Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 Planar T* ZS Manual Focus Standard Lens for SLRs with the Universal, (M42), Screw Mount

2019-02-28T07:30:32

I'm a DP/Director/Editor and I work mainly on fashion films and commercials. I shoot mainly with cine glass, however I own this Zeiss 50mm and the Distagon 21mm and both lenses are powerhouses. Really fast at f1.4, a SUPER smooth focus throw and a really great image regardless of what camera you use these with. I've had mine for ages and they've seen action on everything from a 5D mkii to Alexa Mini and a bunch in between. I would recommend picking one up if you're interested in investing in good glass but don't want to spring for a top tier cine lens kit. I would take these over any Xeen cine lens, any set of Canon or Zeiss CP2 PL mount lenses also. The build is sturdy, the image is sharp without being too digital looking, and I've found the set handles skin tones well also. I probably won't ever sell my set because of how great they are.

STEVEN R.

2017-05-09T19:23:04

I bought this lens about one month ago and I fell in love with it. I was looking for a semi-pro portrait lens for my Nikon d7200 and eager to try a Zeiss product. Beside some initial difficulties with the manual focus (nothing really challenging though), every single shot shows great colors and sharpness! Even if it has not been tested in every condition yet, it looks like a solid and durable lens. I suggest the buying to everyone who wants to step up from a beginner level to an higher one. It is really worth it!

Maria S.

2016-12-28T10:47:48

I purchased this lens for use with my Nikon d810. Manual focusing on this lens is a breeze. I recommend the dk17m, however, to magnify subject matter, especially those without manual focusing experience. Straight out camera without adjustments, the micro-contrast is stunning. This lens offers a its own unique personality to images captured with it. Every photographer should have a 50mm lens, & yes this is it!

brian n.

2016-10-21T14:15:11

The lens is superb. It is well built, focusing is smooth and accurate, excellent color rendition and sharp; everything a lens such as this is supposed to be. It is manual focus so if auto focus is preferred be aware of this. I checked that I am a hobbyist but I have been a photographer for more than 50 years and consider myself and advanced photographer. I have also owned and used many different 50s. I love this one.

DAVID T.

2015-12-12T16:00:53

I tested this on my D810 against my Nikkor 50mm D and 24 - 120mm f4 zoom, and my 45mm Nikkor pancake lens. Sadly this lens had the worse CA of the lot. At this point in time anyone interested in a manual 50mm for digital use should be looking at the Zeiss Milvus range as this lens design is outdated for digital.

Ron G.

2014-06-16T21:00:00

Besides having "pop," this lens is quite sharp. The following is an enlarged picture of people on the east side of the East River in Queens taken with the Zeiss f1.4/50mm Planar lens from the Manhattan (west) side of the river.

MICHAEL M.

2013-09-06T21:00:00

For all the hype about Zeiss colors and 3-D, I use my Nikon D90 with Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 Planar T* ZF.2 to take some pictures, it is so Pro Quality, 3-D and Rich Color, I love this Zeiss lens.

Ken

2013-04-01T21:00:00

Exactly as advertised, delivered on time, just what I wanted.

Erik

2012-12-16T19:00:00

I have always loved zeiss lens going back to my Hasselblad days of film.

avidman

2012-05-23T21:00:00

This Lens is outstanding.I had my doughts at first,because of its manual focus.But the Sharpness of THIS Lens pulls you into the subject to find that sweet spot of share perfection that it can produce.Whoe! I stop working with My L.100 Macro on a D7 to play with this ziess on a nike D7000. Mondane Objects come to life. I love it!

BRIAN W.

2011-12-26T19:00:00

great lens for videography use. Very smooth focus ring. However, for photography use the f-stop from f1.4-2.0 is not very sharp and would not be suitable for pictures sizes larger than 5x7 unless further editing is done inside Photoshop. At f2.8 and above the clarity is very crisp especially at f3.5. overall great lens.

JOSH B.

2011-10-04T21:00:00

This equipment is not for every body, is just for pros. Warning, this lens is extremely precise and extremely sharp, if you don't like quality don't buy any of this optics, because no matter what lighting situation you are working in this lens will always give you quality and the results will always be stunning.

Daniel N.

2011-09-03T21:00:00

Since it doesn't autofocus, you need to buy the split focusing screen to have any chance of getting a focused picture. Even then, it's 50::50 except in bright light with sharp contrasts to work with. However, it is absolutely top quality and makes one jealous of the quality of glass pros use, especially at sports events. The bottom line is that there is a difference, a big difference, between the mundane lenses we generally use and something like this.

GERALD K.

2011-09-03T21:00:00

I have been frustrated with autofocus cameras cause I could never get the focus where I wanted. This manual lens solved that. Perfect focus every time.

nator

2010-10-07T21:00:00

The fit and finish on this lens is fantastic, it feels like good camera lenses used to feel. There is no plastic on the outside of the lens at all, and probably none on the inside judging by how this little jem weighs. Manual focusing with this is no problem, it really needs a focusing screen with some sort of a assist like a microprism etc... though. The focusing ring is very smooth with no slop or inconsistencies in it's motion. If this lense is used correctly, it is wonderfully sharp and renders images very naturally and beautifully, in a way that alot of other 50mm lenses I've used don't. Alot of people trash this lense for "not being sharp wide open"-this lense isn't meant to be used for making perfect reproductions of newspapers and test charts but rather to make beautiful images.

WILLIAM T.

2010-07-18T21:00:00

Is the best Lens i ever had. I'm using Canon 5d MKII and it gives incredible bokeh and movies in low light are awesome

Al G.

2009-10-04T21:00:00

Great quality lens, but too heavy for my own usage and does not permit auto-focusing with Canon EOS 40D camera.

Dekats