5D with Lenses Old & New

[Jade Lane]

Hi Gang,

First post, just signed up today and excited as I await my 5D Mk2 in the post (might be longer than expected with the recent volcano exploding)

I've bought a Zeiss Planar T 1.4/85 ZE 85mm (Canon Fit) for my first lens

What are the real Pros and Cons over newer and olders Lenses for Film Shooting ?

For example are the follow New and Old any good ?

New
Zeiss Planar T 1.4 50mm ZE
Zeiss Distagon T 2.8 21mm F2.8 ZE

Old
Zeiss Jena 50mm F2.8
Zeiss T 3.4 35-70mm
Leitz Wetzlar Summicron
Leica Summilux R 1:1.4/80mm

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

 

[yoclay]

Hi Gang,

First post, just signed up today and excited as I await my 5D Mk2 in the post (might be longer than expected with the recent volcano exploding)

I've bought a Zeiss Planar T 1.4/85 ZE 85mm (Canon Fit) for my first lens

What are the real Pros and Cons over newer and olders Lenses for Film Shooting ?

For example are the follow New and Old any good ?

New
Zeiss Planar T 1.4 50mm ZE
Zeiss Distagon T 2.8 21mm F2.8 ZE

Old
Zeiss Jena 50mm F2.8
Zeiss T 3.4 35-70mm
Leitz Wetzlar Summicron
Leica Summilux R 1:1.4/80mm

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Any good? Some of those lenses are amazing.
The Distagon 21mm is probably the best out there at that focal length.
That Zeiss 35-70 is legendary too. You can't zoom while filming because of too much breathing, but at fixed focal lengths it is extraordinarily sharp.

Honestly, you have good taste in lenses.

Now the bad news. Even crummy lenses look pretty good in HD. :lipsrseal

 

[Robert Anthony]

Well, I spent a lot of time gathering the "OLD" Zeiss Jena lenses - very nice look, lots of contrast and color, BUT then I decided to upgrade and go for the "NEW" Zeiss ZE's.

A huge difference in overall cost. I sold the "OLD" for $750 total and that only paid for less than 1/6th the cost of the new.

As far as the "OLD" goes, I would recommend the Zeiss Jena 35mm MC Flektogon F2.4 Lens in M42 mount and the Zeiss 50mm MC Pancolar F1.8 Lens also in M42 mount.

 

[Jade Lane]

Do you think the New Zeiss ZE Lenses are optimized for the 5d whereas the 'Old' obviously were'nt, is this really a consideration ?

 

[squig]

Frank recently started a thread about the zeiss Jena glass. If I didn't have a set of nikkors I'd consider the jenas. I haven't used one myself but I have a few Russian copies. The only issue I've had is some of the old lenses aren't multicoated and flare a lot. The later Jena lenses are multicoated, Frank might be able to give you more advice on the earlier zebra jenas.