Contents Setting My Sights on Happines
Beyond the Visible
7
2 Fascination for the
Photo Contest:
Finer Details
Digital Culture
5
Quick and Automatic
6
10
A newsletter for anyone who enjoys using, writing about, buying and selling Carl Zeiss camera lenses.
Carl Zeiss Camera Lens Division
Camera Lens News
31 34
December 2009
Camera Lens News No 34 Carl Zeiss
December 2009
Page 2
Setting My Sights on Happiness “Gross national happiness” is the primary national objective in Bhutan: every citizen has a fundamental right to happiness. There is even a happiness commission to ensure the happiness of the population. Berlin-based photog rapher Philip Koschel traveled to the Asian kingdom for the GEO Saison magazine article “Journey to Happiness” which appeared in the 11/2009 issue. His luggage included two Nikon D700 cameras and various macro and wide-angle lenses from Carl Zeiss. He told us about his search for happiness and his attempts to
Like a bird’s nest: the Tiger’s Nest Monastery near Paro, Bhutan
capture it. “Are you happy?” I asked everyone in
monk, for example, told me that he
poorest countries in the world, yet
Bhutan whenever I took their picture.
was happy to have the chance to
the people happy. This is most likely
The answer was always “Yes.” “Why?”
study in a monastery. The opportunity
because they have a different idea of
I pried. The reasons for happiness
to talk to me also made him happy.
happiness than we do. They do not
were simple and moving. A young
I was touched. Bhutan is one of the
fancy material possessions. Meeting others, learning, expressing their feel ings through religion – that is what makes them happy. On the trail of the Queen I was invited by the Queen of Bhutan to accompany her on a hike to a remote region of the country that is generally off limits to foreigners. She was on her way to a secluded village to speak to the villagers about hygiene and the risk of AIDS. I was allowed to document the journey. Not only my own fitness, but also the condition of my material were put to the test. It rained a lot, and a persistent mist
Hanging bridge in the Paro Valley decorated with prayer flags
hung over the valleys. The camera
Camera Lens News No 34 Carl Zeiss
December 2009
Page 3
and lens were engulfed in a gray haze. Nonetheless, I was able to take several outstanding pictures with bril liant colors. This type of weather de mands the utmost of material; many lenses cannot withstand the moisture. The images are often as dreary as the weather. The altitude and air pressure also take their toll on the material – more than 80 percent of the country in the eastern Himalayas is at least 2,000 meters above sea level. During the trip, one of my cameras took its very last picture, but I could always rely on my ZEISS lenses. Two young monks turn the prayer wheel at the Paro-Dzong Monastery
Macro or wide-angle – just let it be a fixed focal length I am not a fan of zoom lenses. Zoom
angles. In Bhutan, I often alternated
problems with chromatic aberrations
lenses are for cowards! My motto is
between the Distagon T* 3,5/18, the
with other wide-angle lenses.
simply “get up close and personal.”
Distagon T*2,8/21 and the Distagon
Photographers really have to get on
T* 2,8/25. The wide-angle lenses
There are, of course, many situations
people’s nerves if they want a good
from Carl Zeiss are completely relia
where I cannot get as close to an
photo. That is the only way for a
ble. Most importantly, there are no
object as I would like, for example,
picture to communicate the atmos
chromatic aberrations and the images
a close up of someone‘s face. For
phere of the colors and smells. It is
are razor-sharp to the edges – even
something like that, I need a lens like
also why I like to use different wide
at full aperture. I have experienced
the Makro-Planar T* 2/100. I have developed a real fondness for this lens. For example, when I use it to photograph a monk’s eye, the result is a razor-sharp image that can only come from a ZEISS lens. At the same time, the image fades into a hazy blur in the background. This is particularly good when I am only interested in a specific detail such as the radiant eyes in the middle of a wrinkled face. Manual and intuitive for perfect composition I bought an extra Nikon camera so that I could use the manual ZEISS lenses. Now, many of the lenses can be used on Canon cameras. It is an
A monk at the Chorten National Memorial
indescribable feeling to turn the focus
Camera Lens News No 34 Carl Zeiss
December 2009
Page 4
be from another planet. The people inspired me: they seemed pure and unadulterated; they didn’t change just because I took their picture. They had no ulterior motives, they didn’t pose, didn’t cramp up and were never impatient. Quite the opposite: they felt honored and were happy to see themselves in the camera display afterwards.
Landscape in Monger in eastern Bhutan
ring on these lenses the first time. It’s
Taking pictures is a structuring process
like the first time you hold a hand-
that I have to perform. It often has to
made Swiss watch and think, “Man,
go quickly. Nonetheless, I have to take
what a watch.” You can also feel the
things to another level to meet my
precision of the handcrafted parts on
own high demands. The image must
these lenses. It is a calming and moti
have a certain concentration of detail,
vating feeling to work with the best
but it must not be rigid and inflexible.
materials available. The transmission
This is not possible with an autofocus
ratio when focusing the ZEISS lenses
lens in this form. For example, if
Philip Koschel works for various
is also very good.
photographers want to focus on an
German travel and lifestyle maga
object at the edge of the image, they
zines. During his communications
Manual operation is very important
have to first direct their eyes to that
studies in Hamburg, he took pic
to me. Composition is the key to a
point and then move back to the
tures for surfing and skateboarding
good picture. This is supported by
actual image frame. This takes a lot
magazines, which led him down
lenses from Carl Zeiss. You can only
of time and distracts them from the
the road to fashion and advertising
fully concentrate on your image, the
actual composition.
photography. In 2003 he published his first photography book: Behind
composition, the detail and the per spective if you focus manually. I start
Without a doubt, there were moments
the Scenes - Las Vegas, auf der
composing the picture as soon as I
when I would have enjoyed just tak
Suche nach dem Glück (Behind
put the camera in front of my eye. I
ing a simple snapshot during my tour
the Scenes – Las Vegas, the Search
immediately see if I have to move the
of Bhutan. With a manual lens, this
for Happiness). Since then he has
detail to achieve a better effect. It is
task is just more difficult. However, if I
focused solely on documentaries
just a good feeling.
focus on intermediate distances, I still
and traveled to the most remote
have a good chance of taking a good
regions of the world looking for
picture.
inspiration and new horizons.
to the image in a different, more
Bhutan really impressed me. The
www.koschel.de
intense way when I focus manually.
country and its inhabitants seem to
I correct this intuitively. And this is only possible because I am connected
Camera Lens News No 34 Carl Zeiss
December 2009
Page 5
Photo Contest: Digital Culture Enter the Carl Zeiss Photo Contest between now and January 15, 2010. Digital is spreading. Computers,
The new Carl Zeiss Photo Contest
Prizes:
Internet and mobile devices have
starts on December 15. The contest
1st prize:
become part of everyday life.
is open to anyone using ZEISS lenses.
Your choice of a ZEISS SLR lens
They simplify many things and
It doesn’t matter if the picture was
2nd prize:
also change the way people treat
taken with an SLR lens or a camera
Cinemizer plus, including 8 GB iPod
each other, exchange information,
phone.
touch 3rd prize:
work, play, meet friends, make
Nokia N 86
music and much, much more.
An international jury, including well-
Digital is now deeply entrenched
known photographers Edith Held
in our culture. The Carl Zeiss
and Jürgen Müller, will judge both
All winning photos will be published
Photo Contest is for profession
creativeness and implementation.
on the Carl Zeiss website. The top
als and hobbyists who have a
Photographers who design their im
three will be highlighted in an article
very special way of viewing and
ages before and while taking them,
for CLN. The press work from Carl
capturing the many aspects of
and largely forego editing will score
Zeiss will draw a lot of attention to
the “digital culture.”
the most points.
the photos. The requirement for par ticipation is that all submitted photos
After January 15, 2010, the jury will
can be used without licensing. Further
select 10 winning photos for which
information and the submission form
prizes will be given.
are available at www.zeiss.de/photo. The Carl Zeiss Photo Contest is held every year in December. Last year, an international jury of photographers, including Uwe Ommer, selected the pictures that best depicted the “Pulse of the City.”
Exciting prizes await the winners of this year’s Carl Zeiss Photo Contest.
Camera Lens News No 34 Carl Zeiss
December 2009
Page 6
Quick and Automatic The new ZEISS ZF.2 lenses support automatic mechanism for time, aperture and program The new ZF.2 lenses provide
wants to manually adjust his camera
and ultimately delivers outstanding
quick and easy handling, even in
for every shot. Precise creative pho
images.
the most hectic situations. The
tography with high image quality is
photographer no longer needs
now possible using automatic set
The ZF.2 lenses will be available in
to adjust aperture and shutter
tings, with the high light speed and
eight focal lengths, six of which will
speed, as the lens automatically
depth of field typical for ZEISS lenses.
be launched at the end of November:
transfers this data to the camera.
Carl Zeiss has developed its new ZF.2
3,5/18, 2,8/21, 2/35, 1,4/50, 2/50
Featuring an electronic interface
range especially for photographers
and 1,4/85. In spring, the Distagon
(CPU), the ZF.2 lenses support
who value convenience.
T* 2/28 ZF.2 and the Macro-Planar T*
all relevant operating modes,
2/100 ZF.2 will be available as well.
such as automatic shutter speed,
The ZF.2 lenses are tools for photo-
Carl Zeiss hopes to use the ZF.2 range
aperture and program control or
graphers who want to concentrate
to supplement its proven ZF range of
manual exposure adjustments,
more on their subject than on their
lenses that is still available, but is cur
even for camera casings that are
camera equipment. Whether at a
rently subject to long delivery delays
not AI-compatible. Enthusiasts of
wedding, your daughter‘s first steps
due to high demand.
uncomplicated photography can
or travelling in far-flung countries, it
use the new ZEISS lenses on all
is all about capturing these unique
For a list of compatible camera
digital single lens reflex cameras
moments and encounters and preserv
models, please go to:
with F-bayonet.
ing them as a permanent memory.
www.zeiss.com/photo
These situations demand first-class Not every photo enthusiast who
technology that captures spontane
value creative, high-quality images
ous actions without too much effort
Camera Lens News No 34 Carl Zeiss
December 2009
Page 7
Beyond the Visible A visual voyage of discovery with infrared photography From the very beginning infrared photography has fascinated photographers. Unreal, dreamlike landscapes, snow white leaves, dramatic cloud formations and bizarre colors are typical of the surprising images captured with infrared technology (IR). How ever, before heading off into the realms of enjoyment, beginners should acquaint themselves with certain number of facts. What creates the typical infrared effect? IR photography absorbs only the
Wooden bridge, captured with a Planar T* 1,4/50 ZF IR, aperture 11, shutter speed 8 sec.
longer-wave infrared rays and hides the remaining light with shorter wavelengths. The human eye can
beyond this range to be visualized.
What accessories are needed?
see light up to a wavelength of 780
Familiar images thus take on a new
An infrared filter is crucial. It screens
nm. In infrared photography, the
appearance, show more contrast and
out the shortwave radiation of the
camera’s imaging sensors, coupled
display different colors. The nonde
visible light either partially or fully
with suitable lenses, enable light
script suddenly appears spectacular.
depending on the filter strength. This considerably reduces the amount of light reaching the film or sensor, thus increasing the exposure times. This makes a tripod essential in most cases. What kind of camera do I need? All common digital cameras are equipped with an IR barrier filter intended to filter out the majority of the longwave light before it falls on the sensor. Photographers hoping to achieve extreme infrared effects should remove this filter. This means delving into the camera body, some thing many shy away from. Infrared
The sensor in current camera models filters out a large proportion of infrared light. The use of a camera with
images can also be taken without
greater IR sensitivity is recommended to achieve a more intensive IR effect.
removing the sensor, but this requires
Camera Lens News No 34 Carl Zeiss
December 2009
Page 8
The snowy landscape and long shadows create an exciting visual impression.
longer exposure times and the images
coating intended to filter out a large
photography. This enables the longer
will be less dramatic. Some older SLR
proportion of the infrared light. With
exposure times needed when working
camera models are known for the fact
the majority of ZEISS lenses, the T*
with IR filters to be reduced. The IR
that their IR barrier filter works more
anti-reflex coating prevents light
index printed in red on every ZEISS
weakly on the sensor. For instance,
reflexes and scattered light and lets
lens helps to find the slightly offset
the Nikon D70 is popular among IR
only very little longwave radiation
focus range.
photographers as it has a noticeably
through. Carl Zeiss offers the lenses
higher infrared sensitivity. Photogra足
Distagon T* 2,8/25 ZF IR, Planar
How to achieve the best images?
phers working with analog cameras
T* 1,4/50 ZF IR and 1,4/85 ZF IR for
First things first: infrared photography
are not affected by this limitation as
infrared photography. Originally
is unpredictable. Many factors, from
a special black and white infrared
developed for industrial and scientific
the lighting situation, to technical
film is used for exposure. The limited
applications, these lenses feature a
components and post-production,
control possibilities of analog photo足
lens coating that allows considerably
affect the process. Trial and error is
graphy require a certain amount of
more infrared radiation to pass
the order of the day. It is important to
experience, especially when it comes
through. With an F-bayonet mount,
realize that the focus range is slightly
to IR photography.
they fit common Nikon cameras that
offset in the infrared range. The IR
are widely used by professionals and
index on the focus ring helps with
Which lens is best suited
amateurs alike. The high luminosity
correct adjustment. The IR filter is
to the job?
of ZEISS fixed focal length lenses
unscrewed during focusing. Exposure
Lenses are usually equipped with a
is also advantageous with infrared
measurement is a matter of expe足
Camera Lens News No 34 Carl Zeiss
December 2009
Page 9
rience, as the automatic measurement
and filter. Surprises therefore cannot
does not take into consideration the
be ruled out, but ultimately they can
IR proportions of the light. Digital SLR
create highly fascinating visual worlds.
photographers are at an advantage here as they can check and adjust the image on site. The white balance
About Thomas Lakner
should also be performed manually
38-year old Thomas Lakner from
according to your individual taste. A
Schwaebisch Gmuend (Germany)
green sunlit area of grass or a blue
discovered photography at the
sky are best used for this. In order
age of 12. His passion began
to allow for the maximum latitude
with a manual Petri MF-1. The
in image processing, capturing the
trained Industrial Manager prefers
pictures in a RAW format is recom足
shooting portraits and working
mended. Infrared photography is the
with macros and infrared using
discovery of the invisible, making it
Nikon cameras in his leisure time.
hard to control. In addition to the on-site lighting situation, three factors affect the final image - camera, lens
www.thomas-lakner.de/IR/
Camera Lens News No 34 Carl Zeiss
December 2009
Page 10
Fascination for the Finer Details Jim Clark, the American nature photographer, on taking the first steps in macro photography Photographing nature is wonder-
constantly moving technical picture
ful and so varied. In all its wealth
stabilisation on, the tripod is, and
of possibilities, there is one disci-
always will be, an essential item in
pline I find particularly exciting
macro photography. The closer we
and challenging: macro photo-
get to our motif, the more marked
graphy. Looking through the
the reduction in the depth of field.
viewfinder, the fascinating details
This means that we have to use
offer access to entirely new
smaller apertures and longer shutter
worlds. A wild flower or colorful
speeds to achieve a more defined pic
ensemble of autumn leaves
ture. And for this, the camera needs
can become an experience that
to be positioned stably on the tripod.
touches the soul and moves
My recommendation: buy the best
the spirit.
and sturdiest tripod you can afford. If lightness is important to you, then
When photographing the tiniest ob-
consider a carbon fiber tripod, as they
jects and details in nature, there are
are some 20 to 30 percent lighter
a number of points that need to be
than most metal tripods. Ensure that
observed regarding technique and
the legs of the tripod can be spread
centre post can be removed so the
approach.
out very wide, as the most interesting
tripod head can be positioned directly
macro motifs are often to be found
on the tripod.
1. Tripod: the most important
on the ground. Very low positions are
accessory
difficult on tripods that have a centre
When I was photographing the day
Even though new developments are
post. On newer models, however, the
lilies I moved the tripod as close as possible to the flowers. This enabled me to hide an otherwise distracting background. Despite the very small aperture diameter (f 19) and slow shutter speed (1/50), thanks to the tripod I was able to take a perfectly focused picture. For the shot with the pebbles, the tripod enabled me to set the camera so that the picture was on the same level as the pebbles. This is important so that the depth remains the same all over the picture, right to the edges. However, as this was a flat motif with little depth of field, I could have opted for a shorter exposure and larger aperture open
Camera Lens News No 34 Carl Zeiss
December 2009
Page 11
ing. But I prefer to work with slower settings. As you get better and your enthusiasm for macro photography increases, you can move on to a better tripod that is more stable and more hardwearing. A good quality tripod will last a lifetime, so it is well worth the investment. 2. Excellent lenses for the best picture quality Macro photography is not very forgiv ing when it comes to quality. Even the smallest inconsistency in the lens will be visible in the picture. bumblebees and butterflies somewhat
autumn colors. I really like discove
I have had excellent results with the
unnerving rather than enjoyable. I was
ring a pattern of freshly fallen leaves
Makro-Planar T* 2/50 ZF and Makro-
perfectly happy, though - having been
on the forest floor. I can spend hours
Planar T* 2/100 ZF by ZEISS. Their
an environmentalist, naturalist and
composing a lovely ensemble of frag
absolute precision makes these lenses
beekeeper for many years, I know
ile ferns that are gradually changing
two of the very best that are availa
that these wonderful pollen-gatherers
color.
ble on the market. They are perfectly
are more interested in food than in
made, and take an absolutely clear
attacking. I used a Nikon R1C1 macro
The lighting is crucial when photo
picture with no distortion. For a
flash to freeze the movement and
graphing autumn leaves, ferns and
nature photographer who is out and
lighten the shadows on the flower. I
pebbles or stones. Diffused light bal
about in all weathers, they are sturdy,
took both of these pictures by hand,
ances the colors of the composition
reliable companions - even in windy
as there was enough light from the
and provides rich color saturation.
situations. Shutter and depth need to
flash.
The challenge that extreme shadows
be set manually on both. This goes
and lights cause is eliminated, since
well with the slow, thorough type of
3. Less light - more saturation.
the light falls evenly over the whole
macro photography that I prefer. It is
Close-ups of autumn colors
picture.
important to me that I compose the
It is important to understand light
picture “by hand”, and look carefully
and know how it influences the
The light is diffuse either when the
at what it is in the viewfinder. For
picture composition to produce
sky is cloudy, or you can create it
close-ups I prefer a longer focus,
strong pictures. Do you use frontal
with a diffuser. A slightly cloudy sky
which I can use to achieve a tighter
light, backlight, light from the side or
will reduce contrasts. On days like
picture angle and uninterrupted
diffuse light? Each type has its own
that, you can spend the whole day
background. Which is why I was
strengths, but the photographer
taking pictures without having to
impressed by the T* 2/50 ZF. I used it
has to know which one suits his
worry about the light. I often use a
for the pictures of the bumblebee and
purposes best.
polarizing filter to reduce reflections
the butterfly gathering nectar from
on wet leaves and make the colors
a buttonbush. Many people would
Diffused light is my preferred choice
even richer. You can use a diffuser
find working in the midst of hungry
for macro photography, especially of
when the sky is clear. However, they
Camera Lens News No 34 Carl Zeiss
December 2009
Page 12
do have a limited range. Despite that, though, I often use them to screen the motif from direct light and reduce contrasts. I took the picture of the autumn ferns on a cloudy day. That is why the light is distributed evenly over the entire area. The ZEISS Makro-Planar T* 2/100 ZF enabled me to go up close enough to leave out the irritating background. The arrangement of darker ferns interwoven with lighter ones was soon “in the can”. All I did was find the right viewing angle to put the observer in the scene. I used the stems of the two ferns for alignment.
Jim Clark, the American nature photographer, is the editor of
I took the photo of the autumn leaves
Outdoor Photographer magazine.
on a day when the weather was
He is the author and photographer
changeable and the sun was in and
of four books. His latest book is
out. So I used a diffuser. As the leaves
“Between Ocean and Bay and The
were already on the ground, I took
Adventures of Buddy the Beaver”,
the liberty of arranging them in a
which he wrote and photographed
pretty composition. Again, I used the
with his 10-year-old son, Carston.
100mm lens to guide the eye just to the desired area on the forest floor. I love nature, and I can spend hours and days discovering tiny aspects of it and recording them. I am able to share my passion through my photography - and hopefully also share my enthusiasm.
www.jimclarkphotography.com
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