Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm f/1.4 ZF Reviews

Top end lens. Immaculate sharpness across all apertures and build quality is exceptional. Deserves its reputation

I've owned the Nikkor 50mm F 1.4 AF D, but the Zeiss beat it all the way down. Sharpest lens I've ever seen, even wide open. Superior build quality. A must have !

Indeed,a fantastic hunk of glass! Extremely sharp, gives true and saturated colors, and a smooth overall picture. In my opinion, ideal for portraiture. The right case to empty the money-box!

The most expensive 50/1.4 I have even owned, but worth every penny when the picture is out.

Good lens, Not so expencive in Japan

I bought this lens to replace my Nikon 50mm f/1.8 AI. I use it with an Nikon Fm2 camera, I also have a Nikon 50mm f/ 1.4D AF Nikkor, so my opinions are always drawn in comparison with my experience with the two Nikon lenses.


I admit that electronics might be useful though I don't miss it.
The focus ring is extremely smooth and accurate, more than the Nikon lenses, and the lens is excellently built.


Overall image quality exceeds both Nikons, notably in sharpness and colour accurateness.


I noted a slight barrel distortion on f/2.8 but less than the Nikon lenses.
I haven't tested it in digital cameras.

The following links will take you to some of the images produced with the combination "Nikon FM2+Carl Zeiss Planar T* 1,4/50 ZF + Fuji PRO 160C":


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KAMERKat9

I am a B&W photographer and printer. I borrowed the Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 ZF. When I printed the second image, I bought the lens. Unbelievable tones! Whereas the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AIS (Photodo Gr 4.4) gives a tone, the Zeiss gives TWO tones. One has to see a B&W print. Also very sharp.
I would rate the Zeiss a Gr 4.6, estimate.