Next Purchase (Zeiss 50 MF or ...?)

I'm contemplating a Zeiss 50f/1.4 now. I'm wondering if it optimally complements my gear list. I'm also considering a 24-70L but I think I'm about zoomed out for now and I don't really have any zoom gaps, plus my 24-105L is probably my most used lens.

I recently purchased a 24L MkII and I really love it. I have not had much time to use it yet but I'm beginning to understand how important headroom is. I was considering the 35L and the 50L MkII when I walked into the shop but ended up walking out with the 24L MkII. Go figure. Now, I feel like I really want to try the Zeiss 50 and I think the 35L is too close to the 24L and my original intent when I walked into the shop was to probably pickup the 50L.

I'm intrigued with having an MF lens, though. My eyesight is middle-aged and I'm somewhat concerned about my judgment regarding focus. Any insight on this from old guys (and gals) out there? I've never even used the live view feature I have, either. When I MF my macro I always bracket the focus and take multiple frames which is not difficult with a tripod but I'm concerned about hand-held focusing. Do I trust my eyesight or use live view?

50/1.7 can be said to be the better bet...

With my questionable eyesight I need the focus confirmation of the 1.4. Why would the 1.7 be better?

Psychobiker wrote in post #9010966
50/1.7 can be said to be the better bet...

I just posted a new topic with a couple lens that are manual focus using M42 and Pentax adapters and i might say being in my middle years that i understand your concern . if you like the challenge as i do with manual focusing then go for the Zeiss cause i know the optics are fantastic from all i have read from searching and others on several forums . However i do wonder why you have such close crossover zooms ? If you can afford it i'd say have a couple good Prime lens and maybe a couple good zoom lens and call it quits. It's cheaper and you have less lens to mess with cause on an outting walk how many are you actually going to take with you anyway ? If your main concern is having the best image possible from your camera before PP then i recommend staying "Auto" lens type .

I would get the 50L. It's a great match for the 24Lii. Good luck with your choice!

I say 50 L too

I know the 50L would be a good match. I was a hare's breath away from getting it when I opted for the 24L II instead. Unfortunately, the allure of trying a Zeiss and MF is very strong. I'm planning to eventually get the 85L. I feel like the Zeiss 50 would be a nice alternative and I can find almost nothing negative written about it, even with all of the opinionated people commenting.

That doesn't even take into consideration the cost savings.

Karl Johnston wrote in post #9011999
I say 50 L too

iqbal624 wrote in post #9011967
I would get the 50L. It's a great match for the 24Lii. Good luck with your choice!

My zooms are the way they are because of a lack of purchasing strategy. It's all my fault.

But, so far, the only "mistake" I feel I made is the 180L macro. I didn't know the 100L was coming out at the time I bought the 180L. I would have bought the 100L instead, mainly because of the size and weight difference. The 180L is a beast and doesn't balance very well on my tripod, but it's a killer lens, otherwise.

Celestron wrote in post #9011383
I just posted a new topic with a couple lens that are manual focus using M42 and Pentax adapters and i might say being in my middle years that i understand your concern . if you like the challenge as i do with manual focusing then go for the Zeiss cause i know the optics are fantastic from all i have read from searching and others on several forums . However i do wonder why you have such close crossover zooms ? If you can afford it i'd say have a couple good Prime lens and maybe a couple good zoom lens and call it quits. It's cheaper and you have less lens to mess with cause on an outting walk how many are you actually going to take with you anyway ? If your main concern is having the best image possible from your camera before PP then i recommend staying "Auto" lens type .

Route246 wrote in post #9012103
I know the 50L would be a good match. I was a hare's breath away from getting it when I opted for the 24L II instead. Unfortunately, the allure of trying a Zeiss and MF is very strong. I'm planning to eventually get the 85L. I feel like the Zeiss 50 would be a nice alternative and I can find almost nothing negative written about it, even with all of the opinionated people commenting.

That doesn't even take into consideration the cost savings.

Alot of people don't know this, but you can actually MF the 50L!!

I was actually tempted to pick up the 50 zeiss just to play with it. but it just doesn't seem like it would be a step up from the 50 and I can use the 50 as my walkaround. AF is nice when shooting from the hip. . .

I would say pick up the 50L as it's an amazing lens. By far my favorite lens.

If you really want to go zeiss, pick up the 21, that's supposed to be an amazing lens. . .

I'm trying to decide between the 21 and 85L...

The Zeiss 50 F/1.4 is not as good as the 21 F/2.8 or 100 F/2. Not that it is bad, and from F/2 it is good, from F/2.8 it is excellent, but if you plan on using it below F/2, you're likely better off with one of the more expensive AF options out there . Having tried as many 50s as I have, and owned quite a few, and still do, I ended up with a 50L ...

Kind regards, Wim

iqbal624 wrote in post #9015219
Alot of people don't know this, but you can actually MF the 50L!!

I was actually tempted to pick up the 50 zeiss just to play with it. but it just doesn't seem like it would be a step up from the 50 and I can use the 50 as my walkaround. AF is nice when shooting from the hip. . .

I would say pick up the 50L as it's an amazing lens. By far my favorite lens.

If you really want to go zeiss, pick up the 21, that's supposed to be an amazing lens. . .

I'm trying to decide between the 21 and 85L...

Try a TS-E 17 as well, for good measure ....

Kind regards, Wim

The 50/85mm Planars are very similar to the Contax versions. I believe the 50mm ZE has more aperture blades though (so better handling of specular highlights). If you like the "Zeiss look" then I would totally go for the 50mm ZE. If you don't mind the renderings of Sigma, then I would highly recommend the Sigma 50/1.4. Its the Distagons (wider angle) and Makro lenses (1:2 Magnification lenses) that seem to be the real monsters in the current Zeiss lineup.

The 50L is good and all but there's many cheaper options. I would only consider it if you need a 50mm that does f/1.2 and Auto Focus (at a hefty price).

With all that said, I'm personally waiting for the ZE 50/2 Makro as my semi fast all around Normal lens.

About focusing. Get a Split Prism Matte Screen (if using a Rebel Series or XXD camera) or the Eg-S screen if you're using the 5D series. Its supposed to make a world of difference.

50 1.4 is crop only, that's the only thing. 50L is great, amazing, and with auto focus...and its not that much price difference from the 50 1.4 zeiss. Not saying the zeiss aint great and all but if you're worried about the autofocus with the 50L at least you can switch it back and forth but you cant with the zeiss. I've seen the 50L's pics and I just think they pop a lot more than the samples I saw from the zeiss.

Voigtlander 58mm 1.4 nokton is going to hit EF soon , that would be a consideration as well

Karl Johnston wrote in post #9016025
50 1.4 is crop only, that's the only thing. 50L is great, amazing, and with auto focus...and its not that much price difference from the 50 1.4 zeiss. Not saying the zeiss aint great and all but if you're worried about the autofocus with the 50L at least you can switch it back and forth but you cant with the zeiss. I've seen the 50L's pics and I just think they pop a lot more than the samples I saw from the zeiss.

No. There is no such thing as a crop- or APS-C -only 50 F/1.4. All of them work perfectly on FF, they were designed for FF, including any of the options currently manufactured.

I do agree with you on the 50L, however .

Kind regards, Wim