Carl Zeiss C Sonnar T* 50mm F1.5 ZM

[wilfredo]

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Has anyone purchased the new Carl Zeiss C Sonnar T* 50mm F1.5 ZM? How does it compare wide open to the Summilux 50mm ASPH?

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[cron]

soft and creamy;

as mine was optimized for f/2,8 I always had troubles to focus correct wide open in nearer distances. I liked the look of the pictures but changed to an old Canon RF 1,2/50 and use it now together with a M8

[wilfredo]

From what I've seen on the web, this is not a sharp lens wide open.

[tobey bilek]

It is a resecturection of an old design. It is not capable of being sharp wide open and suffers focus shift. Originally focus was set to f1.5, people complained it was not sharp at 8. So they readjusted the focus to 2.8 nad small stops were better, but 1.5 was even softer naturally.

 

This is a niche lens and not even in the same league as current `Lux which is among the best 50mm ever made, certainly the best 1.4.

[rosuna]

Here you have a comparison, but I don't believe in those "results":

 

THE ZEISS ZM 50 SONNAR 1.5 LENS REVIEW

 

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[Guest Austerby]

I had both, but sold the Summilux and kept the C-Sonnar. No doubts about the Summilux's quality and capabilities but whereas the Summilux is brilliant and clinical, the C-Sonnar is charismatic and fluid in its rendering. I'm more interested in lenses with character than optical perfection, so the decision was not difficult for me.

[wilfredo]

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I had both, but sold the Summilux and kept the C-Sonnar. No doubts about the Summilux's quality and capabilities but whereas the Summilux is brilliant and clinical, the C-Sonnar is charismatic and fluid in its rendering. I'm more interested in lenses with character than optical perfection, so the decision was not difficult for me.

 

Interesting observation. I'm fascinated by the ASPH Summilux's ability to be so clinically sharp @1.4, it's amazing ( http://web.mac.com/videoman69/Steve_Huff_Photos/LEICA_50_SUMMILUX_ASPH_REVIEW.html ) but @f/5.6 the C-Sonnar is sharper than the Summilux ASPH, go figure. That surprised me. The science behind lens design escapes me, I'm not into stuff like that, but it's fascinating to see the different flavor lenses have.

[wizard]

I'm fascinated by the ASPH Summilux's ability to be so clinically sharp @1.4, it's amazing ( THE LEICA 50 SUMMILUX ASPH REVIEW ) but @f/5.6 the C-Sonnar is sharper than the Summilux ASPH, go figure.

 

Wilfredo, no way is the C-Sonnar sharper at 5.6 than the Summilux ASPH. My own sample of the Summilux ASPH is tack sharp at 1.4 and even gets slightly BETTER towrds f4 and f5.6. Believe me, this is the most outstanding lens I have ever encountered. Superb color rendition, too, and I like its bokeh as well. The C-Sonnar is a specialty lens, for that soft and creamy vintage look at full aperture. But if you want that, go for one of the old Leitz Summarit 1.5/50 lenses, they offer that (and maybe even better) for less money.

 

Cheers,

 

Andy

[tobey bilek]

Something is wrong with the focus on the camera or the 1.4 lens in the review. The lens is basically an APO 50 mm.

 

I don`t doubt the results or your efforts, but I have used the lens and the results do not match mine.

[michali]

I have both the current 50mm Summilux Asph f1.4 & the Zeiss Sonnar f1.5.

I agree with above comments. IMO the Summilux is probably one of the finest lenses made by Leica, sharp @f1.4 and keeps improving through to f8.

 

The Sonnar is an interesting lens, soft and creamy @ f1.5 a wonderful portrait lens and sharpness improves dramatically from f2.0 onwards. According to Sean Reid in his review it's designed to perform in this way.

 

I prefer the colors rendered by the Summilux.

[blimey]

The Sonnar is soft at f1.5. However, Sonnars can be optimized to be sharp at f1.5. You can contact Zeiss and send it back for optimization or buy one at is already optimized. I believe popflash offers it.

 

Just look at pictures from Flickr. Some are optimized and some are not.

[SteveYork]

I've always liked the color rendition of zeiss lenses, and this sonnar should be excellent for B&W too. It is a little soft wide open, but in an appealing way.

 

I would learn more about the focus shift issue, however.

 

Leica pricing is always a bit crazy. I purchased my 50mm Summilux ASPH when it first came out, and now it is about 40% more expensive. The Sonnar is much less expensive.

 

And the Sonnar is a smaller lens.

 

As Zeiss lenses go, the 50mm Planar is probably the better all round lens.