I haven't come across any other Canon EOS R images with the Zeiss 50 1.5 ZM adapted, so I wanted to share some for the community.
The intent of adapting a Zeiss ZM optic on my Canon was to create a portable, walkaround kit that had the classic sonnar look. There currently aren't any small lens packages outside of the anemic RF 35, so this fills a need and allows me to use my preferred Zeiss glass. To get something with this form factor with the Canon EF lens adapter you would need the 40mm pancake; even the old Canon 50 1.8 STM would be larger than this setup and of course not perform with the same Zeiss look. Manual focus on the Canon EOS R is exceptional, though I miss the focus guide I get with my adapted ZE lenses-- using the ZM I have to rely on focus peaking, which works well due to the great viewfinder.
I found the traits Leica and Sony users describe about the lens to be fully present. Wonderful 3d, very respectable sharpness, distinctive contrast and light handling, pleasing almost analog colors. It also demonstrates some of the weakness of adapted optics, corner smearing with some light purple fringing at f/1.5, noticeable SA, and focus shift (note this doesn't matter whatsoever on mirrorless, but you do need to refocus if opening up beyond f/2).
As a general purpose lens, I doubt it will ever leave my camera. It produces something special, even in the very limited time I've owned it. For landscape style photos, the corners likely won't come good, so it's more of a 55mm rather than 50 if you crop away the bad. Plenty sharp to use in that scenario if you compose with this in mind. Portraiture is described as the sweet spot for the lens which I agree with, but it's ability to render 3d so effectively makes it the perfect walkaround lens for me.
All files straight out of camera unless noted: CR3 to DNG, Lightroom import, Export as 25% resized JPG (happy to send full resolution RAWs if anyone needs them). Enough rambling, now the images.
Bokeh and 3d
Zeiss 50mm f/1.5 at f/2
Boken and 3d stopped down
Zeiss 50mm f/1.5 at f/4 or f/5.6?
Colors in bright sun
Zeiss 50mm f/1.5 at f/8ish? (sorry, new to not having EXIF)
Sharpness
Zeiss 50mm f/1.5 at f/5.6
Shadows
Zeiss 50mm f/1.5 at f/2
Highlights
Zeiss 50mm f/1.5 at f/1.5
Bokeh and corner color fringing
Zeiss 50mm f/1.5 at f/1.5
Basic edits to better display corner performance at f/1.5. Some coloration and visible smearing
Zeiss 50mm f/1.5 at f/1.5
Long story longer, love the lens and it's flaws contribute to making it unique and special. If only Zeiss would release one in native Canon RF mount to better handle mirrorless sensors in the corners. Will continue to post more proper photos in the future rather than shootaround example photos.
Ripolini, nice shot of the stream with the 100 MP. That lens is beautiful. Didn't feel the need to get the newer ones that Zeiss released after the 100 MP ZF.2 version.
bushwacker wrote:
This reminds me of Seinfeld's "bubble boy"!
They set these up at the restaurant to draw in more customers. The local news used the term "Bubble". As a person who loves photography I had to go take a picture.
