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Zeiss 645Zoom 4590

G

Guest

As I already announced 2 weeks ago, the new Zeiss zoom is now available. Here the copy of the official press release:

"New Vario-Sonnar T* f/4.5 45-90mm Mid-Range Lens, Perfect Match for Photo-Journalists and Wedding Photographers

SOMERSET, NJ - Kyocera Optics, Inc., announces the introduction of the new Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* f/4.5 45-90mm lens for the Contax 645 system. The compact Vario-Sonnar T* 45-90mm lens incorporates the Dual Focus Mechanism and has a fast, constant aperture of f/4.5.

The Vario-Sonnar T* 45-90mm lens is a perfect one-lens solution that meets the needs of professional photographers, especially those in the wedding industry, by providing moderate wide angle to normal coverage. The lens is also a perfect choice for general, landscape, event and location photography. The lens is approximately equivalent to a 28-55mm (in 35mm format) and allows for greater flexibility when space is limited and working distances do not allow the use of a longer focal length lens.

The latest optical and eco-glass technology were used to develop this lens, resulting in unsurpassed contrast and color reproduction, the hallmark of Carl Zeiss T* lenses. In addition, the new Carl Zeiss 45-90mm lens takes full advantage of Carl Zeiss’ improved internal baffling system technology that controls stray light increasing contrast and image quality.

In addition, the Carl Zeiss T* Vario-Sonnar is supplied with a Contax Three Year Limited Warranty" (in USA).

Specifications:

Number of elements: 12
Number of groups: 10
Max. aperture: f/4.5
Focal Length: 45.9-87.5 mm
Negative size: 56x41.5 mm
Angular field 2w: 74,3¡ã - 43,4¡ã diagonal
Mount: Contax 645 mount
Aperture scale: 4,5, (5,6), 8, 11, 16, 22, 32
Filter connection: 95 mm screw-in type
Distance range: ¡Þ to 0,5 m
Weight: approx 1200 g
Position of entrance pupil: a) 39,2 mm behind the first lens vortexb) 31,5 mm behind the first lens vortex


The street price of the Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 45-90mm lens is $2,900.00.
 
G

Guest

I was wondering if anybody has had any experiences with this lens already. I am seriously considering ordering it, and would be glad to hear some feedback.
 
G

Guest

> Posted by Marc Koegel on Friday, July 19, 2002 - 2:22 am: > > I was wondering if anybody has had any experiences with this lens > already. I am seriously considering ordering it, and would be glad to > hear some feedback.

If you visit the archives of the list at
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, you can find some recent posts from Kaisern Chen. While these mostly deal with the N Digital camera, he does make some very positive comments about the new zoom, particularly liking the build and optical quality.

Brian
 
G

Guest

Hi Marc,

I have not used the lens so far, but what I have heard from others, it seems to be very impressive. The finish seems to be even more robust, smooth and elegent then the N1-zoom lenses. If you want to use it for the 645 it is definitely worth to buy it, but for the N1/Nx the zoom range is not big enough, it is heavy and has just the aperture of 4. This is not very much, considering the weight.
 
G

Guest

From my experience with a similar zoom lens on a Mamiya 645, manual focusing will be very difficult in low light conditions because it is a f4.5 lens and wide angle. f4.5 is pretty dark for a wide angle, I'm assuming this is an AF lens, it appears to be based on the image. I guess "dual focus mechanism" is tech weenie code for AF and manual focusing?
 
G

Guest

I just ordered my 45-90/4.5 Vario-Sonnar, and will be posting my first impressions once I had a chance to take it for a day's test-shoot. It should be especially interesting to directly compare it to the Contax primes in the same focal length's, and I will aim to post some information about that as well.
 
G

Guest

Uuuaaaahhhhhhh ...., you have to pay Euro 3999.- in Germany. Kyoceras website says $ 2900.-. Why this ?

Uli
 
G

Guest

If anyone is interested, I may be able to provide for new Vario-Sonnars in Europe at Euro 4250,--.
 
G

Guest

US Pricing of new Contax 45-90

According to my German dealer's information Yashica Japan will correct the "mistyped" price (2,900 $) for the new Contax 645 Zoom 45-90 given on
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. The European street price of around 3,900 EUR is correct.
 
G

Guest

I checked out the new Contax 45-90 today at Houston Camera Exchange and the "sticker" price was $2900. I'm not sure what the current exchange rate is for USD/EUR but 3,900 seems high. I also saw the lens posted by B&H for $2900. I didn't buy the lens but will wait for the 90-180.
 
G

Guest

I am trying to make a decision on the new 45-90 zoom. Has anybody had any experiences with this lens already. I sure would be glad to hear some feedback.
 
G

Guest

> > > > Hi Chuck, > I got this lens when it is out new but not tried it often enough but can give > you my point of view on this lens is excellent built quality, in fact I > thought it is probably the best made zoom lenses I have ever used, either > 135mm or medium format ( Hasselblad or Rolleiflex ), for the size and well > d&ed MF focusing, the AF speed is good, same level as other 645 lenses, but > not as fast as 55/3.5 and 80/2, but it is OK. The lens is heavy but when it > is on 645 it is well balanced but somehow I would appreciate if it has a > tripod collar. The filter size is 95mm, same as the 35/3.5 and 350/4. > Picture quality, I have no photo made from 645 but have tested with N digital > using Nam-1 is very good, I would say the quality is equal to the fixed focal > lens of same range. > Brgds/Kaisern > > >
 
G

Guest

Kaisern,
Thanks for the info on the 45-90 zoom. I am interested to hear if you have noticed any barrell distortions at the 45 end. I have the N 24-85 and I have noticed slight barrell distortions at the 24 end. Not as bad as Nikors, but not as good as other Zeiss fixed focal lengths. I do alot of architectural shots so barrell distortion is a consideration. Thanks.
James Cheng
 
G

Guest

> > > > Thanks, yes, there is slightly distortion visible for the N 24-85, and the > 17-35/2.8, the 45-90/4.5 is slightly better than the N lens but still visible. > But the fixed lens is much better corrected. Brgds/kaisern > > >
 
G

Guest

Kaisern,

Have you shot more pics with the 45-90 and what is your opinion now? How's low light focus? Have you used a polarizer on it? Thanks,
Guy
 
G

Guest

Sort of jumping in here but I use the 45-90 all the time. The results are always good and quite often spectacular. I did have one strange thing happen with a circular polarizer that I still don't understand. Blue and green overrode most colors. The result was wild and the client bought it at a good price. But I still don't know what happened.

I was shooting an old rock schoolhouse high on a hill, using Velvia. There were no tans, beiges or reds in the transparency. The sky was an unreal blue and the grass was SO green that it snapped my eyes around. Of course I acted like I'd planned it that way.

Jack C.
 
G

Guest

> Thanks for "jumping in". I appreciate your impressions. Are you missing any shots in low light situations due to only an f-stop of 4.5? Are you using a 95mm polarizer?

Thanks, Guy
 
G

Guest

Hi again, Guy!

Yes, I was finding some difficulty in focusing in low-light situations and I bought the "normal" lens for that.

Jack C.
 
G

Guest

would like your opinion. if you had a choice between (a) the 45-90 zoom and (b) the 35mm and 80mm (the dealer is giving me a quotation with similar pricing for (a) and the (b) combo), which would you select? i mainly take landscapes and occasional portraits. have the n system and am accustomed to zooming from 24mm to 200mm. i suppose one question is how dramatic is 21mm (35mm in MF format) vs. 24mm in 35mm terms?
 
G

Guest

Jack,

I have the 35mm, 45mm and 80mm lenses. I have not tried the 45-90mm and don't know how sharp it is. Most of my work is landscape and environmental portraiture. I have been disappointed and don't use my 35mm very often as it renders the subject very small. I use it when wanting to really exaggerate a foreground subject while still having a strong background. Without a strong background it really doesn't work as the background subject comes out very small. The big problem with the 35mm is that unless you shoot dead horizontal the perspective distortion is big. I end up having to shoot and crop horizontally a lot to avoid ending up with a lot of boring foreground space. I do use it a lot in the Grand Canyon as the subject is so far in the distance the distortion is not noticeable.

The 45mm I use all the time. Great landscape lens that also works well with foreground subjects. It also has a fair bit of perspective distortion but not as much. I'm surprised how much I use the 80mm lens. I like it a lot.

One problem with having the 35mm is you'll have to buy another set of filters which in this size are very expensive. If the 45-90 is really sharp with great color rendition I would buy that. I think the 35mm is a good "extra" lens to own after you have your wide angle (45mm) to normal (80mm) range covered. My final solution for the perspective distortion shortcomings has been to start shooting 4x5 (I don't like correcting EVERYTHING in Photoshop!) I'd be curious if anybody has tried the Weiss tilt/shift 45mm lens as my 4x5 is a lot to lug around with my Contax! Happy shooting.

Guy
 
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