Zeiss Lens Knowledge Base

More than 100 years old, the Carl Zeiss Company continues to be connected with quality, but expensive optical lenses. Zeiss lenses are typically considered to be stylish and well-made, providing high-quality images. Even their older lens designs reveal engineering elegance into the digital age of plastic components, countless Zeiss lenses continue to be built with predominantly metal parts.

Carl Zeiss becomes a member of the Micro Four Thirds insurrection
Another big brand has jumped head on into the increasingly accepted Micro Four Thirds sea with the statement today from Olympus that Carl Zeiss signed on as the newest associate of the MFT System Group. Basically this means that the people in charge of making some of the greatest optics on the planet will begin building lenses that match Olympus and Panasonic's optical standards. On the other hand you could, hunt down an adapter to get your Distagon glass functioning with your GF2, but it's sure gonna' be good to see another one of the big players making hardware specifically designed for this comparatively new class of camera.   Feb 15, 2011

Zeiss ZF and lenses are manual-focus designs with Nikon AI-S type aperture indexing. They are manufactured by Cosina to Zeiss specifications. Some lenses are also available in special ZF-I and ZF-IR versions. ZF-I lenses have mechanical locks for focus and aperture, and additional environmental sealing, for industrial applications. ZF-IR lenses are designed for infrared imaging, with coatings that transmit wavelengths up to 1100nm, and focus scales marked for infrared. Nikon F-mount Lenses

Super Wide Angle
Zeiss Distagon *T 2.8/15 ZM Leica
Zeiss Distagon T* 3.5/18 3.5–22. The photo quality and color hue the Zeiss 18mm ZF wide-angle lens simply knocks the socks off a Canon 16-35 / 17-40 or Nikkor 17-35 / 16-35 lens for hue, pop and sparkle. By shooting the same scene using various lenses, you'll appreciate the differences tight on your LCD in the majority of situations. The Zeiss images feel like they're jumping right off the page, as the colors are virtually luminous, and the sharpness and contrast appear to be National Geographic quality.  May 9, 2011
Zeiss Distagon T* 4/18 ZM For Leica . Photos captured with this lens have incredible and lively detail. There is no feeling of peering through a chunk of glass; it's like there's simply nothing between you and your subject. Additionally, the depth of field is also incredible, which is expected while using focal length, so these hyperfocal settings always create sharp photos. Internet price $1,340. May 30, 2011
Zeiss Distagon T* 2,8/21 - ZF ZM
Zeiss C Biogon T* 4,5/21 ZM Leica
Wide Angle
Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 2/25 for Canon and Nikon  The very first 25mm lens Carl Zeiss has engineered in a Canon EF mount; even the 25/2.8 Distagon was never even available in a Canon mount, only for Nikon, however a Nikon 25/2.8 Zeiss Distagon can be mounted on Canon using a lens adapter. With special glass types and a pair of aspheric elements, Carl Zeiss has obviously gone the extra yard by designing a superb 25mm lens. - Announced Oct 27, 2011
Zeiss Distagon T* 2,8/25. ZF ZF-I,  ZF-IR)
Zeiss Distagon T* 2/28 . Distagon T* 28 mm f/2.0 ZF (and ZF-I)
Zeiss Biogon T* 2,8/28 ZM Leica
Zeiss Distagon T* 1,4/35 ZF and ZE Lens for Nikon and Canon Mounts continues on with the Zeiss 120-year-old tradition of superb optical lenses that are manufactured to withstand professional use. An extremely fast 35mm wide-angle lens that features all the traditional Zeiss optic advantages: accurate manual focus controls with a very large revolving angle, unparalleled management of glaring and wandering light to guarantee bright images of every shot,  Internet price $1,843 June 2, 2011
Zeiss Biogon T* 2/35 ZM Leica
Zeiss Distagon T* 2/35  Optical specialist Carl Zeiss has augmented the Distagon T* 2/35 with a Canon EF bayonet mount to its lens well-known for photographic imaging. A fast, moderately wide-angle Distagon T* 2/35 ZE that fits all SLR and DSLR EOS cameras. The classic 35mm focal length is perfect for travel, advertising, and nature photographers as it takes in dynamic viewpoints with long depth of focus with virtually no distortions. Featuring a moderate 53 degrees horizontal wide angle. This lens is available in Canon (ZE), a Nikon (ZF), for Pentax (ZK), Leica and Zeiss (ZM), plus a M42 Universal Screw Mount (ZS) May 5, 2011
Zeiss C Biogon T* 2,8/35 ZM Leica
Standard
Zeiss Planar T 1,4/50  - ZF
Zeiss C Sonnar T* 1,5/50 ZM Leica
Zeiss Planar T* 2/50
Zeiss Makro-Planar T* 2/50 MF  ZF
Telephoto
Zeiss Planar T* 1,4/85 - Planar T* 85 mm f/1.4 ZF (and ZF-IR)
Zeiss Sonnar T* 2/85 ZM Leica
Zeiss Tele-Tessar T* 4/85 ZM
Makro
Zeiss Makro-Planar T* 2/100 MF  ZF You'll love shooting with this lens. Although with the $1,843 price tag, you may have savie up for a few years, but you'll want this lens because of it's close up abilities, tack sharpness and renowned bokeh. For close ups (it only gets to 1:2, while some people say that isn't macro) but you can shoot images of plant life and you'll be absolutely thrilled at the eminence of your pictures. Owning a lens that is tack sharp starting at f/2 all the way through f/22 certainly allows the creative thought process to flow freely. May30, 2011
M Mount Adapters The Leica M mount was introduced in 1954 at the same time as the Leica M3. It's been the mount of choice on every Leica M series thru the present day Leica M7 film camera and Leica M9 digital camera and Lenses.  The M Mount was also the mount used for Minolta's CLE rangefinder, on the Konica Hexar RF, on the later versions of the Voigtlander Bessa family and Lenses, the mount for the Rollei 35RF, also quite recently on the newest Zeiss Ikon Rangefinder and Lenses. M lenses can be adapted to Canon EOS, Nikon, Micro Four Thirds, and Sony Nex Cameras.

Carl Zeiss announces cine lenses for DSLRs

Carl Zeiss Compact Prime CP.2 lenses deliver great flexibility by introducing interchangeable mounts (PL, EF and F mount)

OBERKOCHEN/Germany, 13.04.2010 : The trend of filming in high definition using a digital SLR camera is unstoppable. Moviemaking today is unthinkable without this technique, whether for independent filmmakers, television producers or professional still photographers who wish to expand their services. Optics specialist Carl Zeiss now introduces the world’s first set of cine lenses designed especially for HDSLR cameras: the Compact Prime CP.2 lenses.

Why change the mount on the camera when you can change it on the lens? The Compact Prime CP.2 lenses deliver great flexibility by introducing interchangeable mounts that allow the lenses to be used with a wide range of cameras, from traditional cine to HDSLR systems. Available with three different mounts – PL, EF and F – this new family of ZEISS lenses enables cinematographers to be completely free in their choice of camera systems while ensuring a high consistency of images. Furthermore, the lenses can be upgraded to any number of existing or future cine and still cameras while enabling cinematographers to still utilize the same set of lenses.

Like their predecessors, the Compact Prime CP.2 lenses are made for a rigorous life on the set. The ergonomics have been improved compared to standard SLR lenses. The lenses’ cine-style housing dimensions, focus and iris gear positions, and front diameter are the same for the standard lens set. The longer focus rotation and the possibility for manual focus give users the flexibility they demand. The iris opening consists of 14 high-precision blades, which stay consistently round and symmetrical over the entire T-stop range. This translates into natural and pleasing out-of-focus highlights and a smooth bokeh. Together, they help create and capture special moments on film. The modern lens design and tight tolerances ensure low distortion, high resolution and excellent color rendition for sharp, punchy images.

The Compact Prime CP.2 lenses cover a full-frame 24 x 36 image format without vignetting. They will be based around a common aperture of T2.1 for the standard set, which is an improvement over the first generation of lenses.

Carl Zeiss will present these new lenses for the first time at the NAB show in Las Vegas (April 10-15). They will be available from June 2010.

New Carl Zeiss Lightweight Zoom LWZ.2 with interchangeable mount suitable for PL cine cameras and HDSLR cameras with APS-C sensor.

OBERKOCHEN/Germany, 13.04.2010 : Whether shooting in an airplane or from inside a car, filming action scenes, or capturing the tranquility and color of underwater life — whenever the size and weight of a camera are decisive, filmmakers need equipment that can perform reliably and precisely. Filmmakers also need flexibility so they can choose the right camera and lens for every setting. Optics specialist Carl Zeiss now introduces a new lens that satisfies all of these needs: the Lightweight Zoom LWZ.2.

The innovation in camera technology over the last few years has been tremendous. Today, photographers and cinematographers can find the perfect camera for every imaginable shot. The use of high-definition digital SLRs has also grown rapidly. The new-generation Lightweight Zoom by Carl Zeiss reflects this trend toward ever-greater flexibility. It comes with interchangeable mounts that allow the lenses to be used with a wide range of cameras, from traditional cine to HDSLR systems. Three different mounts are available: PL, EF and F mount. The LWZ.2 covers the ANSI Super 35 image area (24.9 x 18.7mm / 0.980’’ x 0.7362’’).

Weighing in at around two kilograms, the LWZ.2 is especially suitable for handheld or Steadycam shots with traditional cine cameras but also with HDSLRs. Still cinematographers can continue to rely on the high optical image quality that ZEISS cine lenses are known for.

The LWZ.2 features radically shaped spherical glass surfaces with a very strong curvature, which guarantee high optical performance. Large-diameter aspherical lens elements keep the lens light while at the same time reducing spherical aberrations and keeping the image free of distortions. Straight lines stay straight, from infinity to close-ups and over the entire zoom range. The T* XP multi-layer anti-reflex coating reduces flare and internal reflections, resulting in pleasing and gentle colors, high contrasts and deep blacks. With its precision, flexibility and light weight, the LWZ.2 gives cinematographers everything they need to excel at every assignment.

Carl Zeiss will present the new lens at the NAB show in Las Vegas (April 10-15) together with the second generation of the Compact Prime lens family CP.2. They, too, come with interchangeable mounts, enabling cinematographers to switch between different camera systems.