Zeiss 50mm f.2

[therightagent]

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Can the fellow members give advise about Zeiss 50mm f2. I am looking for a small size 50mm. I have been considering the Zeiss f2 and Leica 50mm f1.4 and f2.

 

Yes, the leica ones are expansive, but at the moment size is my first priority. Checking on the leica website, the Lux is 52mm length and diameter of 53.5mm but the Zeiss f2 is 68mm length and 52mm diameter. It seems the Leica Lus is even smaller than Zeiss f2.

 

One other consideration, I mostly take people photos.

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[Carl E]

what about the collapsible Elmar 50/2.8?

[tbarker13]

The 50 planar is a wonderful lens.

You can see tons of shots with it as a portrait lens if you follow my flickr link.

[CharlesL]

Faces render with detail but not harshly. On an M8 the resulting raw files take touch-up with ease -- exposure, saturation, and selective blur and local contrast, etc.

[therightagent]

The 50 planar is a wonderful lens.

You can see tons of shots with it as a portrait lens if you follow my flickr link.

 

Thanks for the input. Is it easy to do the six bit coding for M8? If I do not code it, is the image that much difference?

[tbarker13]

Thanks for the input. Is it easy to do the six bit coding for M8? If I do not code it, is the image that much difference?

 

I don't think coding will make a whole lot of difference with the 50. I did remove the mount of my Planar and sent it to JMilich, who milled the indentations so that you can code it yourself.

He charges around $50 or so to do it.

[Xmas]

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what about the collapsible Elmar 50/2.8?

Hi

 

Think Carl means the modern one introduced '94 or thereabouts, collapsed it it really small, even with filter and hood in place.

The next smallest if the CV f/2.5 or Summarit f/2.5.

 

Noel

[Printmaker]

Zeiss measures their lenses from the edge of the mounting flange to the end. Leica does not include the mounting flange in their measurements. Both 50/2 lenses are about the same size.

[!Nomad64]

Short answer: It's a lively lens.

 

Longer version: Erwin Puts found its optical performance being on par with that of the Summicron. Sean Reid states it has the best quality/price ratio.

I have no Summicron myself, only the Planar, therefore I cannot make any first hand comparison. I can say that it's surgically sharp and extremely resistant to flare whilst some users report the Summicron suffering from flare. Ergonomics are quite good and I appreciate that the aperture ring clicks at thirds of stops thus increasing exposure precision. Mechanical quality is a bit below Leica's standards. The barrel is well machined but there is some play in its sections (focus ring, front lens group). It's negligible, but one can feel it. Anyway so far it didn't affect the pictures. Shade is not provided with the lens. You have to purchase it separately and you'll get one that fits also the Biogon 35, therefore it's a bit too wide for the 50. But as the lens itself is extremely flare resistant it's not so much of an issue. The front lens cap design really sucks.

 

Hope this helps,

Bruno

[jlancasterd]

Thanks for the input. Is it easy to do the six bit coding for M8? If I do not code it, is the image that much difference?

 

I coded mine using the Match Technical coder kit - it registers as a 50mm Summicron with no problems. Like CV lenses, the mount has a circular 'recess' which helps prevent Magic Marker coding from rubbing off.

 

It's a lovely lens to use, produces beautifully sharp results with good bokeh, and I have no complaints about build quality - it compares well with a Canadian-built Summicron I had some years ago.