Zeiss 50mm f/2.0 Makro-Planar ZE Macro Lens for Canon EF Mount SLRs

Comments about Zeiss 50mm f/2.0 Makro-Planar ZE Macro Lens for Canon EF Mount SLRs:

I use this lens to shoot commercial work in the studio on my Canon 1DsM3 and personal macro work on my Canon 50D. The color, contrast and clarity are unreal! I actually tested the lens against my 50mm f1.2 Canon EF and was very impressed. I love that it feels solid, like equipment from years past. Yes, I have to admit that manual focusing takes some getting use to, but the results are worth it. While this is my first Zeiss lens, I will be looking into the 100mm.

Comments about Zeiss 50mm f/2.0 Makro-Planar ZE Macro Lens for Canon EF Mount SLRs:

i shoot mostly video with the 7D and this lens is my favorite portrait lens. since i try to avoid shooting at a 1.4 anyway (with these cameras i find it looks completely amateurish when only one eye is in focus), i was glad to trade one stop for the macro ability.

no complaints. smooth focus, incredibly long turn. consistent color and contrast. unbelievable clarity.

a tad heavy, but it's for solid construction. it feels like a real lens and shoots like it.

Comments about Zeiss 50mm f/2.0 Makro-Planar ZE Macro Lens for Canon EF Mount SLRs:

This is another of the best of breed lenses for use on the Canon bodies. It is metal, and built like a precision instrument. Aside from the fantastic feel of the device, it is capable of truly stunning images.

So much is written about the "Zeiss look" I'll not repeat what everyone else concludes. What I will say is, if you are looking to improve the rendering of what you shoot, with very subtle but perceptible details, you should rent one of these and test it out.

It is one of my preferred focal lengths, and simply stunning as a portrait device. Highly recommended.

Comments about Zeiss 50mm f/2.0 Makro-Planar ZE Macro Lens for Canon EF Mount SLRs:

Crisp - good saturation - and very repeatable results. What more can you ask for? For those that do not mind manual focus, this lens is for you. I have gone through (2) 50 1.8mm lens before finding this one - its a keeper

Comments about Zeiss 50mm f/2.0 Makro-Planar ZE Macro Lens for Canon EF Mount SLRs:

I "upgraded" to this lens from the ZE 50/1.4. Don't get me wrong -- the 50/1.4 I owned was quite excellent however common consensus is that this lens is superior. I didn't really need the extra stop so I sold off the 1.4 and pulled the trigger on this lens.

I can easily say this is probably the best 50 I've ever used (I'd love to own the Leica 50 Summicron but can't afford it). If you don't require AF then there are really no issues with this lens.

Comments about Zeiss 50mm f/2.0 Makro-Planar ZE Macro Lens for Canon EF Mount SLRs:

Unfortunately, I am not qualified to do justice to a review of this lens. My favorite lens of the three I have, the others being the Zeiss 35mm f1.4 ZE and the Canon 24-105mm f4L. The image quality of this lens is just stunning. Looking at the image in the live view of my Canon 60D, I feel like I am looking through very expensive laboratory grade optics, which these seem to approach.
In HD video footage I have shot with it, subjects really do seem to stand out. I like the long focus throw. Very high build quality. Nice size, much smaller than the 35mm f1.4. On the 60D APS-C, basically an 85mm portrait lens.
So, do you need a super high quality lens if you are "just" shooting 1080HD video. I do.
Manual focus? Bring it on! No zoom? Bring it on!

Comments about Zeiss 50mm f/2.0 Makro-Planar ZE Macro Lens for Canon EF Mount SLRs:

After extensive research, I decided to pick up this lens. I have been using Canon 70-200 f/2.8 MK 2 and 16-35 f/2.8 MK 2, and this lens's quality completely impresses and awes me optically and mechanically.

Don't pick up the lens if you cannot commit to improve your skill in manual focusing. If you're willing to invest the time and energy in perfecting your photography skill, this lens is heaven sent.

I will keep my 70-200 mk 2 but sell the 16-35 mk2 because the image quality of Zeiss is so unparalleled. The next Zeiss lens I'll be picking up is the 21mm f/2.8.

What I say the quality of this Zeiss lens is top-notched, I mean:

1) Super sharp edge to edge at f/2
2) The clarity and detail is jaw-dropping. Imaging having the clarity of a microscope as a camera lens.
3) Smooth and buttery bokeh.
4) Full metal construction, including the lens hood.

This lens is used to produce quality image. It's not a snap and go lens. You'll be rewarded handsomely develop a close relationship with this masterpiece of a lens.

Comments about Zeiss 50mm f/2.0 Makro-Planar ZE Macro Lens for Canon EF Mount SLRs:

I have this lens as well as the Canon 50mm macro. I intended to buy the zeiss as an upgrade - but rather than finding it was better - i found it was different.

I've compared them shooting different studio and outdoor shots with a tripod, remote shutter release and 5d mark II -in a range of situations and observed the following. The Zeiss is more contrasty (blacks are darker) and the color is slight more rich. Things that are out of focus in the zeiss are more fluffy and dreamy.

The zeiss is really not that much sharper than the canon - in many cases i find they are the same in terms of sharpness - especially on a copy stand. The canon is easier to focus (physically) because the ring on the zeiss is tight - but the canon ring is arguably too loose.

The zeiss comes with a lens hood - which was unclear on this site

Shooting people in action at f2 is impossible to keep them in focus - and when they are in focus - at 6' their eyes are in focus and their nose and ears are not; so i don't think the zeiss has a real usable f-stop advantage at f2 with this sort of photography.. The zeiss is sharpest at f11 - and then when it gets up to f16 and f22 - it is less contrasty and i can't see the difference as much from the canon - so it kind of looses its advantage..

I would highly recommend the canon - which i was pretty happy with ; and say that this is a very expensive upgrade for a relatively minuscule improvement in sharpness and a wash in ease of usability.

Comments about Zeiss 50mm f/2.0 Makro-Planar ZE Macro Lens for Canon EF Mount SLRs:

This puppy is tack sharp. I did a simple test between Canon's 24-70 L, set at 50mm and the Zeiss and the difference in detail was impressive. The macro is equally cool. Manual focus is a bit more pesky but worth it when you get results like this:)

Comments about Zeiss 50mm f/2.0 Makro-Planar ZE Macro Lens for Canon EF Mount SLRs:

great MF macro with beautiful bokeh.

Comments about Zeiss 50mm f/2.0 Makro-Planar ZE Macro Lens for Canon EF Mount SLRs:

This piece is a little surreal. Of course it has all the features you'd expect from this level of product... corner to corner sharpness, precision machined construction, etc. What really amazes me about this lens though is how it continually surprises me. Set up a shot, frame, focus, click.. and the image on the lcd looks 10x better I could've imagined it when actually looking through the viewfinder. The contrast and color captured by this lens is absolutely a step above.

I can get clean sharp images from a lot of lenses, but I reach for this one because it inspires creativity. I always think "I wonder what I can get it do with this subject". It really gets me to think about color, because it doesn't miss any of it!

One caveat I will mention is that the focus throw on this lens is extremely long, close to 360 degrees I would guess. This is great for doing macro work, as focusing is always precise and certain. For a walking around lens however, I can't always pull focus with a single motion, and find myself grabbing the ring a couple times to get it to turn far enough. I've missed a couple of action shots for this reason. Not really a complaint, just a note about the ideal use for this lens.

The Zeiss name lives up to its legend...

Comments about Zeiss 50mm f/2.0 Makro-Planar ZE Macro Lens for Canon EF Mount SLRs:

I specifically got this lens for its sharpness, construction, AND manual focus (since I have a tendency to adjust the focus after the autofocus has set). Contrast is great also.

Comments about Zeiss 50mm f/2.0 Makro-Planar ZE Macro Lens for Canon EF Mount SLRs:

I looked around before buying this lens and could not find a single rating of it what was not full marks. I put heavy in for a con, but really the weight makes the lens feel incredibly solid. I use this lens with my T2i with superb results. You will want some sort of prism or focus assist screen for focusing at distances greater than 10 feet.

Comments about Zeiss 50mm f/2.0 Makro-Planar ZE Macro Lens for Canon EF Mount SLRs:

Once you will have this piece on your camera,and pull the focus,this will be your all time lens.The bokeh is amazing !!!sharpness and contrast too.I use it for video on my 5D,and own a 21 mm Zeiss to...Those lens are rock solid,I had another plastic lens in hand today, and feel like was a toy...It is a manual focus lens,no fast pics,once you know that you re ok.I m planning to buy more primes Zeiss lens.

Comments about Zeiss 50mm f/2.0 Makro-Planar ZE Macro Lens for Canon EF Mount SLRs:

Great lens for macro, walk around and video work. Also loose portraits and landscape. Very versatile and highly enjoyable. Vignette in full frame wide open, but other than that the lens is great.

Comments about Zeiss 50mm f/2.0 Makro-Planar ZE Macro Lens for Canon EF Mount SLRs:

Very nice point and shoot lens without focus distance restrictions compare to 50mm F1.8 which I use before.

Comments about Zeiss 50mm f/2.0 Makro-Planar ZE Macro Lens for Canon EF Mount SLRs:

used for macro, street shots, landscapes and group portraits and couldn't find any faults. manual focus creates better composition.

Comments about Zeiss 50mm f/2.0 Makro-Planar ZE Macro Lens for Canon EF Mount SLRs:

was shooting with leica lenses with canon 1ds mark2 good quality. just received the zeiss 85mm & 35mm great workmanship and impressive contrast & sharpness, shoot aerials only and works great just ordered the 50mm.

Comments about Zeiss 50mm f/2.0 Makro-Planar ZE Macro Lens for Canon EF Mount SLRs:

I am a Canon shooter and this was my first Zeiss lens. There are many Zeiss & Leica fanboys, most of them great gearheads and mediocre photographers. I did a good bit of research before deciding on the ZE 50 f/2 Makro Planar. All I can say is, it lives up to its hype and reputation. Sharpness and micro-contrast are outstanding and the bokeh at f/2 is delicious. Build is world-class. This is a versatile lens, serving Macro, street and landscape photography. I am glad to have made this purchase.

Comments about Zeiss 50mm f/2.0 Makro-Planar ZE Macro Lens for Canon EF Mount SLRs:

great great contrast and IQ! It really gives a 3-dimensional visual effect in the picture and makes every picture look so good. The build is solid and exquisite. Once I had it in my hand, I had no regret spending so much on it!