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Carl Zeiss 50mm f/1.5 C Sonnar T* ZM


suryo

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I've used the Zeiss f1.5 Sonnar on both the M8 & M9. There are no issues or problems as such. The lens is great value for money.

 

It really all comes down the signature of this lens. It's fairly soft wide open and sharpness improves from f2 onwards. I found the bokeh rather harsh and the images rather contrasty. I sold mine after I received the 50mm Summilux, there's obviously no comparison and it would be unfair to compare the two lenses.

 

Here's an image taken with the M9 & Zeiss Sonnar @ f2.

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Having read Steve Huff's and Sean Reid Reviews (highly recommended) I bought the ZM 1.5 Sonnar a few months ago, as an oldstyle contrast lens in addition to my 2.8/28 ASPH and the 2/75 'cron...

 

I would be very very careful before buying.

 

If you've got some Leica classics in the 35 ... 75 mm range (especially the new 'luxes and 'crons) then the 1.5 Sonnar is a nice addition for old style portraits and old style impressions @1.5, e.g. with e the sepia b&w jpegs, in addition to the DNGs. I use this lens exclusively for portraits and light/mood impressions. The pictures look oldstyle, tons of aberations and a harsh hard bokeh; no comparison to the tack sharpness of a 2/75 'cron...

 

If you want only one lens in this range, i would recommend the 2/50 ZM planar or the 2/50 'cron, of course the 1.4 'lux or even the Noctilux, if you can afford it.

 

Regards

Axel

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I have it and you need to be aware that you have slight focus shift with this lens. That focusing can be either optimized for f1.5 or for f2.8.

My version shows slight front focus wide open on my M9 caused by this. I believe that some of the statements that the lens would be soft wide open can result from this problem. Its not as tack sharp as a 50 asph but it is not really soft. I like the rendering of that lens, even though if I had to choose just one 50 I would prefer the 50asph lux.

I agree that the boek can be a little nervous overall nice rendering.

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I have one with my M8, no issues at all. For more a general use I'd recommend rather a Summicron/Planar, or, if you need the extra stop and can afford it, the 'lux ASPH.

The lens has a dual behaviour. Closing at 5.6 and on it's very sharp and contrasty, almost reaching the Planar's performances. Going open it suffers in the corners, loses detail, shows some chromatic aberration and wide open exhibits a sort of glow that in combination with the swirly bokeh concurs to create dreamy images. I happen to absolutely love its bokeh at 1.5.

Maybe it's just me, but I wouldn't recommend it as an all-purposes lens, especially if sharpness all over the image is your thing.

 

Cheers,

Bruno

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  • 8 months later...

Hi guys, I had 50mm f/1.4 ZF.2(Nikon) which I love....

 

Now I'm with M9 +CRON 50mm f/2 I need something fast for low light photography so I'm considering Zeiss 50mm f/1.5 Sonnar, what yoy guys think? I cannot afford Leica 50mm f1.4 lens...

 

 

@mike, very nice shot!

 

@Double Negative, nice series! Some have Zeiss 50mm f/2 also is very good lens right? I just need something fast.

 

 

Cheers,

Ricardson

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Am using f1.0/50 Noctilux, current 1.4/50 Summilux ASPH,

and recently purchased 1.5/50 Sonnar.

 

I am very pleased with them all as they are all different. The Zeiss is an excellent lens which draws a very different but not inferior image, especially when opened up. For a fast lens it is great value for money.

 

However, I have just sent the Sonnar to Zeiss to adjust the FFD for digital as Zeiss apparently preset the FFD for film cameras when they leave the factory (makes sense as they make the Ikon and there are a lot of film Leicas about) - will see what if any difference it makes.

 

 

Photographs below were taken with the Sonnar.

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/people/187967-guitarist.html

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/architecture/190937-ladder.html

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/architecture/187789-mlc-centre-sydney.html

Photos 2 & 5 only

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/architecture/190593-sydney-buildings-5-a.html

 

 

 

Mark

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I have been using the Zeiss 50mm f/1.5 Sonnar for months now. I am very pleased with it. As mentioned above, it renders a different, but very pleasing image wide open. By f/2.0 it is very sharp and beyond f/2.8 even sharper. Mine is optimized for f/1.5 and if it has any focus shift it is not noticeable. It has caused me to stop actively looking for a Summilux 50.

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MarkP, thank you! very nice shots! I will order one Zeiss from Hong Kong, also I think I will order 35mm f/2 together. :)

 

horosu, kdriceman, thank you!

 

Guys one more question.... When I use Zeiss 50mm f/1.5 if I select the "Lens Detection" to Off..... M9 still record the aperture information or I have to setup the "Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH" instead ? What you guys do?

 

one shot with 50 cron (Dongguan City - China)

5946391743_2d00e8bd09_z.jpg

street_20110711_3354 by  Ricardson Williams, on Flickr

M9 | 50mm f/2.0 Summicron | Æ’/2 | 1/750 | ISO640

 

Cheers,

Ricardson

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I have sharpie coded my Sonnar so that the M9 reads it as a Summilux 50 ASPH. I really cannot detect much change in the image with it registered as compared to it being un-registered. However, I do like to have the focal length recorded in the EXIF data (although it is recorded as 'Summilux 50 ASPH', I know it is my Zeiss 50 Sonnar). Also, the aperture information recorded in the EXIF is unreliable as the M9 doesn't record actual aperture information (there is no electrical connection between the aperture and the camera), it estimates the aperture by comparing ambient light to the light metered through the lens. It will still record this estimate, but it is only an estimate.

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@Double Negative, nice series! Some have Zeiss 50mm f/2 also is very good lens right? I just need something fast.

 

Apologies; I didn't see this until now. Thank you! :)

 

The 2/50 Planar is a killer lens. On par with the Summicron, IMO. Very sharp from wide open.

 

As for "positive comments on the Sonnar" Mark - what can I say? The Sonnar is an awesome lens. I will say that it might not be everyone's cup of tea - but if you give it a little attention it will reward you in spades.

 

I posted a review of the 1,5/50 Sonnar - still a work in progress, but mostly there. :)

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