The Zeiss lenses for Nikon are mostly Cosina lenses produced with Zeiss co-operation, based on revisions of classic designs which Cosina’s own design team undertook without being asked by Zeiss. They issued these lenses using the Voigtlander name, which they had acquired the rights to use, along with a rangefinder camera system. Zeiss were sufficiently impressed by the results to commission their own rangefinder system from Cosina,and to set up a joint operation producing Zeiss branded lenses with CZ engineers and quality control installed in Japan. Cosina also still makes the Voigtlander ‘designs’ (all of them are really Cosina designs at heart) and you can get them for half the price of the closest Zeiss versions.

Initially, these were all made in M42 screw thread only, but to differentiate the Zeiss ranges dedicated manual mount versions appeared, and the M42 versions were either dropped or simply became unavailable. There is some suggestion that they also ceased making M42 fit because of the Sony deal with Zeiss.

Whatever the case, the two licensing arrangements are entirely separate. CZ’s venture with Sony is in a different factory, uses a different design team, and has completely different type of mechanical construction. The designs are all new, not ‘new glass revisions’ of classic Zeiss glass like Distagons and Biogons, even though they are described as Vario-Sonnars etc. Some lens types can no longer be made because of restrictions on the use of lead and other additives to the glass (this is also why various Minolta prime lens designs can not be re-issued).

Recently, Zeiss in Germany started making some of the lenses sold in the new (Cosina) range. Exchange rates and production costs have shifted around enough to make £1000 lenses worth building in Germany again. There is no suggestion that we will see Sony Zeiss lenses made in Germany. The 21mm and 18mm Distagons are examples – and the 20mm Minolta design currently issued as Sony is not, in fact, all that inferior to the Zeiss glass. It was considered far superior to the Leica 19mm f2.8 when first made. Sony probably considers it to fill that gap with no need for Zeiss alternatives.

David

1. what is your best guess as to whether or not Carl Zeiss is going to come out with any more full frame lens, specifically prime lens?

2. related to the above question–> why is it that Carl Zeiss has come out with a fair number of prime lens for the Nikon / Canon and even Pentax mount, including the 21mm distagon, but only two for the Sony?

thanks for any information. harry

Here’s a picture which I prefer in the creative aspect, but the pen/paper is not recognisable and the Sony products are sidelined to Sigma items in the bottom of the case. I spoke to Sigma about getting a 15mm fisheye after finding the old focus-confirm one so useful, but all the shots I took with the £90 lens are just fine, and it shoved into the bit in my old Tenba bag where I normally put batteries and stuff – it’s half the size of a new one.

http://www.pbase.com/davidkilpatrick/image/109587016

Thanks for re-subscribing!

David

I had a subscription to Photoworld when I purchased my KM5D – in order to keep your other photo under wraps I’ve just re-subscribed

Ant.

Now I’ve just got to find the REALLY unflattering angle and post another shot

Ant