MF Zeiss lenses for Sony?

[PhotoTraveler]

To the question of M42, yes, we could buy ZS lenses, and use the M42 adapters. We would be able to use the lenses, the same as Canon users do. But some issues.

1) The ZS line looks to be dead as they aren't adding new models to ZS. So not many options.

2) Focus confirmation won't work, and SSS won't work. But if you had one of those chipped adapters with the right FL, both 1 and 2 are fixed.

3) No automation, which is basically a no go for me, that path is very 4th party. If it doesn't at least get 3rd party status (a ROM, body communication, stop down aperture, lens ID) no thanks. But I don't even like 3rd party as they reverse engineer this stuff, and the lens IDs conflict with minolta-sony IDs.

This said, if a ZS wide angle TS lens came out, and there was no sony yet, that would be an option I would by. The only other similar path is the schnieder PC, which isn't wide enough, is just a PC, and cost an insane amount.

[picman]

It's the EF bayonet! See http://www.zeiss.com/photo

Cheers, Bob.

[David Kilpatrick]

And it's only the 50mm f1.4 and 85mm f1.4 - the 18mm Distagon, the lens which full frame Canon users have been crying out to get, is not available in ZE mount!

David

[Jonathan K]

Too bad. I had a little bit of hope left that it could turn out to be something for us...
But who knows... I still hope that one day we will have a AF Zeiss 50 f1.4 prime and some WA lenses..
At least, nobody stated that it would not happen.

Jonathan

[Dr. Harout]

Too bad. I had a little bit of hope left that it could turn out to be something for us...
But who knows... I still hope that one day we will have a AF Zeiss 50 f1.4 prime and some WA lenses..
At least, nobody stated that it would not happen.

Jonathan

Jonathan, have patience. We still have Photokina and also a large aperture wide angle lens (not zoom) remember?

[Jonathan K]

True, Doctor, thou speakest in wisdom...
I am actually really looking forward to trying it out. I will go to photokina on the 26th.

Cheers Jonathan

[PhotoTraveler]

Well, that dream is dashed for now.

I still really want to see if Zeiss licensed this or not. My gut feeling is there is some back story to all this. Zeiss didn't do it till now and said it was licensing, and now they do it, though limited (no AF for obvious reasons). So my big question is did Canon license them a ROM, with some restrictions on what Zeiss can make. Or did Zeiss just reverse engineer it (pay Cosina for what Cosina all ready knew). If it was the later, one has to wonder when they will do the same for F and K mounts.

Still, I really hope they do bring these lenses to A mount too.

[NevHi]

The answer is Canon
Via Engadget
Carl Zeiss surprises with lenses for Canon's EOS EF mount
http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/15/carl ... /#comments

http://www.zeiss.com/C1256A770030BCE0/W ... enDocument