Zeiss f 1.4/85 mm

[Jussi Trskil]

Zeiss is making for both Sony and Nikon an f 1.4 / 85 mm lens. There is a price difference but also a construction one. The one is a Sonnar the other a Planar. What is the difference btw these two?
--
Jussi Träskilä * le droit de l'homme aux larmes ne se périme pas (V. Hugo).

 

[russell2006]

I dont know.

But if you ask on the Nikon forum whichever one fits the Nikon will be better.

Its the Nikon way.

 

[misha]

Zeiss is making for both Sony and Nikon an f 1.4 / 85 mm lens.
There is a price difference but also a construction one. The one is
a Sonnar the other a Planar. What is the difference btw these two?
--

The Nikon is manual focus, the Sony version is autofocus?

--
Misha

 

[Two Truths]

"Compared to Planar designs the Sonnars had more aberrations, but with fewer glass-to-air surfaces it had better contrast and less flare. Though compared to the earlier Tessar design it's faster aperture and lower chromatic aberration was a significant improvement."

• Wikipedia

--
Stuart / the Two Truths
http://www.flickr.com/photos/two_truths/
http://two-truths.deviantart.com/gallery/

 

[Two Truths]

Nikon =>

http://www.zeiss.com/C12567A8003B58B9/ContentsWWWIntern/6FEA3760FF055EB0C125711B005F3349

Sony Alpha =>

http://www.zeiss.com/C12567A8003B58B9/ContentsWWWIntern/120FC478F1D336C0C125718500434251
--
Stuart / the Two Truths
http://www.flickr.com/photos/two_truths/
http://two-truths.deviantart.com/gallery/

 

[PedroCR]

"Compared to Planar designs the Sonnars had more aberrations, but
with fewer glass-to-air surfaces it had better contrast and less
flare. Though compared to the earlier Tessar design it's faster
aperture and lower chromatic aberration was a significant
improvement."

But on modern lenses this won't be as relevant since coatings should be much better these days.

Pedro.

 

[nm66photog]

From what I read on the Zeiss web site, both lenses are the Planar design. The Sonnar is used for the 135 1.8 and the zoom.

The Nikon version has six elements and the Sony has seven. The Sony version might be the better lens. I have the original version of the Maxxum 85 1.4 and I can not see how that lens could be improved, it is outstanding.

Jerry

 

[Two Truths]

I don't really think that they have improved on the KM design.

They might've released the bulk KM version, or else the LE version. Either way they've just re-released basically the same lens under the CZ label.

The Nikon is probably a re-badge of another lens design.

--
Stuart / the Two Truths
http://www.flickr.com/photos/two_truths/
http://two-truths.deviantart.com/gallery/

 

[auksnapper]

I don't really think that they have improved on the KM design.

They might've released the bulk KM version, or else the LE version.
Either way they've just re-released basically the same lens under
the CZ label.

The Nikon is probably a re-badge of another lens design.

--
Stuart / the Two Truths
http://www.flickr.com/photos/two_truths/
http://two-truths.deviantart.com/gallery/

I beleive the 85 ZA is a new design, check out the link below

http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5682

 

[PhotoTraveler]

In cross sections you can see the 2 lenses are very similar. Basically the Sony has extra elements at the rear. Presumably for improved FF coverage.

The 2 lenses may share some glass. But more like they carry similar designs.

It would be nice if they tried to make parts common. But in the end they probably share almost nothing.