Meyer Optik 300 f4 versus Zeiss 300 f4

[Karhallarn]

Hi,

for some time I'm searching for a 300mm f4 lens for my Nikon and was thinking about a Carl Zeiss Jena 300 f4 with P6 mount. I really like my Zeiss Jena 180 2.8 the most of all my lenses, so it was the logically way!

Now there is a Meyer Optik 300 f4 at a local camera store used good condition for 99€.

What do you think? Is the Meyer much worse than the Zeiss? How about the quality on a APS-C cam? I heard bad things about the lense on it's original medium format purpose but good things on APS-C, where you are using the sweet spot of the sweet spot!

But how good it is compared to the Zeiss or my Zeiss 180 2.8 I couldn't figure out! Can you guys help?

Anyone having both?

[Attila]

Less sharp at wide open, but still good enough. All over nice lens, not much worst than CZJ.

[Karhallarn]

Thank you for the quick response attila!

Would you call the Meyer tack sharp at 5.6 or would that require f8?

Is the f4 setting useless or does it just needs some sharpening in advance?

I have the Volna 80 2.8 which is meant to be a little bit soft wide open but I absolutely like it wide open and am impressed stopped down to f4!?

[Attila]

Not sure tack sharp or not at f8 , but sharp enough I think. I recommend to take this lens. It will be sharper at stopped down that for sure. It is usable at F4 due heavy weight need sturdy tripod and/or strong arm if you use as walking lens in zoo.

[Karhallarn]

That's a statement!

I don't have a problem running around with my Zeiss 180 2.8 and my Dix handheld the whole day, so the extra 500g shouldn't be a problem!

[Attila]

Great! I think it has lovely character with great color and bokeh.

[Karhallarn]

I'm excited about the 16 blade aperture!!!!!

[Attila]

[Karhallarn]

Bold assumption...

[Big Dawg]

I love my Meyer 300 f/ 4 but cannot comment on the Zeiss 300. F/ 4 is not that bad but one step up and it does get better. The Iris on this lens is really something to behold. I can watch it open and close for hours. Really a thing of beauty. I use mine hand held a lot but the tripod gives much sharper photos with it.

[Karhallarn]

I thought about it some more and I decided against the Meyer in favor of a Zeiss! It's just that I really love my Zeiss and even if I would absolutey recommend my Volna, it's not like my Zeiss in Look and fell of the pictures.

So I keep looking and tel you when I've purchased a Zeiss!

Thank you all for your advice anyway!