Any users of Zeiss DISTAGON 2.8/25 mm ?

tcom · 05-29-2009, 12:21 PM

I was today at the "Professional Imaging" in Zurich, a photo fair mainly aimed at pros.

I visited Leica, the distributor of Zeiss lenses in Switzerland. I asked if they are having by chance any Zeiss lenses. They had the whole collection, but in Nikon mount.

I was really impressed by the Zeiss Distagon 2.8/25mm. It is beautifully built and feature a very handy walk-around lens.

Are there any users who are having this lens in Pentax mount and what are your thoughts about this lens, especially in regards of IQ?

and · 05-29-2009, 01:49 PM

Leica distributes Zeiss? old rivals united?

and · 05-29-2009, 01:52 PM

oh, and the resident Zeiss collector, thePirate has got one, some shots in this thread

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/36041-zeiss-zk...-thoughts.html

(you should know since you posted in there)

FDM · 05-29-2009, 02:02 PM

I use a Zeiss Distagon 25/2.8 converted from Contax to Pentax mount. I've always enjoyed this lens. You can see some sample images in my blog: Exposing pixels (click on the label "Zeiss 25/2.8").

F.

k100d · 05-29-2009, 02:09 PM

there's a Zeiss ZK club somewhere here w/ some good stuff

tcom · 05-29-2009, 11:07 PM

Thanks for the replies.

Yes Andreas, the Zeiss distributor in Switzerland is indeed Leica, quite unusual. But then, Leica is a specialist in selling expensive manual lenses...

augustmoon · 05-30-2009, 07:53 AM

I love everything about this lens, color, rendering, bokeh, detail, how easily and well it manually focuses, and the build quality itself.

This replaced my DA35 Ltd for close work. I use it for everything I can.

The corners aren't its strong suit, so close up photos of brick walls with the lens wide open would best be left to other lenses.

My copy used to belong to the Pirate when you are checking out the other threads he started / contributed to...

Attached Images

augustmoon · 05-30-2009, 07:54 AM

Originally posted by and

Leica distributes Zeiss? old rivals united?

In Montreal, the Leica distributor carries the Zeiss and Voigtlander lines...

tcom · 05-30-2009, 08:07 AM

Thank you Brian.

I seldom shoot brickwalls, so no problem here. As I was trying out the lens (the Nikon mount version), I was surprised how close it can focus.

Well, I finally ordered a Zeiss 25/2.8 in my usual shop, for testing. I could still bring it back if I am not happy with it, but I can't imagine why I should not...

dylansalt · 05-31-2009, 01:24 PM

Originally posted by FDM

I use a Zeiss Distagon 25/2.8 converted from Contax to Pentax mount. I've always enjoyed this lens. You can see some sample images in my blog: Exposing pixels (click on the label "Zeiss 25/2.8").

F.

Would really like to know about this conversion

I have the 50mm 1.7 & 28mm 2.8 Zeiss lenses from my now deceased Contax 137

The best lenses I have ever owned with re: IQ, Color etc

Regards

Dyl

spb37 · 05-31-2009, 04:16 PM

I just got a rollei zeiss dist 25mm. Too early for me to tell if I like it.

When people talk glowingly about it I cannot tell if they are talking about the new model which I believe has a new optical formulae. From googling my 25mm model has a mixed rep among the distagons. Anyone tried or familiar with both, new and previous generation 25mm distagon.

k100d · 05-31-2009, 05:11 PM

is your confusion arising from the M-mount 25mm biogon? that lens is supposed to be one of the sharpest around

FDM · 06-01-2009, 01:54 AM

Originally posted by dylansalt

Would really like to know about this conversion

I have the 50mm 1.7 & 28mm 2.8 Zeiss lenses from my now deceased Contax 137

Dyl

I got the new mount from Leitax and performed the conversion myself. It's quite straightforward but requires a little patience. The site is very informative and described the entire procedure quite well. I've converted 5 Zeiss lenses from Contax/Yashica mount to Pentax K so far (I had a Contax 167MT). Feel free to ask if you have other questions.

dylansalt · 06-01-2009, 01:03 PM

Cool will check it out

Thanks for the info

Dylan

tcom · 06-05-2009, 08:58 AM

I have got bad news today, one needs to be patient to get the Zeiss 25/2.8 in Pentax mount here. The swiss distributor (Leica Switzerland) has no clue when the lens I ordered can be delivered, maybe one month, maybe three, maybe more...

Does Zeiss build their lenses for Pentax mount on order?

05-29-2009, 12:21 PM	#1
tcom Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Switzerland Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,293	Any users of Zeiss DISTAGON 2.8/25 mm ? I was today at the "Professional Imaging" in Zurich, a photo fair mainly aimed at pros. I visited Leica, the distributor of Zeiss lenses in Switzerland. I asked if they are having by chance any Zeiss lenses. They had the whole collection, but in Nikon mount. I was really impressed by the Zeiss Distagon 2.8/25mm. It is beautifully built and feature a very handy walk-around lens. Are there any users who are having this lens in Pentax mount and what are your thoughts about this lens, especially in regards of IQ?

05-29-2009, 02:02 PM	#4
FDM New Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Portugal Photos: Gallery Posts: 19	I've got one! I use a Zeiss Distagon 25/2.8 converted from Contax to Pentax mount. I've always enjoyed this lens. You can see some sample images in my blog: Exposing pixels (click on the label "Zeiss 25/2.8"). F.

05-30-2009, 07:53 AM	#7
augustmoon Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Toronto, San Diego, Seattle Posts: 455	One of my all-time fave's I love everything about this lens, color, rendering, bokeh, detail, how easily and well it manually focuses, and the build quality itself. This replaced my DA35 Ltd for close work. I use it for everything I can. The corners aren't its strong suit, so close up photos of brick walls with the lens wide open would best be left to other lenses. My copy used to belong to the Pirate when you are checking out the other threads he started / contributed to... Attached Images

06-05-2009, 08:58 AM	#15
tcom Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Switzerland Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,293 Original Poster	I have got bad news today, one needs to be patient to get the Zeiss 25/2.8 in Pentax mount here. The swiss distributor (Leica Switzerland) has no clue when the lens I ordered can be delivered, maybe one month, maybe three, maybe more... Does Zeiss build their lenses for Pentax mount on order? Last edited by tcom; 06-05-2009 at 10:05 AM.

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05-29-2009, 01:49 PM	#2
and Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,476	Leica distributes Zeiss? old rivals united?

05-29-2009, 01:52 PM	#3
and Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,476	oh, and the resident Zeiss collector, thePirate has got one, some shots in this thread https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/36041-zeiss-zk...-thoughts.html (you should know since you posted in there)

05-29-2009, 02:09 PM	#5
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	there's a Zeiss ZK club somewhere here w/ some good stuff

05-29-2009, 11:07 PM	#6
tcom Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Switzerland Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,293 Original Poster	Thanks for the replies. Yes Andreas, the Zeiss distributor in Switzerland is indeed Leica, quite unusual. But then, Leica is a specialist in selling expensive manual lenses...

05-30-2009, 07:54 AM	#8
augustmoon Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Toronto, San Diego, Seattle Posts: 455	Originally posted by and Leica distributes Zeiss? old rivals united? In Montreal, the Leica distributor carries the Zeiss and Voigtlander lines...

05-30-2009, 08:07 AM	#9
tcom Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Switzerland Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,293 Original Poster	Thank you Brian. I seldom shoot brickwalls, so no problem here. As I was trying out the lens (the Nikon mount version), I was surprised how close it can focus. Well, I finally ordered a Zeiss 25/2.8 in my usual shop, for testing. I could still bring it back if I am not happy with it, but I can't imagine why I should not...

05-31-2009, 01:24 PM	#10
dylansalt Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Durban, South Africa Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,052	Originally posted by FDM I use a Zeiss Distagon 25/2.8 converted from Contax to Pentax mount. I've always enjoyed this lens. You can see some sample images in my blog: Exposing pixels (click on the label "Zeiss 25/2.8"). F. Would really like to know about this conversion I have the 50mm 1.7 & 28mm 2.8 Zeiss lenses from my now deceased Contax 137 The best lenses I have ever owned with re: IQ, Color etc Regards Dyl

05-31-2009, 04:16 PM	#11
spb37 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: oregon Posts: 28	I just got a rollei zeiss dist 25mm. Too early for me to tell if I like it. When people talk glowingly about it I cannot tell if they are talking about the new model which I believe has a new optical formulae. From googling my 25mm model has a mixed rep among the distagons. Anyone tried or familiar with both, new and previous generation 25mm distagon.

05-31-2009, 05:11 PM	#12
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	is your confusion arising from the M-mount 25mm biogon? that lens is supposed to be one of the sharpest around

06-01-2009, 01:54 AM	#13
FDM New Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Portugal Photos: Gallery Posts: 19	Originally posted by dylansalt Would really like to know about this conversion I have the 50mm 1.7 & 28mm 2.8 Zeiss lenses from my now deceased Contax 137 Dyl I got the new mount from Leitax and performed the conversion myself. It's quite straightforward but requires a little patience. The site is very informative and described the entire procedure quite well. I've converted 5 Zeiss lenses from Contax/Yashica mount to Pentax K so far (I had a Contax 167MT). Feel free to ask if you have other questions.

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06-01-2009, 01:03 PM	#14
dylansalt Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Durban, South Africa Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,052	Cool will check it out Thanks for the info Dylan