C-sonnar!
p.8 #1C-sonnar!
GMPhotography wrote:
This one . I bought it before I left NY late July from B&H . I never used the hood or front caps. Box everything. Full review here in Sony forum that Fred started. It's absolutely the best 50 I ever shot but I'm not the biggest 50 guy and my use would be the grandkids and people stuff so I think the ZM 50 maybe better for me . I have the GM 85 and 24-70 GM surrounding it so I can really get by.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1264965-REG/sony_sel50f14z_planar_t_fe_50mm.html
Yes. I followed your adventure to B&H in pursuit of the FE 50 F1.4. I think I received my preordered copy a few days after you purchased yours. Great lens. Its my first experience with a lens that I will actually use wide-open almost all the time. Love the look of this lens at F1.4. But I don't think I would call it a character so makes sense you might be leaning toward the C Sonnar if a 50 w/ character is what you are after.
I might like to try the C Sonnar myself, but want to get my hands on the TAP first.
BTW, I tried the DeoTech Golden Eagle Contax G to Emount adapter and found it to be very unreliable and problematic. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. Have they improved much with the TAP?
This one . I bought it before I left NY late July from B&H . I never used the hood or front caps. Box everything. Full review here in Sony forum that Fred started. It's absolutely the best 50 I ever shot but I'm not the biggest 50 guy and my use would be the grandkids and people stuff so I think the ZM 50 maybe better for me . I have the GM 85 and 24-70 GM surrounding it so I can really get by.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1264965-REG/sony_sel50f14z_planar_t_fe_50mm.html
Yes. I followed your adventure to B&H in pursuit of the FE 50 F1.4. I think I received my preordered copy a few days after you purchased yours. Great lens. Its my first experience with a lens that I will actually use wide-open almost all the time. Love the look of this lens at F1.4. But I don't think I would call it a character so makes sense you might be leaning toward the C Sonnar if a 50 w/ character is what you are after.
I might like to try the C Sonnar myself, but want to get my hands on the TAP first.
BTW, I tried the DeoTech Golden Eagle Contax G to Emount adapter and found it to be very unreliable and problematic. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. Have they improved much with the TAP?
Sep 08, 2016 at 07:20 PM
p.8 #2C-sonnar!
LBJ2 wrote:
BTW, I tried the DeoTech Golden Eagle Contax G to Emount adapter and found it to be very unreliable and problematic. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. Have they improved much with the TAP?
The TAP post v4 update has been really stable and very snappy.. bordering on native FE speed snappy. I don't know who the wizards are at techart but they know their stuff. I thought v3 was impressive if not quirky, but v4 seems to have improved on every function they offer. It's made my look sideways at a number of native FE lenses I own and consider what I could do with the cash as far as smaller, MF lenses instead.
The only thing stopping me is flexible focus and Eye AF.
BTW, I tried the DeoTech Golden Eagle Contax G to Emount adapter and found it to be very unreliable and problematic. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. Have they improved much with the TAP?
The TAP post v4 update has been really stable and very snappy.. bordering on native FE speed snappy. I don't know who the wizards are at techart but they know their stuff. I thought v3 was impressive if not quirky, but v4 seems to have improved on every function they offer. It's made my look sideways at a number of native FE lenses I own and consider what I could do with the cash as far as smaller, MF lenses instead.
The only thing stopping me is flexible focus and Eye AF.
Sep 08, 2016 at 07:47 PM
p.8 #3C-sonnar!
GMPhotography wrote:
I might sell my 50 1.4 . I know it's really a sick move but I really have it covered in some ways. Noodling but it will be listed here.
I spoke to future-you, and he misses it a little, but he's happy the Sonnar 50 on his TechArt and lets the GM's do all the heavy lifting.
Does that help?
I might sell my 50 1.4 . I know it's really a sick move but I really have it covered in some ways. Noodling but it will be listed here.
I spoke to future-you, and he misses it a little, but he's happy the Sonnar 50 on his TechArt and lets the GM's do all the heavy lifting.
Does that help?
Sep 08, 2016 at 07:59 PM
p.8 #4C-sonnar!
Fred Miranda wrote:
I think it will be f/2.5 or f/2.8 but let's see.
I really hope you're right about this. And I really hope it's a Sonnar f/2.
I can live with that, but I still have hope.
I think it will be f/2.5 or f/2.8 but let's see.
freaklikeme wrote
Fred Miranda wrote
Loxia 85.I can live with that, but I still have hope.
Sep 08, 2016 at 08:01 PM
p.8 #5C-sonnar!
BrandonSi wrote:
The TAP post v4 update has been really stable and very snappy.. bordering on native FE speed snappy. I don't know who the wizards are at techart but they know their stuff. I thought v3 was impressive if not quirky, but v4 seems to have improved on every function they offer. It's made my look sideways at a number of native FE lenses I own and consider what I could do with the cash as far as smaller, MF lenses instead.
The only thing stopping me is flexible focus and Eye AF.
Thank you. Good to know. The DeoTech Golden Eagle Contax G adapter I had was a loud science experiment at best when it worked. I was tempted to order the TAP when it first came out but bad memories of the DEOTech held me back. From what I am now reading many of you seem to be very happy with the new TAP + ver IV and admit if as good as many of you attest, then opens up all kinds of possibilities.
P.S. for those of you that own the C Sonnar 50 F1.4 did you have it factory adjusted to focus at F1.5 ?
"This Zeiss lens is optimized for focus at f/2.8 when it is produced at the factory. However, if a customer is interested in using the lens wide open and having it optimized for optimum performance at f/1.5 and if the lens is still under warranty, this service can be provided at no cost."
Described here on B&H
LBJ2 wrote
BTW, I tried the DeoTech Golden Eagle Contax G to Emount adapter and found it to be very unreliable and problematic. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. Have they improved much with the TAP?The only thing stopping me is flexible focus and Eye AF.
Thank you. Good to know. The DeoTech Golden Eagle Contax G adapter I had was a loud science experiment at best when it worked. I was tempted to order the TAP when it first came out but bad memories of the DEOTech held me back. From what I am now reading many of you seem to be very happy with the new TAP + ver IV and admit if as good as many of you attest, then opens up all kinds of possibilities.
P.S. for those of you that own the C Sonnar 50 F1.4 did you have it factory adjusted to focus at F1.5 ?
"This Zeiss lens is optimized for focus at f/2.8 when it is produced at the factory. However, if a customer is interested in using the lens wide open and having it optimized for optimum performance at f/1.5 and if the lens is still under warranty, this service can be provided at no cost."
Described here on B&H
Sep 08, 2016 at 08:10 PM
p.8 #6C-sonnar!
LBJ2 wrote:
The TAP post v4 update has been really stable and very snappy.. bordering on native FE speed snappy. I don't know who the wizards are at techart but they know their stuff. I thought v3 was impressive if not quirky, but v4 seems to have improved on every function they offer. It's made my look sideways at a number of native FE lenses I own and consider what I could do with the cash as far as smaller, MF lenses instead.
The only thing stopping me is flexible focus and Eye AF.Thank you. Good to know. The DeoTech Golden Eagle Contax G adapter I had was a loud science experiment at best when it worked. I was tempted to order the TAP when it first came out but bad memories of the DEOTech held me back From what I am now reading many of you seem to be very happy with the new TAP + ver IV and admit if as good as many of you attest, then opens up all kinds of possibilities.
P.S. for those of you that own the C Sonnar 50 F1.4 did you have it factory...Show more →
I'm sure some have, but with the TAP focus shift is no longer an issue (assuming that's why you were bringing that up). The lens elements don't move, the actual lens as a whole moves.
BrandonSi wrote
LBJ2 wrote
BTW, I tried the DeoTech Golden Eagle Contax G to Emount adapter and found it to be very unreliable and problematic. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. Have they improved much with the TAP?The only thing stopping me is flexible focus and Eye AF.
P.S. for those of you that own the C Sonnar 50 F1.4 did you have it factory...Show more →
I'm sure some have, but with the TAP focus shift is no longer an issue (assuming that's why you were bringing that up). The lens elements don't move, the actual lens as a whole moves.
Sep 08, 2016 at 08:12 PM
p.8 #7C-sonnar!
BrandonSi wrote:
The TAP post v4 update has been really stable and very snappy.. bordering on native FE speed snappy. I don't know who the wizards are at techart but they know their stuff. I thought v3 was impressive if not quirky, but v4 seems to have improved on every function they offer. It's made my look sideways at a number of native FE lenses I own and consider what I could do with the cash as far as smaller, MF lenses instead.
The only thing stopping me is flexible focus and Eye AF.Thank you. Good to know. The DeoTech Golden Eagle Contax G adapter I had was a loud science experiment at best when it worked. I was tempted to order the TAP when it first came out but bad memories of the DEOTech held me back From what I am now reading many of you seem to be very happy with the new TAP + ver IV and admit if as good as many of you attest, then opens up all kinds of possibilities.
P.S. for those of you that own the C Sonnar 50 F1.4 did you have it factory adjusted to focus at F1.5 ?
"This Zeiss lens is optimized for focus at f/2.8 when it is produced at the factory. However, if a customer is interested in using the lens wide open and having it optimized for optimum performance at f/1.5 and if the lens is still under warranty, this service can be provided at no cost."
Described here on B&HI'm sure some have, but with the TAP focus shift is no longer an issue (assuming that's why you were bringing that up). The lens elements don't move, the actual lens as a whole moves.
Gotcha. Even better! Thank you.
LBJ2 wrote
BrandonSi wrote
LBJ2 wrote
BTW, I tried the DeoTech Golden Eagle Contax G to Emount adapter and found it to be very unreliable and problematic. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. Have they improved much with the TAP?The only thing stopping me is flexible focus and Eye AF.
P.S. for those of you that own the C Sonnar 50 F1.4 did you have it factory adjusted to focus at F1.5 ?
"This Zeiss lens is optimized for focus at f/2.8 when it is produced at the factory. However, if a customer is interested in using the lens wide open and having it optimized for optimum performance at f/1.5 and if the lens is still under warranty, this service can be provided at no cost."
Described here on B&H
Gotcha. Even better! Thank you.
Sep 08, 2016 at 08:26 PM
p.8 #8C-sonnar!
Raise your hand if having the possibilities of the TAP is making the "perfection" of some of your FE primes seem perfectly boring. I question whether keeping some of them is the artistic equivalent of carrying around a blankey. For security purposes only.
My ideal travel kit: Loxia 21 2.8. ZM 35 1.4, ZM 50 1.5 or Leica Summicron R, Maybe the ZM 85 F4, maybe something faster for portraits depending on size/price constraints. And if my TAP taps out and Tech Art goes bust...I'll deal with that then. Damn. I think I just convinced myself to ditch my FE primes. Looking at portraits taken with my 55 1.8 next to the 50 Summicron R started this. One was perfect. And did't excite me at all. The other was artful and lovely. Shocker.
My ideal travel kit: Loxia 21 2.8. ZM 35 1.4, ZM 50 1.5 or Leica Summicron R, Maybe the ZM 85 F4, maybe something faster for portraits depending on size/price constraints. And if my TAP taps out and Tech Art goes bust...I'll deal with that then. Damn. I think I just convinced myself to ditch my FE primes. Looking at portraits taken with my 55 1.8 next to the 50 Summicron R started this. One was perfect. And did't excite me at all. The other was artful and lovely. Shocker.
Sep 08, 2016 at 08:31 PM
p.8 #9C-sonnar!
That's the beauty of the TAP your not using your focus ring as I think it's better the whole lens moves in and out.
Sep 08, 2016 at 08:32 PM
p.8 #10C-sonnar!
LBJ2 wrote:
[
"This Zeiss lens is optimized for focus at f/2.8 when it is produced at the factory. However, if a customer is interested in using the lens wide open and having it optimized for optimum performance at f/1.5 and if the lens is still under warranty, this service can be provided at no cost."
Described here on B&H
This calibration only applies to the rangefinder coupling: it makes no difference when you are focussing with the EVF.
If you focus at the taking aperture, you will avoid focus shift completely.
If you focus wide open and stop down to shoot, you will still get focus shift regardless of the calibration since, as I said, it only applies to the rangefinder. So best to focus at taking aperture.
[
"This Zeiss lens is optimized for focus at f/2.8 when it is produced at the factory. However, if a customer is interested in using the lens wide open and having it optimized for optimum performance at f/1.5 and if the lens is still under warranty, this service can be provided at no cost."
Described here on B&H
This calibration only applies to the rangefinder coupling: it makes no difference when you are focussing with the EVF.
If you focus at the taking aperture, you will avoid focus shift completely.
If you focus wide open and stop down to shoot, you will still get focus shift regardless of the calibration since, as I said, it only applies to the rangefinder. So best to focus at taking aperture.
Sep 08, 2016 at 08:42 PM
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p.8 #11C-sonnar!
Jack Thompson wrote:
Raise your hand if having the possibilities of the TAP is making the "perfection" of some of your FE primes seem perfectly boring. I question whether keeping some of them is the artistic equivalent of carrying around a blankey. For security purposes only.
My ideal travel kit: Loxia 21 2.8. ZM 35 1.4, ZM 50 1.5 or Leica Summicron R, Maybe the ZM 85 F4, maybe something faster for portraits depending on size/price constraints. And if my TAP taps out and Tech Art goes bust...I'll deal with that then. Damn. I think I just convinced myself to ditch my...Show more →
I'm in the same boat.. I've got my Zony 35 1.4 / 55 1.8 / Batis 85. That's my safety blanket.. and the more I think about it, the more I see $$ for fun MF lenses.
I've already got a CY Zeiss MMJ set of 28/50/85/35-70.. and those are slow (except the 50 1.4), so I could start picking up some faster M-mount stuff, like the Nokton 35 1.2, etc..
The only thing that gives me pause is my a7s.. I love that little guy, but I don't love MF on it.
Raise your hand if having the possibilities of the TAP is making the "perfection" of some of your FE primes seem perfectly boring. I question whether keeping some of them is the artistic equivalent of carrying around a blankey. For security purposes only.
My ideal travel kit: Loxia 21 2.8. ZM 35 1.4, ZM 50 1.5 or Leica Summicron R, Maybe the ZM 85 F4, maybe something faster for portraits depending on size/price constraints. And if my TAP taps out and Tech Art goes bust...I'll deal with that then. Damn. I think I just convinced myself to ditch my...Show more →
I'm in the same boat.. I've got my Zony 35 1.4 / 55 1.8 / Batis 85. That's my safety blanket.. and the more I think about it, the more I see $$ for fun MF lenses.
I've already got a CY Zeiss MMJ set of 28/50/85/35-70.. and those are slow (except the 50 1.4), so I could start picking up some faster M-mount stuff, like the Nokton 35 1.2, etc..
The only thing that gives me pause is my a7s.. I love that little guy, but I don't love MF on it.
Sep 08, 2016 at 08:43 PM
p.8 #12C-sonnar!
I wonder how the ZM compares to the Lomography Jupiter 3+ 50mm f/1.5. It's based on the Jupiter 3, which is based on the Sonnar? I've always loved, loved the look of the Nokton, but the Zeiss has a really nice look too. Hopefully I'll have an A7II at Christmas so I'm just trying to decide what lenses to get to go with it : )
Sep 08, 2016 at 08:53 PM
p.8 #14C-sonnar!
The dilemma for me has been this.
For the J3, I find that the more funky bokeh and harshly clipped OOF highlights on the edges go away at f2.
But in that case, I might as well buy/use my J8.
In fact, I find the same with the Nikkor 50/1.4 ltm (another sonnar pushed to f1.4).
Harsh and tendency to more funky bokeh until stopped down.
It seems that the Sonnar design gets better in the bokeh the longer the lens? (ie. 58, 85, 135, 180mm)
Nice images shared so far.
I do love my J3 very much (warts and all)
For the J3, I find that the more funky bokeh and harshly clipped OOF highlights on the edges go away at f2.
But in that case, I might as well buy/use my J8.
In fact, I find the same with the Nikkor 50/1.4 ltm (another sonnar pushed to f1.4).
Harsh and tendency to more funky bokeh until stopped down.
It seems that the Sonnar design gets better in the bokeh the longer the lens? (ie. 58, 85, 135, 180mm)
Nice images shared so far.
I do love my J3 very much (warts and all)
Sep 08, 2016 at 09:18 PM
p.8 #16C-sonnar!
Fred Miranda wrote:
Now you need the hood! 
Ordered: open box from B&H for $55....
Annoying though, the Zeiss hood tax...
DavidBM wrote
It's arrived!!!! Ordered: open box from B&H for $55....
Annoying though, the Zeiss hood tax...
Sep 08, 2016 at 09:34 PM
p.8 #17C-sonnar!
First grim selfie....
First Grim selfie Carl Zeiss C Sonnar T* (ZM) 50mm f1.5 @ f1.7
First Grim selfie Carl Zeiss C Sonnar T* (ZM) 50mm f1.5 @ f1.7
Sep 08, 2016 at 09:36 PM
p.8 #18C-sonnar!
DavidBM wrote:
It's arrived!!!!
Congrats! The C-Sonnar punches way above its weight.
I went to the post office today, hoping against hope that a TAP would be waiting there for me. Hopes dashed once more. As someone may have already said, it's like being a little kid just before Christmas (or your birthday).
Hopefully it won't be too long before I can post "It's arrived!!!!" in the Techart PRO thread. I know already that the first lens I mount on the TAP will be the C-Sonnar.
It's arrived!!!!
Congrats! The C-Sonnar punches way above its weight.
I went to the post office today, hoping against hope that a TAP would be waiting there for me. Hopes dashed once more. As someone may have already said, it's like being a little kid just before Christmas (or your birthday).
Hopefully it won't be too long before I can post "It's arrived!!!!" in the Techart PRO thread. I know already that the first lens I mount on the TAP will be the C-Sonnar.
Sep 09, 2016 at 04:23 AM
p.8 #19C-sonnar!
DavidBM wrote:
"This Zeiss lens is optimized for focus at f/2.8 when it is produced at the factory. However, if a customer is interested in using the lens wide open and having it optimized for optimum performance at f/1.5 and if the lens is still under warranty, this service can be provided at no cost."
Described here on B&HThis calibration only applies to the rangefinder coupling: it makes no difference when you are focussing with the EVF.
If you focus at the taking aperture, you will avoid focus shift completely.
If you focus wide open and stop down to shoot, you will still get focus shift regardless of the calibration since, as I said, it only applies to the rangefinder. So best to focus at taking aperture.
Thank you David. And now I see you've purchased the C Sonnar 50 ! Would be great if you could share a few unboxing photos if not too much trouble would like to see the lens on the camera. I see you posted @1.7. How does the lens do at F1.5?
P.S. Did you also end up buying the Zeiss 35mm 1.4 ZM too?
LBJ2 wrote
["This Zeiss lens is optimized for focus at f/2.8 when it is produced at the factory. However, if a customer is interested in using the lens wide open and having it optimized for optimum performance at f/1.5 and if the lens is still under warranty, this service can be provided at no cost."
Described here on B&H
If you focus at the taking aperture, you will avoid focus shift completely.
If you focus wide open and stop down to shoot, you will still get focus shift regardless of the calibration since, as I said, it only applies to the rangefinder. So best to focus at taking aperture.
Thank you David. And now I see you've purchased the C Sonnar 50 ! Would be great if you could share a few unboxing photos if not too much trouble would like to see the lens on the camera. I see you posted @1.7. How does the lens do at F1.5?
P.S. Did you also end up buying the Zeiss 35mm 1.4 ZM too?
Sep 09, 2016 at 04:55 AM
p.8 #20C-sonnar!
Afraid I only have the one camera body at the moment so pic on body not possible unless in a mirror ... But you'll find them googling. I've resisted the ZM 1.4/35 - I'm pretty happy with my 3 35s solution, and can't really afford to get the ZM without getting rid of one of them....
It's fine at 1.5 but it's just s bit crisper in the middle and the bokeh is a touch smoother at 1.7
LBJ2 wrote:
"This Zeiss lens is optimized for focus at f/2.8 when it is produced at the factory. However, if a customer is interested in using the lens wide open and having it optimized for optimum performance at f/1.5 and if the lens is still under warranty, this service can be provided at no cost."
Described here on B&HThis calibration only applies to the rangefinder coupling: it makes no difference when you are focussing with the EVF.
If you focus at the taking aperture, you will avoid focus shift completely.
If you focus wide open and stop down to shoot, you will still get focus shift regardless of the calibration since, as I said, it only applies to the rangefinder. So best to focus at taking aperture.Thank you David. And now I see you've purchased the C Sonnar 50 ! Would be great if you could share a few unboxing photos if not too much trouble would like to see the lens on the camera. I see you posted @1.7. How does the lens do at F1.5?
P.S. Did you also end up buying the Zeiss 35mm 1.4 ZM too?
It's fine at 1.5 but it's just s bit crisper in the middle and the bokeh is a touch smoother at 1.7
LBJ2 wrote:
DavidBM wrote
LBJ2 wrote
["This Zeiss lens is optimized for focus at f/2.8 when it is produced at the factory. However, if a customer is interested in using the lens wide open and having it optimized for optimum performance at f/1.5 and if the lens is still under warranty, this service can be provided at no cost."
Described here on B&H
If you focus at the taking aperture, you will avoid focus shift completely.
If you focus wide open and stop down to shoot, you will still get focus shift regardless of the calibration since, as I said, it only applies to the rangefinder. So best to focus at taking aperture.
P.S. Did you also end up buying the Zeiss 35mm 1.4 ZM too?
Sep 09, 2016 at 05:16 AM