Zeiss lenses on Canon bodies - a question

<p>I'm looking for an update with the Zeiss lenses ZE fitting on Canon bodies. I know the lenses are not auto focus. So if anyone is using these lenses could you kindly offer more information, such as the quality. Is there a big difference between a Canon VS the Zeiss glass. I'm tempted to buy the short zoom 24-85 and use it for the formal bridal shots. I haven't been able to find actual images in a shoot out style comparing the 2. I'm pretty happy with the Canon lenses, but back in the days of shooting with hasselblads, nothing came close to those zeiss optics. It wasn't just sharpness but also color. The T* coatings produced really fine bridal portraits. I'm also aware that these lenses are being made in Japan, which is another reason I'm concerned about the quality and why I'm looking for first hand experience.</p>

<p>If any of you have links or direct experience I'd love to hear from you. Thanks!</p>

 

<p>photozone.de has tests of the Zeiss lenses in the Nikon mount. I assume the results would be similar for Canon.</p>

<p>Bob, for around half the cost of one of your 1DS MKIII bodies, you could pick up the Sony A900 equipped with AF Zeiss glass. 24 mp full frame, image stabilization, dual battery grip, and the stellar image quality of Zeiss glass. You'd give up dual CF slots, but it might be a more serviceable way to get Zeiss glass in your kit, as an extra camera. The Zeiss connection, along with in-body image stabilization, along with supplying sensors to Nikon's pro line, are three things Sony has in their court that are making them a serious contender.</p>

<p>Bob...you are getting confused re the Zeiss manual focus ZE lenses...there are just two so far...the 50/1.4 & 85/1.4. There are no zooms and there will not be.<br>

The only 24-85 Zeiss lenses are the old Contax mf 24-85 which needs using with an adaptor(not the new ZE range) and the Contax N af 24-85 lens which can be converted to Canon EOS fit.</p>

<p>cheers Steve.</p>

<p>They also make the 21 in a ZE mount</p>

<p>It's a "Steve" triple-play!</p>

<p>I need to do a bit more reading. Thanks for your thoughts. For some reason I thought Zeiss had a 24-85mm.</p>

<p>I'm OK with buying a Sony camera, but since I already have Canon gear I'm not too excited about having 2 different systems. I would seriously consider it if there is a major difference in quality. I asked around the local stores, like Samy's and they don't rent them right now, so I can't do any quality testing.</p>

<p>If anyone has first hand experience I'd enjoy your thoughts.</p>

<p>Bob, if you check out the Sony forum on P-net, AlphaMountWorld.com, and Dyxum.com, there are some folks who post there that can give you more info and evaluations of the Zeiss glass and the A900. So far, the images I've seen from the A900 are as stellar as anything you would see from the big two. I mean, the images are truly impressive. The only weak spot with it seems to be high ISO performance, which is curious, since Sony supplies almost the same 24mp sensor to Nikon for the D3 and D3X, which cost twice as much. I'm sure this will be resolved with a firmware update or an improved model soon.</p>

<p>The Sony line has wide lens compatibility with the best Minolta AF glass (millions of those lenses out there), and glass from Sigma, Tamron, and Sony/Zeiss lenses (the Zeiss lenses are understandably pricey in the 4 digit range, but you're used to that, I'm sure). Google some reviews on the A900 and Zeiss glass and I'm sure you'll find enough info to make a decision.</p>

<p>"They also make the 21 in a ZE mount"....not yet they don't....I was sticking to the so far available lenses....</p>

<p>Thank you Steve, Steven, and John. I've decided I'm going to the WPPI show next week. I'm sure I'll be able to take a few shots at the show and compare them with Canon. If the results are good I'll pick up the A900 with a 50mm Zeiss. I'm going just for the day, so I will probably go Tuesday or Wednesday. If any of you are going perhaps a small group of PN'ers can meet for lunch. Drop me an email if there is any interest.</p>

<p>Wish I could be there with you, Bob. Sony makes an excellent 50, but it's not a Zeiss. They do have 6 Zeiss lenses now with more to come, including an 85 f1.4, a 135 f1.8, and a 24-70 f2.8. They also have some excellent "G" lenses, including the 35 f1.4, the 70-200 f2.8, and a 300mm f2.8. Bring your checkbook.</p>

<p>Bob, the 24-85 Zeiss zoom your are referencing is from the Contax N line of 35mm lenses. It is a f/3.5-4.5 variable aperture zoom. It's sells for about $1,000.</p>

<p>Conurus in Canada has been converting select N mount lenses to EOS fully auto chipped, AF mounts ... the 24-85 is one of them. I had that lens when I shot Canon, and it outperformed both my 24-70L and 24-105L by a visible margin. Less distortion, snapper color ala Zeiss T* coatings, and sharper out to the corners. AF was as fast as the Canon lenses ... actually faster than on my old N1 and N Digital.</p>

<p>He converts the 17-36/2.8, 85/1.4, and some other Zeiss N lenses. The one to skip is the Zeiss N 50/1.4 ... terrible Bokeh, Canon's is better.</p>

<p>To get at Zeiss glass, I moved to the A900 ... Bob, PM me if you want to discuss that camera and lenses off forum: Marc Williams ... fotografz@comcast.net</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Thank you Marc. I'll email you with a few questions.</p>

<p>i should try buy and adapter to use my old hasselblad lenses on my digital camera! might be great, cheap way to try zeiss lens....</p>

<p>I think the era of Zeiss dominance is over, computer lens design has come so far as to wear away any advantages Zeiss or Leica for that matter had prior. So...</p>

<p>"Is there a big difference between a Canon VS the Zeiss glass."</p>

<p>Probably not.</p>

 

<p>I just got the zeiss in the mail today.. WOW.. stunning to look at, extremely well built, i prefer it over my sigma 50 1.4 by a long shot.. The sigma has creamier bokeh, but i find the zeiss to be an overall sharper lens (and of corse much much better build and feel) , and honestly im beginning to prefer the bokeh on this lens better than the sigma or canon wide open. I have katz screen with optibrite with probably helps a bit as well. <br>

If you are on the fence, forget all the negative bokeh reviews of the zeiss, this is one lens you wont want to re-sell/return. <br>

~cheers</p>