Zeiss changes design philosophy

In his discussion of Zeiss lenses for Contax G, Erwin Puts

characterizes them as ". . . offer(ing) very high image quality for

the money . . . (but) at the widest apertures one notes a drop in

overall contrast and a visible loss of definition of very fine

detail." As much as anything else, it is high performance at full

aperture that sets Leica lenses apart from others and contributes to

their more expensive price tag.

 

Of the new Zeiss lenses for which MTF data are available, the two

faster lenses (35 & 50) show marked improvement at full aperture

over the comparable G lenses, suggesting that Zeiss has chosen to

maximize their low light capabilities. The higher cost to achieve

this level of performance may in part explain their higher price.

"The higher cost to achieve this level of performance may in part explain their higher

price."

 

Or they may simply view the typical Leica M user as being more credulous than the

average bear.

I think Bill's on to something. A couple of months back one of the members here sent me a reprint of the article, "Zeiss vs. Leica, The War of the Lenses," by John Kennerdell. This article comes to the same conclusion about the G lens being a tad soft at the edges when wide open.

>the G lens being a tad soft at the edges when wide open.

 

Merely a trait found in at least 90% of all lenses ever produced by any maker.

LOL, Doris. . . As I said ". . in part . ."

Yeah, what lens doesn't sacrifice some contrast and resolution wide open? My experience is that Leica lenses are not necessarily better in this respect than others, particularly Zeiss.

The difference between say a "normal" Zeiss G and a Leica would probably be hard to tell. Leica. That name brings tears to me eyes---a blast from the past of my late mum's "father-land." I'd better get my German passport soon so that I can go visit the factory.

It's my late mother's "fatherland" too, although she'd probably have

bridled at the word "fatherland". One thing I've inherited from her is a

pair of binoculars made by Hartmann in some place called Wetzlar. If

you'd like a pair yourself, I think you'll find that they're pretty good and

rather cheaper than most things marked "Leitz".

"(but) at the widest apertures one notes a drop in overall contrast and a visible loss of definition of very fine detail"

 

That statement equally applies to Leica lenses as well. Virtually every Leica lens betters itself when stopped down by at least one stop than wide open. Thats not to say they arent good wide open but they still improve in contrast and fine detail. Sorry this is classic Erwin propoganda.

Forgive my ignorance, and for hijacking this thread, but are the Zeiss lenses in M mount

available anywhere yet?

I would ask: when you look at a compelling picture, do you sit there and

complain because it's soft at the edges? Do photo editors refuse shots

because of this? When you shoot in low light do you expect the same

crispness that you get when you shoot outside at four p.m.? When you shoot

Tri-X at 800 inside at night, do you think about MTF curves?

Of course, every lens betters itself when stopped down, but this is not Erwin propoganda. Many Leica lenses do not lose as much at their widest aperture as do other lenses. Check photodo. Compare the Zeiss 45/2 Planar & the 50 Summicron for example. The Planar has better MTF numbers at every aperture - except f/2, where the Summicron is 78 & the Planar is 71, a significant difference.

 

Look at the MTF graphs on the Contax & Zeiss Ikon websites. There is a significant improvement on the 2 fast ZI lenses over their Contax G counterparts at f/2. Zeiss is meticulous in its attention to MTF performance. This did not happen by accident. The MTF readings for these 2 ZI lenses are as good as the same Leica lenses if not slightly better. The point is that wringing this last level of performance out of the lens is where a significant amount of the investment goes.

Olivier, have you tried www.classicconnection.com? Also, Dr. Joseph Yao has them - joseph@yao.com.

Olivier, you can also check Photo Village - www.photovillage.com. They have them listed & I know that they had them a few weeks ago. There have also been scattered reports of other local dealers having some.

Olivier, Hasselblad is the distributor. If you contact them, they can tell you where to find these lenses.

I don't pay much attention to MTF charts but I have used the new 35 & 50mm Zeiss M lenses (I own the 50mm). Both do perform very well wide open. Stopping down you can see some improvement in resolution but contrast is high, giving photos a snappy appearance, even at f/2.

 

-Dave-

Thanks, Bill. Yes, Classic Connection seems to have them, or, at least accept orders for

them.

You're very welcome, Olivier.