Zeiss 18mm f/3.5 Distagon for ZE in 2009

Canon Rumors
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It’s coming
The one lens in the Zeiss lineup I’m interested in actually using is the 18mm f/3.5 Distagon.

Zeiss is showing the lens at the Photo Expo show in Tokyo and will be available near the end of 2009.

Probably looking in the $1300 range for the lens.

A small Luminous Landscapes review of it: http://www.luminous-landscape.com/…

I’d like to know when the Makro-Planar 100mm f/2 is coming for ZE. This is another lens that I would seriously consider. I seem to spend a lot of time in MF with my Canon 100 Macro, I probably wouldn’t miss a beat.

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15 Comments
  • One of “those” lenses really, there will be people who will pay a lot of money just to say “it’s Zeiss”. Good luck snobs and pixel-peepers.

  • By coincidence, I was looking at the Zeiss site 2 days ago for wide lens availability.

    If Canon does not come out with something in this range soon that is of similar quality, I will probably get the Nikkor 14-24mm F:/2.8 with the 16-9 adaptor. Somehow, it seems to be a better value than the Zeiss, and quality is amazing.

    The Zeiss will undoubtedly be easier to focus, but the “In Focus” indicator on Canon DSLR’s will work for both lenses, and for a ultra wide, focus is not as critical due to the huge depth of field.

  • the 100/2 is a really nice lens… i had it adapted for a while but got sick and tiered of the stop down metering (and I needed money for other stuff)…. if/when it comes out with the autoaperture I would be interested in getting it, along with the 50/2 makro and either the 21 or 18 distagons (yea…. that a lot of cash I need to save up… but Ive got time).

  • somehow the 85 1.4 and 50 1.4 ZE mount were not as well-regarded as other mounts, they say the sharpness has degraded…

  • the Nikkor 14-24 f2.8 is an awesome lens, razor sharp wide open corner-to-corner…the 16-35 f2.8 II I have cannot compare in terms of sharpness

  • I might do exactly that as well, though I’m knocking out the rest of my ‘buy’ list before I get there, hopefully Canon will have something ready for me by then :P

  • Don’t forget to add “gearheads”, “dumb rich kids living off mommy and daddy’s money or trust funds”, “soccer moms with nearly untouched monstrous DSLR’s”, and “brand bashers”.

  • Don’t even try comparing the 14-24mm against Canon’s 16-35mm. If you want to compare… Try Nikon’s old discontinued 17-35mm 2.8.

  • Dear Mr. Unknown Stranger of Canon Rumors,

    I own the 100mm 2.0 Makro ZF (Nikon mount), according to my PROPER tests (tripod, focus indicator, mirror-up, cable release, and sharpening in PP), the 100mm 2.0 beats Nikon’s 105mm 2.8 VR at 2.8 and lower apertures in sharpness performance.

    Of course, the out of focus rendition is very creamy like cream cheese or butter and it will stay creamy throughout all apertures (depending on how close you are from your subject). Yes, it’s THAT creamy, it makes you want to drool for a bagel with cream cheese topping.

    It could be used at any apertures from F/2.8 to F/8 (for crop bodies, F/16 for “full frame” bodies) without any lens diffraction. It could be used at F/16 (crop bodies, F/22 for “full frame” bodies) at 1:2 magnification as well. At larger apertures (between F/2 to F/2.8), expect some softness but it is completely normal. I didn’t check the corner sharpness because, seriously, who looks in corners instead of the whole photograph?

    Comparing it with Nikon’s 105mm 2.0 Defocus Control, they both are tied (Nikon’s have defocus control and screwdriver AF, Zeiss’ have very stiff focusing ring and dreamy optic performance).

    You can use any filters of any kind on this lens without resulting in vignetting (if it does, you can simply FIX it in PP at one single mouse click). High quality filters such as B+W, Colkins, Nikon / Canon, or Heliopan is recommended if you want the precise quality.

    My advice to you, bring a solid tripod combination and cable release with you. Also leave the lens hood on at all the times. Keep the lens as dry as possible (yes, it is not a “L” lens).

    Good luck.

  • It’s Mr. Slim to you, not “fatso” buddy, I can afford it just don’t see a reason to buy it. Face it, most people who will own are the type who buy things just because then can and not actually need it.

  • I wonder why I wasted my time typing a mini review on the Zeiss 100mm for you and I haven’t gotten a single “thank you” note from yourself.

  • Its so funny when i hear the ‘canon has no wide angle options’ whine. Especially when it is a whine that includes whining about quality, from a ZOOM. If you want quality, get real and get a prime because any ZOOM

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