As you know Zeiss AG joined the Micro Four Thirds System group and the first products are the adapted [shoplink 15756 ebay]CP.2 lenses[/shoplink]. One of our readers just sent us the link to the very first image sample taken with the [shoplink 16254]Panasonic GH2[/shoplink] and the $3.900 Compact Prime CP.2 85mm/T2.1 Cine Lens!
Click here: Portait sample at Flickr. You can enlarge the picture to his original size to check the sharpness. You can also see an image of the lens attached on the GH2. Huge!!!
Links: Compact Prime CP.2 85mm/T2.1 Cine Lens at Bhphoto (Click here).
16 Responses
Yikes, that is a big lens and a big price tag
Hey, that looks like the gal that works at Glazer’s in Seattle.
It is the girl from Glazers……..After I took the still images I also took about 30 seconds of video with the same lens………
Here is the link to the video.
http://vimeo.com/19963772
Thanks, Chrispy
The Flickr sample from Flickr that the link points to is out of focus. The next photo is much better focused (around her left eye), but the image is on the soft side. I guess it’s okay for portrait. EXIF does not show which aperture nor focal length was used. Not unusual for a lens not designed specifically for digital format since there is no chip inside the lens that record such info, but that can be implemented. The image appears to be very low on the noise, which is good (but that probably says more about the GH2 or maybe it’s post-processed). The size of the lens seems to be a shocker, but I guess it’s because GH2 is so small. 🙂 It’ll probably look more balanced on a 4/3 body but I don’t think size is that much of a problem. Price tag seems to be typical for a lens from a premium brand like Zeiss. 85mm would be 170mm on the 4/3 format. Not really a classical portrait focal length. f2.1 is okay for portrait, but I thought I’ve heard people complained about f2 is not enough. Her nose is already out of focus. At 170mm equivalent, your working distance is so far away that only makes the depth of field even shallower. The photo would look better if the photographer stopped it down by at least one stop. Besides, at f4 or f5.6 it’s 4/3’s best aperture in term of sharpness.
Zuiko 50mm f2 has better focal length for portrait, though that lens is probably too sharp for portrait. I am probably not the right authority, since portrait isn’t my forte.
Forgot to mention about the bokeh. With 14 blades, it is not surprising the bokeh looks very good. It is a high quality lens for sure, though too soft for someone who is used to Olympus lenses. I wouldn’t buy it because that focal length is not useful to me but for portrait people who can get used to shooting people from a longer distance than usual, it seems quality enough.
Agreed on the sharpness. On the E5 I get some crazy detail and sharpness that doesn’t seem to be here on these samples. But as you mention, it was a fast take and the aperture was fairly wide.
Some people argue that you don’t want portraits too sharp. I argue that you can make something soft in PP, but you cant make detail that wasn’t there if you need it!
@cL
Did you look at the video clip?
http://vimeo.com/19963772
Oh…, thanks for the clarification. I didn’t know the photographer only had 5 minutes to shoot. That explains it. Who can shoot everything properly in that short amount of time!
cL: I don’t think that a chip for EXIf information will be implemented. This is a line of cine lenses that have a proprietary bajonett with pure mechanical function. Zeiss simply offers a range of passive, mechanical adapters for diverse camera systems, like iirc Canon, PL etc. Actually, not a big fuss and certainly not a reason to become a member if the mft group.
Implementing a chip would mean that they had to come up with dedicated versions of these lenses for every system supported.
Well, I refine my shooting technique by looking at EXIF info during post processing so I don’t have to take notes while shooting. I need it for learning purpose. But then people who are paying that much for a lens probably isn’t a student. 🙂 Oh well…. I should skip around in a grassland and stop making folly.
Zeiss MFT lenses will be CARL’S superb glass combined with Leicas OIS AF HD lens technology.
So not really cinema primes….
Out of topic
The girl in the video is really sweet but the cap kinda does her injustice LOL
Pro video use only. M43 specific lenses are essential to realise the size & weight benefits for most users – unless you are using legacy lenses where there is good value to be had for some extra size & weight.
The test shots are wiggly u can’t tell the IQ of the lens from them…
nice girl!
i just got some cp.2 lenses they are amazing, but i got them in pl mount and use a supported adapter, its much studier for the flimsy mounts that come on the gh2, thought the af-100 had a much stronger mount so i believe that is the target camera. the production company just got back to me on the first looks of the footage, which we shot with the cp2s and the 14-42 straight off the gh2 kit(but on the af-100, we needed a zoom for a setup) bottom line they said they is a huge massive difference. the kit lens is incredible soft throughout in comparison and washed out.