Zeiss Sonnar 50mm 1.5

[clicker]

Has anyone had experience using this lens 6 feet to infinite in the 4-8 f stop
range ? Also is the focus shift mainly a short range wide open issue. I want to use this lens as my standard lens but don't want fuzed images.
Thanks

 

[Neare]

When you buy the sonnar it will be optimized for either f1.5 or f2.8 (I think those are the options) and using it at it optimized fstop it will cut down the shift to something minor. From what I've read, the 2.8 seems a little unpredictable while the 1.5 is more easily managed.
But shooting beyond 6 feet at f4 and above, the DOF should cover the focus shift.
Focus shift wide open will occur no matter what range, but again using the lens is just about knowing what you're DOF will cover or purposely missing focus etc.
A little practice and you can really get the most out of this very 'special' lens.

Note: I think focus shift unoptimized may come in at around 6cm. Optimized it is around 2cm. Correct me if I'm wrong anyone.

 

[kxl]

It's visible when shooting at close distances and wide open. As you stop down, the focus point shifts farther out. 6ft to infinity stopped down, you won't see any shift. At 6ft to infinity and stopped down, you probably couldn't tell the difference between a Sonnar and Planar...

My Sonnar is optimized for f1.5 -- which is how I like to shoot it... If you like to shoot at distances and stopped down, just about any 50mm will do.

 

[johannielscom]

Look @ this thread, everything you want to know is in it!

 

[morback]

Has anyone had experience using this lens 6 feet to infinite in the 4-8 f stop
range ? Also is the focus shift mainly a short range wide open issue. I want to use this lens as my standard lens but don't want fuzed images.
Thanks

I do. You will be fine in that range, no matter what version you get.

 

[willie_901]

As discussed above, in my experience the lens' focus behavior is completely unremarkable in the parameter ranges you mention. This statement assumes your rangefinder calibration and cam-lens mating alignment are within tolerances.

 

[Bavaricus]

When shooting with film you'll hardly see any focus shift!