New Zeiss ZS lenses onto EOS DSLRs...adaptor info please

[martin_wouterlood]

I am contemplating buying my first DSLR after 24 years of Contax/Hasselblad film slr use, for convenience, quality in

up to 16x20" prints, and dissatisfaction with the way the labs are handling film based images today, and wonder if

anyone is using the new Zeiss lenses in ZS version on Canon EOS, like some Nikon users are using the ZF

mounted version. The ZS comes with M42 thread mount, and I wonder if there is a professional quality adaptor to fit

these onto Canon's EF bodies and allow TTL metering, perhaps even aperture priority. In other words, are there

significant advantages of the 5D (perhaps it may be worth waiting for it's replacement) over the Nikon D300. I seem to

be leaning to the Canon over the Nikon slightly for best picture quality. My style is mostly slow tripod & mirror up

(essential) technique for macro, landscape, and some portraiture where aperture priority would be helpful. I have

come to love the Zeiss look, especially the colour, and I don't need AF at all, and would prefer not to open a

discussion of Canon/Zeiss/Whichever here. I can't see myself going less than full-frame. I hope the point of my

enquiry is clearly understood. Thank you for any helpful responses.

[shambrick007]

All of the adapters for any manual focus mount lenses on EOS allow TTL metering in manual and aperture priority. Although some compensation may, and is usually required.

[mwtphoto]

you can get a m42 to canon adapter with a focus confirmation chip, that will allow all metering modes and provide a beep when focus is achieved. see the link for a test done by Bob.

http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/reviews/m42_eos_focusing_adapter.html

[mwtphoto]

you could also get the ZF lens with a nikon to canon adapter. then if you wanted to go to nikon you could still use the zeiss glass.

[mark u]

Robert White seem to recommend using the Zeiss M42 lenses and adaptors for Canon EOS where available, although you can use Nikon mount versions and Nikon/Canon adaptors (and you have to go that route for lenses that aren't offered in M42). They have some useful commentary on their site on the various options:

 

http://www.robertwhite.co.uk/products.asp?PT_ID=447&P=Other-DSLR--fit-lenses

 

There are more adaptor alternatives listed here:

 

http://www.16-9.net/lens_tests/compatible.html

 

Another supplier:

 

http://www.srb-griturn.com/other-35mm-lenses-on-canon-eos-cameras-334-c.asp

 

I suspect it is going to be worth waiting for all the major Photokina announcements before considering your choice of body - and perhaps even your choice of Zeiss mount:

 

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/681019

 

EF mount would be a lot simpler after all.

[JDMvW]

Of course, metering has to be done stopped down, but it works fine. I rarely find the need to even compensate for exposure (unless I forget to go to aperture priority on the dial ;)). The Canon EOS system is nearly a "universal recipient" on lenses, if you get the adapters for things like Leica TM, Contax/Yashica, and so on. There are a _few_lenses that will not adapt without some optics, ironically including the older Canon FD mount, because of their longer lens-to-focal-plane distance.

 

Also see Bob's other page on compatible MF lenses http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/eosfaq/manual_focus_EOS.html

[JDMvW]

>>their longer lens-to-focal-plane distance<< SHORTER, that's SHORTER, of course.

 

Bob and Josh, where's that 5 min or to the next post editing ability ;)

[robert_clark]

Why not just buy the Nikon D700 and use Zeiss lenses that fit the body?

[mark u]

Maybe because there could be ZE versions coming out, not to mention a new Canon body?

[chrisjb]

It would be nice to finally see a 5d replacement and some ZE glass come out of photokina, the cheaper adapters have been quite useless in some ways, while claiming infinity with them they are correct But without the accuracy of focus, eg: one adapter I bought Hasselblad~EOS, inf came in at the 30 feet mark on the lens scale, making use of hyper focus extremely difficult. If you think you don`t need AF wait till you try Dslr without some form of focus aid...but YMMV

[josh_baker]

The main problem with an adapter like this is that the focus scale is of no use. The different distance from flange to focal plane changes the focus scale, but the lens will focus as infinity without the adapter needing any correcting element, so there will be no reduction in image quality.

[fred_c1]

>so there will be no reduction in image quality

 

Only true for unit-focusing lenses. Those with floating elements, IF or rear-focusing need adapters with the exact thickness or they'll perform poorly.

[martin_wouterlood]

Thanks very much so far for your input...it has led me to look a little deeper, with better understanding of what the digital world is all about...it looks likely that some new releases in the next year may make the choice easier... a full frame dslr with 16+mp from canon, nikon, pentax, sony or fuji, with adequate resolution and further developments in iso and dynamic range performance would all be quite close to mf quality that I'm trying to retain, without dropping 8G on a 1dsIII.