Zeiss 50mm ƒ/1.4 T* Planar ZF.2 (HD)

[theallmikey]

Hey there; I have a question you might find amusing: what do you think of the Digitalrev TV review of this lens? I'm almost certain you're not their biggest fan, but they do provide test shots and what seems to be a well rounded review, although their goofiness and lack of true opinion sometimes annoys me. They can be a bit too P.C. in my opinion. The most interesting aspect in question is the out of focus rendition quality. Thank you for your time.

[superkiwizorro]

digitalrev make videos only to make money, not to help people. the boys behind lilkiwiguy told thousands of people that they should be careful with what they read on the internet when researching on a product. especially looking for more FACTS with less opinions. jaredpolin, cameralabs, and digitalrev channels are pretty unreliable because they either read straight from brochures, really dragging when it comes to facts or opinions, and can't get their point across.

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Hah, Zorro answered your question dead on. DigitalRev is pretty arrogant and obnoxious.

[theallmikey]

@Lilkiwiguy87

So what do you think of the out of focus rendition (or the "Bokeh" - I'm tired of this word- I think it's "a bit" overused). I'm asking for your personal opinion, really. Does it compare to some of the Nikkor "cream machines" like the 85mm 1.4D? This is all a matter of opinion, obviously, so there is no wrong answer.

Thank you.

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Well, it's illogical to compare Zeiss 50mm ƒ/1.4 against a lens of different focal length; comparing it with Nikon 50mm ƒ/1.4 is more logical. To answer your question regarding out of focus rendition, Nikon 50mm ƒ/1.4 AF-S is better due to its 9 curved aperture blades that create circular out of focus highlights when stopped down. On the Zeiss, when stopped down, the out of focus highlights will appear to be nonagonal (9 sided polygon). Both lenses are identical at F/1.4, F/2.0, and F/2.8.

[theallmikey]

Yes, you are right; it is a matter of apples and oranges. I was asking about the 85mm because it's a lens I know and I know it's capabilities. I do have the new Nikkor 50 mm 1.8G and I like that lens as well. Maybe I should have asked you about comparing the Zeiss with that lens, although again, they are not entirely comparable. I usually shoot at f\4 (Thanks to your videos, to be honest) and it's just great- it captured tons of memorable moments.

Thank you for your answer!

[zerozaku1]

How does this compare to Voigtlander Nokton 58mm SL II?

I heard they are standing in the same ground.

[superkiwizorro]

@zerozaku1 the boys behind lilkiwiguy don't have any voigtlander lens to answer that question. perhaps rent them out to compare?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

This is 50mm ƒ/1.4 and it doesn't have F/22.0 aperture. We believe you're talking about the 50mm ƒ/2.0 Makro, which has F/22.0 aperture.

[mikeismad61]

How does the current range of Zeiss glass compare with the Yashica/ Contax lenses from the 1980's ?

Advice please

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Much, much better. The T* coating technology improved greatly over the years.

[mikeismad61]

Useful - thank you

Do you know if anyone has published formal tests?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

No, sorry, we used to have old ones and the difference is very obvious.

[affnan]

Great Japanese build lens

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Uh, okay?  So is China, Thailand, Germany, etc.'s lenses.

[utrujjah]

how much is this?



[Lilkiwiguy87]

Your answer is in the video, watch it again.

[JJtheJaxartosaurus]

I had an adrenaline rush when you changed to aperture... this thing is a beauty.

[blaqkie77]

Wow. Now I am really excited to get this lens. :) Thanks Lilkiwiguy87

[MrOvidiurogalski]

will this lens allow me to digitally control aperture and meter correctly on my d5000?nikkor 50mm 1.2 vs this one?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Yes, you can control the lens' aperture via any digital SLR's.

The 50mm ƒ/1.2 is a AIS lens (not AI-P like ZF.2) and D5000 lacks internal AI ring for meter coupling. In other words, you have to meter in your head.

[blaqkie77]

Great review Lilkiwiguy87! Very appreciated. I can't wait for this lens to come into my local camera stores' stock!

At 1:34 however, you stated in the video that the ZF.2 has automatic aperture control. Does this mean I will be able to use a camera like my Nikon D7000 or D300 and control the lens aperture via the camera?

(I am sort of new to manual lenses)

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Yes, that is correct.

Zeiss' ZF.2 or Nikon's AI-P lenses have two purposes: analog and digital. 1) Analog: they can allow you control the aperture on the lens' aperture ring when used on mechanical film SLR's. 2) Digital: they can allow you control the aperture via the camera's subcommand dial on most modern film and digital SLR's.

[snifnscratch]

Hi Lilkiwiguy87, is this lens sharper than a 50mm nikkor (eg my 50mm f1.8)? Does it perform better at the borders?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Your 50mm ƒ/1.8D AF is good for well lit conditions (F/4.0-F/8.0 on DX, up to F/16.0 on FX / Film). This Zeiss 50mm ƒ/1.4 T* ZF.2 is ideal for poor lit conditions (F/2.0-F/5.6 on both formats but worsens at lower apertures due to diffraction). So, they are two completely different lenses but yes, the Zeiss is sharper than the 50mm ƒ/1.8D AF at F/4.0 and F/5.6.

In reality, no one pays attention at the corners.

[Fulkeir]

if you use it in a canon eos you can still control the aperture through the ring in the lens or you can only do it via the camera?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Zeiss' 50mm ƒ/1.4 T* Planar ZE does not have an aperture ring, which means you control the aperture via the camera.

[hlshcd]

Compared to Sigma, which one is better?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Uhm, we will put it this way. The Zeiss is Bugatti Veyron while the Sigma is Daewoo Lacetti. Obviously, the Zeiss is far better.

[hlshcd]

@Lilkiwiguy87

Another question, is this lens sharper than nikkor 24-70 f2.8 at 50mm f2.8?

Zeiss is made in Japan by Cosina now, and I've heard Cosina is a worse brand than Sigma.

thx

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Yep.

[rhddrifter86]

How can someone give a 10/10 rating (which means perfection - there is no possible way it can be improved) and list all the cons and moderate barrel distortion?

I never understood a 10/10 rating of anything. There is no such thing as perfection because if one asks "can it be better?" the answer will always be yes.

[Lilkiwiguy87]

We gave it a 10 / 10 score because we learn how to work around small restrictions. Everyone have to learn how to work around it.

[pocitube]

what is the best 50mm prime??

[Lilkiwiguy87]

That depends on how you define "best".

To us, this is the best 50mm ƒ/1.4 prime lens. So is Zeiss 50mm ƒ/2.0 T* Makro-Planar ZF.2.

[pocitube]

@Lilkiwiguy87

id like to get good bokeh...

so, Zeiss 50mm ƒ/2.0 T* Makro-Planar ZF.2 better than 50mm one??

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Both lenses have quite juicy bokeh. The ƒ/1.4 have good bokeh quality at F/2.0 but the ƒ/2.0 have good bokeh quality at F/2.8 when doing close-ups only.

[pocitube]

how to use autofocus?? is this a manual focus lens??

[Lilkiwiguy87]

It's a manual focus lens.

[Jumanjijuice]

I have a D200. Are you saying it is even more amazing on a D200 because of the possibility of metering?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

No, we did not say that. We're just saying it's much easier to meter with older ZF version on big bad boy camera bodies. ZF.2 can meter on any camera bodies because it has internal CPU for automatic aperture control.

[abedankanthasamy]

Thanks for another great video kiwi guy! How does this lens compare with the nikon 50mm f 1.2? sharpness, contrast and bokeh wise?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Zeiss' 50mm ƒ/1.4 T* Planar ZF.2 nailed the 50mm ƒ/1.2 AIS by a thousand miles.

[joey75220]

Nice!!!  REally nice....I love that lens. Checked it out a couple years back. The price is what kept ME away

[SuperZorro87]

zeiss lenses r sooo beautiful!! so r the pics taken with it!!

[mefilmmaking]

good vid.