Zeiss ZM Sonnar 1.5/50 vs Planar 2/50

[pajamas]

Does anybody have comparison shots using these two lenses? Hopefully on the same subject. Just wanna see the "difference" between them and any thoughts are welcome.
I already read all over that the Planar is super sharp and the Sonnar is made to soft focus a bit for portraits. I plan to use it on a Nex body so focus shift dont concern me.

One more thing - where to buy them online at a good price? I look at Adorama and BHphoto - they are all out of stock on both lens

Thanks in advance

 

[viv]

I buy directly online from Zeiss.

 

[Richard G]

No, the Sonnar is not soft focus. Sharp. But focussing at 1.5 can pose problems and not just focus shift. Popflaashphoto who sponsor here - look up and left - have good prices and are great to deal with.

 

[jsrockit]

Zeiss lenses are extremely hard to find new right now in the USA. Additionally used prices have gone up due to this issue. Not sure the reason why ...perhaps the Earthquake?

I would say that the Sonnar wide open, even when nailed, has a softer look than the planar. It is meant to have that sonnar look. The Planar is super sharp and modern through out its aperture range.

 

[Denton]

Had both

Had both

Double negative said it well. I've had both lenses, but only evaluated them together on film. The Sonnar I had was optimized for f1.5, meaning it focused accurately at that f-stop. However, moving down to f2.8 caused a shift and therefore I don't like it as I prefer a lens that behaves well over a wide f-stop range. If you aren't sure, I'd recommend something else. The Sonnar had nice bokeh for the toughest case, distance lights at wide aperture.

I use the 50mm planar now and it's got a bit of front focus at f2 on my M9 but I doubt I'll do anything about it as its acceptable. I found the bokeh fine on the planar too. In my opinion, most bokeh is a bit better at one stop down from wide open.

Deciding on 50's is a tough thing, but since I only want to own one RF 50mm at this time, I went with the Planar and sent the Sonnar back to BH. Get on their list and they will send you an email when they come in. Also, if you are in the market for an Ikon and lens, they sell packages that will save.

In short, I think the Sonnar is a second fifty unless you know exactly how to shoot it.

Denton

 

[pajamas]

thanks for the replies. much appreciated. popflash have a silver sonnar available at a lower price than others but planar no stock 🙁

 

[The Meaness]

I don't have the planar, but a set on my flicker that is dedicated to the sonnar. I've used it with the R-D1 and the M8.

90% of the difference should only be noticeable from 1.5-2. From 2.8 on, I struggle to easily tell the difference between the two. Temper that testimony with the fact that I've only compared with pics online.

The sonnar wide open loses some contrast, and becomes softer. this effect (I think) is really pleasing for portraits. It is kind to facial features and wrinkles, but doesn't lose the modern look.

 

[Denton]

Sonnar Bokeh

Sonnar Bokeh

Sonnar with Ikon and Delta 400, scanned of course.

 

[illuminati_02]

Thanks for this thread! I had pretty much given up on finding a new c-sonnar in stock anywhere in the US, as I have been looking for the last few weeks, and was about to buy one from eBay out of HK for $1220. I checked all the normal places, BHphoto, Adorama, Tamarkin, popflash, even Amazon. I just checked on the black version at popflash today and it was out of stock, then I saw this thread that said the silver was in stock, and on sale no less. I just placed my order and it should join a 35 summilux and 90 summicron e55 for my M2 by the end of the week!

 

[illuminati_02]

Nevermind. Just received a full refund from popflash.. Out of stock.
Ugh.

 

[pajamas]

thanks for all the pictures and yes i think its pretty sharp and the bokeh is very very nice on the sonnar. now im undecided..... LOL

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I think the sonnar is sharp too, in the center. The edges aren't until you stop down a few stops. I have one which is set for accurate focus at f2.8 and love it for portraits. Here's some shot at f4

The eyelashes are incredibly sharp in the neg, hard to see in this small web-size image. The Planar is a better general purpose lens. I do not have one, but it is said to be similar to the 50mm Summicron, which i have. The Summicron is my everyday lens because I found that shooting buildings (my favorite subject), the Sonnar was not sharp enough at the edges at f4 and 5.6 because of curvature of field. The Summicron is sharp all across the field even wide open. So, the Sonnar is a great second 50 for special stuff like portraits, but if you can only afford or only want one 50, get a Summicron or the Planar.

 

[Shab]

I have a Sonnar (I have never used a Planar) and I'm loving with it.

I like how it looks at F1,5... I use it to take portraits and it looks special.

People talks about focus shift... I have never hand any focus problem (I use it from F1,5 to F11). Really good lens!

 

[pajamas]

One thing I forgot to add is that I will be using the lens on a Nex body not a rangefinder so I think focus shift wont be so much of a problem but I think I have to stop down the lens then focus and meter. That means everytime I want to change to a different aperture, I have to focus again.

But when the lens is stop down, I wonder if I will be able to see what Im focusing on?

And is this the same with the Planar? Will the workflow be the same?

 

[kemal_mumcu]

One thing I forgot to add is that I will be using the lens on a Nex body not a rangefinder so I think focus shift wont be so much of a problem but I think I have to stop down the lens then focus and meter. That means everytime I want to change to a different aperture, I have to focus again.

But when the lens is stop down, I wonder if I will be able to see what Im focusing on?

And is this the same with the Planar? Will the workflow be the same?

I don't use a Nex but on the Olympus Epl1 I just use A mode and the camera automatically adjusts to changes in aperture. No need to use "stop down metering" in this mode. If you're using a Nex then the focus shift of the sonnar shouldn't matter.

I haven't used the planar but the Sonnar is the only lens of the Zeiss line-up that really stood out for me as far as image signature. It's just so beautiful that one learns to live with it's quirks.

The thing I love about the Sonnar the most though is its handling and size. Its just perfect. The ergonomics fit my hands like a glove. It's small and light and the hood perfectly balances the whole package. This is on an M though and so use on a Nex will be different.

 

[kemal_mumcu]

I think the sonnar is sharp too, in the center. The edges aren't until you stop down a few stops. I have one which is set for accurate focus at f2.8 and love it for portraits. Here's some shot at f4

The eyelashes are incredibly sharp in the neg, hard to see in this small web-size image. The Planar is a better general purpose lens. I do not have one, but it is said to be similar to the 50mm Summicron, which i have. The Summicron is my everyday lens because I found that shooting buildings (my favorite subject), the Sonnar was not sharp enough at the edges at f4 and 5.6 because of curvature of field. The Summicron is sharp all across the field even wide open. So, the Sonnar is a great second 50 for special stuff like portraits, but if you can only afford or only want one 50, get a Summicron or the Planar.

This is the look that drew me in... I knew I had to try a sonnar.