Zenza Bronica Zenzanon-S 1:2.8 f=80mm Review

Zenza Bronica Zenzanon-S 1:2.8 f=80mm is a standard lens for medium format camera Bronica SQ. Bronica - a relatively young Japanese company, which produced medium format cameras and lenses. The production of lenses helped her German company Schneider, the world leader in optics for medium-format lenses. 

The lens has a bayonet Bronica SQ; mount it on DSLR difficult because the adapter is expensive and costs like the lens. Of course, if you have a whole collection of lenses Bronica SQ series, a good idea for the bought adapter.

The optical design is 6 elements in 5 groups. 

Zenza Bronica Zenzanon-S 1: 2.8 f = 80mm with a converted mount for bayonet “V” (Hasselblad). I convert it under the bayonet “V” in such a way through the adapter KP88 / N mount to Nikon F.  Also, read how to mount Zenza Bronica-S 1:2.8 80mm to DSLR cameras.

Zenza Bronica Zenzanon-S 1:2.8 f=80mm Specs

Focal length: 80mm

Aperture: f/ 2.8 — f/ 22

Weight (gr): 490

Length (mm): 52

Filter Ø (mm.): 67

Aperture blades: 5

Min. focus distance (m.): 0.8

Handling and Mechanics

The lens is big and looks at the camera seriously. Moreover, it is not so weighted as the size. In general, it is convenient to use. 

Zenza Bronica Zenzanon-S 1:2.8 f=80mm on the Nikon camera Barrel design made in such a manner that the front lens is planted at a depth of 25 mm, thereby forming a lens hood. The aperture closes by full stops: 2.8 - 4 - 5.6 - 8 - 11 - 16 - 22. It's a little uncomfortable at f / 3,5 it will not close. The lens has a built-in Seiko # 0 leaf shutter. On the DSLR camera, of course, we don’t need it.

Focusing

The lens has a rubberized focusing ring that rotates 180 degrees. In this case, the lens is extended nose on 12 mm. The front element is not rotating. Focusing convenient.

Zenza Bronica Zenzanon-S 1:2.8 f=80mm Sample Photos

I took all photos on Nikon D3100.

Sharpness

At aperture, f/ 2.8 is a little soft, but for portraits sharpness enough. Soft in the normal range. 

f/ 2.8 

 f/ 2.8

At aperture, f / 4 sharpness is already good.

Character and Bokeh

The lens has its expressiveness.

 f/ 2.8

At aperture f/ 2.8 interesting bokeh and plastic. Yes, it soft, but this disadvantage is offset by the plasticity and character of the image.

f/ 2.8

f/ 2.8

Circles of an out-of-focus area have the correct blurring, forming a perfect circle. Something like bokeh Trioplan 50 1: 2.9.  f/ 2.8 

f/ 2.8 example of circles in the bokeh I really like such bokeh.

f/ 2.8

Aperture has 5 blades. And to cover it, the five-point values can get nuts. 

f/ 2.8

Contrast and Color Render

The lens has a normal contrast. But fears of strong side light and the backlight. Better to avoid scenes with a strong back and sidelight.

f/ 2.8

f/ 2.8

f/ 2.8

f/ 2.8

 f/ 2.8

Summary

Zenza Bronica Zenzanon-S 1:2.8 f=80mm interesting primarily for art and portrait shooting. 

f/ 2.8