Zeiss ZK Lenses Showing Up...

carpents · 09-04-2007, 08:11 PM

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I stumbled upon an interesting eBay auction today, for the Zeiss ZK 85/1.4 lens. Does anyone here have this already? Is there much interest in it? I'm surprised at how quickly they've come out.

Here is a link. (I'm in no way affiliated, nor do I condone the auction itself.)
Zeiss 85mm Lens on eBay

MJB DIGITAL · 09-04-2007, 08:43 PM

yes! im SO f*ing interested in it.,

unfortunately i cant get it yet. i dont own enough fast glass so i can only spring for a fast zoom and im going for the 50-135.
but zeiss is some of the best glass in the world

if you are thinking about it GET IT

roy · 09-04-2007, 08:45 PM

i don't think i've seen this one before. being a Zeiss, i'm sure it's quite good but way out of the budget for me being at 1000usd alreadiy

MJB DIGITAL · 09-04-2007, 08:50 PM

i am on the road to not wanting any lens that is cheap

1000 seems to be a number that some very good lenses are priced at. i know, there are plenty from 200-800

but i would buy this for 1000 just like i am going to get the 50-135

the ONLY reason im not getting the zeiss first is because with the pentax i will have the versatility of the zooming....

but
im hoping in about one year ill have that lens. but i need to put it after a couple of fast zooms first

i think it is third on my list

MJB DIGITAL · 09-04-2007, 08:54 PM

by the way, ive been drooling over the zeiss K lineup since the press release. it is a really good sign that ZEISS GLASS will be available for pentax!!!!!!!

what next? leica?

hope so

MJB DIGITAL · 09-04-2007, 09:18 PM

here is a link to the zeiss site

you might have to navigate to the cine/photography lenses....but if you are interested it will be easy

Welcome to Carl Zeiss Camera and Cine Lenses

Rico · 09-04-2007, 09:47 PM

The Zeiss website on line store shows the entire Pentax mount lineup in stock.

MJB DIGITAL · 09-04-2007, 10:23 PM

i might become a gigilo if thats what it takes to get one

roentarre · 09-05-2007, 03:05 AM

That Japanese store tends to sell lenses a lot more expensive than the market values.

I would rather wait and see for the time being.

FotoPete · 09-05-2007, 03:41 AM

You're right but they seem to stock alot of the rarities that you'd spend ages on ebay/keh/wherever tracking down...and it's buy-it-now.

So how are current 85mm 1.4 prices at the moment? It seems that these lenses run such a high premium this days that seeing a $1K US price tag doesn't quite blow my mind away anymore.

roentarre · 09-05-2007, 03:58 AM

Given the lumiscape review giving KZ 85mm 1.4 a thumb down comparing to pentax A* 85 f1.4 or Canon 85mm f1.2L, the price could be lower ... Then that could be a bad copy as well

I would wait til the in-flux of new batch of KZ 85mms to be released simultaneously into the market especially on internet - the price could be cheaper or competitive.

The main dilemma is Da* 50-135 f2.8 is quite light to carry, producing really pleasant bokeh and images in the right hands. KZ 85mm f1.4 or A* 85 f1.4 do not seem to have that much advantage over the zoom as manually focusing 85mm focal length with f1.4 or f1.8 is rather difficult. With protraits, the eyes could be in focus but not for the ears or tip of the nose etc.

egordon99 · 09-05-2007, 05:49 AM

Sean, if you get one of the Zeiss's, I want to check it out! Still owe you lunch in Phoenixville, Molly McGuire's (sp?) is supposed to be open this month, so if you're tired of Iron Hill

carpents · 09-05-2007, 08:00 AM

Originally posted by egordon99

Sean, if you get one of the Zeiss's, I want to check it out! Still owe you lunch in Phoenixville, Molly McGuire's (sp?) is supposed to be open this month, so if you're tired of Iron Hill

I won't be getting the Zeiss 85. After the Photozone review of the ZF version I lost all interest and went after the Pentax FA* 85. After spending some time with a friend's ZF 85, the Pentax, it turns out, is a much better lens. The ZF isn't as bad as the copy Klaus reviewed, but the FA* is just something out of this world.

The Zeiss 25mm looks interesting, as do the Zeiss macro lenses. They're a bit pricey though, and since I also own several quite decent 24mm lenses I'm not sure there is room for the 25mm in my bag. The FA* 24/2 is fast and sharp but suffers from some CA (not anything to cry about though) and the A 24/2.8 is also tack sharp with no CA at all. (The S-M-C Takumar 24/3.5 is a stellar performer for neither sharpness nor CA, but is reasonable at f/5.6 and smaller.)

I'm also still on the fence as to the Voigtlander 125mm macro, it certainly seems to be a bargain compared to the Zeiss prices.

I do hope the Zeiss line sells well, perhaps it will nudge Pentax to understand that there is a market for high-end glass even without a 'pro' camera.

thePiRaTE!! · 09-09-2007, 01:47 AM

I think photozone have updated the review, praise and performance through the roof -

Zeiss Planar ZF T* 85mm f/1.4 - Photozone Review / Test Report

carpents · 09-09-2007, 03:42 AM

Originally posted by thePiRaTE!!

I think photozone have updated the review, praise and performance through the roof -

Zeiss Planar ZF T* 85mm f/1.4 - Photozone Review / Test Report

No, this is the same review that I mentioned earlier. It is indeed a sharp lens, but some of his sample pictures are the worst that I've seen from any lens. Especially when talking about 'portrait' lenses, sharpness takes a back seat IMO to other rendering qualities - and this is where I feel the Minolta, Pentax, and indeed even the Zeiss ZA 85mm lenses are much better.

(To clarify - the Zeiss ZA 85/1.4 for Minolta/Sony mount is a completely different lens design from the ZF/ZK one. You can find a review of that lens here.)

09-04-2007, 08:11 PM	#1
carpents Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: West Chester, PA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,420	Zeiss ZK Lenses Showing Up... Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. I stumbled upon an interesting eBay auction today, for the Zeiss ZK 85/1.4 lens. Does anyone here have this already? Is there much interest in it? I'm surprised at how quickly they've come out. Here is a link. (I'm in no way affiliated, nor do I condone the auction itself.) Zeiss 85mm Lens on eBay

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09-04-2007, 08:43 PM	#2
MJB DIGITAL Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: st. louis Posts: 1,170	yes! im SO f*ing interested in it., unfortunately i cant get it yet. i dont own enough fast glass so i can only spring for a fast zoom and im going for the 50-135. but zeiss is some of the best glass in the world if you are thinking about it GET IT

09-04-2007, 08:45 PM	#3
roy Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: D/FW area, Tx. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,710	i don't think i've seen this one before. being a Zeiss, i'm sure it's quite good but way out of the budget for me being at 1000usd alreadiy

09-04-2007, 08:50 PM	#4
MJB DIGITAL Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: st. louis Posts: 1,170	i am on the road to not wanting any lens that is cheap 1000 seems to be a number that some very good lenses are priced at. i know, there are plenty from 200-800 but i would buy this for 1000 just like i am going to get the 50-135 the ONLY reason im not getting the zeiss first is because with the pentax i will have the versatility of the zooming.... but im hoping in about one year ill have that lens. but i need to put it after a couple of fast zooms first i think it is third on my list

09-04-2007, 08:54 PM	#5
MJB DIGITAL Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: st. louis Posts: 1,170	by the way, ive been drooling over the zeiss K lineup since the press release. it is a really good sign that ZEISS GLASS will be available for pentax!!!!!!! what next? leica? hope so

09-04-2007, 09:18 PM	#6
MJB DIGITAL Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: st. louis Posts: 1,170	here is a link to the zeiss site you might have to navigate to the cine/photography lenses....but if you are interested it will be easy Welcome to Carl Zeiss Camera and Cine Lenses

09-04-2007, 09:47 PM	#7
Rico Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,205	The Zeiss website on line store shows the entire Pentax mount lineup in stock.

09-04-2007, 10:23 PM	#8
MJB DIGITAL Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: st. louis Posts: 1,170	i might become a gigilo if thats what it takes to get one

09-05-2007, 03:05 AM	#9
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	That Japanese store tends to sell lenses a lot more expensive than the market values. I would rather wait and see for the time being.

09-05-2007, 03:41 AM	#10
FotoPete Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,774	You're right but they seem to stock alot of the rarities that you'd spend ages on ebay/keh/wherever tracking down...and it's buy-it-now. So how are current 85mm 1.4 prices at the moment? It seems that these lenses run such a high premium this days that seeing a $1K US price tag doesn't quite blow my mind away anymore.

09-05-2007, 03:58 AM	#11
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	Given the lumiscape review giving KZ 85mm 1.4 a thumb down comparing to pentax A* 85 f1.4 or Canon 85mm f1.2L, the price could be lower ... Then that could be a bad copy as well I would wait til the in-flux of new batch of KZ 85mms to be released simultaneously into the market especially on internet - the price could be cheaper or competitive. The main dilemma is Da* 50-135 f2.8 is quite light to carry, producing really pleasant bokeh and images in the right hands. KZ 85mm f1.4 or A* 85 f1.4 do not seem to have that much advantage over the zoom as manually focusing 85mm focal length with f1.4 or f1.8 is rather difficult. With protraits, the eyes could be in focus but not for the ears or tip of the nose etc.

09-05-2007, 05:49 AM	#12
egordon99 Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Outside of Philly Posts: 1,561	Sean, if you get one of the Zeiss's, I want to check it out! Still owe you lunch in Phoenixville, Molly McGuire's (sp?) is supposed to be open this month, so if you're tired of Iron Hill

09-05-2007, 08:00 AM	#13
carpents Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: West Chester, PA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,420 Original Poster	Originally posted by egordon99 Sean, if you get one of the Zeiss's, I want to check it out! Still owe you lunch in Phoenixville, Molly McGuire's (sp?) is supposed to be open this month, so if you're tired of Iron Hill I won't be getting the Zeiss 85. After the Photozone review of the ZF version I lost all interest and went after the Pentax FA* 85. After spending some time with a friend's ZF 85, the Pentax, it turns out, is a much better lens. The ZF isn't as bad as the copy Klaus reviewed, but the FA* is just something out of this world. The Zeiss 25mm looks interesting, as do the Zeiss macro lenses. They're a bit pricey though, and since I also own several quite decent 24mm lenses I'm not sure there is room for the 25mm in my bag. The FA* 24/2 is fast and sharp but suffers from some CA (not anything to cry about though) and the A 24/2.8 is also tack sharp with no CA at all. (The S-M-C Takumar 24/3.5 is a stellar performer for neither sharpness nor CA, but is reasonable at f/5.6 and smaller.) I'm also still on the fence as to the Voigtlander 125mm macro, it certainly seems to be a bargain compared to the Zeiss prices. I do hope the Zeiss line sells well, perhaps it will nudge Pentax to understand that there is a market for high-end glass even without a 'pro' camera.

09-09-2007, 01:47 AM	#14
thePiRaTE!! Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Calgary, AB Photos: Gallery Posts: 942	I think photozone have updated the review, praise and performance through the roof - Zeiss Planar ZF T* 85mm f/1.4 - Photozone Review / Test Report

09-09-2007, 03:42 AM	#15
carpents Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: West Chester, PA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,420 Original Poster	Originally posted by thePiRaTE!! I think photozone have updated the review, praise and performance through the roof - Zeiss Planar ZF T* 85mm f/1.4 - Photozone Review / Test Report No, this is the same review that I mentioned earlier. It is indeed a sharp lens, but some of his sample pictures are the worst that I've seen from any lens. Especially when talking about 'portrait' lenses, sharpness takes a back seat IMO to other rendering qualities - and this is where I feel the Minolta, Pentax, and indeed even the Zeiss ZA 85mm lenses are much better. (To clarify - the Zeiss ZA 85/1.4 for Minolta/Sony mount is a completely different lens design from the ZF/ZK one. You can find a review of that lens here.)