Practical Photography

It has been revealed that Carl Zeiss has gotten the ball rolling to start producing their ZE lenses for Canon cameras. The lenses will be fitted with a compatable fixture for the Canon EF.Carl Zeiss will begin with its Planar T*F1.4 manual focus lenses available in 50mm and 85mm. These are expected to be released at the end of 2008 Just in time for Christmas (hint hint). The idea is that they will begin with the 50mm and the 85mm and then expand on the range as demand dictates.

The Best Lenses for Everyone!

Carl Zeiss is moving with the times to keep up with the masses and expanding its exceptional range of SLR lenses: ZE lenses with EF bayonet for digital EOS camera models and all analog products . The new ZE lenses from Carl Zeiss follow the style of other EF lenses by transfering all the information exclusively using electronic contacts. This gives greater flexibility when shooting and will produce great images whether ypou are using auto, manual and whatever the aperture.

With digital SLRs, automatic f ocus confirmation will be unlimited on manual focus and the lens data and allthe exposure data is also accessed using the camera’s EXIF file. The first lenses to be available will be the Planar T* 1.4/50 ZE estimated cost at about $ 660 and the Planar T* 1.4/85 ZE at $ 1,170.

Planar T* 1.4/50 specifications

Focal length	50 mm
Aperture Range	f/1.4 – f/16
Focusing Range	0.45m to infinity
Lens Construction	7 elements in 6 groups
Angle of view, diag.on 35mm	45.4°
Minimum Focus Distance	0.45 m
Filter	58 mm
Dimensions (with caps)	ø 66 mm, Length 69 mm
Area covered at close focus	16 x 24 cm
Weight	330 g

Planar T* 1.4/85 specifications Focal length	85 mm
Aperture Range	f/1.4 – f/16
Focusing Range	1m to infinity
Lens Construction	6 elements in 5 groups
Angle of view, diag. on 35mm	28.6 °
Minimum Focus Distance	0.45 m
Filter	72 mm
Dimensions (with caps)	ø 77 mm, Length 85 mm
Area covered at close focus	24 x 36 cm
Weight	570 g