Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS Cameras

Comments about Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS Cameras:

Build quality is great, it's sharp at f1.4, easy to focus(I don't like AF anyway). Images look great! Nothing bad to say except that the lens cap is a pain because the pieces that you press to take it off are very small and have no traction. Other than that, I'm pretty happy...

Comments about Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS Cameras:

item arrived in excellent condition and quite fast as well.

Comments about Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS Cameras:

This is the best lens i've ever had so far, everything is perfect. Wish it wasn't that expensive.

Comments about Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS Cameras:

The product is good and the delivery is fast

Comments about Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS Cameras:

Extremely sharp lens. People say it's not sharp wide open close up, but I'm not seeing a problem there. Wide open landscape, the DOF is short so the near objects are soft, but I don't think I would shoot it this way.I want it for pano landscapes with a nodal bar, and shooting on a tripod. I compared it to my Canon 24-105L @50mm all on tripod, mirror lockup shutter release. The Zeiss was noticably sharper with an incredible almost 3D quality. The Canon 50mm f/1.2L is said by many to be soft, and this Zeiss is only half the price.It is more solid than any Canon L lens I have, with a very smooth manual focus. You might think that's a problem for street shooting, but I compared the sharpness handheld with half pressure on the release button. The center focal point beeps, and the image is 98% as sharp as the tripod shot noted about. If you're fast on the manual dial and know what you're doing, you can easily use this in the street.A great lens, and an even greater value.

Comments about Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS Cameras:

An absolutely wonderful and exceptional lens. I came to the Zeiss 50mm normal from the Canon 50mm 1/1.2 L, itself a brilliant lens, and I have to admit I wasn't sure if I would be comfortable using the Zeiss and end up missing the character and build quality of the Canon. But I wanted to try it on the strength of its reputation, and I wanted to challenge myself to use a manual focus. Well, the Zeiss lives up to its reputation, and then some. Mechanically, this lens is just phenomenal. The manufacturing tolerances of the lens are at the least the equal of the Canon, and because the Zeiss designers were not encumbered by having to account for an AF motor, they were able to give the focus barrel movement much more damping, and have tuned the rotation resistance of the barrel to absolute perfection. The lens is a ridiculous pleasure to focus - you really have to handle it in persom to appreciate how wonderful it is. My biggest concern was how the manual focus would work, especially since I only have the default focus screen on my camera (the 5D Mk II). First, because of the superb optical qualities of the Zeiss, identifying the focus plane is very easy, and at higher f-stops, consistently focused shots are no problem. Now for the fun part - even though the lens is technically manual focus, the Canon AF system - the part that identifies the necessary contrast at the designated focus point - still functions perfectly using the lens. This is extremely useful at lower f-stops, where getting the focus plane precisely positioned can be tricky. By depressing the shutter trigger halfway, the camera's AF sensor evaluates the shot contrast at the focus point as it normally does - if the focus point flashes red, then you have a good focus. If not, simply adjust the focus and re-evaluate. It's really the best of both worlds to have such a fantastic manual focus mechanism with the AF assist from the camera when you need it.Optically, the Zeiss is absolutely brilliant. Colors are vibrant, focus is razor sharp, and depending on the f-stop chosen, the bokeh is exquisitely smooth. Best of all, there is an unmistakeable and lovely character to the shots the lens produces that are unique and wonderfully expressive.In short, I am totally thrilled with the Zeiss, and the performance of the 50mm makes me want the 35mm as the next in my collection.

Comments about Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS Cameras:

I am a film student, and while my school does provide cameras and other film equipment, I prefer to have my own gear. DSLR is the most affordable route for me. This lens is absolutely beautiful. The image quality is beautiful, the bokeh is great. And with f/1.4 my night scenes come out looking fantastic. I have nothing negative to say about this lens other than I wish Ziess's other lenses were this affordable.

Comments about Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS Cameras:

This is the classic Planar design from 1890's and it is a true gem. Very strong build quality. perfect lens for portaiture, street and still life. lovely action on the barrel makes focusing feel precise. Would have give a 5 stars if AF.
Buy it, you will love this glass.

Comments about Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS Cameras:

I bought this lens to go with my Canon 5D Mark ii. I wanted a fast normal lens and at the recommendation of the sales person at BH this would be sharper at 1.4 than the canon 50 1.4 so I gave it a try. I can say at close focus even at 1.4 it is very sharp tho it lacks a little contrast at that aperture range. Finding a good lens at 1.4 on full format is tough tho unless it is a Leica Summux (at much more $$).

Overall I would say that for the price this is probable as good as it gets. I used it exclusively at an event and didn't feel like I was missing anything, the fast aperture allowed me to shoot without flash. I have seen some negative reviews claiming this lens isn't sharp wide open, I haven't found this to be the case at all. Overall It's worth it if shallow dof is what your looking for.

Comments about Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS Cameras:

I use this 50mm lens with my 5d mkII I love the sharpness of what this lens has to offer, and the build quality of the lens is awesome, its all metal, could be a bit heavy, but I love the picture quality that it deliver, and the manual ring is easy to use. I think this is one of the best 50mm lens that I had used so far.

Comments about Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS Cameras:

I read alot of reviews that give mixed signals about this lens; ranging from not sharp wide open to being difficult to focus.

My experince with this lens has produced very sharp images wide open @ F1.4 with a Canon 5Dii.

Focus maybe confused with depth of field for some folks saying the focus is soft but the lens is easy to focus manually and requires a bit of understanding how DOF works. This is particularly true when using F1.4.

That said I use this lens with my Zeiss 100mm F2.8 Makro-Plannar and it's a great walk about kit.

I started to buy the 50mm F2.8 Makro-Plannar because of the nay sayers. I'm glad I bought this lens because it's lightweight, smaller footprint and cost a few dollars less.

Comments about Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS Cameras:

I started using Zeiss products when shooting film and found the lenses to be first quality. I had heard good things about the Zeiss SLR lenses and decided to try the 50 mm F1.4 lens on my Canon 5D. When I got the lens it looked very well made. The entire lens body and hood are metal and focus moved smoothly. Unlike the Nikon mount version the EF lens only has manual focus, aperture is set on the camera.

In use I have found the lens to take very good images. Reasonably sharp out to the corners even at the aperture limits. The colors are true to life and with good contrast. The manual focus took a little time to get used too but by pressing down the shutter release half way you can get focus feedback from the view finder. The focus process slows things down enough that I compose better pictures.

Comments about Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS Cameras:

one of my first lens was the Canon 50mm 1.4, which use a lot in super low light situations then as you add more lenses to my collection this lens happened to be more in my bag in my camera just used it to make videos and projects personal photography, sensing q so manual focus system is very bad for video devido it is very short, on a surf trip to Bali, my good friend and photographer the Chimpa, wanted to test lens to make better water shots with a fast autofocus system, I borrowed this lens from my kit he did some tests and we were very impress with canon50mm 1.4, and after that he was negotiating with me this lens (in Bali and Indonesia is very difficult to get photographic equipment) and decided to sell it, and I told myself it's time to test the quality of Zeiss lenses and to upgrade to this 50mm, at the beginning i was opting for the 50mm 1.2 canon I borrowed a friend and I realized that the 1.4 canon and Zeiss had better results in terms sharpness, and the final account after doing several searches online test on this lens, I decided to make the purchase and that was back in stock in B & H. I can say that for video and photography this lens is excellent mind extremanda take your photography to another level, due to the softness of the focusing system for video and its super smooth bokeh, really very impressed, and I am very happy to have made this purchase.

I can say that if you're a photo enthusiast who wants add cinematic looks to your photography or videography this is the lens is an excellent choice because it requires you take your photography skills to get the result you want.

My background is in post production and visual communication production, we always look for best results without search equipment marks (by that I mean, not for having the most expensive equipment means that you will get better results, there are equipment in our present that som better than others that are more cheap or unknown is never good to judge the brands). Always seek the equipment that could lead to better results in projects being carried out, without using names that are popular brands overprice in our present.

Personal use weddings, travel, portraits and videography

Comments about Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS Cameras:

This lens is a dream come true!
If you are a digital shooter coming from a background of 35mm film cameras, and loved the build quality, this is the lens for you. I originally bought the Canon 50mm 1.4 and was rather disappointed by its build quality, and considering I focus 100% manually, I chose to upgrade to this gem. GLAD I DID. I doubt I will ever need another 50mm again! This thing is built like a tank and handles smoothly. The focus ring feels natural and I honestly don't have to worry about breaking any portion of this lens. Equipped with a filter and this is my standard lens on a FF body. Vignette is strong in some situations, but it is so incredibly sharp that the issue is easy to correct in post-processing. Glad I made the investment!

Comments about Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS Cameras:

This is a great lens for my arsenal. Excellent image quality and unmatched construction. Much more affordable than the full complement of Zeiss glass.

I would suggest this lens for anyone serious about portrait photography. When paired with the full sensor 5d Mk II, night photography is taken to a new level!

Comments about Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS Cameras:

Why do you buy a lens that opens up to f1.4? To open up and shoot. This lens is unusable under f2. I read all of the posts about how it's not sharp under f2 and dismissed them as amateurs that didn't know what they're doing. Believe me, you can't get a sharp image under f2!

This lens has the Zeiss trademarks above f2, like the a beautiful gradation, bokeh, color, contrast, etc. I don't understand why Zeiss would put out a lens like this. I'm baffled!

Comments about Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS Cameras:

Great built quality and glass! Can't ask for more with this price range. Comparing to other system of Zeiss ZM ranges, this ZE ranges are just as good with solid built quality and glass for much cheaper.

As you would expect from a fast lens, you will need a bit of time of practice and get a hang of it. It's not an easy lens, but once you nailed it, you nail it!

BTW, this lens has only manual focus.

Comments about Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS Cameras:

I love this lens. Wide, beautiful, clear. Great piece of glass.

Comments about Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS Cameras:

I am an obsessive when it comes to making investments and researching prime lenses has pretty much been my part time job for the last few weeks

I got this lens for christmas today and currently own a d7000 and had previously shot a d80 for around four years. I have been super into my 35mm 1.8g for the last year or so and am fascinated by fast primes. I was anticipating this lens to be hard to focus with the smaller dx viewfinder, but was hoping I could make it work. It ended up frustrating. I tried using live view as some reviewers here suggested, but who wants to shoot a lens of this caliber like a p&s? This hurt because the test pictures were so nice and the lens so beautiful to look at and handle. Luckily my dad is a pro who shoots canon, but owns a d700 for the 14-24 nikkor. Once I got the Zeiss on the d700 my world flipped. It is such a dream to look through a full frame and be able to mannually focus with such speed and precision. Shooting at night without a flash is also kind of my holy grail and this combination has pretty much got me there. I had no idea how much better a full framed camera could handle noise sensitivity and bring in natural light, not to mention manually focus a lens. One advantage to manual focus that I have personally noticed is its nature to lock you into a frame a allowing one to step out of the shot and come back to the exact same spot with out af tweaking out and leaving you guessing. I know this is obvious, but its also powerful.

In any case I'm ecstatic and hope this review helps anyone coming from my position as a dx shooter. To me it was an epiphany and the switch to FX will be made because of this lens.

PS I also tried the sigma 50 and the Zeiss is just so much nicer.

I already want more manual primes.

I'm sick.

Comments about Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS Cameras:

I gave this lens 5 stars because it deserves to be on top of the lens game; it's no brainer that you need it if you are a portrait photographer or filmmaker. It's focus ring is as smooth as butter.

The image quality is sharp, pristine and vivid. The Bokeh it produces is creamy.

Lastly, no one can doubt the fact that it boasts a rugged metal body that is double duty.