Carl Zeiss 50mm 1.4 Planar - 5D/Nikon/Pentax K

Well I know the Pentax K won't fit the 5D or 1D mk II N 'cause I tried it, but I'm wondering about the Nikon mount version. Anyone tried a Nikon/EOS adaptor on the 5D?

isn't their also a M42 version? i'm pretty sure those couple without needing a correcting lens.

why wouldn't you just get a 50 1.2L or the regular 50 1.4? you'll have autofocus and not need some silly adapters.

None of them need a correcting lens. There is an M42 version but my source, at very good prices, doesn't stock it. Plus there is nowhere to go with M42 if I ever sold my Canon stuff and the Zeiss market it small and specialised. The 50mm L has pretty mediocre reviews given the cost of around £750, no benefit compared to 50mm 1.4 is the common sentiment. The 1.4 I have had two and it is decent enough but lacks the build and smoothness of operation I am after.

condyk wrote in post #5903842
Well I know the Pentax K won't fit the 5D or 1D mk II N 'cause I tried it, but I'm wondering about the Nikon mount version. Anyone tried a Nikon/EOS adaptor on the 5D?

I haven't tried it on a 5d...but used the novoflex adapter with Zeiss 50 1.4 f mount on a 40d, 10d, and 1d Mark 2 with no problems.

I've read online that some people have had trouble with the 5d mirror hitting certain lenses and adapters...but don't have any personal experience

condyk wrote in post #5906594
The 50mm L has pretty mediocre reviews given the cost of around £750, no benefit compared to 50mm 1.4 is the common sentiment. The 1.4 I have had two and it is decent enough but lacks the build and smoothness of operation I am after.

I love the canon 1.4. It's a nice lens and pretty comparable to the Zeiss. The Zeiss has a different look to it...and it has a bit smoother focus. Overall, I don't think it's a great improvement over the Canon 1.4. Also, the Zeiss 50 1.4 is the worst of the entire F mount lineup IMHO. There are a lot of CAs at wide open (compared to the other Zeiss) and many people don't like the look of the bokeh. IF you want a real improvement over the Canon 1.4 might want to look at a 50 F2 makro. The focus is silky smooth and there are literally no CAs. It can be a bit unforgiving for portraits...but it would be a nice compliment to your current Canon 1.4. Just a thought good luck with whatever you decide

Gentleman Villain wrote in post #5906711
I've read online that some people have had trouble with the 5d mirror hitting certain lenses and adapters...but don't have any personal experience

Yeah, that is the problem and the K does that.

Gentleman Villain wrote in post #5906711
IF you want a real improvement over the Canon 1.4 might want to look at a 50 F2 makro. The focus is silky smooth and there are literally no CAs. It can be a bit unforgiving for portraits ... good luck with whatever you decide

Cheers Gent ... the Makro is an option but at twice the price and so I'd want to see some reviews first. In many ways it could be a better option as I could probably do with a sound 'close up' performer as well as a good all purpose 50mm. I don't really do portraits so the ultra-sharpness would not impact negatively on my images.

There are very few credible reviews on their 50mm Z line up yet as these are new lenses from late last year. None mention a specific issue with CA with the 1.4 and only one negative user comment about bokeh (the older 1.4 had fewer blades so may have actually applied to that model); doesn't seem an issue to be unduly concerned about as yet. Proper reviews I did read were very good. Images I have seen also good and with a certain magic.

Yes the ZF is fine on the 5D at all focus positions. I've seen it referred to on the FM alternative forum once or twice and this guy has posted a review of it on the 5D. Nice glass.

foxbat wrote in post #5906895
Yes the ZF is fine on the 5D at all focus positions. I've seen it referred to on the FM alternative forum once or twice and this guy has posted a review of it on the 5D. Nice glass.

Cheers Foxy ... that was one of the decent reviews I saw and the other is here at Photozone. Looks very good IMO. The Makro is also amazing, reviewed there too, but don't see the extra value, in IQ terms at least, over the 1.4. plus the barrel extends which I never fancy much. Ironic thing is the guy who was selling the Nikon version at a very nice price only has the K Mount left now

PS congrats on your 2000th post and all top value too

Buy the Contax mount version for $200 or less, and it's' 99% of the ZF, better than the Canon 50 f/1.4, and for less money.

I have the Zeiss 50 f/1.7 for times I need biting sharpness and intense color, and a M42 Pentax Super-Takumar 50 f/1.4 for all my other needs (smoother contrast curve, better skin tones).

Both are better than the Canon 50 f/1.4. Yes, you lose autofocus, but that's been OK for me (I have a Katz Eye Split Prism focusing screen installed in my 30D).

Yeah, I have checked the Contax version out and good lens, as is the 1.7. I tried a test with AF and MF and think my eyes and MF skills have gone down the drain these last several months

I have a K mount Kiron 28/2 (and an adapter) and it does not protrude into the camera at all - works fine on a 5D. Only certain lenses are an issue. Do a Google search, someone has posted a list of what alternative lenses will or will not work on a 5D. Then there is shaving your mirror as well.

gasrocks wrote in post #5908278
I have a K mount Kiron 28/2 (and an adapter) and it does not protrude into the camera at all - works fine on a 5D. Only certain lenses are an issue. Do a Google search, someone has posted a list of what alternative lenses will or will not work on a 5D. Then there is shaving your mirror as well.

Cheer Gassy ... it is a risk though innit? I may buy and then it don't fit. I could file down my Pentax 1.4 but would be sacrilege IMO. I have that list and the new Z's ain't on it unfortunately. The mirror ain't getting shaved ... no way

condyk wrote in post #5908356
Cheer Gassy ... it is a risk though innit? I may buy and then it don't fit. I could file down my Pentax 1.4 but would be sacrilege IMO. I have that list and the new Z's ain't on it unfortunately. The mirror ain't getting shaved ... no way

AFAIK, you only need to cut or file down the diaphragm lever to make it work. This means you can't use it on a Pentax anymore, but should work well on a 5D.

Check here: http://www.16-9.net/lens_tests/compa​tible.html

Kind regards, Wim

Thanks for the link ... decent summary but doesn't help much, but worth a bookmark for future reference. He also needs to sort out his site links as the ones I was interested in seldom went where the link suggested!

I don't really want to damage my K Mounts but I may have a go with my 1.7.