Almost April but no recent news about the 18/4 or the 21/4.5 ZM

[Zen-shooter]

If my memory serves me correctly, the new ZM lenses, namely the 18/4 Distagon and 21/4.5 C-Biogon are coming soon (April-ish or Spring-ish).

But haven't heard much about them since.

Wonder if Tony Rose can send us an update on the price and availablity.

[back alley]

were prices posted on these lenses already?
i did a search but can't find it.

that 18 might be fun...

[Tom A]

I did see and try the 18/4 and the 21/4,5 at the Zeiss ikon booth at PIE in Tokyo last week. The 18 is not a small lens and with a 58mm filter thread front it does intrude in the finder of a R4/R3 and M2.
The 21/4,5 Biogon C felt very comfortable. Small and compact with easier handling than the original Biogon 21/4,5. Talking to Mr Kobayashi about it, he stated that the legendary performance of the original biogon has been reatined and even improved upon. The lack of distorsion which is the strength of the Biogon formula (SWC Hasselblad 38 mm) has even been reduced further in the 21/4,5.
They are supposed to be available in May/June. I dont know the pricing of either lens yet. There is also a 18/4 finder for that lens. It is in the same style as the rest of the Zeiss Ikon finders and with the same stunning view through it! I am sure that neither the 18/4 nor the finder is going to be cheap, but it should be a good lens not only for the "analog's" among us, but also for the M8 and RD1's.
I did shoot a couple of frames with each lens at PIE, but I haven't started processing the 45+ rolls from the trip yet.

[Berliner]

What about that 85 we've been waiting for.

[nasmformyzombie]

Originally Posted by Berliner

What about that 85 we've been waiting for.

This is really old news, but the 85mm f2 Sonnar is undergoing what Zeiss characterizes as a major redesign. See the Zeiss web site for more details.
http://www.zeiss.com/photo

[Paul T.]

The prices are listed/linked on this thread. The 21/4.5 looks intriguing to me, a classic lens improved, for less money than they fetch in the old Contax mount...

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/foru...ad.php?t=38697

[back alley]

paul, are you talking about the canadian prices posted on rob's site?

[Richard S.]

The Biogon T* 4/18 ZM will begin shipping in August at a list price of $1,324 (USD). The C Biogon T* 4.5/21 ZM will be available in June at a list price of $1,161. The U.S. and Canadian dealers were informed of the pricing and ship dates last week and are ready to receive orders for these two lenses. For a list of the ZEISS Authorized Dealers, visit www.zeiss.com/photo. If you have any more questtions, feel free to contact me.

Richard Schleuning
National Sales Manager
Zeiss Photo Division

[back alley]

richard, do we have a repair depot located in canada?

joe

[ljsegil]

Hello Richard, nice to make your acquaintance (sort of). Do you have any more current information on the status of the 85mm Sonnar? Many of us are anxiously awaiting this lens, and any light you can shed would be welcomed.
Thanks very much,
LJ Segil

[Richard S.]

Regarding the service of Zeiss Ikon in the North America, we have reached an agreement in principal with Hasselblad USA. They have a dedicated staff of camera technicians, are familiar with the repair of Zeiss lenses for the V-System and have RF experience via their own XPan camera. We will make a formal announcement about this service arrangement in a few weeks. At this point in time, we do not have plans to open a service center in Canada. If volume and demand dictates this move in the future, it is certainly something to consider.

I do not have any updates on the Sonnar 2/85 ZM other than what is posted on the Zeiss website. I will be at the factory in three weeks and will learn more of the launch status at that time.

Rich Schleuning
Zeiss Photo Division

[Zen-shooter]

Thanks Rich for the very informative update.

I'm sure that many RFF friends here all appreciate the fact that manufacturers, especially Zeiss, actually visits here and take the time to read and answer our questions about their products.

Side bar-
If you recall a few weeks ago, Stephen G started a thread "How can Leica Camera Best Spend its Ad Budget?", and one of my suggestion or question was whether Stefan Daniel (or Christian Erhardt for that matter) have personally visited this site - a place where a core of diehard RFer's discuss about their product.

Here is a perfect example where we have Zeiss "up close and personal" with their customer base!

Kudos for sure.

Ok, so Rich tell us RFFer's when we should place our deposits for the upcoming Digital Zeiss-Ikon RF?

[Richard S.]

Thanks Zen-shooter.

I don't post very often on RFF since this is a site for users and not for the manufacturers to influence opinion. However, I read most of the posts and will throw my 2-cents in where I can answer a question or two relating to the availability of our products for the North American market.

Re: your last question, I wouldn't touch it with the proverbial 10' pole!!!