZF tests?

[albert rudnicki]

Just incase anyone is on the fence about getting the Zeiss ZF lenses for red, I'll give you my 2 cents.

I found that they cost about the same +or- a few hundred as the same set of 2nd hand nikons on KEH. However you get them brand new with not one spec of dust, they feel really solid with the all metal housing and the focus turns about 300 to 320 degrees and is buttery smooth.

Picture quality wise I don't see any big difference compared to my nikons or sigma but I'm not the type to shoot res charts or care to zoom 400% onto a tree branch. What I do notice is that they all share the exact same color.

I am glad you got it Vincet.
It is a nice set!
They are color matched and they do feel & look like cinema version.

Don't forget that the focus ring turns in the same way as Nikons (opposite to cinema lenses)

 

[Tico Llaurador]

Anyone have any idea on street price for the P+S set?

_a

The P+S Technik re-housed Zeiss ZF lenses were once quoted to me as listed below:

25mm/T2.8 $2,527
35mm/T2.0 $2,527
50mm/T1.4 $2,527
85mm/T1.4 $2,926

Of course, your mileage may vary.

 

[Vincent S]

I am glad you got it (opposite to cinema lenses)

Yes I got them and thanks for your advice, it really helped me make a sound decision with all the Red "must buy" madness.

 

[Billy McCannon]

Does anyone know in what ways the P+S rebuilt lenses differ from the ZFs?

 

[chuck colburn]

Looks like they use a common filter diameter and have focus gears and I believe expanded rotation of the focus barrel. Though they still focus backwards.

DISCLAIMER
I've been boneheading all day so it would be wise to check on this info.

 

[Eddie]

Here is a good link for pixelpeepers.

http://www.olegkikin.com/lenstests/zeiss.htm

 

[Mike Prevette]

Chuck your Correct on all counts about the PS primes. Now whether they really exist is another thing. I don't know anyone that has actually bought any. Few saw them at NAB, but they have been nonexistant since then.


Also I believe they removed the click stops on the iris for a more cine style operation.

IMHO they would only be worth the price if they were PL mount and Focused the correct direction.

 

[Mark K.]

Guys, you might want to take a look at http://www.photozone.de for some solid reviews of both the ZF lenses and their Nikkor equivalents.

 

[Mark Pedersen]

I like Cosina alot, and I'm not dissing the ZFs but the performance of a Nikkor 85mm 1.4, either the AIS or AFD version is a very high standard to achieve.
I'm not talking about the mass market plastic jobs here. I'm talking about pro optics designed to be used in war torn hot spots and by National Geographic photographers. The reality is these are lenses designed decades ago for the Contax line that have been retooled in china by Cosina and coated using some techniques borrowed from the Digi/Master primes. SO..... they will perform very well. But I doubt there will be any appreciable diffrence (except in price) from a similarly speced Nikkor kit.
NOW the P+S ZFs are more interesting to me, not because they will perform better, but because they are cinema specific, gears and all that.
The bottom line is al these lenses will be awesome on your Red, do really think the Zeiss name on your lenses will get you a better rental rate?
If so, buy them.

Personally I will have my Nikkor kit for lower budget and specialty shooting
and my Red primes/Zoom for the bigger projects. I might pick up one of those P+S ZF Macros though.

Evin, I have a set of the ZF's that I bought for my mini-35/Canon HLX1 rig.
I had focus rings and step ups to 80mm installed by RP Lens, who sells Nikon still lens with the rings. He put them up on a bench and tested them against the Nikons and was impressed by their sharpness and build. They're solid as hell, with much less barrel play and breathing than standard still lenses, produce beautiful images, have really nice bokah. The other nice thing is that they are all color matched in the set. The backward focus is a pain, but AC's can adapt...(agreed, not ideal).

I'm hanging on to them until I get my Red primes. The PS rehousing looks attractive, but I wish they were in a PL mount and a lot less expensive for what they are. You're paying 3X to have them re-housed.

If anyone has a Red in the Bay Area and wants to test them, I'd love to do it.

Cheers,
M

 

[Mike Prevette]

All of my Cosina made lenses say "Made in Japan" on them. Not sure if the ZF's are different.

 

[Tico Llaurador]

I don't know where this whole Cosina "Made in China" thing came from. Cosina lenses have always been made in Japan.

 

[albert rudnicki]

I don't know where this whole Cosina "Made in China" thing came from. Cosina lenses have always been made in Japan.

If you find one "made in china" you can be sure IT IS NOT ZEISS ZF
Cheers