Zeiss ZF or ZE for Canon 7D?

G

goodgoings

Well-known member
I'm interested in getting a Zeiss lens for my 7D. I need to get feedback to help me decide which mount.

Since lenses will outlast the bodies, I want to invest wisely in them. I like to shoot photographs as much as shooting video. Everyone recommends getting a ZF and using a Canon adapter because of the manual aperture control. But, as reported by some users and myself, using a Nikon 50mm manual lens and a dummy adapter has soo many problems. Exposure metering is all wrong either in still or video mode. Using a light meter or eye balling the exposure is the only work around. Less of a problem when shooting video, but because of the poor focusing screen on the 7D, manually focusing is guessing at best. Also, there is no focus confirmation when using a third-party lens with a dummy adapter.

Now with a ZE lens, there will be a focus confirmation, but unless there is an adapter made, it cannot be used on any other camera systems in the future because of the electronic aperture. A ZF mount will be more compatible with future systems, but is there focus confirmation with the 7D or any other Canons if an electronic adapter is used?

Are there exposure metering problems with the ZF mount and a Canon 7D like my Nikon glass?

Or, I'm thinking I should ditch the Canon bodies and go Nikon or GH1 so I would have better compatibility with lenses for the future and get a GH1 for video.
 
I started a similar thread elsewhere, not realizing there was a separate section for lenses.

I have Nikon F mounts and 1 Zeiss ZE. Your post summarizes the issues nicely. When using the Nikkors on the 7d I must use a light meter and there is no focus confirmation. At first that bothered me, but I've since acquired a Zacuto Z finder and monitor and therefore the focus confirmation is sort of moot. For video at least. It bothers me a little to not have that feature when shooting stills.

The ZE is a beautiful lens. Couples for focus confirmation and metering, though I still use a light meter when doing video, just to instill good, methodical workflow. I miss the aperture ring... a little, but not too much since I'm used to using control wheels to adjust exposure.

There is no correct answer. I know Phil Bloom favors the ZFs because you keep the aperture ring and they're relatively future proof. Yet I think he also shoots with Canon glass as do a lot of others and I don't see them complaining about these issues.

I was struggling with this issue when deciding whether to get a canon 70-200 f4. I wanted the coupled meter and focus light so I can shoot stills and video. Then I realized I already have a Nikkor 80-200 and a light meter....and all I was doing was getting overtaken by GAS (gear acquisition syndrome).

Go to a shop and try bot the ZF and ZE. See which on feels better to you, do you want to fuss with adapter ring etc. They are marvelous lenses regardless of which mount you select.
 
You're correct, you can't have your cake and eat it too!

I think it boils down to what your primary use will be or how important having a 100% couple lens is to your shooting. I don't rely on focus confirmation, particularly for video and in Live View mode it's useless especially when your subject is moving. I rely on a Z Finder and/or the zoom in feature.

A cheap way to experiment might be to buy or borrow a Nikon lens and see if you can tolerate not having the focus confirmation. And not having the exposure meter. I carry a small Seconic meter. At first it was a PITA to have another item to carry but it forces me to slow down my process. Using the separate meter, I'm much more likely to notice that the overall quality of light is crappy and I should do something about it. With the convenience of the on-board camera meter, I get lazy and go into point and shoot mode.

I will say this, either the ZE or ZF lenses are so much nicer than canon or nikon glass in terms of construction (unless you compare with older Nikon glass) and the focus throw is noticeably longer which is good for follow focus work.
 
goodgoings said:
I'm interested in getting a Zeiss lens for my 7D. I need to get feedback to help me decide which mount.

Since lenses will outlast the bodies, I want to invest wisely in them.
Click to expand...

Take into consideration that the Canon Eos mount has a longer flange length than Nikon and other camera mounts. Canon DSLRs are great but if you go with a dedicated EOS mount you will be limited what you can use that nice Zeiss lens on. We see changes daily like the GH1 hack. Who knows what you will want to shoot tomorrow. I'd go for a shorter flange mount like Nikon and an adapter. Your resale may be higher as well.
 
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