Manual Focus Lens: 50mm or 85mm

should someone practice first with say a samyang/rokinon/bower 85 1.4 before playing with a zeiss 50 1.4? (not willing to spend on a 1k+ zeiss 85)

curious about the MF trend

also, do i understand correctly that i would need a focusing screen, but getting one would mean my f/4 lenses would be dark? (so does that mean one needs a dedicated body for MF and fast lenses?)

A focusing screen would definitely help, though it's not strictly necessary. I'm still using the standard focusing screen on my 5D2 with my ZE 50/1.4 and it hasn't been a show-stopper. I do have Ec-L and Ec-B screens for my EOS 3 (film camera), and the viewfinder is a little dimmer with my 24-105L mounted. It doesn't affect me too much, but some don't like it.

You don't buy a lens to practise focussing, you buy the lens that you need. The 50mm will generally be easier to focus as it has a deeper depth of field, although the quality of the focus ring can affect how accurately and quickly you can focus.

You definitely need a focussing screen for any lens faster than f/2.8, unless you want to use Live View. It will be darker for the slower lenses, but it won't be pitch black. Chances are unless you have a mirror lens the smallest maximum aperture you'll be using is f/5.6, that's still plenty usable on a non-standard screen.

well, the 50 1.4 is about 700+ bucks. the samyang 85 is about 360usd.

i figure 360 would be a cheaper price to pay to figure out i don't like manual focusing

then again, it's 360 in the other direction of a zeiss lens that many people are raving about.

the rokinon 85 1.4 is awesome.

There are more attractive options than the ZE 50 1.4. It's not that stellar of a lens. The older Contax 50 1.7, is pretty nifty though not in EOS mount.

mike cabilangan wrote in post #11034429
well, the 50 1.4 is about 700+ bucks. the samyang 85 is about 360usd.

i figure 360 would be a cheaper price to pay to figure out i don't like manual focusing

then again, it's 360 in the other direction of a zeiss lens that many people are raving about.

Well the cheapest way to try it is to buy a screen and switch your current lenses to MF. Purpose built MF lenses will be even easier, smoother and quicker to focus (generally) but you'll at least be able to see if you have the knack for manually focussing.

i just saw the katzeye instructions to changing screens ...

errrrr. i don't think i can do that.

i've always wondered why the film bodies i tried before were much easier to manual focus with ... i guess the screens are already optimized for MF lenses.

plasticmotif is right, the zeiss 50 1.4 doesn't seem to have as glowing reviews as it's other zeiss brothers (hence the price i guess).

I use Katz eyes for my 450D and it's a breeze to install. You will learn to stop down metering as you will need to focus wih the lens wide open else it will get too dark. Super matt screen are the ones to get. Having a brighter viewfinder does help too.

MF is a lot of fun. Easiest to adapt is to use m42 lenses. My Super Takumar 55mm 1.8 is amazing for the price I paid, a full 26 euroes of it

You can convert the older Zeiss C/Y lenses to EOS mount with a cheapo converter

They cost substantially less to purchase and are -close- to the newer versions...

That way you get the Zeiss look you're possibly after as well as getting to save money!

mike cabilangan wrote in post #11034749
i just saw the katzeye instructions to changing screens ...

errrrr. i don't think i can do that.

i've always wondered why the film bodies i tried before were much easier to manual focus with ... i guess the screens are already optimized for MF lenses.

plasticmotif is right, the zeiss 50 1.4 doesn't seem to have as glowing reviews as it's other zeiss brothers (hence the price i guess).

Changing focusing screens is easier than you imagine really Don't be afraid to give it a go. You are right about the ZE 50/1.4 though; there are a lot of reviews panning it, or rating it lower than other Zeiss glass, most notably the Makro-Planars and the 21/2.8. The way it renders is an acquired taste. It's very 3D, like all Zeiss glass, not optimised for close focusing due to lack of floating elements, with weak corners and lack of contrast wide-open.

And yet, I love the way it draws. Can't describe it, but I'm not regretting my decision to buy it over the 50L or the Canon 50/1.4. If you can get your hands on it before plonking down the cash, be it from a generous friend or a rental, then do that. It really isn't for everyone.

but these old lenses are only available used and in ebay right?

ordered an EG-S screen

was supposed to get the Samyang 85 1.4 (rokinon) and Canon 50L but a lens purchase pushed both of these back

The Zeiss 50/1.4 is a specialty lens that is fantastic at some things and not very good at other things. Stopped down and near infinity it is fantastic. Wide open and close up.. not so good.

It's a pity that Zeiss made it so cheap relative its other glass - it attracts quite a few people because of the price and then they get disappointed. A lower price on the 50/2 Makro Planar instead would have been a much better idea.

Look at my gear list. I do not use a different screen in either body. There are plenty of cheaper 50/1.4's out there to "pratice" with.

Check out the Helios 58mm, it's a russian knock off of the Zeiss biogon 58mm, you can pick it and an adapter up for like $50-75 to play with MF (and stop down metering)

The Rokinon 85 is amazing, make sure to pick it up if you find yourself in situations where you can MF portraits.