erling

On the Zeiss website, there is also a second press release issued on the same day (Nov

6th).

It announces lenses for near-IR photography.

"The ZF-IR lenses were developed for special applications in the near infrared range. The

Planar T* 1,4/85 ZF-IR and Distagon T* 2,8/25 ZF-IR are the first products in this special

series of the familiar ZF lenses. [...] A special coating which is transmissible for

wavelengths up to 1,100 nanometers is applied to enable photos in the near infrared

range. Of course, the focusing scale has also been matched to this wavelength range."

I have just done a quick run around the viewfinder specs:

D40/40x: 0.80 x magnification (approx)

D50: 0.75 x

D80: 0.94 x

D200: 0.94 x

All have approx 95% frame coverage.

I feel so inadequate: I only have 3 of the lenses listed on that page. And none of them is an

UMN :)

Anyway, I enjoy reading the "Nikon Kenkyukai, Tokyo Meeting" reports on his website. Lots

of weird and wonderful exotica there!

Jessops.

Yes, Jessops. Order online, don't forget the online discount voucher, and wait 7-10 days. I

have read many stories of people who have received it this quickly. I got mine this way, in 6

days.

I placed an order for the 25mm f/2.8 five weeks ago. Why? Wide angle.

The 100mm f/2 is tempting. However, I'm unlikely to buy because it's fearfully expensive.

On Sep 25th, Zeiss issued press releases concerning ZF lens pricing and availability. They

are still on their website in the obvious place.

A summary is as follows: (The prices exclude tax).

Distagon T* 2,8/25, 699 Euro, shipping end-2006

Distagon T* 2/35, 699 Euro, shipping end-2006

Makro Planar T* 2/50, 899 Euro, shipping Q1 2007

Makro Planar T* 2/100, 1399 Euro, shipping Q1 2007

Josh,

Yes the D50 does work well. I use it with a UV-Nikkor. I also have a 63mm f/3.5 EL-Nikkor,

although I haven't mounted it yet. I use a Nikon SB-14 flash with SW-5 UV filter.

Unfortunately, I don't have any images at hand at the moment.

Bjørn's initial D200 review indicated the poor UV response. However, he has recently

removed the internal filters from a D200 and found promising UV results.

Steven, It's a shame you still have no lens. Strange even.

I do agree though about the lack of a proper secure online shop. Every other website

somehow manages to do it!

In response to the earlier dissatisfied UK user, I offer my experience of buying this lens:

I ordered the ZF via the Zeiss website on 3rd April. I got a holding email back immediately. I was expecting this because the Zeiss website warned that delivery would not start until end April. On 3rd May Renta emailed me the invoice. It contained Renta's bank account IBAN number, the bank SWIFT address, the bank name, and the total amount. That information was all my UK bank (NatWest) needed. I paid that day, and I the ZF was delivered by UPS 5 days later.

Oh, and to the person who said it is unusable on a D70 or D50. I use it on a D50. It works fine.