 Zeiss User Forums |
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Zeiss Makro-Planar T* 2/100
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Reviews
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Date of last review
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2
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1908
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Fri January 22, 2010
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Recommended By
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Average Price
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Average Rating
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100% of reviewers
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$1,600.00
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9.5
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Description:
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From the manufacturer: This extremely fast, short telephoto macro lens can capture the smallest details with maximum precision. The Makro-Planar T* 2/100 features a completely new optical design which incorporates fl oating lens elements to ensure distortionfree, maximum imaging performance throughout the focusing range. As a result, this lens is well-suited for macro photography and is also a superb portrait lens. An extremely wide and smooth focusing rotation provides superior control and the fast f/2.0 aperture allows for a short depth of fi eld to draw attention to the subject. The Makro-Planar T* 2/100 is available with F bayonet (ZF) and K bayonet (ZK) lens mounts and is designed for use with full-frame SLR and DSLR cameras. When used with a DSLR with a 1.5 crop factor, the lens has an effective focal length of 150 mm.
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Administrator
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Posts: 255
Registered: November 2008
Location: Ellicott City, MD (US)
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Author
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Olivier
Member
Registered: December 2008
Posts: 9
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Review Date: Sun December 14, 2008
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: $1,600.00
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Bokeh (stunning), Sharpness (unrivaled)
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Cons:
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Focus (challenging), Longitudinal CA
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The 2/100 Makro-Planar is likely to endure the test of time and be remembered as a masterpiece. I use the 2/100 mostly for portraiture, and for me the most direct comparison is Leica's 90mm APO-Summicron ASPH. The price difference between the two is substantial, but not unjustified as I will try to explain.
The signature of the 2/100 is clinical sharpness, perfect bokeh and of course T* contrast. It puts the photographer's focusing skills to trial however, and the widest apertures could be reserved for tripod use if you are not smooth and steady at the aim. With much practice it is possible to truly master f/2.8+ and the reward is worth the effort.
The only real issue with the 2/100 is that is not an APO design - lateral CA is virtually absent but longitudinal CA is quite pronounced at wide apertures. The Leica APO-Summicron and the (discontinued, might soon resurrect) Voigtlander APO Lanthar SL are fully corrected for all CA.
What is an APO worth to you? Simply put, if you want to use the lens wide-open in high-contrast situations, then the 2/100 will not impress. The issue improves significantly at f/2.8 and is almost entirely corrected at f/4. Because focus accuracy also improves by stepping down, my lens basically never goes to f/2 and is typically used at f/4.
So what's the bottom line?
The 2/100 Makro-Planar is a nearly-perfect lens. It is an absolutely stunning performer with a singular flaw that is relatively easily mitigated. Competition at this level is almost non-existent and correcting this one flaw (without introducing others) currently comes at a stiff premium.
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jhsymington
New Member
Registered: January 2010
Location: London, UK
Posts: 6
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Review Date: Fri January 22, 2010
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: None indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Outstanding lens in all ways.
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Cons:
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None
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This lens, along with the 21mm and 35mm, are the jewels of the ZF range.
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