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Product Description
The Zeiss 50mm 1.4 is a bright and compact standard lens with precise manual focusing mechanism and large rotation angle for precise control. The Planar T* 1.4/50 is designed for medium and longer distances and provides high-performance wide open, which only improves as the lens is stopped down. The lens construction controls flare and ghosting artifacts, resulting in a brilliant image with excellent contrast and natural color rendition. Combined with a DSLR with a 1.5 crop factor, the lens becomes a compact, lightweight 75 mm portrait lens.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
I fell in love with the lens on my old Rolleiflex camera, a 75mm Zeiss planar, which on a medium-format camera is about the same field of view as this 50mm planar on my 5D Mark II. It has that magical, hard-to-describe 3D look. Super-sharp in the middle, softer on the edges. Wait, is it softer in the corners, or is the contrast just lower? Beyond my technical expertise. But it looks fabulous.
Some say it is soft / not as sharp as one would expect. My bet is that they just didn't nail the focus (more on that below). I don't shoot architecture or other technical work, I mostly do environmental portraits. I want it soft in the corners. So I'm not even looking for edge sharpness.
Also, you can really fine tune the focus - more spin of the wheel to change the focal point compared to a standard Canon lens. Which should make it great for video, although I've only done a little with that.
I suspect that some people try these and then don't keep using them; they do pop up on ebay and other places used quite often. There is nothing wrong with the glass. Zeiss has mastered that. But if you want to shoot wide open, or close, you have to be very good at manual focus. I have 20/10 or even 20/5 vision in my right eye and I still usually take 3 images to make sure my subject is in focus when shooting at f2 or wider. Or that was the case until...
They say the lens "out-resolves" the focusing screen in your camera. That means on a standard Canon 5D Mark II for example, the focusing screen is only capable of displaying f/2.0 or narrower in the viewfinder. You can't see the depth of field of f/1.4. So you really can't manually focus, visually anyway, without changing focusing screens. I installed the Canon EgS focusing screen in my 5D2, a roughly $40 and 2 minute process, and that does make accurate focusing, quickly, much easier. The EgS will show you f/1.0. I recommend trying this screen with a lens like this.
Also, keep in mind that although the camera can't drive the lens to autofocus, the AF points in your viewfinder will still light up when the image is sharp. Pick a focal point, press the shutter button down half way, spin the focus on the lens, and when the AF point lights up, you know you have accurate focusing. This is called Autofocus-assist. Since some cameras, including the Canon 5D Mark III, don't have interchangeable focusing screens, this is the method to rely upon for shooting with a very wide aperture on manual focus lenses.
There is pretty heavy vignetting at f1.4. By f2 its not that noticeable. But wide open you lose almost a stop of light due to vignetting. I think it looks great, but it is surprising at first. I doubt you'll have that effect with a less than full frame sensor.
Bottom line - I love it. The contrast, sharpness, bokeh, and color rendition are amazing. I use this and a 70-200 IS II to cover most scenarios. Both incredible. This Zeiss just takes a little more time, but the results are worth it. I'm in medium format quality territory with the Zeiss - the images are that fine. If I am walking out the door to take photos of I don't know what, this is my favorite lens.
If you are looking at a 50mm I guess the question is which one to buy. This is better build quality and better glass than the Canon 1.4, and obviously more money. I admit, most casual viewers won't know the difference between an image taken with a $350 Canon lens and a $700 Zeiss lens. The Canon 50mm 1.2 (L) is incredible, but I'm not sure it's better in image quality than the Zeiss - maybe, I haven't done a head-on test - but you pay a TON more for the Canon, which admittedly gets you autofocus (a big deal), and from 1.4 to 1.2. $ aside, I like the Zeiss, unless autofocus is a must.
No Canon-branded lens I have tried feels this good in the hand. Zeiss has solid metal everything, weighty, excellent construction.
p.s. I also rented both the 28mm Zeiss and 21mm Zeiss for a few days, and had the same reaction.
Follow Up -
The (all-metal) lens hood has a tension ring of sorts and mine got out of place, making it impossible to keep the hood on. I contacted Zeiss support and they emailed me back in 2 hours with instructions on how to fix it. A small screwdriver and 20 seconds and it was fine again. I would have preferred the problem never happened, but the service and serviceability of the Zeiss product still leaves me very satisfied.
Some say it is soft / not as sharp as one would expect. My bet is that they just didn't nail the focus (more on that below). I don't shoot architecture or other technical work, I mostly do environmental portraits. I want it soft in the corners. So I'm not even looking for edge sharpness.
Also, you can really fine tune the focus - more spin of the wheel to change the focal point compared to a standard Canon lens. Which should make it great for video, although I've only done a little with that.
I suspect that some people try these and then don't keep using them; they do pop up on ebay and other places used quite often. There is nothing wrong with the glass. Zeiss has mastered that. But if you want to shoot wide open, or close, you have to be very good at manual focus. I have 20/10 or even 20/5 vision in my right eye and I still usually take 3 images to make sure my subject is in focus when shooting at f2 or wider. Or that was the case until...
They say the lens "out-resolves" the focusing screen in your camera. That means on a standard Canon 5D Mark II for example, the focusing screen is only capable of displaying f/2.0 or narrower in the viewfinder. You can't see the depth of field of f/1.4. So you really can't manually focus, visually anyway, without changing focusing screens. I installed the Canon EgS focusing screen in my 5D2, a roughly $40 and 2 minute process, and that does make accurate focusing, quickly, much easier. The EgS will show you f/1.0. I recommend trying this screen with a lens like this.
Also, keep in mind that although the camera can't drive the lens to autofocus, the AF points in your viewfinder will still light up when the image is sharp. Pick a focal point, press the shutter button down half way, spin the focus on the lens, and when the AF point lights up, you know you have accurate focusing. This is called Autofocus-assist. Since some cameras, including the Canon 5D Mark III, don't have interchangeable focusing screens, this is the method to rely upon for shooting with a very wide aperture on manual focus lenses.
There is pretty heavy vignetting at f1.4. By f2 its not that noticeable. But wide open you lose almost a stop of light due to vignetting. I think it looks great, but it is surprising at first. I doubt you'll have that effect with a less than full frame sensor.
Bottom line - I love it. The contrast, sharpness, bokeh, and color rendition are amazing. I use this and a 70-200 IS II to cover most scenarios. Both incredible. This Zeiss just takes a little more time, but the results are worth it. I'm in medium format quality territory with the Zeiss - the images are that fine. If I am walking out the door to take photos of I don't know what, this is my favorite lens.
If you are looking at a 50mm I guess the question is which one to buy. This is better build quality and better glass than the Canon 1.4, and obviously more money. I admit, most casual viewers won't know the difference between an image taken with a $350 Canon lens and a $700 Zeiss lens. The Canon 50mm 1.2 (L) is incredible, but I'm not sure it's better in image quality than the Zeiss - maybe, I haven't done a head-on test - but you pay a TON more for the Canon, which admittedly gets you autofocus (a big deal), and from 1.4 to 1.2. $ aside, I like the Zeiss, unless autofocus is a must.
No Canon-branded lens I have tried feels this good in the hand. Zeiss has solid metal everything, weighty, excellent construction.
p.s. I also rented both the 28mm Zeiss and 21mm Zeiss for a few days, and had the same reaction.
Follow Up -
The (all-metal) lens hood has a tension ring of sorts and mine got out of place, making it impossible to keep the hood on. I contacted Zeiss support and they emailed me back in 2 hours with instructions on how to fix it. A small screwdriver and 20 seconds and it was fine again. I would have preferred the problem never happened, but the service and serviceability of the Zeiss product still leaves me very satisfied.
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful
By theysaybuild
Amazon Verified Purchase
I shoot video (and therefore only speak from that perspective) with the Canon Rebel T2i, and I bought this lens as an upgrade to my Canon 50 f1.8 II.
Initially I was leaning towards purchasing the Canon 50mm 1.2L, but after watching numerous video examples I decided to instead go with the Zeiss. What most moved me in this direction was the color rendering of the Zeiss. The Canon skewed towards a red hue, whereas the Zeiss rendered out a more natural color.
The bokeh is stunning, and even at 1.4 this lens is incredibly sharp. Also, as the product description indicates, this lens handles overexposed backgrounds extremely well; ghosting was a big problem with the 1.8 II, but no longer is that an issue!
The build quality of this lens is peerless. It has a sturdy build, and I especially appreciate the fact that the lens hood was metal; perhaps a superficial point to harp on, but it is minor details like that which demonstrate attention to every detail.
Initially I was leaning towards purchasing the Canon 50mm 1.2L, but after watching numerous video examples I decided to instead go with the Zeiss. What most moved me in this direction was the color rendering of the Zeiss. The Canon skewed towards a red hue, whereas the Zeiss rendered out a more natural color.
The bokeh is stunning, and even at 1.4 this lens is incredibly sharp. Also, as the product description indicates, this lens handles overexposed backgrounds extremely well; ghosting was a big problem with the 1.8 II, but no longer is that an issue!
The build quality of this lens is peerless. It has a sturdy build, and I especially appreciate the fact that the lens hood was metal; perhaps a superficial point to harp on, but it is minor details like that which demonstrate attention to every detail.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By Ben Zim
Amazon Verified Purchase
I upgraded to this lens having used the Contax 50/1.4 Planar as my main lens for about 20 years.
Upgrade well worth it. If there is one lens to have, this is it. Razor sharp to a degree that can be unbelievable. Bokeh that is smooth and silky.
Excellent for nearly any type of work.
Super solid construction, smooth focusing, perfect sharpness except wide open at 1.4
Canon viewfinders do not match the resolving power and thus when critical focus is needed with razor thin DOF additional tools can be necessary. Not fault of lens, quite the opposite.
Manual focus can be daunting but gives faster better performance when you're accustomed to it.
Upgrade well worth it. If there is one lens to have, this is it. Razor sharp to a degree that can be unbelievable. Bokeh that is smooth and silky.
Excellent for nearly any type of work.
Super solid construction, smooth focusing, perfect sharpness except wide open at 1.4
Canon viewfinders do not match the resolving power and thus when critical focus is needed with razor thin DOF additional tools can be necessary. Not fault of lens, quite the opposite.
Manual focus can be daunting but gives faster better performance when you're accustomed to it.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Does one thing really well
Sadly, it's not really that sharp a lens for a Zeiss. It's built well, a big piece of glass, but it should be a lot sharper. At f1. Read more
Published 4 months ago by B. Groves
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great 50mm for 7D
I got this lens to use with my 7D. I shot a film recently on the RED Epic with Canon mount and was able to use this lens on that as well and the image quality was very impressive. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Dustin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Incredible Lens
The pristine detail is mind boggling. The focus ring is butter, and it makes shooting really fun. Grab this today.
Published 9 months ago by Timothy J Preut
5.0 out of 5 stars
Exceptional lens. Buy two, give one as a gift to someone special
Extremely sharp lens. People say it's not sharp wide open close up, but I'm not seeing a problem there. Read more
Published 12 months ago by tvjournalist
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best optics out there.
Definately the best lens I have purchased in a while. Gorgeous bokeh, cristal clear focusing. I have read a lot of reviews saying it is impossible to focus at f1.4, well, it's not. Read more
Published 14 months ago by MVB
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing lens
This is probably the best 50mm lens I have yet used so far and I've used/owned the Canon 50 f/1.8, Canon 50 f/1.2L and Sigma 50 f/1.4. Read more
Published 19 months ago by P. Lee
5.0 out of 5 stars
Understand and avoid the focus shift issue.
The focus shift issue is the Achilles' heel of the Zeiss 50mm f1.4 Planar. While it is outstanding for landscapes, i struggled with it for a long time unable to take any proper... Read more
Published 19 months ago by kettikreviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Speechless
If u have 700 box, please, do not doubt to buy it. The best option. I'm very happy with it.
Published on February 22, 2011 by jugarte
5.0 out of 5 stars
Incredible lens
This lens produces film-like results. In great form with Zeiss quality. I've used it about 6 months everyday. It's easy to fell in love with him. Read more
Published on October 30, 2010 by Marian Majik Photography
