Impressed with the 50mm f2 Planar ZM

[cnguyen]

I just got the lens today to use with my leica M8 and lenses outfit. I had Zeiss Contax lenses before but this is the first time I used ZM Zeiss. So far I've been pretty impressed with results. The lens is evey bit as sharp as my current 50mm f2 Leica w/builtin hood. The Zeiss hood is excellent with bayonet mount which I never see in a Leica (clipped on or slideout) lens. The clarity of the image is there and also the excellent contrast. The bokeh rendition is more "romantic" to look at and Zeiss is always famous for that.
The only thing I don't like is that focusing "nipple" . Why can't Zeiss make a double ones like Leicas. I have to have my thumb on the ring and my forefinger on the "nipple" to turn it. It's easier with the double " nipples" on Leicas.

 

[RML]

If the nipple is the only niggle, I'd say you're spoilt. 🙂

 

[JohnM]

I acquired a 35/2 Biogon a while back in trade for a Rolleiflex - I was really, really impressed with everything about the lens....except that focusing "tab". It's needlessly sharp and uncomfortable.

I've found that I just don't use the tab anymore, it sorta became a non-issue - but they could have done a better job on that particular design.

 

[RML]

OK. Maybe I'm just crazy but to call that "nipple" sharp is like calling a ball square.

And how many lenses actually have two nipples to focus with instead of one (like the CZ but also my Minolta M-Rokkor and IIRC every other lens I have)?

 

[Krosya]

OK. Maybe I'm just crazy but to call that "nipple" sharp is like calling a ball square.

Ha ha ha ha!!!!. Good one.

I actually like Planar's focusing tab, or "nipple" if you wish, much better than those on Leica lenses. Plus it's very understated in my opinion and I just use the focusing ring itself, while use that little bump to sort of guide me where the focus is at any given moment. Leica tabs feel uncomfortable to me. Guess, everybody got their own style.

 

[x-ray]

I really dislike the focusing tabs on Leicas lenses and love the lack of and just a little hump on the Zeiss lenses. Optically I like the Zeiss glass over my leica lenses in general.

 

[cnguyen]

I manage to use the Zeiss "nipple" more effectively now. How ? I use my forefinger at an angle pushing inward . this gives me leverage in rotating the focusing ring completely and not having to use the thumb to help out. It takes some getting used to.
hearing about issues with Sonnar 1.5 i wish Zeiss makes a 1.4 Planar ZM. The OOF/Bokeh area from my planar f2 is so beautiful to look at especially with colors. I wouldn't mind if I can blur more even with 1.4

 

[Turtle]

nipples kick ass.

 

[goo0h]

I dream of one day having some nipples.

 

[peter_n]

hearing about issues with Sonnar 1.5 i wish Zeiss makes a 1.4 Planar ZM. The OOF/Bokeh area from my planar f2 is so beautiful to look at especially with colors. I wouldn't mind if I can blur more even with 1.4

Get a pre-ASPH Leitz 50/1.4 version 2. Beautiful OOF & no focusing issues. 🙂

 

[Tom A]

i call the Zeiss focusing "tab" a "speed-bump" as I find myself slowing down finding it. The Leica finger tab is better as it lets your finger rest "in" it and you always know where it is.
As for the ZI 50f2 Planar! In my estimation it has now dethroned the Summicron as a 50f2. Very smooth image and sharp. Nice drop off from in-focus to out-of-focus too.

 

[sepiareverb]

I go back and forth on the ZM lump, the Leica two-pronger and none. I find myself losing the ZM lump and searching for focus a bit more like Tom, but the lenses are still a bit new to me. The 50 Summicron without any tab/lump doesn't give me any trouble, so I suspect I'll get used to the ZM's soon enough. The 1/3 stops are seeming harder to get used to- all those clicks! I do think that either the ZM or the current Leica tab are a vast improvement over the 40 Summicrons version.

 

[Marc-A.]

Where are the good pictures taken with your Planar? Post some pictures mates!

 

[fuwen]

Some of my pictures using the ZM 50 Planar. Hope to take better ones soon. Like all ZMs I used so far, very resistant to flare!

http://www.fuwen.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=57&Itemid=117

 

[cnguyen]

I have to agree with Tom A. The 50mm f2 Planar is every bit as sharp as the current 50mm f2 Cron . The OOF areas are "romantically" rendered vs "clinically" rendered as in Leicas. I love them both.

 

[ZeissFan]

Because the lens has a serrated focusing ring, you can use the discrete tab or not use it. A lens with only a tab gives you no choice. I don't care for tab-only lenses, even though one of my favorites (f/2.8 40mm Sonnar from Rollei) is a tab-only lens.

 

[mrtoml]

First test shots

First test shots

I got my Planar 50/2 a couple of days ago. Here are my first test shots. (I haven't even noticed the nipple yet.)

These are Fuji Acros rated 100 developed in Prescysol EF.

 

[mrtoml]

And some more...

And some more...

Same combination.

 

[mrtoml]

And last 2

And last 2

I've taken a lot more shots today. I'll upload some more when I have them developed if people are interested. So far I am very impressed.

 

[weser]

Here's a question. Since you're using this lens on a M8 how do you go about the coding?

I understand it's not that particular necessary for a 50mm lens per se, but with the new firmware upgrade I get the feeling it is becoming more and more essential to have in order to take full advantage
Please correct me if I'm wrong.

In case you don't code at all, here's another question. When using it together with an IR UV cut filter, hot do you Program the M8?
Do you turn lens identification simply off although you use the IR filter, or do you turn it ON + IR???????

Thanks for any advice.