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| ZM lenses on the digital M8 rangefinder cameras |
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| Aalen City, Biogon T* 2,8/28 ZM, Dr. Hubert Nasse |
Carl Zeiss lenses with ZM bayonet mounts are exceptionally well-suited for use on Zeiss Ikon and Zeiss Ikon SW cameras. But they can also be easily used on all other M-bayonet compatible camera models.
All ZM lenses offer outstanding imaging performance for both analog and digital cameras. Carl Zeiss ZM lenses without 6 bit coding can even be used with a digital M8 without any appreciable limitations.
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| Aalen, C Biogon T* 4,5/21 ZM, Dr. Hubert Nasse |
6 bit coding
The digital M8 is equipped with a system which can read 6 bit coding (black and white markings) integrated into the lens bayonet. According to information provided by the manufacturer, this serves to recognize the lens type and optimize image quality. The 6 bit code is designed to recognize a maximum of 64 historic, current and future M lenses from the manufacturer. It is therefore not possible to retrofit Carl Zeiss ZM lenses with 6 bit coding.
Later correction
The M8 uses the lens recognition system to note the lens used in the exif image data. The system is also used for internal vignetting correction. In many fields of practical photography, automatic or manual vignetting correction does not play an important role. Even when using super wide-angle lenses and an open aperture, reprocessing or vignetting is usually not needed. The images shown were taken with uncoded Carl Zeiss ZM lenses and, apart from the picture size, were not reprocessed. In some rare cases when vignetting interferes with the subject of the picture, this can be effectively and easily corrected with commercial image processing software. If an IR blocking filter is used with uncoded lenses with a focal length under 35 mm, a certain green tinge can appear around the edges of the picture. This effect can also be corrected by appropriate reprocessing using image processing software, for example "Vignette Corrector".
Website Vignette Corrector
Viewfinders for wide angle lenses
When Carl Zeiss ZM lenses with a focal length of 28 mm and longer are used, suitable bright line frames are reflected into the viewfinders of digital M8 cameras to define the picture. If focal lengths fewer than 28 mm are used, we recommend the use of an appropriate viewfinder. In the case of the Biogon T* 2.8/25 ZM, the lens bayonet can be modified so that the correct viewfinder frame (corresponding to 24 mm) is also reflected into the M8. If requested by the customer, Carl Zeiss will undertake appropriate bayonet modifications on ZM focal lengths under 28 mm.
Reflected viewfinder frames |
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December 2007 |
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