Zeiss x1 and x4?

In the run up to Photokina Zeiss ran a teaser campaign on their web

site. Part of that campaign featured the enigmatic message of "x1 and

x4", what did that refer to?

 

Also, they've announced a badge-engineered Zeiss Ikon rangefinder,

some new binoculars, and a small range of ultra specialised Sinar

lenses. Have I missed something? Is that all? If so it's a bit

underwhelming given the hype of their pre-Photokina marketing.

Swedish photo site <a href="http://www.fotosidan.se/doc.htm/3457/">Fotosidan</a> has this picture of a 300/2.8 T*. <br> <br>

<img src="http://www.fotosidan.se/obj/docpart/415e60efc1c60.jpg" alt=" www.fotosidan.se " /> <br>

Svante, but hasn't Hasselblad had a 300mm 2.8 (complete with a matched x1.7 multiplier) for some time?

Indeed.<br.<br>The only photography related Zeiss news is the Cosina built Zeiss-Ikon camera, and the 8 M-mount lenses Zeiss offers for this thing.<br>No news for MF cameras (the 300 mm lens is indeed many years old already). And the Sinar thing is a thing yet to be begun. A declaration of intent, only.<br><br>And before anything jumps in to correct me: yes, they are showing a digital aerial mapping camera too.<br>Oh, and they are proud to announce that they make tiny lenses for cell phone cameras.

QG, thanks for that. But what was the "x1, x4" riddle all about?

Hello gary,

 

First let me say that I agree with you regarding the hype for the zeiss pre-annoucement.

everybody was expecting a real new system. as far as "+1+4". i think they meant 1 new

body (sinar m) with 4 lenses ( the 4 zeiss lenses annouced with the camera)

my dreams of a analog-digital 2 1/4 X 2 1/4 are gone

Herve, thank you.

 

I guess Zeiss have shot themselves in the foot with their pre-Photokina marketing. It had everyone looking forward to some substantial innovations, but the reality looks very flat in comparison to the hype.

Don't despair, we still have something with which to daydream. Once again, to tease and tantalize those fanciful daydreamers hereon this forum and as a reminder to Zeiss...

 

In January of this year (2004) Kornelius J. Fleischer stated that "At Zeiss, we currently work on an extremely impressive new lens for the Hasselblad 6 x 6 system. It will take us a while, so I do not promise it for this year's photokina."

 

So far they are keeping in line with that statement. To wit: Obviously was not at this years photokina.

 

This could mean several things. New body for the new lenses. Lenses that don't need a new body. More amusing but nonsensical hype from Zeiss.

 

What do you think they are going to come up with next?

 

vic... :)

Victor, about the only obvious gap in the V series lens line-up is a tilt and shift lens. I'd always just assumed it was technically impossible with a leaf shutter lens, but when Hasselblad launched the H1 they mentioned that the lens release button had deliberately been placed on the side of the camera in case they ever offered a tilt and shift lens. So if it's technically possible on the leaf shuttered H1 it may be also possible with the V series.

 

I guess the other possibility is some fast "V" lenses, with the demise of the 200 series, and with the H1 squeezing an extra half a stop or more from their comparable leaf shutter lenses, maybe there's an opportunity to produce some fast glass for the V series.

I doubt seriously anything revolutionary will happen with the current V series. Lenses are already plenty. Zeiss has obviously the problem that they can do superexcellent lenses but dont have suitable cameras to use according to what is state of art, year 2004. I wonder why they dont pick it up to make a uncompromised MF camera be it digital or film or both.

Bernd,<br><br>What is the Contax if not Zeiss' own vehicle for their lenses?<br><br>But consider this: Zeiss can design and build the most fabulous lenses, they still have to find people willing to buy them, pay the equally fabulous amounts of money they would cost.<br>The way the market is going at present, that's a rather formidable task.<br>(For instance, how many people do you know who have spent US$ 25,000 to get a f/2.8 300 mm lens? Compare that with the many people you undoubtedly know who have spend rather tiny amounts (in comparison) of money to get a 6 MP digital SLR.)

"What is the Contax if not Zeiss' own vehicle for their lenses?"

 

It is of course, but a compromised one since nothing is happening in the last years. I dont know what is happening inside Contax / Kyocera but obviously they have lost their innovative spirit for the pro market.

 

"But consider this: Zeiss can design and build the most fabulous lenses, they still have to find people willing to buy them, pay the equally fabulous amounts of money they would cost.

The way the market is going at present, that's a rather formidable task."

 

I dont think so. There is enough cash outside. The H1 is good example that people are willing to spend a lot of money.

The H1 isnt a cult camera nor will it ever be one like Leica M, it is a camera that will be buried in a few years, or at best be replaced. People are eager to spend a lot of money for their equipment when they are enthusiasts but it has to be a camera that gives that special extra in design, material etc. as it once was with the V series.

 

"(For instance, how many people do you know who have spent US$ 25,000 to get a f/2.8 300 mm lens? Compare that with the many people you undoubtedly know who have spend rather tiny amounts (in comparison) of money to get a 6 MP digital SLR.)"

 

The price point of the SA 2,8/300 is extreme and beyond sanity for the most. There is a lot of room between the two examples.

Benrd,<br><br>Yes, the price of the 2.8 300 mm is "extreme".<br>But the lens is an example of what you were asking for, isn't it? I do think you will have to be prepared to pay these extreme amounts if you do want to get what you want.<br>And since not many people have such amounts of spending money, and those who do rarely are willing to put it towards such a thing, i think it is quite understandable that we don't see many more of these "state-of-the-art" products.<br>Zeiss, remember, has now "proudly presented" their cell phone camera lenses. That is what people want...<br><br>And the H1? Now, how well does it sell exactly?<br>Hasselblad are advertising it, telling us proudly how IKEA is using a bunch of those. But "Mr IKEA" (not Bill Gates, no) is the richest man in the world. So what does that tell us exactly?<br><br>I think the H1D (basically not much more than a H1 with digital back) is more tuned to what people want to put money towards: digital, digital, digital. The problem even with the H1D is that it is too expensive. The current crop of 6 to 8 MP digital SLRs is what is sucking up all the money in the market. Cheap enough. Good enough too for many applications (including many "professional" ones).