Zeiss Sonnar 50mm f1.5

A

AndrewNYC

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I've been reading up on this lens because I would like to get a 50mm ZM Sonnar 1.5 for a to-be-ordered M3 and I've been a fair bit confused as to the focus "issue". Is it just certain ones that have front focus problems? I've read some people have had them adjusted to focus spot on at 1.5 at close distances...does this affect other focus distances? How does the Sonnar compete with the available Voigtlanders? Thanks for the advice.

Best,

Andrew
 
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Some dead guy said "sharpness is a bourgeois concept". All Sonnar designs exhibit focus shift. They are all also are sharper in the center and focus moves back and forth as you move toward the edges (think damped sine wave, like a drop of water in a still pool). The new ZM Sonnar has such good contrast and sharpness that these characteristics are more evident than in an uncoated pre-war Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar, for example.

In my opinion, the performance characteristics of the Sonnar add interest to the image, and require me to think a little bit before I trip the shutter (I have found this to be a good thing, generally, regardless of the lens I'm using). I also like the compact size and ergonomics of the ZM Sonnar compared to the other fast 50's. The Nokton and Summilux are twice as big.
 
Don`t overlook the famous 1950`s Sonnar "clones" in Leica Thread Mount - (just use a adapter)

The f1.4 SC 50mm Nikkor and the f1.5 50mm Canon, both give that "Sonnar Glow" for less than half the money of a new CZ Sonnar, the Nikkor is the more contrastier of the two and the Canon an overall "all around" lens in color or black and white - good examples of both lenses can be found under $350 ;)

Tom
 
Sorry to hijack the thread:

For Nikkor 5cm 1.4, it is normal that it may back focus at widest aperture at close distance?

I have that back focus about 2 inches at 1 M but infinity collimation should be fine.

When I tried to add shim to fix the 1M focusing, the lens is front focusing for farther distance.

Thanks,
 
AndrewNYC said:
If speed and depth of field were important to you, would you look at the CV Nokton 1.5?
Click to expand...

Of course you would, as well as other fast lenses, although they (non-Sonnar) won't give you that distinct Sonnar "glow."

I have both a Sonnar (optimized for f1.5) and a Planar -- two very different lenses.
 
If you like how the C-Sonnar renders, just buy one and learn how it works on your camera for subjects you like to photograph..

The focus shift is not very important unless you intend to photograph subjects at close range in low existing light. (If I intend to photograph at close range in low light I just use a DLSR/SLR.) Rangefinder calibration (how the focusing cam mates with the C-Sonnar) is also relevant. I believe there is anecdotal evidence that those with the Zieiss Ikon M body have less of an issue than some Leica bodies (but then I believed Sean Reid when he first reported the M8 had excellent color rendition right out of the box, so what I believe is of little import).

At any rate, the C-Sonnar is well worth the money if you like how it draws an image. It's look with color is unique. It's look wide-open is unique. It is not that difficult to use wide-open after some practice.

willie
 
My Sonnar ZM shows a little bit of front focus but with some practice the results are stunning. I would like to thanks mfogiel for the help and advices and I agree with willie 901. I like mine as it is. Here the answer arrived today from Germany to my question about recalibrate or not the lens:

If the C Sonnar T* 1,5/50 ZM should predominantly be used at full aperture, in a few cases a recalibration of the lens to f/1.5 might be necessary to minimize focus shift at full aperture. Together with this calibration to f/1.5 comes an increase of the focus shift at f/2.8 and smaller, but this will be covered by the depth-of-field in most cases.
Because the results of the focus shift of the C Sonnar in practical use depend on different factors (e.g. on the calibration of the flange focal distance and rangefinder of the camera body in use, the preferred distances and f stops, the 3-dimensionality of the subject etc), we strongly recommend to make individual test shots with a C Sonnar before you decide to send it in for recalibration.

In most cases, a recalibration of the lens is not necessary.

If you´d like to get your lens recalibrated, you have the following alternatives:

-return it to the dealer where you purchased it, so he can send in the lens to us
-send it to our distributor in the country of purchase
-send it to us (Carl Zeiss Germany), if you have an European warranty card that came with your lens

The recalibration is free of charge as long as the lens is covered by warranty. Therefore, the filled out original warranty card and a copy of the invoice have to be provided.
If you´d like to send the lens directly to us, please fill out the following form and add it to your shipment...
 
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I have a 50 1.5 C sonnar. It's a pebble that sometimes will give you perfect focus at one point in the image and melt everything else into the smoothest creamiest blur you can imagine. I love it:)

Mike
 
Can anyone comment on the look of the Zeiss Sonnar 1.5/50 as compared to the Voigtlander Heliar 2.0/50? In many threads I've read people using similar characteristics to describe both lenses. Any experiences with direct comparisons of the two?
LJS
 
For some reason I have a lot of various 50's, including 50f1.4 Asph, Nokton 50f1.5, Nikkor 50 1.4's and the Sonnar 50f1.5 ZM. When I go travelling, this is my 50 of choice! The other oens are all very good in their particular way, but no other lens has the look of the 50f1.5 Sonnar in black/white. If there is any focus shift, it usually more my own fault than the lens fault. It is used handheld with 250/400 iso speed film. Mine is an early one and supposedly would be corrected for f2.8 or somthing, but I have never had a shot where I could blame the lens so far. I also have the somewhat elusive SC version of this lens and like Jari, I have not found any signs of shifts with that one either.
 
I second Tom A. I have the f2.8 as well and if I'm at minimum focus distance @ 1.5 (which is rarely) I just tweak the focus a little to the rear. I have to admit, I love the rendition of this lens overall and have stopped worrying about all of it a long time ago.
Talk about it and you'll get frustrated.
Use it and you'll Love it.
 
One thing that can be said is that the C-Sonnar is not a boring lens. Many Zeiss have their distinct look, which is why I shoot Hasselblad when I shoot MF. If it isn't a Leica, then I would go with the Zeiss.
 
I also have an early version of the C Sonnar 50mm/1.5 ZM. I have no idea if mine is optimized for 1.5 or 2.8. I just know I love the creamy look in color and the "mystery" look in black and white. I also love traveling with it, but lately I sneak in the ZM 25mm/2.8 also.
 
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