Carl Ziess Planar 50/1.4 for Nikon?

ToddB

Member
Joined
Jul 10, 2012
Messages
1,134
Format
Medium Format
Hey guys,

just realized that this lens existed? Is any good?

ToddB
 

SamSpade1941

Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2012
Messages
65
Location
Okla, USA
Format
Medium Format
Not any better than a 50 f/1.4 AI S nikkor when I test drove one. YMMV.
 
OP
OP

ToddB

Member
Joined
Jul 10, 2012
Messages
1,134
Format
Medium Format
I have one of those.. Vintage 50mm 1.4 with silver rings. And also pancake 50 1.8.
 

Jim Rice

Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2006
Messages
225
Location
Jackson. MS,
Format
Multi Format
My experience with the Zeiss lenses is that they mix a pinch of magic into them. Whether this is worth the price is a question for you to answer.
 

dorff

Member
Joined
May 31, 2011
Messages
443
Location
South Africa
Format
Multi Format
The 50/1.4 Zeiss is among the less coveted Zeiss lenses, and it sort of makes sense as there is a Nikkor match that isn't all that bad either. Given the price, I think it has bragging more than practical value for a large majority. The Zeiss 85/1.4 is said to be noticeably sharper than the Nikkor. Even so, I have never felt let down by my Nikkor AF-D version, and am not about to give it up for a manual focus Zeiss twice the price. I am sure that also applies to most Nikkor 50/1.4 owners.

Where the Zeiss lenses make more sense would be where a comparable Nikkor does not exist, e.g. the Makro-Planar 50/2 and 100/2, and some of the wide-angle primes which are markedly better than the offerings from Nikon. I have shot with the 100/2, and must admit that it is a wonderful optic. I feel no urge to fork out $1600, or whatever it costs nowadays, for a manual focus lens, but if it ever came in an AF-S version, I'd be right in front of the queue.
 

artonpaper

Subscriber
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
336
Location
Staten Island, New York
Format
Multi Format
When I look back at some of my prints from the 70s and 80s, I'm hard pressed to tell which were taken with my Nikon Ftn and the 50 mm 1.4, and my Lieca with a 50. (I can't recall which Leica 50.)
 

E. von Hoegh

Member
Joined
Sep 14, 2011
Messages
6,197
Location
Adirondacks
Format
Multi Format
ToddB said:
Hey guys,

just realized that this lens existed? Is any good?

ToddB
Click to expand...

Probably it's very good. But will you see the difference in a blind a/b comparison? I'd say you need to look into the cost/benefit ratio. You can get a 50/1.4 Ai Nikkor for under $100 with a bit of luck, and this Zeiss will have to be a very very good lens indeed to beat out the Nikkor. So, it depends on whether you want to spend money, or take pictures.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

nightbringer

Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2011
Messages
53
Location
Adelaide, So
Format
Multi Format
If you really want to blow money on a Zeiss normal, wait for their 55mm f1.4 to come out later this year
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…