Should i get my CZ Sonnar 50 optimised at 1.5 ?

I wouldn't rush into the decision. When I bought this lens I was sure i would want it optimized for 1.4 to shoot it wide open the whole time, but the more I've shot with this lens, the more I find I prefer 2.5-4.0 for close up shots anyway. At this aperture, you get a bitingly sharp in focus region, with plenty of background blur still. And don't expect that the bokeh on a lens is necessarily 'best' wide open. The old 'king of bokeh' 35mm summicron v4 has nicer bokeh at 2.8-4.0 than it does wide open. I think for close up work the same can be said for the zm sonnar. The bgs are smoother and more buttery stopped down a little, wheras wide open tends to be a little noisier and harsher (and you lose a LOT of sharpness between 1.5-2.0). And if its low light, or i want a dreamy look, i find it easier to focus a little closer to infinity than it is to focus a bit in front of the object. In the case of faces, just focus on the ears instead of the eyes.. buts its rare you ever need to do this..
 
This lens sounds like a pain in the ass. It's funny how many people will put up with this because it's a sonnar, but complain about CV offerings that have focus shift. ;)
 
you're right. pain in the ass.

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nasdak said:
i played with it yesterday and that focus shift IS indeed annoying... it can't have proper focus at 1.4 and 2.0 because depending on distance, i don't know how much to lean.
I think i will have it recalibrated for 1.4
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This lens doesn't go to f/1.4 :rolleyes:
 
nasdak said:
i played with it yesterday and that focus shift IS indeed annoying... it can't have proper focus at 1.4 and 2.0 because depending on distance, i don't know how much to lean.
I think i will have it recalibrated for 1.4
Click to expand...
That leaning technique probably works with a subject at 1m, but the front focus length increases with distance. So at 5 meters, you'll probably end up on your butt before you get the shot ;)
 
nas, nice shots there. clearly you're having so much trouble with the lens that it'll be back of the shelf in no time ... :)
 
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