billwassmann Loc: Emerson, NJ

Don't quibble with the man. He apparently has a specific problem so help him deal with it - if you can. I don't use either so I can't.

Dutzie Loc: I'd like to know

thanks Kymarto...at last, something definitive. I appreciate it..

Dutzie Loc: I'd like to know

I use the Canon 6d. Really nice, but not for action.. the ziess isn't auto focus..

Dutzie Loc: I'd like to know

Thanks to all, it has been a big help...looks like Ziess is going to get my bucks...

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

This - http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/01/the-great-50mm-shootout -

may be of interest to those following this thread .

kymarto Loc: Portland OR and Milan Italy

Very nice article. Unfortunately resolution is only one pertinent factor; the others being distortion, vignetting, chromatic and spherical aberration, coma, flare resistance, microcontrast, bokeh, etc...

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

The Zeiss ZE lens is Canon mount (it's also offered in other mounts, such as ZF for Nikon).


This really is apples vs oranges, trying to compare these two lenses. Yes, both are 50mm lenses, and both are ultra high quality.... but that's about where the similarities end. They serve very different purposes and are designed to render images differently.

The Zeiss 50mm f2 Makro-Planar is all about being able to deliver uncompromising sharpness from edge-to-edge with durable, high precision, all-metal build quality. It is a macro lens optimized for very close focusing. And, like all the Zeiss lenses for other camera systems, is strictly manual focus and can focus as close as 9.5 inches, for 0.5X or 1:2 or half life-size magnification.

The Canon 50/1.2L is almost the opposite... It's all about beautiful background blurs and soft transitions and is typical very high quality and durable L-series build and environmental sealing. It's optimized for portrait shooting distances and is a popular wedding lens for the dreamy image qualities it can render. It has autofocus, though it's not the fastest USM lens Canon offers. It's not optimized for close up, by any means, but can focus to about 18 inches, giving 0.15X or a little less than 1/6 life-size magnification.

Both lenses are usable for other purposes, of course, but are somewhat specialized. They aren't really your typical "normal" walk-around lenses (though they can be used that way, if you wish). Canon EF 50/1.4 USM, EF 50/1.8 STM and Zeiss 50/1.4 ZE are more "normal" lenses.

The Canon lens is a little bigger (72mm filters vs 67mm) and slightly heavier.

You can compare the two lenses side-by-side on www.the-digital-picture.com. Both are thoroughly reviewed and tested there.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Modern DSLRs are not particularly "manual focus friendly". They don't have a lot of the focus assist features that were found on older cameras designed for manual focus lenses.

You might want to consider a Canon Eg-S focus screen, to replace the Eg-A II that's in your camera. The "S" screen is designed to help with manual focus. They are easy to swap out.

www.focusingscreen.com is a third party manufacturer that offers replacement screens with more manual focus assist features than the Canon Eg-S. They have versions with micro-diaprism and split-image "dots" at the center. These might make spot metering inaccurate on your camera, though.

www.katzeyeoptics.com is another focus screen manufacturer, but is going out of business and no longer offering screens for 6D. However, you may be able to find one used.

(Note: the Eg-series screens also fit Canon 5D Mark II.)

imagesintime Loc: small town, mid-America

Here is your winning answer. Which are you shooting - sharp macro or dreamy portraits that the ladies love?

Dutzie Loc: I'd like to know

The brain power finally showed up...

FramerMCB Loc: Northern, ID (formerly Portland, OR area)

Zeiss does not make either Canon or Nikon mount lenses that autofocus. They've only recently started making autofocus lenses for Sony and Fuji but this is because of some collaborative efforts on the parts of these companies and have the "Touit" moniker as part of their naming convention.

FramerMCB Loc: Northern, ID (formerly Portland, OR area)

Get the Zeiss Otus 55mm f1.4 instead. You'll drop a lot more money on it, but the results will be that you'll own the finest 50ish mm lens available. And then practice focusing - a lot. As it's MF only. In fact, you should rent it first to make sure you can use it properly... ;-)

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Yeah, the Zeiss is like a hobbled old man. Right! :)

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Dutzie, Funny, but Zeiss would probably never get a penny from me!
It's all about shooting styles. Most have a Zeiss super sharp lens and probably don't take very sharp pics with it other than sample shots.
Remember that with a very fast lens wide open, we use them to create art and produce effect. The subject is usually in sharp focus in the center of the lens and everything else is blown out of focus by the DOF at any edge, thus how poorly the edges perform are of no value at all. We all own sharp lenses that are slower and can use them when we need sharp!!
Also at f1.2, on say a sunny 16 day the lens can't even be used, on any camera at 1.2 unless you add ND filters to slow it down!!!
Personally I think most get something like an ubber expensive lens for all the wrong reasons, of which one reason is to just say you have it or be seen with it!
If you have the bucks, go ahead and get one, but be sure you are doing a lot more with it than you would do with a very sharp and inexpensive nifty fifty!
There is a time and place for any lens, and maybe this is your time and place!
Before you drop your bucks, you would get way more resolving power by getting a new 50mp camera at probably a lot less money!! Just saying!! ;-)
SS

PS, I don't think I would put a Zeiss lens on my camera and magic would start to happen over the lens I already shoot. But put a f1.2 lens on my camera and magic DOES start to happen immediately. I can REALLY see the difference between 1.2 and 2.0! good luck!

Dutzie Loc: I'd like to know

Thanks SS I'll take that into consideration...