Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS Cameras
The Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Lens is a high-speed standard lens for the exacting 35mm SLR photographer. Considered by professional photographers to be one of the world's best SLR lenses (if not the best), this "ZE" lens is now available for the Canon EF (EOS) bayonet SLR system.
All existing exposure programs (P, AV, TV, M) and the AF verification function of the camera are supported, and lens information (focal length and speed) is passed on to the camera. Certain functions that require the use of AF lenses (various subject programs, A-DEP) are partially unavailable.
The Planar lens with its front-and-back symmetry was invented by Dr. Paul Rudolf and is one of the best-known Carl Zeiss T* lenses. It is remarkably effective in eliminating aberrations and possesses very high definition allowing contrast in the subject to be faithfully reproduced.
- Precise mechanism enables exact manual focusing
- Carl Zeiss T* lens coating
- Special attention is paid to guarantee absolute color matching
Go To
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Focal Length | 50 mm |
| Aperture |
Maximum: f/1.4 Minimum: f/16 |
| Camera Mount Type | Canon EF |
| Format Compatibility |
35mm Film / Full-Frame Digital Sensor Canon (APS-C) |
| Angle of View | 45° |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 1.48' (45 cm) |
| Magnification | 0.15x |
| Maximum Reproduction Ratio | 1:6.6 |
| Groups/Elements | 6/7 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Image Stabilization | No |
| Autofocus | No |
| Tripod Collar | No |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Filter Thread | 58 mm |
| Dimensions (DxL) | Approx. 2.60 x 2.72" (6.60 x 6.91 cm) |
| Weight | 12.35 oz (350 g) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 103 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
95%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Durable (78)
- Strong construction (75)
- Consistent output (53)
- Rugged (53)
- Nice bokeh (48)
Cons
- Slow focus (10)
- Heavy (5)
- Blurry focus (3)
Best Uses
- Low light (47)
- Video (47)
- Night photography (43)
- Landscape/scenery (34)
- Weddings (23)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (55), Yes (4)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Semi-pro photographer (27), Pro photographer (23), Photo enthusiast (18), Professional (10), Semi-professional (5)
Most Liked Positive Review
Great lens for the price
This is an amazing lens. I have been shooting with it for about a month know and grab it just as much or more than every other lens in my bag. It is way ...Read complete review
This is an amazing lens. I have been shooting with it for about a month know and grab it just as much or more than every other lens in my bag. It is way sharper than any of my zoom lens (of course) and out performs and of the canon 50mm. I have been debating getting a Canon Eg-S Super Precision Matte Focusing Screen. I think it would help with manual focusing. But really if you are shooting at 1.4 I just do a little focus bracketing and I'm usually good.Little to no chromatic aberration. Built twice as solid as you would ever imagine. Really this thing is sweet!I have been shooting with it a bunch if you want to check out samples at my site [@] May of the images on my blog are with this.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Wonderfully unique, but not versatile
After reading reviews right here on this website, I decided to purchase two Zeiss lenses from B&H. First let me tell you that the Zeiss 50mm 1.4 planar is one of the sharp...Read complete review
After reading reviews right here on this website, I decided to purchase two Zeiss lenses from B&H. First let me tell you that the Zeiss 50mm 1.4 planar is one of the sharpest - if not the sharpest lens - I have ever used. Sharper, in my opinion, than Canon's 35L. It's on par with the 135L for razor sharpness. The catch? You can't shoot it wide open - not even close. I found at f/1.4, through f/2 the images were just not useable for me. Too soft. By f/2.5 it sharpens up and then by f/3.5 it's razor sharp. The out-of-focus elements are beautiful - excellent bokeh. I used the lens both on my 50D (where it made a wonderful portrait lens) and as an all purpose lens on my 5D Mark II. Other things I noted: the color was much more pronounced than with other lenses I've used. More saturated and warmer. The build quality is fantastic. Solid. The lens could easily last an entire career. The manual focus ring was smooth and precise… you have to use a lens like this to appreciate manual focus. I didn't miss autofocus at all. It's so natural and precise to focus manually with a lens like this. Overall, the lens had a very pleasing and boutique quality about it. And therein lies the conundrum: in my opinion, you buy a fast prime to be able to use it wide open or at least close. This lens had at lot of great qualities but really wasn't usable in low light. If you are okay with sinking [$] into a once-in-a-while 50mm prime - especially for a unique portrait lens - then I recommend it. But as an all purpose 50mm it comes up a bit short.
Reviewed by 103 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Durable
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Video
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.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Nice Bokeh
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Photography
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.
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Nice Bokeh
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Video
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.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Night Photography
- Sports/Action
- Video
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS Cameras:
If you shoot video with DSLR Glass, this is by far the best bang for your buck for a prime lens. It will take your production value to the next level.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Lightweight
- Nice Bokeh
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Blurry Focus
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Photography
- Video
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS Cameras:
The most Amazing image that any lens that i have produce, excellet sharpness , marvelous Contrat, very nice manual focus ring, excellent for video!!!
Pros
- Compact
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Nice Bokeh
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Portraits
- Video
Comments about Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS Cameras:
I purchased this lens for my new Canon 5D Mark II camera, primarily for video and occasional stills shooting. I am amazed at the way images "pop" with this lens. The separation from the background is AMAZING, with its high-quality optics producing phenomenal "bokeh" (soft focus background blur).
Fast (f/1.4) and contrasty in low-light, and tack sharp edge-to-edge throughout its aperture range.
The mechanical build quality of this lens is also superb -- using all metal construction. The focus ring is long throw and smooth as butter!
I highly recommend this lens. One of the best I've ever owned!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS Cameras:
I use this lens with a 5D II, for both photo and video and I am more than happy. Solid and sharp.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Night Photography
Comments about Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS Cameras:
Using with Canon 5D. Very sharp.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS Cameras:
built extremely strongly, focus is great and seriously for the price - it's worth it. I can live without the auto focus without problem.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Nice Bokeh
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Video
Comments about Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS Cameras:
I wanted to try out a lens that was built for manual focusing. The construction of this lens is spectacular and very nice to use. The focus ring is smooth and easy to get an accurate adjustment. The fact that it also has focus confirmation (even though manual focus only) is helpful.
The optics aren't "bad", but they are no better IMHO than my Canon 50 f/1.4. The construction exceeds the Canon 50 f/1.4, but wide open the Canon was a fair bit sharper and the difference was negligible between the two lenses when stopped down. Color was a bit more vibrant with the Zeiss lens.
I really wanted to like this lens, it really is the most well constructed lens body that I've held (and I have a few L's in my line-up), but I can't justify the cost for a lens that isn't noticeably better or even just "different" enough from my current set-up. I've returned this lens and I have since bought an old Yashica 50 f/1.4 for a lot less money to fulfill my manual focus lens need/want.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Nice Bokeh
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Photography
Comments about Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS Cameras:
fast aperture, smooth focusing, tack sharp, great build quality. great lens if you can live without AF!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Nice Bokeh
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Photography
- Sports/Action
- Video
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS Cameras:
Incredible depth of field, smooth bokeh, great contrast and detail. This lens is amazing. Ideal for portraiture, but also a great action lens if you can plan where your subject is going to be at capture with the manual only focus. The build quality is literally top notch. German engineered and Japanese made is a great combo. Included hood is a needed plus for a fixed 50mm IMO but it doesn't include a storage bag which I thought was sort of odd at [$] price point. Nonetheless this is an incredible lens for the price, something you'll keep in your bag a lifetime or even hand down to your youngins. A true keeper.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Nice Bokeh
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Night Photography
- Video
Comments about Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS Cameras:
good for portraits and low light situation. Bokeh and color are beautiful. very good for Video. I returned canon 50 1.4 to get this. no regret. If you enjoy manual focuss this is the one.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Lightweight
- Nice Bokeh
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Night Photography
Comments about Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS Cameras:
Best lens i ever had. Amazing quality. Takes little bit time to get used to manual, but that is nothing compare to image quality. Reason I purchased this lens was because I got bad version of canon 50mmL lens, it was returned and zeiss was purchased same day. So happy now that Canon was returned. Love Zeiss!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Nice Bokeh
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Photography
Comments about Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS Cameras:
Prior to this purchase my experience with Zeiss lenses has been with my film cameras, the Contax N and G systems. Those lenses are superb. I have always wanted a Zeiss lens to use with my Canon Digital cameras and the 50mm f1/4 Planar T* is just as great as the lenses for the Contax N and G systems.
The build quality, color rendition and sharpness is truly Zeiss. I have used this lens with my 1D Mark III, 5D Mark II and 5D and this is truly a superb lens. If you can live with manual focus purchase this lens and ignore the few negative reviews by pixel peepers. This is an excellent lens and worth the price.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Sharp
Cons
- Full manual
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Video
Comments about Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS Cameras:
This is a great lens for video, Zeiss glass is sharp and crisp, color is great as canon tends to be warm. I use it with my 5D. For the price its worth it, I was reluctant at first but as a 50mm is very versital, if you don't have the budget the canon 50 1.4 is half the price and not bad either, but if you wanna go pro go Zeiss! you won't regret it because the 50 has great DOF - so I find that I use it allot for interviews and mid-range shots.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Nice Bokeh
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Video
Comments about Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS Cameras:
Very strong solid construction. Very sharp focus. Use it on my 5DMII for stills and video.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Nice Bokeh
- Performance in Low Light
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Stills
- Video
Comments about Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS Cameras:
It's the sort of lens you build a personal relationship with. You find yourself naming and having everyday conversations with it. The colours and the bokeh are superb (try to remind yourself not to film everything out of focus), the build is very solid (I expect this lens will out live me), and the long travel and stopped focus ring is a pleasure to use (especially for video).
The lens is a bit long on a Cropped Frame Sensor, and I miss having an aperture ring (available on the Nikon ZF model) but neither of these two issues are the fault of the lens.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Affordable
- High Quality
- Image quality
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Photography
- Video
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS Cameras:
I'm an independent documentary film maker, and have been shooting my current project on the Canon 7D and 5D Mark II.
A large drawback of shooting with these cameras is their ability to handle low light situations. While shooting a documentary in the field the shot is typically illuminated by ambient light sources, or what is provided on site. This beautiful piece of glass is a 1.4, thus making low light environments look stunning. Another huge plus is it has 360 degree full focus, which as a stand alone feature is enough to make this lens a must for your kit.
Carl Zeiss gear has a very strong reputation preceding it. This very cost affordable lens is a wonderful alternative to the pricey Canon brand 50mm prime.
Try it and see for yourself.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Nice Bokeh
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Night Photography
- Video
Comments about Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS Cameras:
Bought this mostly for video and although its rare I will use it at 1.4 its really nice to have the option. Bokeh is stunning, amazing image.
My first Zeiss definitely won't be my last. Can't speak highly enough of it.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
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Filters & Filter Kits
- Price: $34.60
Hoods & Covers
- Price: $39.95
Cases & Wraps
- Price: $9.95
What's in the Box
- Front & Rear Lens Caps
- Metal Lens Hood
- 2-Year Warranty
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