ZM Sonnar: most practical F-Stop

[popobsd]

I did use F2.8 and F4 alot..

 

[Furachan]

My experience differs

My experience differs

I have voted for f2.8, as this is where approximately I use it more often, but this is actually a bit imprecise: I shoot the f1.5 version mostly at f2.0, and the f2.8 version mostly in the f2.8-f5.6 range, this lens out of the factory (f 2.8 optimized) delivers it's best between f2.8 and f4.0

I too had a factory configured Sonnar that in any case did NOT focus consistently wide open. In fact it cost me dozens of night shots in a recent trip to Hanoi. Now upon my return to Tokyo I sent the lens to the Cosina factory in Nagano where they optimized it for F1.5. They returned it to me within 3 days or so with a detailed chart with lots of photographs taken at F1.5, F2.8, F5.6 all tack sharp! I tested the lens at home and it now focuses really well at all those stops. I would hesitate to describe this reconfigured lens as optimized for wide open only as it clearly performs fine elsewhere. I am, needles to say, very happy.

 

[Ronald M]

Have the focus reset to 1.5 as above. There will be a small penalty at 2.8 and smaller because the lens design does focus shift. In my opinion it is easier to deal with that than at 1.4 where you need to focus and then move your body a guess amount.

Noctilux lenses do the same thing, but Leica always set the focus at 1.0. If you compensate at smaller stops, it works as well as any 50 mm lens ay those smaller stops.

 

[WoolenMammoth]

Well if you don't use it wide open what's the point of a Sonnar? At f/16 you can get decent results out of any 50mm lens.

have you seen what it does above 5.6? you can get decent results out of any lens, but no other 50mm lens I have used has the compression that the sonnar does at f8 and f11. Its a very unique lens at either end of the barrel...

 

[Doug]

"Compression"? A perspective effect?

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

The Ikon viewfinder is the focus shift killer

Please explain this. I have an Ikon. Are you saying that the issues being discussed about 'optimization' and focus shift don't apply when using the Ikon? Because of the wider RF baseline? Are all of the people who are talking about limiting aperture choice based on which aperture the lens is optimized for... are they all shooting it with a Leica or Hexar?

I probably would have bought the C-Sonnar instead of the Summicron i have now, except for the focus shift stuff. I'm not really interested in fudging my way around with it, as i use too many different kinds of equipment, and i'm sure i'd forget to NOT focus on the eye when i wanted the eye in focus at 1.5 or whatever....

By the way... my first M-mount lens was an original Zeiss 50mm 1.5 Sonnar, and with an M7, i never recalled having any focus shift problems.....

 

[cmogi10]

Please explain this. I have an Ikon. Are you saying that the issues being discussed about 'optimization' and focus shift don't apply when using the Ikon? Because of the wider RF baseline? Are all of the people who are talking about limiting aperture choice based on which aperture the lens is optimized for... are they all shooting it with a Leica or Hexar?

I probably would have bought the C-Sonnar instead of the Summicron i have now, except for the focus shift stuff. I'm not really interested in fudging my way around with it, as i use too many different kinds of equipment, and i'm sure i'd forget to NOT focus on the eye when i wanted the eye in focus at 1.5 or whatever....

By the way... my first M-mount lens was an original Zeiss 50mm 1.5 Sonnar, and with an M7, i never recalled having any focus shift problems.....

I'm sorry, I was exercising internet sarcasm, albeit poorly. The Ikon Viewfinder doesn't do squat regarding focus shift.

I have the C sonnar and the current summicron and I think it's the most complimentary pair of 50's around.

 

[jsuominen]

After less than a one week of use, I have shot mostly with wide open f/1.5.
I own the S-mount version of this modern Zeiss-made lens.

Some photos here, if you are interested:
http://flickr.com/search/show/?q=zeissscsonnar50mmf15+S-mount&m=tags&w=53094145@N00

 

[Samsam]

Mine has the shift focus issue

 

[horosu]

Every C-Sonnar has a focus shift. You just have to know when it appears (open up and at 1 m) and compensate for the amount (5-6 cm)

For instance in your picture, I would have focused further back (eg. on the ears) (in a 2.8 optimized model, as seems to be yours).

I shoot wide open with this lens with no problems.

 

[noimmunity]

I just have to say thanks for the smile that photo brought to my face, Horosu!

 

[horosu]

You're welcome. I smiled too when I took the photo!