C-sonnar!
p.34 #1C-sonnar!
Just got my copy a short while ago, loving the output so far! The following pictures have only had some white balance adjustment. Nothing else has been edited. Shot on my Leica M10.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/162963166@N06/54706392803/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/162963166@N06/54706392933/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/162963166@N06/54706392803/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/162963166@N06/54706392933/in/dateposted-public/
Aug 07, 2025 at 01:46 PM
p.34 #2C-sonnar!
Owned the C-Sonnar for just over 7 years now and it's still my favorite:
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Nov 01, 2025 at 02:00 PM
p.34 #3C-sonnar!
These are excellent!
anumits wrote:
Owned the C-Sonnar for just over 7 years now and it's still my favorite:
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54893971887_2f536c6a50_b.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54894870061_aaa9f124c1_b.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48496518711_8c7f0bb306_b.jpg
anumits wrote:
Owned the C-Sonnar for just over 7 years now and it's still my favorite:
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54893971887_2f536c6a50_b.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54894870061_aaa9f124c1_b.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48496518711_8c7f0bb306_b.jpg
Nov 01, 2025 at 06:46 PM
p.34 #4C-sonnar!
Seriously thinking about buying this lens back. Love its character.
Nov 01, 2025 at 07:39 PM
p.34 #5C-sonnar!
There are issues with the bushings inside the lens — they’re made of Teflon, and over time a zeiss wobble develops. So if you’re buying it second-hand, be careful.
Dec 02, 2025 at 07:48 AM
p.34 #7C-sonnar!
I used this lens on a Leica M10 a few years ago. I loved the rendering, but hated the focus shift issues. I just repurchased it to shoot on a Zf ... it's a wonderful pairing, and I feel like I can now truly take advantage of its charms.
Dec 02, 2025 at 01:26 PM
p.34 #8C-sonnar!
It's funny that this thread got bumped up again. I had a portrait shoot to do yesterday and planned to use my Nikon lenses, but after I revisited this thread I switched gears and used the C-Sonnar (and another lens) instead (on my Sony A7iii). I got some nice shots with it, including these.
Veronica 3 by Brad Hurley, on Flickr
Veronica 4 by Brad Hurley, on Flickr
Veronica 13 by Brad Hurley, on Flickr
When I miss focus (in my case due to human error, not focus shift, since I'm using this lens on a Sony), I find that rendering the images in B&W can sometimes rescue them and create something compelling (to me anyway):
Veronica 28 by Brad Hurley, on Flickr
Veronica 22 by Brad Hurley, on Flickr
Veronica 3 by Brad Hurley, on FlickrVeronica 4 by Brad Hurley, on FlickrVeronica 13 by Brad Hurley, on FlickrWhen I miss focus (in my case due to human error, not focus shift, since I'm using this lens on a Sony), I find that rendering the images in B&W can sometimes rescue them and create something compelling (to me anyway):
Veronica 28 by Brad Hurley, on FlickrVeronica 22 by Brad Hurley, on FlickrDec 03, 2025 at 04:36 AM
p.34 #9C-sonnar!
A few concert photos with this lens, on Sony A7iii. This is the darkest venue I shoot at (I'm often 2-3 stops underexposed at ISO 12,800 even with an f/0.95 lens), so these were probably shot wide open at 1.5.
Ramé and Friends by Brad Hurley, on Flickr
Ramé and Friends by Brad Hurley, on Flickr
Ramé and Friends by Brad Hurley, on Flickr
Ramé and Friends by Brad Hurley, on FlickrRamé and Friends by Brad Hurley, on FlickrRamé and Friends by Brad Hurley, on FlickrApr 30, 2026 at 05:21 AM
p.34 #10C-sonnar!
Fantastic photos !!!!
bjhurley wrote:
It's funny that this thread got bumped up again. I had a portrait shoot to do yesterday and planned to use my Nikon lenses, but after I revisited this thread I switched gears and used the C-Sonnar (and another lens) instead (on my Sony A7iii). I got some nice shots with it, including these.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54960598291_ae3a24e204_c.jpgVeronica 3 by Brad Hurley, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54959710467_f6d0dce8f1_c.jpgVeronica 4 by Brad Hurley, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54959710582_b0c82a6c36_c.jpgVeronica 13 by Brad Hurley, on Flickr
When I miss focus (in my case due to human error, not focus shift, since I'm using this lens on a Sony), I find that rendering the images in...Show more →
bjhurley wrote:
It's funny that this thread got bumped up again. I had a portrait shoot to do yesterday and planned to use my Nikon lenses, but after I revisited this thread I switched gears and used the C-Sonnar (and another lens) instead (on my Sony A7iii). I got some nice shots with it, including these.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54960598291_ae3a24e204_c.jpgVeronica 3 by Brad Hurley, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54959710467_f6d0dce8f1_c.jpgVeronica 4 by Brad Hurley, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54959710582_b0c82a6c36_c.jpgVeronica 13 by Brad Hurley, on Flickr
When I miss focus (in my case due to human error, not focus shift, since I'm using this lens on a Sony), I find that rendering the images in...Show more →
May 03, 2026 at 03:03 AM
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p.34 #11C-sonnar!
I'm beginning to think that the C Sonnar has some of the nicest bokeh I've seen. Hmm ... maybe I should get one?
May 04, 2026 at 02:51 AM
p.34 #12C-sonnar!
^ Absolutely! Go for it!
On another note, and for those that were, eventually, able to compare this C-Sonnar with the Summilux pre-ASPH v2 - what would be your take on this comparison? I do have the C-Sonnar and the Lux ASPH, so wondering if the Lux pre-ASPH v2 would bring anything worth considering....
On another note, and for those that were, eventually, able to compare this C-Sonnar with the Summilux pre-ASPH v2 - what would be your take on this comparison? I do have the C-Sonnar and the Lux ASPH, so wondering if the Lux pre-ASPH v2 would bring anything worth considering....
May 04, 2026 at 08:29 AM
p.34 #13C-sonnar!
This young jazz singer just won a prestigious prize and will be performing at the Montréal Jazz Festival this summer; I did a photoshoot with him last Thursday using the C-Sonnar and he picked this shot to use in the official program.
Najib 41 2 by Brad Hurley, on Flickr
Najib 41 2 by Brad Hurley, on FlickrMay 20, 2026 at 11:51 AM
p.34 #14C-sonnar!
Every year in June one of my neighbours throws a garden party and asks me to come take photos. I used the C-Sonnar the whole time (on Sony A7iii).
Party Hubert 2026 by Brad Hurley, on Flickr
Party Hubert 2026 by Brad Hurley, on Flickr
Party Hubert 2026 by Brad Hurley, on Flickr
Party Hubert 2026 by Brad Hurley, on Flickr
This young man asked me to take some photos he could post on TikTok. He showed me his phone with the TikTok app open: he has 348,000 followers. How does that even happen?
Party Hubert 2026 by Brad Hurley, on Flickr
Party Hubert 2026 by Brad Hurley, on FlickrParty Hubert 2026 by Brad Hurley, on FlickrParty Hubert 2026 by Brad Hurley, on FlickrParty Hubert 2026 by Brad Hurley, on FlickrThis young man asked me to take some photos he could post on TikTok. He showed me his phone with the TikTok app open: he has 348,000 followers. How does that even happen?
Party Hubert 2026 by Brad Hurley, on FlickrJun 28, 2026 at 07:34 AM
p.34 #15C-sonnar!
You make the ZM sing 
very nice photos!!!!!
bjhurley wrote:
Every year in June one of my neighbours throws a garden party and asks me to come take photos. I used the C-Sonnar the whole time (on Sony A7iii).
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55361952836_b56ec9bf2e_c.jpgParty Hubert 2026 by Brad Hurley, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55362110198_533d697bd4_c.jpgParty Hubert 2026 by Brad Hurley, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55361013007_f76be1bfc6_c.jpgParty Hubert 2026 by Brad Hurley, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55362367595_06bef7f223_c.jpgParty Hubert 2026 by Brad Hurley, on Flickr
This young man asked me to take some photos he could post on TikTok. He showed me his phone with the TikTok app open: he has 348,000 followers. How does that even happen?
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55362366650_617208d66a_c.jpgParty Hubert 2026 by Brad Hurley, on Flickr
very nice photos!!!!!bjhurley wrote:
Every year in June one of my neighbours throws a garden party and asks me to come take photos. I used the C-Sonnar the whole time (on Sony A7iii).
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55361952836_b56ec9bf2e_c.jpgParty Hubert 2026 by Brad Hurley, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55362110198_533d697bd4_c.jpgParty Hubert 2026 by Brad Hurley, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55361013007_f76be1bfc6_c.jpgParty Hubert 2026 by Brad Hurley, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55362367595_06bef7f223_c.jpgParty Hubert 2026 by Brad Hurley, on Flickr
This young man asked me to take some photos he could post on TikTok. He showed me his phone with the TikTok app open: he has 348,000 followers. How does that even happen?
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55362366650_617208d66a_c.jpgParty Hubert 2026 by Brad Hurley, on Flickr
Jun 28, 2026 at 02:46 PM
p.34 #16C-sonnar!
hanay78 wrote:
You make the ZM sing very nice photos!!!!!
Thanks! It's a great lens.
You make the ZM sing
very nice photos!!!!!Thanks! It's a great lens.
Jun 28, 2026 at 04:05 PM
john9ol
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p.34 #17C-sonnar!
Having the Sony 50 1.4 i can really look for a lens with a lot of mojo to it. Just have to figure which one the ZM or VC. The VC is a lot cheaper
Jul 16, 2026 at 06:34 AM
p.34 #18C-sonnar!
vadvik wrote:
There are issues with the bushings inside the lens — they’re made of Teflon, and over time a zeiss wobble develops. So if you’re buying it second-hand, be careful.
This issue refers to the so-called “Zeiss wobble,” which is related to the focusing mechanism. Some earlier Zeiss ZM lenses used Teflon bushings inside the lens barrel. Over time, these bushings could wear and develop play, causing a slight wobble or looseness in the focusing mechanism.
Zeiss never officially announced a recall or a specific serial number range where the change was made. However, based on user reports, the issue is mostly associated with earlier production lenses from approximately 2005–2009. Later production lenses, especially those made around 2010–2012 and after, appear to have improved construction. At some point during production, Zeiss strengthened the focusing mechanism and improved the precision and tolerances of the internal components, resulting in better mechanical stability and reduced risk of developing play over time.
There are issues with the bushings inside the lens — they’re made of Teflon, and over time a zeiss wobble develops. So if you’re buying it second-hand, be careful.
This issue refers to the so-called “Zeiss wobble,” which is related to the focusing mechanism. Some earlier Zeiss ZM lenses used Teflon bushings inside the lens barrel. Over time, these bushings could wear and develop play, causing a slight wobble or looseness in the focusing mechanism.
Zeiss never officially announced a recall or a specific serial number range where the change was made. However, based on user reports, the issue is mostly associated with earlier production lenses from approximately 2005–2009. Later production lenses, especially those made around 2010–2012 and after, appear to have improved construction. At some point during production, Zeiss strengthened the focusing mechanism and improved the precision and tolerances of the internal components, resulting in better mechanical stability and reduced risk of developing play over time.
Jul 16, 2026 at 12:50 PM
p.34 #19C-sonnar!
bjhurley wrote:
Every year in June one of my neighbours throws a garden party and asks me to come take photos. I used the C-Sonnar the whole time (on Sony A7iii).
I have always appreciated Zeiss. I already owned my first copy more than two decades ago — a Jupiter lens (USSR) — but the C Sonnar simply eats it for breakfast.
The newer Zeiss lenses have extremely high contrast, and the T* coatings enhance it even further on sunny days. It can be very difficult to recover details in both highlights and shadows. If someone enjoys very contrasty images, this is the lens for them.
Out of all my Zeiss lenses, I will keep the C Sonnar. I absolutely love its smooth transition into out-of-focus areas and something I have never seen before. When you zoom in and look above the heads of the figures in the shadows, you can see something truly magical: the distant light sources are rendered as beautiful glowing bokeh bubbles that resemble tiny stars in the distance. I intentionally uploaded the photo in full resolution because this effect is not visible in the resized version.
For me, the sweet spot is f/2.0. It eliminates some of its weaknesses, such as chromatic aberration and angular bokeh highlights, while still providing incredible rendering and a beautiful three-dimensional quality.
I personally do not like extremely high-contrast images, which is why my photos do not have that exaggerated 3D pop. You can also create an even stronger effect by intentionally misfocusing slightly and using the focus shift — it can produce a very unique 3D look.
However, for me, even my Sonnar calibrated at f/1.5 is too sharp for close-up portraits. At longer distances, though, I feel it lacks some resolution compared to my 50mm Summilux on the M10-R. Still, it is a perfect complement to it.
The C Sonnar has something that the Lux does not have, or only has to a very small degree. On the other hand, the Summilux has bokeh highlights that are almost painfully perfect — beautifully controlled all the way to the edge of the frame, right up to the very limit of the out-of-focus area.
Leica M10-R Zeiss C Sonnar T* 50mm f/1.5 ZM - f/2 Small
Leica M10-R Zeiss C Sonnar T* 50mm f/1.5 ZM - f/2 Full Size
Every year in June one of my neighbours throws a garden party and asks me to come take photos. I used the C-Sonnar the whole time (on Sony A7iii).
I have always appreciated Zeiss. I already owned my first copy more than two decades ago — a Jupiter lens (USSR) — but the C Sonnar simply eats it for breakfast.
The newer Zeiss lenses have extremely high contrast, and the T* coatings enhance it even further on sunny days. It can be very difficult to recover details in both highlights and shadows. If someone enjoys very contrasty images, this is the lens for them.
Out of all my Zeiss lenses, I will keep the C Sonnar. I absolutely love its smooth transition into out-of-focus areas and something I have never seen before. When you zoom in and look above the heads of the figures in the shadows, you can see something truly magical: the distant light sources are rendered as beautiful glowing bokeh bubbles that resemble tiny stars in the distance. I intentionally uploaded the photo in full resolution because this effect is not visible in the resized version.
For me, the sweet spot is f/2.0. It eliminates some of its weaknesses, such as chromatic aberration and angular bokeh highlights, while still providing incredible rendering and a beautiful three-dimensional quality.
I personally do not like extremely high-contrast images, which is why my photos do not have that exaggerated 3D pop. You can also create an even stronger effect by intentionally misfocusing slightly and using the focus shift — it can produce a very unique 3D look.
However, for me, even my Sonnar calibrated at f/1.5 is too sharp for close-up portraits. At longer distances, though, I feel it lacks some resolution compared to my 50mm Summilux on the M10-R. Still, it is a perfect complement to it.
The C Sonnar has something that the Lux does not have, or only has to a very small degree. On the other hand, the Summilux has bokeh highlights that are almost painfully perfect — beautifully controlled all the way to the edge of the frame, right up to the very limit of the out-of-focus area.
Leica M10-R Zeiss C Sonnar T* 50mm f/1.5 ZM - f/2 Small
Leica M10-R Zeiss C Sonnar T* 50mm f/1.5 ZM - f/2 Full Size
Jul 16, 2026 at 03:59 PM
p.34 #20C-sonnar!
I took some photos with the C-Sonnar at a bal-folk dance Saturday night, on Sony A7s (the OG):
Balfolk Montréal 7 nov 2026 by Brad Hurley, on Flickr
Balfolk Montréal 7 nov 2026 by Brad Hurley, on Flickr
Balfolk Montréal 7 nov 2026 by Brad Hurley, on Flickr
Balfolk Montréal 7 nov 2026 by Brad Hurley, on Flickr
Balfolk Montréal 7 nov 2026 by Brad Hurley, on Flickr
Balfolk Montréal 7 nov 2026 by Brad Hurley, on Flickr
Balfolk Montréal 7 nov 2026 by Brad Hurley, on Flickr
Balfolk Montréal 7 nov 2026 by Brad Hurley, on Flickr
Balfolk Montréal 7 nov 2026 by Brad Hurley, on FlickrBalfolk Montréal 7 nov 2026 by Brad Hurley, on FlickrBalfolk Montréal 7 nov 2026 by Brad Hurley, on FlickrBalfolk Montréal 7 nov 2026 by Brad Hurley, on FlickrBalfolk Montréal 7 nov 2026 by Brad Hurley, on FlickrBalfolk Montréal 7 nov 2026 by Brad Hurley, on FlickrBalfolk Montréal 7 nov 2026 by Brad Hurley, on FlickrBalfolk Montréal 7 nov 2026 by Brad Hurley, on FlickrNov 09, 2026 at 10:48 AM