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Not a quality lens

Started Dec 4, 2013 | User reviews thread
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Zeissophile New Member • Posts: 4
Not a quality lens

Just got this lens. I usually shoot with Zeiss glass, but Zeiss does not offer a long macro, so had to settle for something else.

As to be expected, focus ring is not tight, but has some play, as all AF lenses have. Lens hood is made of hardish plastic, and I wonder how long it will survive field usage. The bayonet lock for the hood is difficult to engage, no comparison to the Zeiss 100 mm Makroplanar ZE. The f/32 depth of field markings on the lens are pure fantasy, by far too narrow as even the most casual experimentation will reveal. The infinity focus is about 1.5 mm past marked infinity, and the lens focuses further into hyper infinity by another 2 mm. Precision production looks different.

Once Zeiss comes out with a long macro, I will immediately sell this, but in the meantime it will have to do.

I intend it for herpetology shots where I previously used a Canon 300 mm f/2.8 IS, occasionally with extension ring to get closer.

This is just an out of the box first impression. Will have to shoot a bit with it. So far at best ho-hum.

 Zeissophile's gear list:Zeissophile's gear list
Canon EOS 5D Mark II Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.5 1-5x Macro Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 2,8/21 +6 more
Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM
Telephoto macro prime lens • Canon EF • 2539A007
Zeissophile's score
2.5
Average community score
4.0
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