So here's why I bought the Sonnar, not the Planar....

[Dan States]

I've been bouncing back and forth as to which 50mm lens to purchase...The Planar or the Sonnar. The Planar offers the advantages of price, ultimate technical quality and close focus of .7m. If I were a logical, thinking man I should have gone with the Planar.

I went with the Sonnar for all the emotional reasons. It's a Sonnar, like my old Sonnars that I love. It's faster AND a bit shorter. Cool. Most of all, it's the first lens I have seen introduced that DOESN'T claim to be the end all of resolution. It's about the end effect. We are lucky as hell that Zeiss had the balls to put out a lens that caters to the end product:the quality print, and not just the techy stuff.

I always said that if I could have a Contax Sonnar without the flare I'd be a happy man. They must have been listening.

I can't imagine that in the era of shrinking formats we will see many more 50mm lens introductions. Thank goodness Zeiss was willing to put out a fine single malt, and not just more Everclear straight alchohol.

Best wishes
Dan States

 

[back alley]

congrats on the new lens.

i think the sonnar is gonna be my new years resolution...

 

[dreamsandart]

Dan,

You got me thinking with this one. I have an older ( older coatings too on this one, so not as flare proof as the new lens ) 50s Nikkor, have had it for sale and not, one of the reasons I kept it was its this long is its 'look', and the fact its so compact for a 50, especially a 1.4 50mm. Its not a 'modern' lens formula, but that's part of the attraction of the optics.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

I don't think you'll be disappointed, Dan. Congratulations on the purchase. And Merry Christmas! Holidays, Festivus, Mithras day, etc. 😉

i think the sonnar is gonna be my new years resolution...

It's déjà vu all over again. 😀

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Most of all, it's the first lens I have seen introduced that DOESN'T claim to be the end all of resolution.

"Sharpness" is overrated. It's the quasi-mystic convergence of physics and aesthetics that matters. Good film and developer helps, of course. And a few other things, which I won't get into because I have to keep an eye in the oven 😱

 

[back alley]

It's déjà vu all over again.


yeah, but this time i commit to not spending the money as i save it...

 

[Trius]

Damn, now I want a ZI and Sonnar, displacing the M5/DR. I'm beginning to think this place ain't about GAS, but about wind, as in being windblown this way and that. GAS and wind ... not a good combination.

Help me!

 

[Dan States]

In my hall I have a photo of my son when he was 2, walking a plank dock. He nearly fills the frame, and the image is printed to 11x14. It was taken with a Contax IIA and Sonnar F1.5, at F2.8 on Pan F film developed in D76. Old tech in every way.

It is clear, sharp even at print sniffing distances, and has amazing character and shadow detail. Even my wife, who couldn't give a damn about lenses, or photography for that matter, mentions it as an amazing print.

I've had many technically amazing lenses over the years, but have realized that I have never seen a consistent connection between ultimate "sharpness" and final image quality.

Great flare resistance trumps sharpness any day in my book so I'm looking forward to the Sonnar look without worrying where the sun is pointing! If the new lens is as sharp as my 55 year old Sonnars that will be the icing on the cake.


Best wishes to you all.

Dan

 

[willie_901]

Dan,

I made the same decision you did. In my case the C.V. Nokton was in the mix as well. The Nokton and Planar are great lenses. No one would regret buying either of these lenses.

I chose the C Sonnar over the Nokton because of its size, I preferred the M mount, and because of the Sonnar "look" aesthetics. I didn't get the Planar because I wanted a fast lens for the camera I own that's easiest to focus in low light.

The C Sonnar is the perfect size for my camera. It's nicely made and a joy to focus. I only finished my second roll (Fuji S-800) today using the C Sonnar. But I like what I saw on the first roll (Fuji S-400) from last week. The OOF rendering looks lovely to my eye on the few examples I have so far.

This week I want to do some still life shots with Reala 100. After that the lens will see TriX about 90% of the time.

willie

 

[AusDLK]

I just ordered me one too. From Tony at Popflash taking advantage of his 10% discount deal.

This after seeing and falling in love with how great my also new silver 35mm Biogon looks and feels on my jewel of a chrome M3. (Actually a hybrid M2/M3/M4 thanks to DAG.)

Can't wait for my after Christmas Sonnar present.

 

[Les Lammers]

I've been bouncing back and forth as to which 50mm lens to purchase...The Planar or the Sonnar. The Planar offers the advantages of price, ultimate technical quality and close focus of .7m. If I were a logical, thinking man I should have gone with the Planar.

I went with the Sonnar for all the emotional reasons. It's a Sonnar, like my old Sonnars that I love. It's faster AND a bit shorter. Cool. Most of all, it's the first lens I have seen introduced that DOESN'T claim to be the end all of resolution. It's about the end effect. We are lucky as hell that Zeiss had the balls to put out a lens that caters to the end product:the quality print, and not just the techy stuff.

I always said that if I could have a Contax Sonnar without the flare I'd be a happy man. They must have been listening.

I can't imagine that in the era of shrinking formats we will see many more 50mm lens introductions. Thank goodness Zeiss was willing to put out a fine single malt, and not just more Everclear straight alchohol.

Best wishes
Dan States

I just ordered one, chrome with a hood from Tony, for the very same reasons. My mint rigid Cron will go on the auction site. The Rollei 40 f2.8 is another favorite lens, got it NIB for $400 last year.

Les