Zeiss 50mm C Sonnar focus shift at middle distances

[tjv]

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Hi all,

i thought I’d ask here regarding the above lens to try and clarify things before one day purchasing one.

assume it’s calibrated as per factory spec for f2 (current info from Zeiss.)

i only see focus shift tests for this lens for 1m distance and that is of very little concern to me. I’m more interested in the 2.5 - 7m range, or there about. How extreme is it at these distances, considering DOF even at F1.5 will be much more forgiving? If the thing back focuses 3cm at f2.8 at 1m, what’s it like with more distance? I’m guessing there’s a distance where if you’re very critical you can analyse an image and see it but it’d be next to irrelevant?

as a point of comparison I once owned the 35mm Summilux ASPH which many people complained about in terms of focus shift, but I never noticed it.

for the record I only shoot film, and I know it’s more forgiving.

thanks in advance!

t

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[lct]

Zeiss trick (link) : Focus on the nearest important point, rather than relying on the usual rules for DoF.

Edited October 20, 2019 by lct

[Mark II]

Yes, exactly. And at medium distances the depth of field is sufficient to cover any potential issues with focus shift - I use the lens a lot like this and really like the rendering and results.

It is also worth bearing in mind that the C-Sonnar is not the sharpest 50mm when shot wide-open.

[tjv]

Thanks for the replies. Good to know people like the lens and that it's not such an issue in real world shooting. The C Sonnar really appeals to me as a new alternative to buying a vintage lens such as my all-time favourite, the collapsible Summicron – totally different beast, I know – which more often than not can't be found without haze and extensive cleaning marks. New lenses are amazing, but so clinical at times.

[bags27]

6 hours ago, Mark II said:

Yes, exactly. And at medium distances the depth of field is sufficient to cover any potential issues with focus shift - I use the lens a lot like this and really like the rendering and results.

 

+1. I often zone focus with it, but thanks to Ict for the tip!

Edited October 20, 2019 by bags27

[sinjun]

My method with the Sonnar is to lean in slightly when using at f1.5 - I get a good success rate with my M9. As Mark says, at medium distances it makes little difference. I've coincidentally done some comparisons of the Sonnar against the collapsible summicron amongst others on a thread I just started. On the basis of this I would consider the old 50mm Summarit if you can find a clean one.

[NICOFRANCA]

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8 hours ago, sinjun said:

My method with the Sonnar is to lean in slightly when using at f1.5 - I get a good success rate with my M9. As Mark says, at medium distances it makes little difference. I've coincidentally done some comparisons of the Sonnar against the collapsible summicron amongst others on a thread I just started. On the basis of this I would consider the old 50mm Summarit if you can find a clean one.

I do the same. I focus and lean forward ever so slightly. It sounds awkward, but you start to get used to it. Focus is effected 10 feet or less for me. 
 

When shooting portraits do some test shots on what part of the face to focus on for the eyes to be in focus. 
 

Like what was already said, it's not the sharpest at 1.5 regardless. It's a fun lens, I've debated on selling mine 20 times, but enjoy the challenge and reward of using it. 
 

 

[Soulsurfer]

I also use this lens frequently for portraits and it really shines when you shoot it wide open and isolate people from the background. Subjects almost pop out three-dimensionally and there is  kind of a old-fashioned glamour sheen to the portraits no other lens can give you. But this works best if you are one to two meters away from the person or two to four meters away from a group. After a distance of five meters or so the Sonnar loses its magic and becomes just another 50mm lens, still okay, but a bit on the soft side compared to the Summicron.