Contents Light in the Dark: Fort Point San Francisco
Manual Focusing with 2
AF Camera Systems
6
Planar T* 1,4/50 ZE -
New York City Impressions
A Standard Lens with
With the Distagon T* 2,8/21 12
a Difference
4
A newsletter for anyone who enjoys using, writing about, buying and selling Carl Zeiss camera lenses.
Carl Zeiss Camera Lens Division
Camera Lens News
32 31
July 2009
Camera Lens News No 32 Carl Zeiss
July 2009
Page
Light in the Dark: Fort Point San Francisco Directly under the famous San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge is the Fort Point National Historic Site. This fort was built to protect the SF Bay from the Confederate army during the U.S. Civil War, though as far as we know it was never used in military operations. Today Fort Point is open to visitors three days per week and we have taken quite a few photos there over the years. The challenge taking interesting photos at Fort Point is the high dynamic range (light from the outside and quite dark structures) and the need for ultra wide angle lenses. We
For this kind of scene we need at least
highlights are lost completely. That
deal with the high dynamic range
3 shots with -2.0Ev, 0EV and +2.0EV
the Distagon T* 2,8/21 ZF is a manual
using HDR techniques (later more)
exposures (more could be even
lens is not problem at all, because
and the Distagon T* 2,8/21 ZF on a
better). As you can see in the middle
these kind of photos are always
Nikon D700 full frame camera was
exposure, the shadows are too dense
best shot using manual focus. We
ideal to photograph the interior
and the highlights are blown-out.
generally used a hyperfocal setting
architecture. We were very pleased
Even the -2EV underexposed photo
for the photos at Fort Point, because
that all the scenes we wanted to
still has slightly aggressive highlights.
there was not any interesting
capture could be photographed using
The +2EV overexposed photo
detail closer than 2m and we used
the Distagon T* 2,8/21 ZF lens. One
shows good shadow detail, but the
f/8 for nearly all our photos.
could say that 21mm seems to be a very good focal length for indoor photography in general. It has a wide angle of view of 90째 without getting to the extremes. Wider angles can lead to more distortions than we would like to accept. Taking HDR photos requires taking multiple exposures from a sturdy tripod. An example of a typical exposure range is shown here:
Camera Lens News No 32 Carl Zeiss
July 2009
We use the Photomatix software to combine these three photos into one HDR image. HDR images (32 bit floating point) can store a tonal range that is even much higher than we needed in this case. What to do with these HDR images if their content cannot be printed on any medium? The answer is Tone-mapping. We use the Photomatix Details Enhancer tone-mapping tool to map the larger tonal range into a printable version. Here is our result from this two-step process (HDR generation and tonemapping): The final image shows open shadows and no clipped highlights. The next photo was from the same session and created using the same technique. Overall we can report that the Distagon T* 2,8/21 ZF on a full frame camera and HDR with Photomatix proved to be the right tools for our work at Fort Point. We plan to work more using this lens and apply its angle view on our subjects. After our session inside of Fort Point we took this shot of the Golden Gate Bridge just outside of Fort Point. It shows that 21mm can be a very creative focal range. Text and photos by Bettina + Uwe Steinmueller
Page
Camera Lens News No 32 Carl Zeiss
July 2009
Page
Planar T* 1,4/50 ZE A Standard Lens with a Difference I had been toying for a while with the idea of getting myself a 50 mm prime lens, but with autofocus. That was before I got the opportunity to test the ZEISS Planar T*1,4/50 ZE with manual focus, and now I wouldn‘t change it for the world! The first project for my new lens was a fashion shoot on the topic of „My home is my castle“, which I worked on with the photographer Thea Fischer. The location we used was an old Russian military hospital near Berlin. The shoot took place at -5°C in snowy, icy conditions and was a real challenge in so many different ways, but it really showed me just how much I could depend on my new lens. I think the thing that impressed me most about the Planar T* 1,4/50 ZE was the superb image quality it achieved even at wide apertures. The Planar T* 1,4/50 ZE also delivers bright images with excellent contrast and natural color rendition, a fact that was particularly appreciated on this shoot. The subjects really come to life with the extreme con-
Fashion shoot „My Home is my Castle“ in collaboration with photographer Thea Fischer.
trasts between light and dark and the exciting color contrasts.
The next test for the Planar T* 1,4/50 ZE
but I was impressed by the precision
was a series of portrait shots I took
of the available settings. The extra-
for a manufacturer of specialist
large rotation angle for high-precision
skateboards – so-called longboards –
focusing provides major benefits for
in Dusseldorf. I had previously tended
all sorts of applications. Thanks to
to work with autofocus zoom lenses
these technical features, I had more
and occasionally with autofocus
time to devote to each subject and
prime lenses, so the manual focus
more control over the end result.
took some getting used to at first,
Camera Lens News No 32 Carl Zeiss
July 2009
Page
Sabrina Weniger obtained a degree in pedagogy from Dusseldorf‘s Heinrich-Heine University. At the same time she was taking photography courses at colleges in Cologne and Dusseldorf and attending workshops in digital photography and image editing. During a trip to New York City in
Portrait of a longboard manufactorer in Dusseldorf.
2004 as part of her studies, she Both shoots showed me that working
subject, and this lens is the ideal
decided to live her dream of
with the Planar T*1,4/50 ZE makes
choice for that technique. It may
becoming a photographer. A jury
you more conscious of your image
take a bit of practice to speed up
consisting of photographers, press
composition. These photographs
the process of working with it, but
representatives and members of
ultimately have more of a sense of
it is worth the effort. However,
the “Photo+Medienforum Kiel�
harmony than photographs taken
one thing I would recommend is
chose her as the winner of the
with an autofocus zoom lens.
swapping the ground glass screens
Kiel Scholarship in 2005. Viewers
included with the lens for screens
of her photos are immediately
Personally, I came to the conclusion
with a split image rangefinder
struck by the natural, simple
that the Planar T* 1,4/50 ZE is the
and microprisms, since this makes
pleasure that she takes in her
perfect lens for me, not only thanks
it far easier to check the focusing.
work, which features tranquil
to its superior image quality, but also
All the pictures here were taken
moments enriched with a spirited
due to the broad scope for creative
using a Canon EOS 5d and the
dose of joie de vivre.
design that the manual focusing
Planar T*1,4/50 ZE.
offers. When it comes to portrait shots I prefer to be close to my
Camera Lens News No 32 Carl Zeiss
July 2009
Page
Manual Focusing with AF Camera Systems Superb image quality in today’s
relevance for photography and image
region designated as the depth of
world of photography is fostered
reproduction.
field is the extent of the range in the
by a whole host of different factors
object space of an imaging optical
such as the high numbers of pixels
Precision focusing
system. This region is rendered in
in digital SLR cameras, large format
One of the key links in the chain of
acceptably sharp focus on the focal
sensors in full-frame 35mm format
successful image rendering is the
plane.
or traditional almost-medium
precision with which the lens focuses
format, intelligent image processing
on the main subject. Generally
You can read about the effect that
techniques and noise reduction
speaking, a photographic lens only
slight defocusing has on image
algorithms.
provides optimum rendering at
quality in the article „Measuring
maximum image quality of a two-
lenses objectively“ which appears in
The results are also dependent on
dimensional surface. This surface
Camera Lens News no. 30 starting
how the camera interacts with the
runs exactly in parallel to the film or
on page 24. This article shows
lens, which is why high-grade optics
sensor in the camera. Depending on
how important precise focusing is
have such a vital role to play in
the magnification and the selected
whenever a photographer intends to
fulfilling photographers’ increasingly
aperture, a certain range both in
produce big enlargements or requires
sophisticated demands with regard
front of and behind the point of
optimum quality for any other
to image quality.
optimum focus is also considered
reason, and not only when using
to be „adequately sharp“. In this
wide apertures.
The weakest link
context, the magnification refers
Achieving top-quality shots with
to the ratio between the image
What should I focus on?
high-resolution cameras means
produced by the lens and the object
The question of what main subject
keeping all the parameters that have
being photographed. Thus, the focal
to focus on obviously comes down
a direct or indirect impact on image
length of the lens, the shooting
to the taste of each individual
quality within strict boundaries. The
distance and the size of the film or
photographer. Nevertheless, there
idea that “a chain is only as strong
sensor are responsible for the so-
are not likely to be any significant
as its weakest link” has particular
called depth of field. The focusing
differences in opinion when it comes to choosing the optimum focal point for photographs of a painting or of a mountain chain that stretches into the endless distance. Equally, traditional portrait photography continues to reserve maximum sharpness for the model‘s eyes. Tinkering with sharp focus and blur is one of the most fundamental creative aspects of photography. The fact that our environment is threedimensional means that people can have differing views on what should be depicted with clarity and what should appear in a sketchy or blurred
Photographer Sabine Unterderweide
form, for example when searching
Camera Lens News No 32 Carl Zeiss
July 2009
Page
for the right focus in a group of people seated around a circular table under difficult lighting conditions. Checking the depth of field using the camera‘s preview button is one technique that can be useful. Good results can also be achieved by the use of face recognition software in modern cameras that focuses the lens on the nearest person, especially when using compact cameras with small sensors and short focal lengths. However, this is clearly inadequate for the purposes of carefully arranged photography using SLR or rangefinder
Photographer Michael Ankenbrand
cameras, where high apertures and longer focal lengths are the norm. In
such as the contrast-based AF
same focusing precision by manual
these situations, the photographer is
typically found in digital compact
means as by using an AF system.
still required to choose the required
cameras or manual focusing.
Macro shots of butterflies on a
autofocus frame or select a subject
Good AF systems can generally
flower that require a very shallow
using the manual focus function. The
achieve a very high number of
depth of field – where a tripod is
photographer‘s aim here is to create
„hits“ in terms of the sharp images
generally a sensible choice – should
a powerful, unique image. Any small
they produce with long telephoto
always be precisely focused using
deviations in the focal plane could
lenses in situations such as taking
manual methods. In these cases,
potentially diminish the technical
shots of cheetahs in the wild,
it is rare for any of the camera‘s
achievement of the image or even
snapping celebrities from within a
AF points to coincide exactly with
completely alter the impact of the
pack of paparazzi or photographing
the photographer‘s choice of focal
photo, whether deliberately or not.
footballers on the playing field.
point and, all too frequently, the focusing point covers too much of
Advantages of AF systems
So is there any place left
the subject with a large extension
Autofocus systems have undergone
for manual focusing?
of depth, which means that it is no
major developments since they were
For any subject that is either not
longer possible to use the automatic
first introduced in cameras in the
actively moving away from the
mechanism to achieve precise focus.
1980s. Manufacturers have steadily
photographer‘s position or that is set
improved their systems‘ performance
to move into the “trap focus” after
Were older cameras and
and efficiency in daily use, and
careful pre-focusing, better results
lenses actually better?
the combination of an increasing
can be achieved with careful manual
Anyone who has attempted to
number of AF points in the camera
focusing. Carefully framed landscape
manually focus modern AF SLR
bodies and ultrasonic motors in
shots, images of buildings or
cameras and their corresponding
the lenses has facilitated fast and
architectural details and meticulously
AF lenses will have quickly come
smooth focusing for the phase AF
arranged tabletop displays in a
to the sobering conclusion that,
systems typically found in today‘s SLR
photographer‘s studio are unlikely to
practically speaking, this is far from
cameras. For some applications, it is
require the use of autofocus.
easy. Steep-pitch helical mounts,
precisely this speed that marks the
Equally, both spontaneous portraits
play and backlash in the focus rings
key benefit over other AF methods
and reportage shots can achieve the
of the lenses, dim viewfinders and
Camera Lens News No 32 Carl Zeiss
July 2009
Page
precedence over accuracy! It is therefore hardly surprising that cine lenses for the Hollywood film industry are focused manually and have no autofocus option. If the lens has to be operated remotely during filming due to the camera being mounted in an inaccessible spot, powerful servo motors engage with the outermost toothed rings of the lens. These are powerful enough to precisely rotate the focus ring with extraordinary smoothness. Manual photographic lenses
Photographer Tobias Zehnder
Nowadays, almost all manufacturers far-from-suitable screens in the
What is the difference between
only offer AF interchangeable lenses
cameras make it very difficult to
AF and MF lenses?
and some systems – such as the
achieve high-precision focusing. In
In terms of how lenses handle
Canon EOS system – have never
contrast, it is quite a revelation to go
manual focusing, even good-quality
even featured manual lenses at all
back to one of the good SLR cameras
AF lenses cannot offer the level of
(apart from a few specialist models).
with a suitable lens from the era
precision of a simple manual focus
The current range of Carl Zeiss SLR
before the widespread introduction
lens. The micro-motor in the lens
lenses incorporates some of the
of AF systems and witness the large,
or in the camera requires a small
expertise we have acquired from
bright viewfinder, the eminently
rotation angle and extremely smooth
our professional cine lenses. With
practical adjustment aids on the
action if it is to have any chance of
large rotation angles (e.g. almost
screen and the way in which a
turning the focus ring and setting
360 degrees in the case of the
subject seems to „spring to life“
the focus rapidly and quietly. This
Makro-Planar T* 2/100 from infinity
when it is correctly in focus.
is one instance where speed takes
to the close-up limit of 0.44 m), a
Few of today‘s cameras achieve the innate viewfinder quality of these analog models that have now entered into the annals of history. Nevertheless, some good digital camera models from the medium to top-class brackets, especially full-frame cameras, do offer some advantages for high-precision manual focusing, at least thanks to the glass prism in the viewfinder and corresponding viewfinder magnification.
On the set of Tom Tykwer‘s ‚The Perfume‘.
Camera Lens News No 32 Carl Zeiss
July 2009
Page
wealth of available settings for
rangefinder and microprisms) and
significant benefits over the screen
the all-metal unit and none of the
– due to their surface structure – the
fitted as standard.
constraints caused by the need
ability to make any viable distinction
to turn a focus motor, these lenses
between „in focus“ and „out of
Both these lenses and smaller
achieve a level of focusing
focus“. In addition, AF focus points
models such as the Canon EOS 50D
accuracy that is far superior to any
and other markings that appear
and 40D, Nikon models up to the
conventional AF lenses. Thanks to
either on a second screen positioned
D700 and DSLRs from Pentax and
the popular range of lens mounts
above or on an LCD display can make
Fuji can be fitted with excellent
comprising the ZF (Nikon F bayonet
it hard for the eye to clearly check the
focusing screens produced by other
mount), ZE (Canon EF bayonet
focus on a single plane of the screen.
manufacturers who offer variants
mount) and ZK (Pentax K bayonet
that have been specifically tailored to
mount), the lenses can be directly
Other types of screens
each specific model. By following the
employed on suitable cameras at
By replacing the focusing screen with
manufacturer‘s instructions and, in
high levels of functionality without
a variant that has been optimized
some cases, using the supplied tool,
requiring an adapter.
for manual focus, it is possible to
camera owners can carry out the
achieve some major improvements.
replacement of the screen themselves
AF cameras with MF lenses
This procedure can be carried out for
without too much trouble as long as
This leads us to the question of how
all SLR camera models, even if the
the process is carried out carefully
far this accuracy can also be achieved
manufacturer claims otherwise and
in the most dust-free environment
using modern (D)SLR cameras, most
fails to offer any interchangeable
available.
of which suffer from the limitations
focusing screens. For example,
described above in comparison
Canon offers a choice between the
Replacement focusing screens
to „old“ models without AF. The
EC-A (with microprism ring) or EC-B
are available from the following
focusing screens fitted as standard
(with split image rangefinder) for
companies:
to modern autofocus cameras are
the models from its EOS-1 range.
www.katzeyeoptics.com
primarily designed for a bright,
Meanwhile, the EOS 5D and 5D MkII
www.photoproshop.com
crystal-clear viewfinder. What they
have the option of the Ee-S screen,
www.intenscreen.com
generally lack, however, are optical
though this does not feature any
http://haodascreen.com/Canon5D.
focusing aids (e.g. split image
focusing aids and therefore offers no
aspx One problem, however, is that the screen and/or the mirror are often not perfectly aligned in many new cameras, and it only takes a minimal deviation (less than 1/100th to 1/10th of a millimeter) to produce a visible focus error (front focus or back focus). As long as the user continues to work with the AF system of the camera and default focusing screen, this minor error is generally not conspicuous. However, if the screen is replaced with a variant that includes focusing aids, then the deviation becomes visible.
Camera Lens News No 32 Carl Zeiss
July 2009
Page 10
The only action that can be taken in the face of this dilemma is to send the camera to the manufacturer or an authorized service center and request that they align the screen properly. For many camera models, aligning the focusing screen involves inserting or removing the corresponding number of thin layers of film. Electronic focusing aids: fast, but not always perfect In most of the Canon EOS, Nikon AF and Pentax AF cameras, whether digital or analog, electronic focus confirmation continues to be available even when using our ZE, ZF
rely on the AF indicator. Especially
It is usually possible to zoom into
or ZK lenses. The camera confirms
when using fast lenses, it is advisable
this view far enough to carry out
that the manual focus is correct by
to take a bracketing series with
focusing with great precision. Since
illuminating the focus confirmation
a wide-open aperture and short
the camera‘s mirror has to be locked
light or the active AF point. In
shooting distances in order to achieve
up in this mode, the AF function
many of the Nikon models (e.g.
optimum results.
is either no longer available or the mirror has to be briefly flipped down
the D700 and D3 series), additional support is provided by two arrows
It is sometimes possible to fall wide
and then back up again to carry out
in the viewfinder which indicate the
of the mark when taking shots
focusing, depending on the specific
direction of rotation for the focus
with the aid of the focus confirmation
camera system. A further option is
ring when performing fast manual
function, but fortunately some
the rather cumbersome contrast-
focusing.
recent camera models (e.g. the
based autofocus function used in
Nikon D300, D700, D3 series and
compact cameras.
However, these electronic focusing
the Canon EOS 5D MkII) have
aids only actually provide a relatively
incorporated an AF fine-tuning option
With the camera mounted on a
imprecise means of achieving high-
in the menu which obviously also
tripod and zoomed into the Live
precision manual focusing. The
takes effect on the focus indicator
View, a high-precision MF lens
region shown as „in focus“ when
during manual focusing. If the
enables accurate focusing. In addition,
rotating the focus ring is generally
AF indicator consistently gives an
Live View generally provides a bright,
quite large and is also dependent
incorrect response when a certain
crystal-clear image even in poor light.
on the direction from which the
type of lens is used or even with
Alignment tolerances of the focusing
subject is being brought into focus
all lenses, then the focus error can
screen, the mirror or the entire AF
(i.e. whether you are coming from
generally be rectified by carrying out
system of the camera are no longer an
infinity or from the closest focus
meticulous checks and adjustments.
issue if Live View is used for manual
distance). We therefore recommend
focusing. At least in those cameras
comprehensively testing the camera
Live View mode
that take the preview image directly
in combination with a manual lens
Many of the latest DSLR cameras
from the image sensor, you see the
in order to get a photographer‘s feel
enable a live image to be viewed on
allocation of the focus exactly as it
for the situations in which you can
the display prior to taking the shot.
will subsequently appear in the shot.
Camera Lens News No 32 Carl Zeiss
July 2009
Page 11
Focus shift Yet even with a perfectly aligned focusing screen with focusing aids, autofocus that is cleanly aligned or adjusted using the camera‘s menu and the Live View function, it is impossible to guarantee proper checking of the focus prior to shooting in every single case. Spherical aberration in lenses leads to so-called focus shifts. This term refers to the fact that changing the aperture causes a shift in the optimum focus position. This effect is particularly conspicuous in the case of fast prime lenses. You can find a more detailed description of focus
faster than 1:2.8. This means that
Conclusion
shift in the article „Measuring lenses
the change in the optimum focus
When your aim is to take
objectively“ which appears in Camera
position can no longer be evaluated
photographs with wide apertures and
Lens News Nr. 30 starting on page 24.
on the focusing screen at wide
extremely accurate focusing, high-
apertures when using very fast
precision manual lenses can make
lenses.
your work easier. Enhanced focusing
In order to take into account the effect of focus shift on precise
screens, a well-aligned AF system
focusing, the user should – as far as
And there is also a “fly in the
and use of the Live View mode all
possible – carry out focusing at the
ointment” when it comes to the use
help to make focusing more precise.
aperture at which the shot is sub-
of the Live View function, namely
Although the influence of focus shift
sequently to be taken. Nevertheless,
the fact that many current camera
cannot be ignored, it can produce
there are still a number of limitations
models (e.g. the Nikon D700 and the
better, reproducible results if suitable
to be considered: AF systems in
Canon EOS 5D MkII) automatically
care is taken. In situations where
current camera models do not take
control the aperture in the Live View
focusing accuracy is of paramount
into account the focus shift of the
mode based on the set ISO values
importance, it is also advisable
lens. This means that the reliability
and the ambient light in order to
to take finely graded bracketing
of the AF indicator varies depending
ensure that the image in the display
sequences.
on the type of lens, f-stops and
is consistently shown with the correct
shooting distances.
brightness and contrast values. This means that it is no longer possible
Due to their surface structure,
to close the aperture to the desired,
focusing screens in fast lenses are
fixed setting using the preview
not capable of factoring in all the
button. Correct evaluation of the
incoming rays. This can easily be seen
depth of field and focus position is
from the fact that – depending on
therefore equally out of reach using
the design – the brightness of the
this method, since the aperture is
focusing screen no longer changes
only closed to the desired setting
with lenses such as those that are
when the shot is actually taken.
Camera Lens News No 32 Carl Zeiss
July 2009
Page 12
New York City Impressions With the Distagon T* 2,8/21
The Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 2,8/21 has
We primarily used the
Once again, we achieved some
given us the confidence we need to
Distagon T* 2,8/21 to shoot highly
stunning results. Focusing was smooth
take truly uncompromising shots with
contrasting street scenes at night
and consistent and it made it
a wide-open aperture.
under tricky lighting conditions.
absolutely clear that the composition
A reliable wide-angle lens is an absolute must when you are trying to capture the hectic street life of New York. It paves the way for capturing the city’s atmosphere together with its sophisticated architecture – that very special combination that makes the metropolis of New York City so very unique.
Camera Lens News No 32 Carl Zeiss
July 2009
of the image was entirely in our own hands. In addition to the street shots, we also tested out the macro capabilities of the lens using this cutlery basket. The meticulous precision of the Distagon T* 2,8/21 really came to the fore here, allowing us to bring subjects very close to the lens.
Shoot Studio The combined talents of Shoot Studio‘s four photographers, Jean-François Gratton, Pierre Manning, Martin Girard and Jean-François Lemire deliver powerful advertising, cultural, corporate and editorial photography. Supported by an outstanding team, Shoot Studio unites a prolific group of artists who strive to discover the unexplored through technology and personal development.
Camera Lens News A newsletter for all who use, buy, sell, like, report about and are interested in Carl Zeiss camera lenses. All information in Camera Lens News is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. Publisher: Carl Zeiss AG Camera Lens Division Marketing 73446 Oberkochen Germany Phone: +49 (0) 7364/ 20-6175 Email: photo@zeiss.de Internet: www.zeiss.de/photo
Page 13