Zeiss Planar T* 50mm 1.4 lens in Nikon F mount?

ic-racer · Apr 12, 2011

brucemuir said:
Is the C/Y 50 1.4 (MM)Planar the same optical formula as the new ones offered is Nikon F mount and EOS mount?

Datasheets for both lenses are on the Zeiss site.
The MFT curves are different and the cutaway pictues are similar but very slightly different.

Yashica/Contax (Rollei?)

http://www.zeiss.com/C12567A8003B8B6F/EmbedTitelIntern/Planar1.4_50mm_yashica_e/$File/Planar1.4_50mm_yashica_e.pdf

ZF

http://www.zeiss.com/C12571FF00438F7A/0/4DBF8F5EBA9BB366C12576930030E0A3/$file/planar_14_50_en.pdf

2F/2F · Apr 12, 2011

I have used it in Canon mount. I think it's a nice lens, but overpriced IMHO. This is not a built-like-a-panzer German lens. I agree with the Ken Rockwell review that it feels like a decent third party Japanese lens from the '70's. He also says, in summary, "A used Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI has the same optical performance and better mechanical performance for a lot less money." Yes, and "a lot" is an understatement. You could probably get a 50mm f/1.4 AI for $100 plus or minus 50 percent. If you want to read the whole review, here it is: http://www.kenrockwell.com/zeiss/zf50.htm. I appreciate his lens reviews more than anyone's on the Internet.

I would really advise against buying something just for the name on it...especially when the name is special because it is a classic high-quality German company, but the object itself is Japanese.

Makten · Apr 13, 2011

2F/2F said:
I have used it in Canon mount. I think it's a nice lens, but overpriced IMHO. This is not a built-like-a-panzer German lens. I agree with the Ken Rockwell review that it feels like a decent third party Japanese lens from the '70's. He also says, in summary, "A used Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI has the same optical performance and better mechanical performance for a lot less money." Yes, and "a lot" is an understatement. You could probably get a 50mm f/1.4 AI for $100 plus or minus 50 percent. If you want to read the whole review, here it is: http://www.kenrockwell.com/zeiss/zf50.htm. I appreciate his lens reviews more than anyone's on the Internet.

Opinions, as usual. You might like the image quality of the Nikkor just as much or more, but it's definitely not the same. I'd say the difference is of the same magnitude as between a Nikkor 50/1.8 and 50/1.4 (any of the many types). Neglible to some people but important to other people.

I would really advise against buying something just for the name on it...especially when the name is special because it is a classic high-quality German company, but the object itself is Japanese.

Nor would I or any nonreligious person. In fact the new Zeiss lenses made by Cosina in Japan is often "better" (opinions again) than the older German ones. But still it's Zeiss that design them, not Cosina. This is very obvious when comparing Voigtländer (Cosina) lenses with Zeiss. They have identical build quality, but renders differently. I like both but not for the same reason. As do I like old Nikkors for a third reason.

This is sort of the same thing as audiophilia. Expensive speakers do make a difference. They have a "signature". Either you see it (or hear it), or you don't. There's really no reason for neglecting the signature just because you don't think it's important for you own photography.

Most important though, is to use gear that you like and give you the results you want. I might seem religious about this, but Zeiss fits my needs perfectly. I'm not looking back.

You will not have this bokeh with the Nikkor 50/1.4, wide open at that distance...

Mustafa Umut Sarac · Apr 13, 2011

I google patent the Leitz patents and I found there their 250 450 or more focal lenght Powerful Tele Lenses - Elmarit - patents.

I googled every lens element glass with refraction index and abbe number and I found that every lens element built with japanese and american glasses. These lenses are the best tele lenses money can buy and I read extensive tests at german magazines ,compared with Nikon and nikon was faraway looser.

I think as a religious person , I must buy east german lenses which everything is german. May be some glasses made by Lytkarino - Moscow but They sent the first man to the space , didnt they ?

Umut

Makten · Apr 13, 2011

Mustafa, not to be rude, but what has Leitz tele lenses to do with this thread about the Zeiss 50/1.4?

Mustafa Umut Sarac · Apr 13, 2011

Because , If Leitz uses not German glass , suspectly Zeiss do not use all German glass.

Makten · Apr 14, 2011

Mustafa Umut Sarac said:
Because , If Leitz uses not German glass , suspectly Zeiss do not use all German glass.

Are you judging lenses based on what country the glass is from? :munch:

Rol_Lei Nut · Apr 14, 2011

Makten said:
Are you judging lenses based on what country the glass is from? :munch:

Evryone knows that local variations in the Earth's magnetic field aligns the atoms contained within optical glass in a special way.
This magical effect, which produces the only glass capable of forming images, only exists within the borders of current-day Germany and stops 1 centimetre on the other side of its borders...

sandholm · Apr 14, 2011

Rol_Lei Nut said:
Evryone knows that local variations in the Earth's magnetic field aligns the atoms contained within optical glass in a special way.
This magical effect, which produces the only glass capable of forming images, only exists within the borders of current-day Germany and stops 1 centimetre on the other side of its borders...

Well, this also affect the camera house, and would explains why Leica is the super camera and the rest is crap. When it comes to view cameras I personal love south american mahogny, grown in a slight angle, facing north-west and the tree should have a daily dose of bird urin, gives it that extra hardening.

cheers

IloveTLRs · Apr 14, 2011

sandholm said:
I never look any of that crap, borrow the lens, shoot 1-2 rolls develop and see if the lens fits your way of shooting.

Best advice I've read in a long time

Mustafa Umut Sarac · Apr 14, 2011

Its a matter of authenticity , as I would never invest a Mercedes that money , if the engine casted and drilled in Japan. You cant and dont import every knowledge to the outside of your country , you can not train , share every experience with foreign country or engineer. There will be always difference.
Thats why there are zillions of cameras at Japan but % 99 of them under 50 dollars now .
I worked at German high tech companies and I know how they do the business , I used their Goethe Institute for 15 years and I know how they treat the people and work like a machine , like a machine believe me. I used old and modern Leitz lenses and know the difference very well. Glass formula must be Leitz , and must not be available any other camera , thats why I love Elmars and Summitars and others and they give the best quality for me. I grew up with 40s to 80s magazines and I love that look and dont like Zeiss.

Umut

Rol_Lei Nut · Apr 14, 2011

If things are built to specification by well-trained and skilled workers, it doesn't matter where they're built.
While some places or companies may have their own particular "industrial culture", that too can certainly be transmitted.

The fact is, I have a Zeiss lens made in Singapore which is far better than 2 previous samples of the same lens which were made in Germany.

Also about different types of optical glass: the more types of glass available to desgners, the better the job they can do. Only using glass made (or makeable) by the company would be unnecessarily limiting and expensive.
It doesn't matter is they source the glass out-of-house or out-of-country, as long as it fits the necessary technical parameters.

Also, IMHO, up until the 1980's Zeiss lenses were technicallly much better than Leitz's (with some exceptions) and I still tend to like their "look" better.

Mustafa Umut Sarac · Apr 14, 2011

I respect to your opinion but I could not create art with my Singapore Sonnar or Nikon Sonnar generic but I did not give up and there are excellent samples at the internet. I am warming to the camera and every new film is going better. May be or must be the reason is living in an different environment and using worse films than I used with Leicas. I really miss Konica , one great night film. And I need a lightmeter , it has been never a issue 10 years ago but Now I cant decide what to do.
Yes , its about attitude % 90.

Umut

Makten · Apr 14, 2011

Mustafa Umut Sarac said:
I respect to your opinion but I could not create art with my Singapore Sonnar or Nikon Sonnar generic but I did not give up and there are excellent samples at the internet. I am warming to the camera and every new film is going better. May be or must be the reason is living in an different environment and using worse films than I used with Leicas. I really miss Konica , one great night film. And I need a lightmeter , it has been never a issue 10 years ago but Now I cant decide what to do.
Yes , its about attitude % 90.

I think it's time for you to try a digital camera. And seriously, if you "can't create art" unless you use Leitz lenses, you ought to see a doctor.
I prefer Zeiss lenses, but whatever good lenses will do. And bad ones too, if that's my only choice.

Gear snobbery sucks.

Mustafa Umut Sarac · Apr 14, 2011

I accept it You might see the great fury at Leica forum when I asked why you buy this f.. M8 thing.

sandholm · Apr 14, 2011

Mustafa Umut Sarac said:
I accept it You might see the great fury at Leica forum when I asked why you buy this f.. M8 thing.

I think it might help you, it has a light meter. The thing is that its not the gear, just look at the photos created in the early days of photography. Ansel Adams didnt have the gear we do have today. Hell, I have seen better photographs from toy camera photographers then from Leica Wh%%rs who only can talk about M bodys and German glass.

Use what you want, Leica glass or toy cameras, whatever rocks your boat.

(just for the record, I had a M8.2 before I got the M9 and its a fantastic camera, only problem for me was the cropping factor and why I went to M9)

ruilourosa · Apr 14, 2011

Art is not connected with the price or the quality of the things that generate it!

Start investing in some real books... and not leica catalogs and mtf figures...

Rlibersky · Apr 14, 2011

I bought a Contax camera attached to one of these for $100. The previous owner said the camera had a few issues and didn't want to over charge me. The camera was useless but I put an adapter on the lens for my Canon. What can I say, best $100 I spent on a lens.

Zeiss Planar T* 50mm 1.4 lens in Nikon F mount?

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