Zeiss ZF question

Erik Naso

Erik Naso

Veteran
Yet another lens question.

I have a Zeiss ZF 85mm and its a keeper. I'm thing about adding the 50mm makro and the 100mm.
Does the focus ring on the ZF line all have the same distance to the back of the lens? Reason for asking is for the follow focus. It would be nice if I didnt have to readjust for each of those lenses.

Thanks.

And thanks for the Nikon help as well.
 
Well. I have a set with a 21, 35, 50, 85 and 100 and they are all cine modified by RP lens. All the focus rings are in the same spot and diameter, except for the 100.
 
Camerapilot said:
Well. I have a set with a 21, 35, 50, 85 and 100 and they are all cine modified by RP lens. All the focus rings are in the same spot and diameter, except for the 100.
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Hmmm. Thanks for that. I ‘m a west coast guy so I contacted Duclos and I’m going to get my 85mm ZF done first and try to get my hands on a 50 and a 100 as they come.

I did get a email response from Duclos stating they don’t all line up perfect but pretty close. You have all Zeiss ZF’s?
 
My Duclos modded ZF.2's (35, 50 and 85 - all f/1.4) have identical ring diameters and there is about 3/8" difference in length from the flange between them. The gap is smaller than the width of the gear on my follow focus (RedRockMicro Blue Studio) so if I position it carefully I can switch lenses without readjusting the focus. Although in practice, I don't find it a big issue to move the focus up or down the rails.

In looking at the lenses tonight, there is a fair bit of room to position the rings fore or aft, so I'm sure Matthew could get them very close for you. He's very accommodating.
 
StephenM said:
My Duclos modded ZF.2's (35, 50 and 85 - all f/1.4) have identical ring diameters and there is about 3/8" difference in length from the flange between them. The gap is smaller than the width of the gear on my follow focus (RedRockMicro Blue Studio) so if I position it carefully I can switch lenses without readjusting the focus. Although in practice, I don't find it a big issue to move the focus up or down the rails.

In looking at the lenses tonight, there is a fair bit of room to position the rings fore or aft, so I'm sure Matthew could get them very close for you. He's very accommodating.
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Thanks Stephen.

I’m going to set up a mod for the 85mm tomorrow. Need this done ASAP for a big project in March that I will be on for 10 days. I wanted to go all PL but this is the next best thing. I wish I could get that Duclose Tokina 11-16 but it takes a long time to get.

Here is where I am now minus a few Lumix lenses (14mm and 20 pancake) that I don’t want to take due to inability to pull focus.

Lumix 7-14 ( All I got but it’s sick!)
Voigtlander 25mm f.95
Red Zoom 17-50
Tokina AT-X Pro 28-70mm f/2.6-2.8 (Thinking about selling)
Zeiss 85mm ZF (pre cine-moded)
Want Nikon 70-200 2.8 (cine-moded)

Three different mounts. The Vocus PL adapters lens support is nice because I don’t have to take it off to use the Novoflex Nikon adapter so thats not a big deal. Love the Vocus PL adapter. Very well made.

I was trying for the RED 50-150 but that is to darn hard to get and the price although cheeper than any other PL in its class is still to high for me right now.

I feel I should get the Zeiss 100mm but not sure for commercial work if I would use it as much as the a 35mm or 50mm Zeiss. I probably should just get the 35 and 50 makro.

Hmmmmm……..
 
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I shoot narrative shorts and features, so my needs may be different, but I have not found many occasions to go longer than the 85. I spend a great deal of time on the 35, and wider. Again, your mileage may vary.

I also had Duclos do my Voigtlander 25. Same diameter ring as the Zeiss'. Terrific lens. I also use a non-Duclos Tokina 11-16. Also a wonderful lens, but I have used the Duclos version - it is amazing.

As for the 50mm, I went with the 1.4. I found it just as sharp as the Makro at frame size we have and I love the extra speed.

Too many great lenses and not enough money....
 
StephenM said:
I shoot narrative shorts and features, so my needs may be different, but I have not found many occasions to go longer than the 85. I spend a great deal of time on the 35, and wider. Again, your mileage may vary.

I also had Duclos do my Voigtlander 25. Same diameter ring as the Zeiss'. Terrific lens. I also use a non-Duclos Tokina 11-16. Also a wonderful lens, but I have used the Duclos version - it is amazing.

As for the 50mm, I went with the 1.4. I found it just as sharp as the Makro at frame size we have and I love the extra speed.

Too many great lenses and not enough money....
Click to expand...

Did Duclos de-Click the Voigtlander 25? or just added the gears and hood.
 
Erik, it might not be an issue for you, but when I had focus gear installed on my Zeiss 60mm macro, I had them install an extra wide gear to cover any travel issues when doing actual macro work.

All the Best!

Dave
 
How much did Duclos charge to mod the Voightlander? Did it take long?

StephenM said:
I shoot narrative shorts and features, so my needs may be different, but I have not found many occasions to go longer than the 85. I spend a great deal of time on the 35, and wider. Again, your mileage may vary.

I also had Duclos do my Voigtlander 25. Same diameter ring as the Zeiss'. Terrific lens. I also use a non-Duclos Tokina 11-16. Also a wonderful lens, but I have used the Duclos version - it is amazing.

As for the 50mm, I went with the 1.4. I found it just as sharp as the Makro at frame size we have and I love the extra speed.

Too many great lenses and not enough money....
Click to expand...
 
Standard price to do the Voigtlander, same as the Zeiss'. There are pricing details on the Duclos site. He had the lenses about 4 days to do the mod.

Wonderful work, couldn't be happier!.
 
I pulled the trigger this morning and purchased a Zeiss 35mm 1.4 ZF.2 to go along with the 85mm ZF. I’m looking for a used Zeiss 50mm 1.4 ZF then send them off to be Cine Moded.

What do you think?

Zeiss ZF
35mm 1.4
50 1.4
85 1.4
 
Novoflex is great for the F mount version, RedRock for the EOS. My Tokina is EOS mount from the 7D days.
 
TomLenham said:
Errik, trade you my cine-modded Zeiss 50mm F2 macro for your Red 18-50 :) plus some cash of course!
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What?!
For that slow dog f2.0 Zeiss No way!

And its the 17-50 so even more of a no way!

If you have the Red 50-150 I'll give trade you my 85mm Zeiss ZF 1.4 and a few bucks plus one free stay in San Diego.
 
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