Zeiss Mutar 1.4x?

[bradleygibson]

Hi, everyone,

I've been looking at various telephoto options for the V camera and noticed that there are two 2x teleconverters--the Zeiss Mutar 2x and the Fuji 2XE. A few folks have noted that they prefer the Zeiss over the Fuji (but without any substantiation).

The question I have is, given that there is a Fuji 1.4XE, is there a Zeiss Mutar 1.4x? I am not counting the PC-Mutar 1.4x, since the shift capability decouples the lens from the camera and requires a special release cable. I'm just referring to a plain-ol' Zeiss Mutar 1.4x.

Does anyone know if such a beastie exists?

Extra thanks if you can provide any experience re: the Mutar 2x vs. the 2XE image quality question.

Thanks in advance,
-Brad

 

[terrydent]

Both the 1.4xe and the 2xe were made with japanese glass and assembled in Sweden. These lenses have data bus connections that transmit the lens info to the 200 series cameras. The 2x Mutar by Carl Zeiss was the first offical teleconverter from Hasselblad. It has no data bus. There is no 1.4 Mutar except for the PC lens and you are right about being uncoupled from the camera and needing a double cable release. I have used all the ones mentioned here and can say the they all deliver top quality results with proper technique (use of a tripod).

Terry

 

[vandevantersh]

Nordin lists a Teleconverter 1.4XE #20608, doesn't say the origin of the "glass" but probably Zeiss since he doesn't say "Japanese supplier". Nordin says the 1.4 was introduced to provide lower mag. and high image quality. We will have to wait for Paul to give the definitive answer.

Steve

 

[JAT]

Zeiss 1.4x by Hasselblad

Brad, I have now used the Zeiss 1.4x and am very satisfied with it. It even works fine with the CFE 350 lens. Go for it if you can put your fingers on one.

Hi, everyone,

I've been looking at various telephoto options for the V camera and noticed that there are two 2x teleconverters--the Zeiss Mutar 2x and the Fuji 2XE. A few folks have noted that they prefer the Zeiss over the Fuji (but without any substantiation).

The question I have is, given that there is a Fuji 1.4XE, is there a Zeiss Mutar 1.4x? I am not counting the PC-Mutar 1.4x, since the shift capability decouples the lens from the camera and requires a special release cable. I'm just referring to a plain-ol' Zeiss Mutar 1.4x.

Does anyone know if such a beastie exists?

Extra thanks if you can provide any experience re: the Mutar 2x vs. the 2XE image quality question.

Thanks in advance,
-Brad

 

[terrydent]

Here s the whole family, left to right Carl Zeiss Mutar 2x, 2xe, APO 1.4xe, 1.4xe and in front Carl Zeiss 1.4x PC Mutar.
Only the Mutar 2x and the PC Mutar 1.4x say Carl Zeiss and made in Germany. The rest do not mention Carl Zeiss and have made in Sweden on them. I doubt Zeiss had anything to do with thsm.

Terry

 

[bradleygibson]

Wow now that's a collection of teleconverters!

Have you noticed any difference in image quality between the Zeiss 2X and the 2XE at all?

Guys, from all indications I could find,the XE series glass is from Fuji and is assembled by Hassy in Switzerland.

JAT, which Zeiss 1.4x are you referring to--the PC mutar?
Many thanks,
Brad

 

[JAT]

Brad,
I refer to the Hasselblad teleconverter 1.4XE (for 100-500 mm lenses only). I believe this is a Zeiss product.

JAT

 

[bcphoto]

Bradleygibson

Sorry to have just seen this.

I own the 1.4XE Mutar and there is no mention of Zeiss on the teleconverter.

However, I have used it on the 120mm S-Planar and it is sharp. On the Mutar it says "100-500 lenses only". The 1.4XE Mutar will not physically mount on the shorter lenses due to the close proximity of the internal lens to the rear element of the 80mm or shorter lenses.
BC

 

[bradleygibson]

Yes, I've come to the conclusion that the 1.4XE is Fuji, but is quite well-regarded.

The 2XE is also Fuji, but opinon is divided on whether it is the equal of the Zeiss 2x Mutar or not. Some say it is, others say it isn't. I may have to try both and have a bake-off.

Thanks, BC.
-Brad

 

[bcphoto]

Bradleygibson

If it is any consolation, along with the Zeiss lenses I have, the Fujinon glass is just as good. I have a 360mm Fujinon A lens that is beyond any German glass that I've used and that includes top line Schneider and Rodenstock.

Also if you haven't looked at the night sky through some Fujinon 16x70mm Astro binoculars you are missing something!

BC

 

[bradleygibson]

The night sky through the binoculars sounds great! (I actually got serious about photography as a first step to astrophotography, but found I loved it so much, I've not quite progressed to do the rest!)

I should explain my comments with respect to the Fuji teleconverters; to my eye, Fuji lenses have a somewhat harsher rendering than I like to see. I'd put the Rolleiflex Schneiders on one end of the spectrum, the Hasselblad Zeiss in the middle, and the Hasselblad Fuji at the other end of that spectrum. My personal sweet spot falls on the spectrum partway between the Schneider and Zeiss points on that line.

I have no qualms with the sharpness of the Fuji glass--they do frequenly outperform Zeiss and/or Schneider in that dimension--but for me there is something in the way it renders out of focus areas primarily that I don't always like. I've seen some of this harshness with the GX-680 lenses as well, and have come to associate it with Fuji's look. That being said, stick a straight, 5-bladed aperture in a Zeiss lens and I get some disturbing bokeh, too, and believe it or not, the bokeh is one of the reasons I left Hasselblad/Zeiss and went to Rollei (Sinar Hy6) for a time (and was extremely pleased with that particular aspect of the system).

But now I'm back with the FE glass which give me partially rounded apertures down to 5.6 or 6.3 in all but the Planar 80, and so I'm reasonably satisfied. By all accounts I've got no worries with the 1.4XE, but given the choice of the two 2x's and at least some people indicating a signficant difference, I probably will take a look at both 2x's.

As for the Fuji binoculars, I'd love to own a pair--I'm sure their phenomenal.

-Brad

 

[bcphoto]

Bradleygibson

I will agree about the rendering of the images and the Fuji. The A series is APO, ED glass I think, EBC coated and slow. All the Japanese large format glass that I have used renders a bit cool. The Schneiders more neutral and the Rodenstock a bit red but I prefer the Rodenstocks overall. As far as I can tell the Zeiss glass is neutral also. We had an 18 inch Nikon lens for 8x10 and it was very blue.

The binoculars are big and heavy and quite a handful to hold steady but it can be done. They work much better on a tripod though. The close focus is something like 50 feet so I wouldn't buy them for birding. Looking at the moon through them is a new experience. Now the ultimate is the Fujinon 25x150mm binocular:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/206822-USA/Fujinon_7125151_25x150_EDMT_SX_ED_Binocular.html

The comet Hyakutake was discovered with those I believe.

I also have a Meade LX200 8 inch scope. The viewing here is bad most of the time -- light pollution and water in the air. But I've managed to see the polar caps on Mars once. And one night with my 3mm Lanthanum eyepiece I had unusually superb viewing conditions and I could see crags in the mountains and ravines or valleys in the mare. That was pushing the scopes ability and I never saw that again.

A bit OT above but I've been pleased with the 1.4 Mutar. I use it on the 120mm S-Planar for portraits and it is sharp enough that I have to use a Softar I or a Tiffen black pro-mist to take off the edge. (unless I'm shooting grizzled sea captains)
BC

 

[filmcapture]

Here s the whole family, left to right Carl Zeiss Mutar 2x, 2xe, APO 1.4xe, 1.4xe and in front Carl Zeiss 1.4x PC Mutar.
Only the Mutar 2x and the PC Mutar 1.4x say Carl Zeiss and made in Germany. The rest do not mention Carl Zeiss and have made in Sweden on them. I doubt Zeiss had anything to do with thsm.

Terry

Terry, wonderful collections, but you missed one in the whole family, which is the Zeiss Apo-Mutar 1.7XE. It's really a great one.

 

[polypal]

The 1.7 Mutar is a dedicated converter for the 300/2.8 TPP lens.
It is only sold with the lens for which this converter is matched.

Terry has a great collection of Hasselblad gear, with some extra cash to spend now he has said farewell to his Rollei gear.

That may seduce him to get a 300 TPP lens??


Paul

 

[terrydent]

You are right. I am missing the 1.7xe. I don't see myself ever getting a 300 TPP! The choice could end up like this, get the 300mm TPP OR get a new automobile. Hmmmm..........

However, if one came my way at an attractive price, Hmmmm..........

I'll be thinking about this.

Terry

 

[polarcircle]

What I understand from having read interviews with Hasselblad people in Swedish magazines the converters were of Swedish design, not Fuji. Where the glass was made I have no idea, there are people on the list (e.g. Paul) who can give a better account of this. I believe downstream in the list there are written who did what. However, Fujinon lens is not what I understand a correct description - even if some work might have been done there.

Cheers,

Ronald

Yes, I've come to the conclusion that the 1.4XE is Fuji, but is quite well-regarded.

The 2XE is also Fuji, but opinon is divided on whether it is the equal of the Zeiss 2x Mutar or not. Some say it is, others say it isn't. I may have to try both and have a bake-off.

Thanks, BC.
-Brad