Sony Does the lens mount matter to IQ?

Isoterica

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Contax Zeiss vs Zeiss ZE or ZF vs Zeiss ZM..

If the lens has the same focal length, same maximum aperture, does one have better image quality than the other?

For instance a Contax 85mm 1.4 vs a Zeiss ZE for Canon at 85mm 1.4.. and so on..
 
I guess this question is for people that have had or used the same manufacturer's lens in different mounts on different cameras? Lots of views.. but no one? I'm genuinely curious when it's the 'same' lens and yet looks different, mounts to different camera..
 
The lens is one part of the equation, but there is also the factors of how the camera maker decides to process the RAW data or JPG engine.

Samples vary from one lens to the other.

Some lenses that were great on film camera or for lower MP count digital sensors may not perform as well as they do on different pixel pitches or high MP cameras.

So really, the mount by itself doesn't matter, there are a lot of factors that contribute to the whole.
 
ZE and ZF should be the same. ZM lenses, however, are a completely different design, since they are M mount lenses designed for a much shorter flange distance. The wide angle lenses, in particular, are completely different designs, with most (all?) of the ZF and ZE being Distagon retrofocus designs because of the longer flange distance. I am sure Brian (lenshacker) can chime in with a much more complete explanation.
 
Thanks. Yeah I noticed that they look structurally different and kinda expected that ze & zf would be close if not spot on. I guess I'm thinking that two of the same lenses could be slightly different depending on manufacturing, so the same lens designed for a different camera system might be more likely to be perhaps as far as flare, coma, etc go. Curious I guess because I have an A7II and like Zeiss glass.. and since I can use whatever lens via adapter, besides Sony/Zeiss.. which might be better. It also may on a per lens basis.
 
Contax Zeiss lenses are older generation slr lenses, c/y (contax yashica) mount. Earlier ones are produced by Zeiss Germany which eventually pushed the production to Contax, Japan. There are versions MMG (German Made) and MMJ (Japanese Made). Some of these production shifts came with an improved design/coating, but not was clearly identified by Zeiss.

After the Contax line ended, Cosina made an agreement with Zeiss to produce these lenses in Japan for other slr mounts. They are mostly updated copies (new coatings?) of older Contax lenses with a few newly designed additional lenses. Therefore you have ZF / ZF2 for Nikon mount, ZE for Canon EF mount, ZK for Pentax, ZS for m42 mount slr cameras. ZF/ZF2 lines have aperture control on the lens vs ZE aperture is controlled by the Canon camera. ZM lenses are for Leica m mount and therefore smaller lenses. Older ZE/ZF lenses now are called Zeiss Classic as Zeiss/Cosina added high IQ/bigger sized Otus line and now a new Milvus line. Milvus line is mostly revamped older Zeiss Classic lenses with the new look eg same lens designs as previous ZF2/ZE versions with new coatings. Only Milvus 50mm 1.4 and 85mm 1.4 lenses have new designs... The lens design for these changed from planar to distagon designs which changed sharpness, bokeh, etc...

I have Contax c/y 50mm & 85mm and they have softer look wide open and sharpens when stopped down. Both are planar lenses and copied as ZE/ZF versions before the Milvus line. Also Contax versions might be smaller then the ZE/ZF versions which is a plus for smaller cameras. You have to search by particular lens to get more details...

Sony Zeiss ZA lenses are produced by Sony with Zeiss patents and they might have a little different designs then the ZF/ZE lines in addition to af (similar to PanaLeica lenses).

You can read more at wikipedia:
Carl Zeiss AG - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Contax Zeiss vs Zeiss ZE or ZF vs Zeiss ZM..

If the lens has the same focal length, same maximum aperture, does one have better image quality than the other?

For instance a Contax 85mm 1.4 vs a Zeiss ZE for Canon at 85mm 1.4.. and so on..
 
I have the 50mm 1.5 C Sonnar in ZM.. and was thinking of the 85mm 1.4 Contax. If you can point me to any of your 85mm photos, Serhan, I would appreciate it :)
 
I find the rangefinder lenses easier to mf then slr lenses. My images are below, shot wide open at f1.4 with apsc nex 5n. Mine is 85mm 1.4 MMG version. I should be using with the FF to try, but lately I am using the af lenses (even though I like to shoot mf lenses)...

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A good review of this lens on Canon 5D:
Carl Zeiss Planar T* 85mm f/1.4 (C/Y) Lens Review
 
Mmm... Sonnar...
There is also 60years old Contarex CZ Sonnar 85mm f2 which is older then the Contax Mount and the design revised as ZM mount... Usually Contarex lenses get good prices due to less production + collectors. I found a cheaper one w/ lens separation from Italy and had cla'd.... It might flare more due to older coatings. Also aperture control is on the adapter. When you stopped down, Contarex has the ninja bokeh like in my profile photo... Here are samples on FF Sony:

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Other cheaper Sonnar options are Olympus OM 85mm f2, Contax 85mm 2.8 ~ Contax g 90mm 2.8 ~ Sony A 85mm 2.8... Contax g has the rich colors, contrast, and sharpness. Sony has the 55cm mfd. There is also more expensive Zeiss Batis 85mm f1.8 OS which was released last summer.

OM 85mm f2, very small lens
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Contax g 90mm
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That was the last Sonnar I owned, and I may well do so again... Just beautiful rendition. I used it on my Leica MP4 - a great combination - in preference to a Summilux, since I found it's rendition a little less brittle and clinical.

18932989.863d394a.1600.jpg

MP4 London Train Reflection
par Lightmancer, on ipernity

From memory I think the FSU Jupiter-9 is a Sonnar computation - it is superb if you can find a good 'un.
 
Actually not that small like rf lenses, more the diameter of the lens maybe, & heavy metal construction. I couldn't insert a photo to the post but I found these to give you an idea:
453380_1387445427790.jpg

--I was looking for a shot like that to see.. so yeah about the same as my Konica's..

--Great angle in your image, Bill
 
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