Zeiss Telephoto 85mm f/1.4 ZF Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Nikon SLR

Comments about Zeiss Telephoto 85mm f/1.4 ZF Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Nikon SLR:

The build quality of the full-metal Zeiss (brass with chromium-plated brass front bayonet) is superb. The fluted focus ring feels exceptionally well damped. The Planar features a retro-focus (RF) design so the front element does not rotate. The T* 85mm f/1.4 extends slightly by about 1cm when focusing towards close distances. The rather long min. focus distance of 1m is a bit disappointing for a brand new lens.

Comments about Zeiss Telephoto 85mm f/1.4 ZF Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Nikon SLR:

There is no doubt this is a well built, high quality lens.

Now lets talk about using it.

Manual focus is difficult on my D700, as what appears in focus thru the viewfinder usually will not be sharp at all. Using the A mode, the camera will estimate your focus for you, but again sharp images are few and far between. Raising the f/stop can insrease you DOF obviously, but why buy a 1.4 lens then?

Moving objects....forget it.

Landscapes seem to require a tripod.

What happenned to f/1.8? Limited f/stop choices.

If you have all day, a still subject and a tripod, then the slight improvement in your photograph may be worth it. If you want a lens you will use, look elsewhere.

Comments about Zeiss Telephoto 85mm f/1.4 ZF Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Nikon SLR:

Wow what a lens...........first, let's talk build quality. Built like a tank and silky smooth controls. All metal....! Yes it's heavy but after you see the results..........you won't mind. Bokeh..simply wonderful. I've had this lens almost a month and I tell you the sharpness is amazing. If you want to use this for sports....forget it. Slow to focus but the wait is well worth it. If you are looking for super performance this lens is it.Weddings........a must.

Comments about Zeiss Telephoto 85mm f/1.4 ZF Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Nikon SLR:

Use this on a D3, D300 and on a Letus DOF adapter. Great build, good image contrast - helps to maximise the tonal density achievable with the D3 and the EX3 I use.

A great example of the new ZF range which I'm doing my best to collect.

Comments about Zeiss Telephoto 85mm f/1.4 ZF Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Nikon SLR:

The construction is superb, fully metal, sturdy more than enough and great handling. The focusing ring is a bit stiff but nothing to care about. The performance is, also superb, contrast and colours are astonishing and aberrations, distorsions or vignetting aren't noticeable, but bokeh could be better, really, isn't great.
For me, the lack of autofocus isn't a problem.

Comments about Zeiss Telephoto 85mm f/1.4 ZF Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Nikon SLR:

Perhaps the finest piece of glass you can put on the Redrock M2. It's so much more warm and rich than the Nikon glass. The chrominance of the glass is much warmer than the Nikon glass, and it is amazingly fast for its focal length, with is critical when using in conjunction with DOF adapters, which generally eat up 2-3 stops of light. The bokeh is flawless on my Redrock M2, and there is no creep or focus problems, it pulls nice and long, so you can really dial in the perfect plane.

Comments about Zeiss Telephoto 85mm f/1.4 ZF Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Nikon SLR:

I am pleased with the superiority of this lens to my Nikkors. It is amazingly bright while working in the studio. Also produces a fantastic bokeh. I know I've gotten my moneys worth.

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