5D MKIII + Zeiss 35 1.4 ZE = a NO GO combo?

Fellow photographers,
those of you who are using MF Zeiss lenses and specifically the 35 F/1.4 ZE feel the pain of hitting the focus time and time again. I am using this lens with 5D MKII and AF-confirm is completely not reliable. The obvious solution that is really working is replacing your standard screen with EG-s. As soon as I have done it, the rate of keepers went up to 60-70%, which is not that bad.

5D MKIII brings the new AF system and so many people expected a revolution in the way it works with Zeiss ZE lenses. Is this the case?

Based on what I hear/see, the feedback is mixed - for those working with static objects it is a big improvement and they highlight the fact that they can now fully rely on AF-confirm.

Those who photograph people and therefore depend on super accuracy report that 5D MKIII is a NO GO because there is no "official" way to install the EG-s screen and AF-confirm is not good enough to help precision focusing for street photography or people photography overall.

Here is the discussion on Fred Miranda with good examples:
http://www.fredmiranda​.com/forum/topic/10991​92

This is where I have asked Zeiss about their official statement:
http://www.flickr.com …iscuss/72157629​902849374/

So this is what Zeiss replied:
"For the EOS 5DMKIII as well as for the MarkII, we recommend to use a better focusing screen. Such focusing screens (with split-screen image and microprism collar) are offered by Brightscreen for both camera models.
The new AF system of the MarkIII allows a more detailed micro adjustment, but the accuracy of any AF system is still not good enough to focus a f/1.4 lens (at full aperture) precisely enough for high expectations."

How many of you are using this combo and what is your feedback and examples?

I'm not using a 5D3 but I do use a ZE 1.4/35 on a 5D2.

I've tried a Brightscreen split/micro prism and the Ee-S on my 5D2. I found that the only way I can focus the ZE 1.4/35 reliably is using live view and a loupe permanently mounted on my camera. It seems this is specific to the 1.4/35 - maybe it's a result of the wide open s.a.

Without intending to hijack the thread, I'd like to add a request that we also hear from folk using live view to focus this lens on a 5D3.

I know it's not much of a helper, but i was in your same shoes when moving over from the 5D2 to the 5D3 with MF lenses. It's brighter with the new VF but other than that, you're better off just focusing through live view.

Which in this case, i sold my 35mm f1.4 to upgrade to the 35L instead. I don't think there will ever be any "real" mod to help with the focusing screen. Reason why i say that is because that screen seems specialized to work with the new AF system of the 5D3.

I am seriously thinking about getting the 21mm Zeiss ... I wonder if it is also problematic on the 5DII or 5DIII.

spear wrote in post #14511361
I am seriously thinking about getting the 21mm Zeiss ... I wonder if it is also problematic on the 5DII or 5DIII.

I've not had any difficulty with the ZE21 or ZE50MP on my 5DII when the precision screen was installed.

I think the only complexity is specifically with Zeiss 35 f/1.4 and only when you care about super precision with street and people photography and cannot use Live view.

I've used the 50mm ZE 1.4 on my 5DIII and have about a 90% success rate for focus. I use a single focus point and the AF confirm. The trick is you gotta be really gentle and precise. Don't just spin it until it beeps and mash down the shutter.

If you need more accuracy, use live view and a viewfinder like the LCDVF (coming soon for 5DIII). Hate to say it, but it's you, not the gear. It's totally possible, you just have to have patience with manual focus and understand how it works on the camera.

cowanrg wrote in post #14511906
I've used the 50mm ZE 1.4 on my 5DIII and have about a 90% success rate for focus. I use a single focus point and the AF confirm. The trick is you gotta be really gentle and precise. Don't just spin it until it beeps and mash down the shutter.

If you need more accuracy, use live view and a viewfinder like the LCDVF (coming soon for 5DIII). Hate to say it, but it's you, not the gear. It's totally possible, you just have to have patience with manual focus and understand how it works on the camera.

Try with zeiss 35 f/1.4

light_pilgrim wrote in post #14512368
Try with zeiss 35 f/1.4

try it with an LCDVF of zacuto.

I use a 3x Zacuto Z-Finder that mounts on the Z-FRM holder. I'm not convinced it would work on the 5D3 (7% larger LCD) but it lets me use live view all the time.

Like Brett, I've had no problem with the ZE 21 or 50MP with a Ee-S screen... and I can also add the 25/2, 35/2 and 100MP to that mix. Nevertheless, I seem to get more reliable focus with the loupe, particularly in low light.

I think anyone expecting focus confirmation to work accurately using 1.4 on moving objects is living in cloud cukoo land. Where even breathing could affect focus never mind subject moving on the other end of the lens too. Crazy.

Ive found on stationary subjects its very fast and accurate on all my lenses. Ranging from 1.4 to f4

noisejammer wrote in post #14514147
I use a 3x Zacuto Z-Finder that mounts on the Z-FRM holder. I'm not convinced it would work on the 5D3 (7% larger LCD) but it lets me use live view all the time.

Like Brett, I've had no problem with the ZE 21 or 50MP with a Ee-S screen... and I can also add the 25/2, 35/2 and 100MP to that mix. Nevertheless, I seem to get more reliable focus with the loupe, particularly in low light.

LCDVF claims their new version for the 5DIII is coming out 'soon'. They last stated it would be in June.

cowanrg wrote in post #14516411
LCDVF claims their new version for the 5DIII is coming out 'soon'. They last stated it would be in June.

Sorry for a super stupid question, but is it not the case that you have a bigger shutter lag when taking photos with Live View?

I have contacted "thedigitalpicture.com​" as I find their review the best of the best (personal opinion) and have asked a specific question regarding the combo (5D MKIII and Zeiss 35 f/1.4 ZE) and specifically how it works together with the new AF (AF confirm in this case).

So here is the answer and it is consistent with what Lloyd Chambers said:
"The testing shows that the 5D III is, overall, equivalent to the 1Ds Mark III in this regard. So, no improvement. The 5D III did perform slightly better when focusing from MFD toward infinity. The 1Ds III was slightly more balanced in its reading."

So with no opportunity to replace the standard focusing screen, 5D MKIII is a step backward.

light_pilgrim wrote in post #14517481
Sorry for a super stupid question, but is it not the case that you have a bigger shutter lag when taking photos with Live View?

no, shouldn't be an issue. the mirror is already flipped up, there isn't any real lag. you should try it out, if using live view, my keepers are 100% (give or take). and as long as you keep your shutter speed above where it should be, you're fine. never had an issue with it.

my wife ONLY shoots MF and uses and LCDVF for everything. works just fine. (she had a 50D, but with standard focusing screen)