Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Cameras, Lenses and Shooting gear => Topic started by: MatthewCromer on January 29, 2014, 01:22:45 pm

Title: Zeiss 55 lenses compared
Post by: MatthewCromer on January 29, 2014, 01:22:45 pm
http://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Compare/Side-by-side/Sony-FE-Carl-Zeiss-Sonnar-T-STAR-55mm-F18-on-Sony-A7R-versus-Zeiss-Carl-Zeiss-Distagon-T-STAR-Otus-55mm-F14-ZF2-Nikon-on-Nikon-D800___1252_917_1242_792
Title: Re: Zeiss 55 lenses compared
Post by: BernardLanguillier on January 29, 2014, 05:16:55 pm
Impressive performance.

Cheers,
Bernard
Title: Re: Zeiss 55 lenses compared
Post by: ErikKaffehr on January 30, 2014, 04:53:58 pm
It is interesting to see that Sony uses a "Sonnar" type design for the 55/1.8 while Zeiss uses "Distagon" design for the 55/1.4.

Best regards
Erik

http://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Compare/Side-by-side/Sony-FE-Carl-Zeiss-Sonnar-T-STAR-55mm-F18-on-Sony-A7R-versus-Zeiss-Carl-Zeiss-Distagon-T-STAR-Otus-55mm-F14-ZF2-Nikon-on-Nikon-D800___1252_917_1242_792
Title: Re: Zeiss 55 lenses compared
Post by: MatthewCromer on January 30, 2014, 05:07:28 pm
Well AFAIK both lenses are Zeiss designs.

I expect the differences in design also owe something to the SLR mirror box clearance required for the Otus.
Title: Re: Zeiss 55 lenses compared
Post by: Telecaster on January 30, 2014, 09:34:51 pm
It is interesting to see that Sony uses a "Sonnar" type design for the 55/1.8 while Zeiss uses "Distagon" design for the 55/1.4.

Attached is the design diagram for the 55/1.8.

Edit: also attached now for comparison purposes is the design diagram of the original Zeiss Jena 50/1.5 Sonnar.

-Dave-
Title: Re: Zeiss 55 lenses compared
Post by: ErikKaffehr on January 31, 2014, 12:29:23 am
Yes, the absence of the mirror box gives more degrees of freedom. But most "normal" lenses re double gauss designs, even on SLRs.

My guess is that Zeiss choose the Distagon type design over double gauss to be able to reduce vignetting and keep beam angle down. Sony on the other hand choose f/1.8 much reducing the problem with beam angle and vignetting, they also have offset microlenses on the sensor which help with beam angle, so they could choose a less expensive design that is easier to make.

Best regards
Erik

Well AFAIK both lenses are Zeiss designs.

I expect the differences in design also owe something to the SLR mirror box clearance required for the Otus.
Title: Re: Zeiss 55 lenses compared
Post by: geesbert on February 03, 2014, 12:18:25 pm
or maybe the otus has a larger image circle to cater for these new large cmos sensors?
Title: Re: Zeiss 55 lenses compared
Post by: BernardLanguillier on February 03, 2014, 12:26:13 pm
or maybe the otus has a larger image circle to cater for these new large cmos sensors?

Funny, that thought crossed my mind also.

Cheers,
Bernard
Title: Re: Zeiss 55 lenses compared
Post by: kers on February 03, 2014, 03:52:35 pm
Would love to see what Otus does on an Alpa with a medium back - especially at d8...
Title: Re: Zeiss 55 lenses compared
Post by: LKaven on February 03, 2014, 06:04:07 pm
I also wondered about whether the Otus had an extended image circle.  Shouldn't be too hard to check...for anyone who actually has one.  I think either way (as kers suggests) it would make some interesting images on an IQ250 back.  Even some vignetting would look kinda good.
Title: Re: Zeiss 55 lenses compared
Post by: ErikKaffehr on February 04, 2014, 04:24:06 pm
Hi,

That may work, maybe. A lot of 135 lenses seem to be usable on a Hartblei HCam with MF backs. But I don't think Zeiss is into medium format.

It has been suggested that Sony may use the same sensor for motion, IMAX style video. In that case it may make more sense, as 4K is around the door and 8K can be seen at the end of corridor.

Best regards
Erik



I also wondered about whether the Otus had an extended image circle.  Shouldn't be too hard to check...for anyone who actually has one.  I think either way (as kers suggests) it would make some interesting images on an IQ250 back.  Even some vignetting would look kinda good.