New Zenit Lenses

[Martolod]

well i heard a rumor Zenit was making a comeback
confirmed!
3 new lenses are in the offing including a 50/.95........
these are expected to be released in 2017 and the rumored price $500-600

here is the news update with a link to the original russian release

https://petapixel.com/2016/04/19/zenit- ... 85mm-f1-2/

[Bennybee]

They still look ugly, probably smell as bad as before and made of old window glass from the breakyard. "Take on Leica"? Sounds like Putin nonsense...

[Martolod]

well yes...it just would not be a zenit without all the little refinement we have come to know and love from FSU lenses

[melek]

As I recall, the parent company had planned to revive the factory and produce lenses and possibly cameras. The parent company also operates companies that produce military hardware, including helicopters and the Kalashnikov rifle, also known as the AK-47.

Here's what I wrote last year.

[GrahamS]

Strictly for studio use, I would go for the 85mm f1.8. I have no use for the other two.

[Martolod]

i would opt for the 0.95.
BUT....there is a big BUT.
while i do not own either a Hexanon or Takumar 1.2 (yet) i do have these lenses in 50/1.4.
now the above mentioned lenses are desirable because they are sharp wide open and i do use natural light ...and that is whole and sole reason why i would like to have a 1.2 in my stable. besides they are classic lenses and very good weapons in a bar fight
Even though from a digital perspective being able to up the iso to compensate makes it almost a moot point
Almost.......i like to think of the kubric school....he used lenses and particular focal lengths to give a certain quality to a given scene,anyone who has seen Barry Lyndon knows what i mean.
So..should the Zenit have a certain something that can be exploited and it happens to be sharp wide open...i may well be interested.but i would leave it on the shelf if there was no character to the lens . it may be a 'fast' lens but if it has no character...then there is no point getting it for the sake of speed. there are better options available

[Bennybee]

When looking for a 85mm f/1.2 lens, I would rather go for the Mitakon or Samyang then. If the Zenit price is more or less the same as those (USD800-900), which I suppose it is for this kind of lens?

[Martolod]

why in particular a 85/1.2?

[Bennybee]

why in particular a 85/1.2?

Okay, perhaps I should have said "IF you are looking..."

[Martolod]

i see.