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Articles Table of Contents   Page 1: Lenses for Leica M8, M9, M* Page 2: Leica and Zeiss Lens Nomenclature Page 3: General Considerations in Choosing a Lens Page 4: Choosing Lens Focal Length Page 5: Reader Feedback on Leica M Page 6: Ray Angle and Off-center Color Shift Page 7: The Match Technical Coder Kit Page 8: Leica 18mm f/3.8 Super-Elmar-M ASPH Page 9: Leica 21mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH Page 10: Leica 24mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH Page 11: Leica 24mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M ASPH Page 12: Leica 28mm f/2 Summicron-M ASPH Page 13: Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH 2010 Page 14: Leica 35mm f/2 Summicron-M ASPH Page 15: Leica Noctilux-M 50mm f/0.95 ASPH Page 16: Leica 75mm f/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH Page 17: Zeiss ZM 15mm f/2.8 Distagon T* Page 18: Zeiss ZM 18mm f/4 Distagon T* Page 19: Zeiss ZM 21mm f/2.8 Biogon T* Page 20: Zeiss ZM 21mm f/4.5 C-Biogon T* Page 21: Zeiss ZM 25mm f/2.8 Biogon T* Page 22: Zeiss ZM 28mm f/2.8 Biogon T* Page 23: Zeiss ZM 35mm f/2 Biogon T* Page 24: Zeiss ZM 35mm f/2.8 C-Biogon T* Page 25: Zeiss ZM 50mm f/1.5 C-Sonnar T* Page 26: Zeiss ZM 50mm f/2 Planar T* Page 27: Zeiss ZM 85mm f/2 Sonnar T* Page 28: Zeiss ZM 85mm f/4 Tele-Tessar T*

Zeiss ZM 85mm f/4 Tele-Tessar T*

The Zeiss ZM 85mm f/4 Tele-Tessar (about $877) is a compact and low-cost high performance 85mm lens.

Since any lens of 75/85/90mm focal length is difficult to focus accurately and consistently on a rangefinder like the Leica M9, the f/4 maximum aperture is less of a real-world limitation that it might seem, at least for many types of photography.

Taking the (relatively speaking) ultra-low price into account, this might be a great choice for a compact kit where telephoto capability is needed.

The near-zero distortion and very high imaging quality make it eminently suitable for true-to-life imagery.

For in-depth coverage of the Leica M9 and lenses, please subscribe to our Guide to Leica.

Focusing

Like all lenses over 50mm, the key challenge on a rangefinder like the Leica M9 will be accurate focus and framing, just as with the Leica 75mm f/2 APO-Summicron-M.

In essence, perfect 20/20 vision is needed, along with perfect rangefinder focus adjustment.

Leica M9/M7/M8 users should consider the Viewfinder Magnifier 1.4X for use with 75/85/90mm lenses.

Image quality

Not yet tested.

MTF charts suggest excellent performance wide open at f/4, with outstanding performance in the f/5.6 - f/8 range.

Specifications

Per Zeiss. See the datasheet.

Zeiss ZM 85mm f/2 Sonnar T*

Focal length:	85mm
Aperture scale:	f/4 - f/22 in 1/3 steps
Focusing range:	0.9m - infinity
Angular field, diag./horiz./vert	29/25/17 °
Coverage at close range:	32 cm x 21 cm
Image ratio at close range:	1:9
Number of elements/groups:	5 elements in 3 groups
Filter thread:	M 43 x 0.75
Weight:	310g
Dimensions (with caps):	ø 54 mm, length 95 mm

Distortion

A faint trace of pincushion distortion is all there is, and it’s all but identical to the ZM 85mm f/2 Sonnar.

This is effectively zero distortion for any practical purpose, and much less distortion than the Leica offerings in the 75mm - 90mm range.

Conclusions

Please see discussion in my Guide to Leica.

Learning more

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