who is goint to get a Carl Zeiss lens for pentax mount?

slipchuck · 07-18-2007, 01:28 PM

PentaxLife reports there will be some made for pentax...
I know little about them but I heard they are of high quality.

Carl Zeiss to introduce six its most legendary manual focus lenses for Pentax K-mount till the end of 2007. New ZK series will include Carl Zeiss ZK Planar 50mm f1.4 (will be announced first), ZK Planar 85mm F1.4, ZK Distagon 25mm F2.8, ZK Distagon 35mm F2.0, ZK Macro-Planar 50mm F2.0 and 100mm F2.0. All these lenses will be fully compatible with Pentax KA mount so they will be fully functional being mounted on the modern Pentax and Samsung digital SLRs as well as on the older 35mm film cameras (except for autofocus, of course).

just wondering....

cheers

randy

wlachan · 07-18-2007, 01:34 PM

I may be missing something. But unless they would be priced competitively, I do not see how they could penetrate the K mount market which is historically price sensitive.

c.r.brown · 07-18-2007, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by wlachan

I may be missing something. But unless they would be priced competitively, I do not see how they could penetrate the K mount market which is historically price sensitive.

I'm not sure if you've seen prices on the limited lenses which are up to $900us. And several zooms at over $1000us. Any sign by another manufacturer to release lenses for Pentax shows a sign of faith and Zeiss choosing to release those particular models instead of some new lens shows I think a sign of solidarity for the past (both past icons) and the future (k10d being all over news publications).

I can't think of any negatives. I surely dont think they are trying to take over the market or gain a large market share but rather mind share.

maleek · 07-18-2007, 03:11 PM

Good news. A sign of strenght for the K-mount.

Alex Balotskiy · 07-18-2007, 05:49 PM

I'm interested in seeing how the 85mm f/1.4 will perform on the K10D. Who knows, maybe I'll splurge a little when my birthday rolls around.

.

Duplo · 07-18-2007, 06:02 PM

Hi Randy,

Well I will be taking a hard look at the 25mm, especially as the FA*24 is out of production.

Not in a hurry though;-)

and · 07-18-2007, 06:22 PM

I think the best thing about it is the 85mm since the Pentax 85's are going for insane prices on the used market and Pentax plans to replace it with a 55mm so no 85 from Pentax.

vinzer · 07-18-2007, 07:31 PM

Originally Posted by and

I think the best thing about it is the 85mm since the Pentax 85's are going for insane prices on the used market and Pentax plans to replace it with a 55mm so no 85 from Pentax.

True, that. I'm also keeping an eye for the 85mm since it might end up much cheaper than a used FA* 85. Or it might cause prices for the FA* to fall (if ever one does show up on eBay). Either way, it benefits us Pentax users. Lower prices for the legends (FA*), possibly more legends to be added to the list (new Zeiss lenses), and as previously mentioned by others, a sign of faith and strength for the K-mount.

Good times all around.

FotoPete · 07-18-2007, 09:23 PM

Originally Posted by wlachan

I may be missing something. But unless they would be priced competitively, I do not see how they could penetrate the K mount market which is historically price sensitive.

I agree. Lenses like the ZK 50/1.4 are priced too high especially when A50/1.4s go for like $100-$150 and M/K/M42 50/1.4s for under $100.

But the 85/1.4 is an attractive option given the rarity and high price premium as stated earlier on the FA*.

I cann't afford these but its great news for Pentax nonetheless as it shows that at least someone out there considers them to be a valid option for lenses...unlike some other...third party lens manufacturer..

**roentarre** · 07-18-2007, 10:03 PM

This sounds quite interesting in deed.

85/1.4 is on my list as well as macro 100 f2.0

Just unclear what the pricing will be...

**roentarre** · 07-20-2007, 01:52 AM

Just found out that the cost of CZ 85/1.4 would be 10-20% more than A* 85 f1.4 ...

Not sure how to order this lens when 50/1.4 and 85/1.4 are released Late July in Japan. It would be interesting to compare these two lenses between 2 brands

carpents · 07-20-2007, 06:42 AM

Originally Posted by roentarre

This sounds quite interesting in deed.

85/1.4 is on my list as well as macro 100 f2.0

Just unclear what the pricing will be...

The 85 will most likely be around US$1000 and the 100 Macro US$1500. I'm planning to borrow a friend's Zeiss F 85/1.4 to see if Klaus got a bad copy for the photozone review. I have a hard time believing that those lenses are as bad as his review dictates.

The 100/2 Macro looks amazing...but at an amazing price.

**roentarre** · 07-20-2007, 06:55 AM

Originally Posted by carpents

I'm planning to borrow a friend's Zeiss F 85/1.4 to see if Klaus got a bad copy for the photozone review. I have a hard time believing that those lenses are as bad as his review dictates.

The 100/2 Macro looks amazing...but at an amazing price.

Lucky you! And the review comparing canon 85/1.2, pentax A 85/1.4 and KZ 85/1.4 is kind of strange where KZ was considerably worse ... I doubt the good reputation of KZ would produce that kind of image quality.

100/2 macro is really something I wanna try out. How will the bokeh turn out ...?

Wait and see

tcom · 07-20-2007, 07:18 AM

I already have the FA50/1.4 and the FA*85/1.5, I see no reason to get these Zeiss lenses.

slipchuck · 07-20-2007, 10:31 AM

july 20 update:The rumor is officially confirmed:

The first lens will be available for shipping in August 2007:
Planar T* 1,4/50 ZK - 503,36 € (without VAT)
All other lenses will be available in Q4 2007:
Distagon T* 2,8/25 ZK - 671,43 € (without VAT)
Distagon T* 2/35 ZK - 671,43 € (without VAT)
Planar T* 1,4/85 ZK - 881,51 € (without VAT)
Makro-Planar T* 2/50 ZK - 881,51 € (without VAT)
Makro-Planar T* 2/100 ZK - 1.343,70 € (without VAT)

remember, they might be cheaper in North America as Europe can be expensive

cheers

randy