Just received my 50 ZM Planar, review part 1

[alan_wilder1]

Thanks to Tony Rose, I just received my import ZI Planar and hood.

Build quality is tops with perfect dampening of the focus ring and

smooth, solid aperture click stops with just the right amount of

stiffness as well. Unlike Leica lenses, the aperture ring will not

move past the minimum or maximum aperture settings, showing nice

attention to a common complaint of Leica lenses. The aperture tic

marks line up perfectly with the index mark as does the tip of the

distance arrow with the center of the infinity symbol. The black

finish is more like Nikon MF lenses which is to say glossier than

Leica's standard flatter black finish but not as glossy as their

black paint lenses. Aperture blades were nicely symmetrical like

Leica's and calibration was great exhibiting less under exposure at

f/2 probably due to the T* coating or a slightly larger front or

rear element than on the Summicron. Infinity focus was spot on with

my MP. Initial tests with my film plane magnifier indicates accurate

rangefinder cam coupling at various distances but I will reserve

judgement until my test shots come back. My only criticism would be

the 10% shorter throw of the Planar's focus ring compared to the

current 50mm Summicron(which by itself is shorter than the previous

Wetzlar versions). This makes precise focus a bit more touchy than

with any Summicron. For this reason I would recommend the 1.25x

eyepeice magnifier to compensate for the short focus throw in order

to fully realize the lens' optical potential. The business end of

the back of the lens is all black without the telltale hand finished

brass cam surface found in Leica, Canon or Konica lenses. The

benifit is to reduce internal reflections and probably cost too

although as I've said, camming appears accurate. Other examples of

nice touches include the inner and outer finger grips for the spring

loaded lens cap to facilitate attachment or removal while the hood

is in place. I really love this feature as I can leave the hood

always mounted in it's ready position and still attach/remove the

lens cap. The vented metal hood has a spring lock and is beautifully

engineered and engraved with all pertinent information. I'll give my

final remarks in a day or so once I get my negatives back.

[alan_wilder1]

Correction, the focus throw only about 5% shorter than the current 50mm Summicron and 15% shorter than the asph. 35mm Summicron.

[m.v.]

Thank you Alan, and look forward to hearing part II of your review. I'm especially eager to know how the ZI's images compare with the Summicron - did you take any back-to-back shots with both lenses to get a sense for how they differ?

[alan_wilder1]

My test shots will consist of USAF resolution targets and Norman Koran's MTF patterns @ 40 lp/mm. I no longer have my 50mm "tabbed" Summicron but do have records of it's results as well as it's test negatives.

[__jon__]

>Alan Wilder , jun 12, 2005; 01:42 a.m.

 

>My test shots will consist of USAF resolution targets and Norman Koran's MTF patterns

 

Ugh. How about some real life shots...

[anand_n._vishwamitran]

Thanks for those notes. Please try to throw in an image or two showing off the lens' bokeh, if it isn't too late.

 

What film are you using?

[rich815]

I'm with Jon, please post some real life shots. I'm sure it's just great on the USAF test charts.

[steve_unsworth1]

"...calibration was great exhibiting less under exposure at f/2..."

 

Alan, are you saying that the Summicrom underexposes af f2? That isn't something that I've ever noticed. Am I correct in assuming you haven't seen any of the results yes - the phrase "...but I will reserve judgement until my test shots come back..." seems to indicate that you haven't. I'm assuming you shot transparency film.

 

Thanks for posting your finding.

 

Regards

[terry_rory]

USAF charts are only for use at optimum aperture, on a tripod, with cable release and fine grained film, professionally developed and considerably enlarged. The results will show that there are minimal differences between any competently executed 50mm lens design. (It is VERY difficult to get it wrong especially for Zeiss who invented the thing a century ago!)

 

Real world shots will show the character of the lens and that is far more interesting.

[paul_neuthaler]

Is the new Zeiss Planar 50 made in Japan?

[alan_wilder1]

I routinely check all lens purhases with resolution charts to objectively compare sharpness, contrast and color fringing to other lenses and more importantly to determine if rangefinder callibration is correct by slightly bracketing focus. In a few instances, I've found that even new Leica lenses can be slightly out of focus requiring replacement if new or repair by DAG if used. Regarding under exposure, I'm going by the camera's meter in which only the center LED is lit for all full stops with each successive progression of shutter speeds. Wide open, the center LED is lit and the left arrow just barely lights as well. With my Summicron under the similar circumstances, the left arrow burned a little more brightly, requiring a 1/3 EV change to extinquish it. I wouuld estimate that the Planar is under a 1/4 EV to extinquish the left arrow. I can't compare OOF imaging but posted images and comments I've read appears favorable. Sorry, I don't have a film scanner yet so I've got nothing to share but my observations.

[icuneko]

<Is the new Zeiss Planar 50 made in Japan?>

 

 

Yes.

[david_kieltyka]

I find the main difference between the new Planar and the current Summicron is in color rendition. The Planar isn't exactly "cooler" than the 'Cron but it has a particularly nice way with blues and skin tones. If you've used any of the Zeiss G lenses you'll know what I'm getting at. The Planar appears to have smoother out-of-focus rendition than the 'Cron too, though not dramatically so.

 

Of course everyone wants to know which lens is sharper. To my eyes the differences are minor enough to make the question meaningless. If you're printing 16x24" shots of brick walls and comparing them side-by-side you may notice the Planar is sharper in the corners than the 'Cron at f/2. But for real world pic-taking...choose the lens with the overall look you prefer.

 

-Dave-

[colin_elliott]

As these Planars are built in Japan, they are ALL imports. I don't understand your reference to it.

[joaquin_bueno1]

<p>I think he meant "import" as in "grey market import," such as that seller on breebay that is Japan-based, versus the same lens's USA version.</p>