Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 50mm f2.0 vs. Nikon S 50mm 1.4

[Steevo]

Greetings RFF'ers:

Does anyone have any experience with the Zeiss lens in comparison
with the Nikon? I just got one with a Nikon S2 body I purchased.

I am having trouble finding information about it on the 'net too!

Any help would be appreciated...perhaps value as well.

Thanks in advance.

Steevo

 

[S.H.]

Hello,

no direct experience but here is what I know. I tested a friend's Nikkor in ltm mount against my Summilux 50 (1961, 1st version) on my M8. The Summilux was slightly better full open, but it was close.

I also have a Zeiss-Opton 50mm 1.5 T (same class and formula as the Nikkor), and I find it slightly better under f4 and more compact.

But the Summilux is the first version (not really on par with the later version with a tweaked optical formula) and had a life (not a 100% mint example). There are also sample variations.

Main difference is IMHO the extra stop between the Zeiss and the Nikkor. Both should be good enough to use if they are in good shape, even if they are from the 50's.

As for the value, the Zeiss f2 can fetch 100-150€ with clean optics/mechanics, the Nikkor f1.4 a bit more (200-250€ I would say). But it is only my personal opinion, and I am in Europe where Nikkors are quite seldom encountered, and fetch a premium.

Note : I talk about the East or West German sonnar f2 (coated) of the 50s. If it is not coated, it is older, still good but often found scratched or in bad shape; it does affect performance.

 

[Highway 61]

Does anyone have any experience with the Zeiss lens in comparison
with the Nikon? I just got one with a Nikon S2 body I purchased.

Got what ? The Nikkor-S 50/1.4 or the Sonnar 50/2 ?

The Sonnar 50/2 is better than the Nikkor-S 50/1.4 at all apertures (so does the Nikkor-H 50/2).

But the Sonnar won't focus correctly on the Nikon S2.

 

[lightgrab]

How much better is the sonnar vs the nikkor?

How much better is the sonnar vs the nikkor?

Got what ? The Nikkor-S 50/1.4 or the Sonnar 50/2 ?

The Sonnar 50/2 is better than the Nikkor-S 50/1.4 at all apertures (so does the Nikkor-H 50/2).

But the Sonnar won't focus correctly on the Nikon S2.

Hi, I'm new to the forum so I hope I don't mess up here. I'm actually considering as my standard 50mm on a Sony a7. Can you elaborate on your experience with these lenses? I've read good reports on the Nikkor-H C 50/2, and just purchased one in good condition (but haven't yet received it). How much better is the Sonnar 50/2?

 

[furcafe]

The 5cm/2 Nikkor-H is pretty much a straight-up Sonnar (not as tweaked/improved as the 5cm/1.4 Nikkor-S), so I doubt any do the LTM Zeiss Sonnars will be better, especially taking build quality into account (practically all Zeiss Sonnars in LTM are conversions of 1 kind or another). If you're talking about Contax RF mount Sonnars, you have to deal w/the build quality of the adapter(s) more so than the lens itself.

Hi, I'm new to the forum so I hope I don't mess up here. I'm actually considering as my standard 50mm on a Sony a7. Can you elaborate on your experience with these lenses? I've read good reports on the Nikkor-H C 50/2, and just purchased one in good condition (but haven't yet received it). How much better is the Sonnar 50/2?

 

[DoxLeica]

I just ran a test of the 1.4 Nikkor S, 1.5 Sonnar and 2.0 Sonnar on Nikon and Contax bodies. As suspected all were very very close with the Nikkor ahead on the Nikon but not by very much. However, wide open they all are weak compared to modern optics like the Nokton 1.5. If you are shooting in daylight you'll be OK with any of them. Should you digitize the images you can tweak any of them to look just fine even wide open. I used the 1.5 Sonnar on Nikon RFs for many years and enjoy the unique look of the Zeis lenses.

 

[DoxLeica]

I forgot to mention that I also tested the 53mm 1.8 Helios against the other three and it too was a very good performer. So close it is hard to tell it from the others at all apertures.

 

[Kevcaster]

Yes like DoxLeica I am finding the Helios a superb performer and it is indistinguishable from my sonnar and summicron for all regular uses. The 90's summicron is sharper and has a crisper finish in difficult lighting. The sonnar has certain character that is more attractive in oof areas and is prone to flare at f2. My slr 50mm nikkors are hard to fault. Never have I tested the outer limits of any of these lenses in my photography. I think you will be delighted with any or all of them.

 

[raid]

I have used tbese lenses, and I like them all.
The CZJ 50/1.5 is very sharp, and so its clone, the J3 when matched to the camera body. The CZJ 50/2 is early as good, and so is its clone the J8,

I have the improved Nikkor 50/1.4, called the Millenium Nikkor. It is an awesome lens.
The Helios has lower contrast, and it is a very good lens for B&W work.