The Zeiss Suitcase

Two words... MUST... HAVE! Of course, it's just over $6k...

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http://dpreview.com …40505carlzeissl​ensset.asp

"OBERKOCHEN/Germany, 05.04.2011. During the NAB Show in Las Vegas from April 9-14, 2011, Carl Zeiss will introduce an attractive bundled lens set offer for its SLR lenses. The set contains the following lenses with F (ZF.2) or EF bayonet (ZE): Distagon T* 2,8/21, Distagon T* 2/28, Distagon T* 2/35, Planar T* 1,4/50 and Planar T* 1,4/85. This offer is a response to the strong demand from the HD Video segment for lenses with precise manual focus. With this offer Carl Zeiss supports filmmakers and still photographers entering the booming HD video market with the right equipment that meets their needs.

“Many production budgets don’t justify investing in a set of cinematography lenses right away, like our Compact Prime CP.2 lenses. Our SLR lenses with their precise manual focus are a reasonable alternative for getting started in HD video,” said Michael Schiehlen, Director of Sales for the Camera Lens Division of Carl Zeiss AG. Schiehlen stressed the benefit of these lenses for videography over lenses with autofocus. “Our SLR lenses feature an outstanding manual focus mechanism, so the precision when focusing is far higher than with a manually operated auto-focus.” In addition, SLR lenses by Carl Zeiss are robust, offer a high aperture speed, and feature an especially harmonious rendering of the bokeh (the out-of-focus area).

The five lenses come in a special waterproof case (IP67), custom-made for this set and feature openings for six lenses. As common for photography lenses, each Carl Zeiss SLR lens has a different size and weight. Therefore a special inlay ensures that each lens fits perfectly inside the suitcase and protects the lenses from shock and vibration. The new SLR lens set will be offered at a recommended retail price of €4562 ($6063), excluding VAT, and will be available starting May."

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No, wrong selection of lenses. A Pelican case will do just fine for me - oh, I already have 5. Sounds like a package deal for the rich people too busy to do any research. And what were you searching for when you ran across this? Might be a whole 'nother story.

gasrocks wrote in post #12169997
No, wrong selection of lenses. A Pelican case will do just fine for me - oh, I already have 5. Sounds like a package deal for the rich people too busy to do any research. And what were you searching for when you ran across this? Might be a whole 'nother story.

C/Y 35-70/3.4, C/Y 50/1.7 Planar, 50/2.8 Tessar, 58/2 Biotar,

Do these need adapters, to mount on Canon and I suppose quality near or better than the ze models ?

Sounds pretty sexy to me.

Granted, they might not be THE lenses I'd personally select myself. But it's a darn good spread nevertheless. You could always add the others later. I haven't been keeping up on ZE prices but $6k seems like a good deal, or? I know the Planars are under a grand, but this averages $1k per lens and $63 for the case ($6063 MSRP).

A kit for the lazy? No doubt. But it's a nice one-click-done solution. I didn't actually "search" for it, it was a headline from DPR.

Double Negative - you blew your chance for a great story about your rich uncle who just died and left you stock in Zeiss and a 50% discount on anything you buy from them, etc....... Many of the older Zeiss lenses are indeed better than the new ZE/ZF models, especially since not all lenses are now being made. But, there is also the bang for the buck part as well.

What no 100??

I have the ZE 100/2 if that is what you are asking. Best ZE/ZF combo to me might be 21/2.8, 35/2 (or 50/2 makro), and 100/2 makro. Some of the new ZEs are just not worth the money, IMO.

not quite - was just thinking that empty 6th slot would suit the 100MP if they're producing a Zeiss "cream of the crop" case

gasrocks wrote in post #12170484
Double Negative - you blew your chance for a great story about your rich uncle who just died and left you stock in Zeiss and a 50% discount on anything you buy from them, etc....... Many of the older Zeiss lenses are indeed better than the new ZE/ZF models, especially since not all lenses are now being made. But, there is also the bang for the buck part as well.

LOL! I only wish. Ha. I'm a Zeiss slut, I admit it. Though none that fit Canon.

The older lenses are indeed better on average. My experience has mostly been with the ZM line (of which I have no complaints save for the "wobble issue") and Hasselblad (CF). I've toyed with C/Y but thankfully avoided temptation. For one thing, they're just built better and seemingly last forever given proper care. Modern lenses have way too much plastic and cost-cutting IMO. The old saying, "they don't make 'em like they used to" is certainly true.

MF lenses can defintely add some fun in the rather boring run of the mill usage of all the modern lenses we are so accustomed to shooting with, so recently i have ventured into purchasing some of the older vintage MF lenses with the help & advice of gasrocks.

Below is what i have purchased so far at a cost of under $1400 including the AF confirm adapters + metal hoods & caps for each lens:

Olympus Zuiko 24/f2.8
MIR24 35/f2
CY35-70/f3.4 zoom/macro bonus
CY 50/f1.7
CY 85/f2.8

Definitely not anything like the expensive Leica R APO lenses but none the less all Bang for your Buck sharp little lenses that each serve their purpose well.

I still have all the modern AF lenses, but for your time composed shots you can have fun, save cash, and produce quality photos with these EL Cheapos !

I did recently rent the Zeiss 35/f2 ZE for a function shoot and while it did produce nice outdoor pics i was not very satisfied with its indoor rendering wide open or at f2.8 under decent ambient light at SS 1/80 and above, and i have steady hands when shooting static subjects.

Regards,

Double Negative wrote in post #12170702
...My experience has mostly been with the ZM line (of which I have no complaints save for the "wobble issue") ...

My Leica LTM shutter needs an adjustment or replacement (after 60 years, fair enough), so this week, I resurrected my idle M-mount Bessa rangefinder, giving me the opportunity to use the Zeiss 50mm Planar ZM, one of my favorite lenses in terms of tonal rendition. But yes, afflicted by the "wobble issue" on the focusing ring, though the play is only slightly perceptible.

sjones wrote in post #12170835
My Leica LTM shutter needs an adjustment or replacement (after 60 years, fair enough), so this week, I resurrected my idle M-mount Bessa rangefinder, giving me the opportunity to use the Zeiss 50mm Planar ZM, one of my favorite lenses in terms of tonal rendition. But yes, afflicted by the "wobble issue" on the focusing ring, though the play is only slightly perceptible.

Optically, the ZM lenses are to die for, IMO. Probably my favorite lenses of any platform. They're small, yet so damn good. Sharpness/micro-contrast are about as good as it gets, as is the practically non-existent distortion. Some vignetting, but pretty hard to see unless shooting white walls. Saturation, contrast, flare resistance, etc. are all also very high.

Out of the half dozen or so that I have, two have varying "wobble issues." Naturally, they're out of warranty and I've heard various reports on what Zeiss would (or would not) charge for a CLA. Mostly that it's pricey. So far it hasn't affected image quality and the lenses are still in one piece - but it kind of sucks for a new "top shelf lens" to have such an issue so quickly. Eventually I'll just suck it up and get them fixed I guess. Either a design flaw or bad QC - or both.

The only better lenses, arguably, would be Leica glass - and mostly on the mechanical (rather than optical) front. But then, for the cost of one or two Leica lenses... I have half a dozen ZMs! A no-brainer if you ask me. The Summiluxes sure are tempting though! And the Leica lenses are generally smaller than their Zeiss counterparts. Different philosophies of design at work there (including the use of aspheric and floating elements). Still, $5-6k for a "regular" prime is a tough pill to swallow.

If you ask most of the experienced and non-biased people in the world what are the best lenses: 80mm and below = Leica M. 80mm and above = Leica R.

gasrocks wrote in post #12171102
If you ask most of the experienced and non-biased people in the world what are the best lenses: 80mm and below = Leica M. 80mm and above = Leica R.

The Telyt's are amazing.

If money was no option, we'd all be running around with Leica glass :P. Well those of us who don't use AF.