Contax 50 F1.4 vs Zeiss 50 F2 Makro ZF on Canon cameras

Poe wrote in post #6257705
I'm looking for a lens with high resolution, low field distortion, low abberations, and low vignetting (in that order). I haven't found much material comparing these three two together. Thanks!

Have you tried searching or posting on the FM alternative thread? I don't know about the contax 50 f/1.4, but I do know that the ZF 50 f/2 has extremely high resolution, low distortion, and high vignetting wide open. If you stop down to around f/4 it's pretty much negligible. It also has better CA control than the ZF 100.

Jaetie wrote in post #6276534
i don't know. i think that a ZF mount is more versatile because of the fact that you can use it on both a nikon and canon body.

plus, if and when you resell the lens, you will have a larger pool of buyers for the lens.

most intelligent opinion i have seen in this thread so far!

now, as for the OPs original question of which of these perform better...

50mm 2 Makro-Planar; no question about it.

t60p wrote in post #6277429
It also has better CA control than the ZF 100.

have you played with a 100mm 2 Makro-Planar? that piece of glass is noticeably better than it's little brother with the assist of the Arri/Zeiss Master Prime optics.

perhaps you are referencing to it's performance when used wide open? seeing as CA control would be saying that across the range it was overall a poorer performer than it's cheaper release partner.

Jaetie wrote in post #6276534
i don't know. i think that a ZF mount is more versatile because of the fact that you can use it on both a nikon and canon body.

plus, if and when you resell the lens, you will have a larger pool of buyers for the lens.

I don't think a slightly higher resale possibility is worth losing auto aperture and EXIF data.

Jman13 wrote in post #6277951
I don't think a slightly higher resale possibility is worth losing auto aperture and EXIF data.

Agree 100%
I buy a lens to use it, not to eventually sell it...

Jman13 wrote in post #6277951
I don't think a slightly higher resale possibility is worth losing auto aperture and EXIF data.

i think Canon users are holding their breath as is with thinking that Zeiss is going to make an EF mount of their optics. to think they're gonna get auto aperture function is just wishful thinking.

i'm pretty sure that's what Sony banked on the most with their investments.

René Damkot wrote in post #6278435
Agree 100%
I buy a lens to use it, not to eventually sell it...

it's always good to think ahead in case of the unlikely...take it from me. i definitely didn't expect my gear list to turn out the way it is (nor did i ever want it to). : /

if it's going to be a full manual lens anyhow, may as well appeal to multiple audiences in the event of potential resale.

saiminyaku wrote in post #6279008
i think Canon users are holding their breath as is with thinking that Zeiss is going to make an EF mount of their optics. to think they're gonna get auto aperture function is just wishful thinking.

i'm pretty sure that's what Sony banked on the most with their investments.

There would be no need to create a ZE mount if they didn't have auto aperture. The ZF and ZK variants both have auto aperture. Remember also that Cosina makes the ZF lenses, and they have produced the Voigtlander 125 APO Lanthar, which has EOS mount with full electronic aperture control, so the technology is already there with Zeiss.

What other possible mount could ZE be? Exacta?

Jman13 wrote in post #6279088
There would be no need to create a ZE mount if they didn't have auto aperture. The ZF and ZK variants both have auto aperture. Remember also that Cosina makes the ZF lenses, and they have produced the Voigtlander 125 APO Lanthar, which has EOS mount with full electronic aperture control, so the technology is already there with Zeiss.

What other possible mount could ZE be? Exacta?

my confusion, jman. i thought you were insinuating that they would have electronic-controlled aperture function like that of the Sony Zeiss; an up over the ZF and ZK mounts.

not saying the technology isn't there, bear in mind. the technology was there when the ZF mount was introduced to Nikon. that doesn't mean they are going to use it though. i find it especially unlikely if Nikon doesn't have it seeing as Sony already shares sensor technology with them; so i would think if ANYONE got an electronically controlled aperture between Canon and Nikon...it would be Nikon.

just my .02USD on the matter -- depreciating with every day and every dollar that is lent with interest attached to it by our snake of a central banking system.

Sony does not own Zeiss, and I highly doubt their agreement with Zeiss has any bearing on any other camera mount Zeiss makes lenses for. And yes, I think the ZE would have fully electronic aperture control.

Jman13 wrote in post #6279165
Sony does not own Zeiss, and I highly doubt their agreement with Zeiss has any bearing on any other camera mount Zeiss makes lenses for. And yes, I think the ZE would have fully electronic aperture control.

perhaps the ZE mount would; that could very well be what the 'E' stands for.

is it for Canon though? in my opinion, probably not if it's a full electronic aperture.

p.s.
i think Sony has a rather good bearing over Zeiss's third party activities. again, just my opinion derived from personal observations.

saiminyaku wrote in post #6279200

p.s.
i think Sony has a rather good bearing over Zeiss's third party activities. again, just my opinion derived from personal observations.

Such as?

Jman13 wrote in post #6279301
Such as?

please refer to the 2nd portion of post number 24 in this thread as being instance where i see their hold on their activities.