Archive 2009 · Zeiss 50 MP ZE/ZF Image Thread

John Black
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p.2 #1 · p.2 #1 · Zeiss 50 MP ZE/ZF Image Thread

Wayne - I'm waiting to see if the Voigtlander 58mm F1.4 SL II happens in the Canon mount. That looks be a sharp a lens, but I'm not sure how it stacks up in terms of bokeh, etc. On the plus side it should be cheap(er) at around $400'ish USD.

Where I struggle with the 50N is that its formula is the same as the C/Y 50 F1.4, and I wasn't too excited about that lens. Another option is a used 50/1.4 ZE, but I had that lens too, and again, its bokeh could be, lets just say not so good. I was really quite happy with the M8 and 50 Lux ASPH, but that was an ultra-expensive way to address 50mm. As for covering a 50mm FOV, I much prefer using 80mm on medium format.

So lets sum this up - I want sharp, compact and light - like a M8. Automatic like a Canon lens. And FOV / DOF coverage like medium format. Translation - I'm skrewed!

2010 is a good year from trade shows, so before sinking too much money into a 50mm quest, I want to see what is released - especially at PMA & Photokina.

Jan 09, 2010 at 03:59 PM

Lotusm50
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p.2 #2 · p.2 #2 · Zeiss 50 MP ZE/ZF Image Thread

John Black wrote:
Where I struggle with the 50N is that its formula is the same as the C/Y 50 F1.4, and I wasn't too excited about that lens. Another option is a used 50/1.4 ZE, but I had that lens too, and again, its bokeh could be, lets just say not so good.

Hi John-
Using both the N50 and the c/y50, I am convinced that they are not the same "optical formula". No doubt that they are very similar. I suspect that there are differences in glass formula, not to mention barrel design, and possibly other subtle changes that overall has proved the N 50 with (in mt experience) sharper performance across the frame, better contrast, flare resistance, and nicer bokeh. I was some what surprised, because I originally viewed them as "the same". Maybe it is just my samples of these lenses, but my c/y 50 performs as well as any other copy I've seen. I have come to the conclusion, however that they are not the same and the N 50 represents a clear refinement of the earlier c/y lens. The ZF/ZE 50 is different again, subtly but noticeably warmer than the Contax 50's with a somewhat different look wide open. Other than color, it is hard to tell these lenses apart by f5.6 -- but that is probably true of any group of quality 50mm lenses. Of the 3 Zeiss 50/1.4's that I have (N, c/y and ZF), the N is the one that I am going to keep. Of course, the ZF/ZE 50 MP is another story, and if you don't need f1.4 it is clearly the choice among all of them -- I am really pleased with my ZF 50 MP.

Jan 09, 2010 at 04:28 PM

wayne seltzer
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p.2 #3 · p.2 #3 · Zeiss 50 MP ZE/ZF Image Thread

CV 58/1.4 has nice bokeh and is pretty sharp wide-open, I think the Rokkor 58/1.2 is slightly better but its close. If they release it in canon mount that would be a nice lens.
Not sure how it does stopped down for landscape though vs. the N 50 which seems to me very sharp across the frame like the 50 MP. The N50 bokeh is ok most of the time but yes it can struggle on contrasty backgrounds. Yes, let's see what is released at the trade shows. But you need to try the ZA 135 1.8 sometime. I know you will like it.

Jan 09, 2010 at 04:59 PM

wayne seltzer
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p.2 #4 · p.2 #4 · Zeiss 50 MP ZE/ZF Image Thread

Lotusm50 wrote:
Hi John-
Using both the N50 and the c/y50, I am convinced that they are not the same "optical formula". No doubt that they are very similar. I suspect that there are differences in glass formula, not to mention barrel design, and possibly other subtle changes that overall has proved the N 50 with (in mt experience) sharper performance across the frame, better contrast, flare resistance, and nicer bokeh. I was some what surprised, because I originally viewed them as "the same". Maybe it is just my samples of these lenses, but my c/y 50 performs as well as any other...Show more →

Lotusm50,

Maybe you could shoot a couple of more wide open bokeh comparison shots between the lenses?

Thanks for doing those last stopped down comparison shots which show what you just said.

Jan 09, 2010 at 05:08 PM

Lotusm50
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p.2 #5 · p.2 #5 · Zeiss 50 MP ZE/ZF Image Thread

wayne seltzer wrote
Maybe you could shoot a couple of more wide open bokeh comparison shots between the lenses?

Thanks for doing those last stopped down comparison shots which show what you just said.

I could add the Voigtlander 58/1.4 Nokton as well. I did a blind comparison of the Nokton and the ZF 50/1.4 several months ago in this forum. While the bokeh of both lenses was very similar, the ZF was almost universally determined to be better. Hopefully I can find time to do this before everything is boxed up -- I'm moving at the end of the month.

Jan 09, 2010 at 11:10 PM

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