2016
Carl Zeiss 50 f1.7 Planar T - An affordable Zeiss
This one isn't really mine. It belongs to my wife who used it on a Contax SLR. For the time being, she has handed it to me for safe keeping and claims that it is better than any lens I have. I don't know about that, but it is probably the best fifty I own.
The Carl Zeiss 50/1.7 T Planar specs:
Build Quality/Handling (Good/Very good)
The build quality of this lens really isn't anything special. It's mostly plastic and while it does feel pretty well put together, it really isn't in the same league as metal vintage lenses. The lens information (ie. focus distance, f-stop, etc. ) is not etched in as is the case with even the cheapest nifty 50s (like the FDn 50/1.8, for example). This means that the writing is bound to rub off eventually, and that's exactly what's happening to the lens I have.
The focusing and the aperture ring, however, are very smooth and nicely rubberized. I don't think I've ever seen another lens with an aperture ring that has a rubber grip on it and is this wide. It's mechanically excellent with precise, well-defined clicks.
All that plastic means that the lens is light. It's also quite small and, even with the rather wide C/Y adapter, balances really well on the Sony A7s. Finally, perhaps its biggest shortcoming is the very long minimum focus distance of 60cm - I mean that's basically rangefinder territory!
Image Quality (Excellent)
Though the build quality seems to reflect cost-cutting measures, the optical performance is really really good. It's one of the sharpest and most contrasty lenses I have.
The Carl Zeiss 50/1.7 T Planar specs:
- 7 elements in 6 groups
- Weight - 195 grams
- Length - 36 mm (65 mm with adapter)
- Filter size - 55 mm
- Min. focus distance - 0.6 m
- Aperture - 6 blades, f1.7 to f2.8 with half stop, then to f16 in full stops
Build Quality/Handling (Good/Very good)
The build quality of this lens really isn't anything special. It's mostly plastic and while it does feel pretty well put together, it really isn't in the same league as metal vintage lenses. The lens information (ie. focus distance, f-stop, etc. ) is not etched in as is the case with even the cheapest nifty 50s (like the FDn 50/1.8, for example). This means that the writing is bound to rub off eventually, and that's exactly what's happening to the lens I have.
The focusing and the aperture ring, however, are very smooth and nicely rubberized. I don't think I've ever seen another lens with an aperture ring that has a rubber grip on it and is this wide. It's mechanically excellent with precise, well-defined clicks.
All that plastic means that the lens is light. It's also quite small and, even with the rather wide C/Y adapter, balances really well on the Sony A7s. Finally, perhaps its biggest shortcoming is the very long minimum focus distance of 60cm - I mean that's basically rangefinder territory!
Image Quality (Excellent)
Though the build quality seems to reflect cost-cutting measures, the optical performance is really really good. It's one of the sharpest and most contrasty lenses I have.
100% centre crops from a6000 - f1.7 - f2 - f2.8 - f4 (from top left to bottom right)
100% right edge crops - f1.7 - f2 - f2.8 - f4 (from top left to bottom right)
On the A7s - f1.7/ISO 100
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100% crop
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Wide open sharpness is quite good in the centre and reaches excellent levels by f2.8. Contrast improves by stopping down and while the edges (on aps-c) are ok at 1.7, they don't get really sharp until f2.8. Still, this lens is capable of excellent results wide open.
The bokeh is mostly pretty good but can get a little harsh in some situations. Overall, I'd describe it as fairly neutral - it's certainly not the smoothest nor the harshest I've seen, but I find it generally pleasing. All the shots below were taken at f1.7.
The bokeh is mostly pretty good but can get a little harsh in some situations. Overall, I'd describe it as fairly neutral - it's certainly not the smoothest nor the harshest I've seen, but I find it generally pleasing. All the shots below were taken at f1.7.
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There's some vignetting wide open but it's uneven. In fact, I've noticed this with a couple of the lenses I've reviewed (Canon FD 135/2, Nikkor 50/1.2 ai-s) and I'm beginning to wonder whether its somehow caused by adapting lenses. There appears to be heavier shading in one or two corners and sometimes along one side. Anyway, it's not a huge deal for me, but it might be for others... (Edit: it appears that the electronic first curtain, which I usually leave on, can cause uneven exposure at high shutter speeds. I need to thank Phillip Reeve for pointing this out)
f1.7/ISO 100
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f2/ISO 100
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Most Zeiss lenses are T-coated and this one is no exception. The coating works really well and while ghosting is present, there's really no loss of contrast when shooting into light. When it is there, the flare is quite attractive. Overall, the lens performs great with a light source directly in, or at the edge of the frame. Also, there's really no CA visible even in challenging high-contrast conditions.
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Conclusion
The Carl Zeiss Planat T 50mm f1.7 is an excellent lens with a couple of shortcomings. One of those is the somewhat cheap plastic construction. Even though mechanically the lens is really good, I doubt it would survive more than a slight tumble. The other is the long minimal focus distance of 60cm - food photographers look elsewhere.
Optically the lens is excellent with great sharpness, contrast, colour rendition, and CA and flare resistance. Am I seeing the famous Zeiss microcontrast in my shots? I don't know, not really, maybe? Do you?
Currently the CZ 50/1.7 sells for about 200 to 300 bucks, which I think is quite expensive for a standard 50, especially with so many vintage 50/1.4s selling for half of that or less. Would I buy one? Probably not. Am I glad I have one? Absolutely.
A few more samples, mostly on the Sony A7s. Also, follow this link to see a video shot with the Zeiss. Finally, check out this photo series shot with this lens in the Tokyo Metro.
The Carl Zeiss Planat T 50mm f1.7 is an excellent lens with a couple of shortcomings. One of those is the somewhat cheap plastic construction. Even though mechanically the lens is really good, I doubt it would survive more than a slight tumble. The other is the long minimal focus distance of 60cm - food photographers look elsewhere.
Optically the lens is excellent with great sharpness, contrast, colour rendition, and CA and flare resistance. Am I seeing the famous Zeiss microcontrast in my shots? I don't know, not really, maybe? Do you?
Currently the CZ 50/1.7 sells for about 200 to 300 bucks, which I think is quite expensive for a standard 50, especially with so many vintage 50/1.4s selling for half of that or less. Would I buy one? Probably not. Am I glad I have one? Absolutely.
A few more samples, mostly on the Sony A7s. Also, follow this link to see a video shot with the Zeiss. Finally, check out this photo series shot with this lens in the Tokyo Metro.
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