Zeiss SLR Lenses

Zeiss are now offering a growing selection their SLR lenses made famous by the Contax range in Nikon AIs (ZF) Pentax KA (ZK) M42 Screw (ZS) fit and the new Canon EF (ZE) fit.

These are new designs and use updated optical setups and all metal barrels, for maximum quality. 

 

Zeiss have a compatibility chart for SLR lenses lenses on their site, which is worth checking out if you're not sure what works with your camera.

 

Just announced the ZF.2 version of the very successful Nikon F bayonet; now with CPU electronic interface thus supporting the all-important operations such as the automatic mechanisms for time, aperture setting and program. The CPU also supports manual exposure settings and since the lens now transmits the EXIF data such as manufacturer, date, metering system and exposure to the camera, photographers no longer need to set the parameters manually.

 

What is the difference between ZF and ZF.2 lenses?
The ZF.2 lenses are an enhanced version of the ZF lenses. They feature an electronic interface (CPU). This CPU enables the ZF.2 lenses to support all important operating modes such as shutter priority, aperture priority and programmed auto exposure or manual exposure settings even on non-AI compatible cameras. Photographers no longer have to set the parameters in the camera menu as the lens now transmits standard data such as focal length, speed and the aperture setting to the camera. This data can then be viewed in the EXIF data of each picture.
Furthermore, the silver fork coupling is not available on the ZF.2 lenses. For this reason, you cannot use light metering on older cameras (F, F2, Nikkormat, etc.). The ZF.2 lenses have a mechanical lock on the aperture ring to lock the aperture ring at the lowest setting and prevent unintentional adjustment while taking pictures.
For technical reasons, the ZF.2 lenses do not have a half-step aperture lock between the lowest (stop position) and the second lowest aperture setting. This guarantees reliable recognition of the automatic position. The lowest aperture on the ZF.2 lenses is orange to emphasize the automatic position of the aperture ring.