Canon 50mm f/1.4 vs Zeiss 50 f/1.4

Same shot, both at f/1.4, one Zeiss, one Canon.

Can you see a difference? They are closer than I though they'd be.

And here is the same pair at f/2.0

It may be my shooting almost exclusively with my macro recently, but they both look incredibly soft. Having said that, it seems that focus is slightly different for each lens.

Wow! Those are close!

I'm going to stick my neck out and guess Canon = top, Zeizz = bottom?

Rashkh wrote in post #16578182
It may be my shooting almost exclusively with my macro recently, but they both look incredibly soft. Having said that, it seems that focus is slightly different for each lens.

incredibly soft.

hyperbole much?

also, I can't say a picture of a pepper grinder is a great test of anything.

Coffee grinder, actually. They are focused within a mm or two of each other. Focus point is on the knurled knob at the center of the grinder.

JohnCollins wrote in post #16578183
Wow! Those are close!

I'm going to stick my neck out and guess Canon = top, Zeizz = bottom?

Top is Zeiss bottom is Canon.

Hint - Open each image in a separate tab, then swap between tabs. You'll see the differences more readily.

Go outside and take pictures.
The zeiss 50 f2 is superior in closer photos..... the planar 50 is better when the subject is further away.... same goes for the 135 sonnar... At first I thought something was faulty on my sonnar
2.5-2.8 is where this lens really shines for portraits.. f2 is still a bit soft
I have done similar testing between the 50mm 1.8 and zeiss 50mm 1.4.. in just at home point n shoot images, they were similar.
When it came to actual real life work, I noticed a difference. The zeiss renders scenes different and has better micro detail and color. The zeiss is a more natural lens.. colors a bit cooler (it also depends on the coating, as ze is different than the mmj, mmg, hft, aeg, and aej.. all have their own unique look
The 50mm 1.8 is a very good lens, but the planar 50 is an amazing lens.


F5.6 jpeg right out of the camera (+7 sharpness, neutral everything else)

Looking at those, am afraid to say in my option anyone who bought a Zeiss is a mug.

For me the canon are the better images and at half the price.

The Zeiss 50/1.4 is not their best lens. I prefer the Sigma 50/1.4 myself.

whiteflyer wrote in post #16579018
Looking at those, am afraid to say in my option anyone who bought a Zeiss is a mug.

For me the canon are the better images and at half the price.

Well, I suppose that depends on what you're after. The Zeiss gives a "different" looking bokeh which can be seen just a little in the first 2 images. If you're looking for creamy smooth bokeh, zeiss is NOT it (until about f/4).

gasrocks wrote in post #16579586
The Zeiss 50/1.4 is not their best lens. I prefer the Sigma 50/1.4 myself.

The Planar 50 is indeed their worst lens but it does things many other 50's doesn't do. The Sigma is almost anti-Zeiss; sharp wide open and much smoother bokeh wide open. Stopped down (f/5.6) the Zeiss is sharper than the Sigma. Well, at least my prior ZE50 was compared to the Sigma 50 1.4 I had.

My guess is bottom one is Canon and top is Zeiss. You sure get a lot of criticism for a simple, silly question.

n1as wrote in post #16580044
Well, I suppose that depends on what you're after. The Zeiss gives a "different" looking bokeh which can be seen just a little in the first 2 images. If you're looking for creamy smooth bokeh, zeiss is NOT it (until about f/4).

The Planar 50 is indeed their worst lens but it does things many other 50's doesn't do. The Sigma is almost anti-Zeiss; sharp wide open and much smoother bokeh wide open. Stopped down (f/5.6) the Zeiss is sharper than the Sigma. Well, at least my prior ZE50 was compared to the Sigma 50 1.4 I had.

That's in line with everything I've read. I was tempted to buy the Zeiss, or even the old C/Y mount version... but now that I bought a Yashica ML 50/1.4 I really don't feel the need to upgrade yet. I really do admire the way Zeiss lenses render though.

Hmm, dunno what to think. I've been ambivalent on buying the Zeiss 50mm 1.4. I'm a bit put off by its focus shift, though.

Dillan_K wrote in post #16580835
My guess is bottom one is Canon and top is Zeiss. You sure get a lot of criticism for a simple, silly question.

Yes, that seems to happen to most of my posts. Maybe it is just me? Maybe I really do post stupid things?

Alveric wrote in post #16581458
Hmm, dunno what to think. I've been ambivalent on buying the Zeiss 50mm 1.4. I'm a bit put off by its focus shift, though.

As was I with the first one I had. I sold it after seeing its horrid bokeh, focus shift and lack of sharpness from f/1.4 through about f/2.8. But then I began to look more at the rendering. I've developed a like for the bokeh which I now see as more like painting. I also realize that sharpness is just fine from f/2 on. So far I haven't been burned by the focus shift so we'll see.