11-12-2010, 08:04 AM
[quote name='Pinhole' timestamp='1289528394' post='4115']
Hi Popo,
I carried out some extensive street and indoor testing over several hours with the Zeiss 25,28,35 and 50/1,4 - when I analyzed the pictures later, I found the 50/2 the best, with edge-to edge sharpness at F2 onwards. This was confirmed recently when a specialist dealer in Berlin (Monochrom) told me that the 50/2 and the 100/2 are the best of the Zeiss bunch.
It could be that the flaws in the Canon 50/1.8 show up more on a 5D MKII, making the Zeiss appear better, but it could also be that you have a bad copy (even though I'm told that there shouldn't be noticeable quality variations in Zeiss products). You might need to try another copy if you are really not happy.
[/quote]
Looking back, I guess the way I worded might have sounded negative, it wasn't intended as such. To rephrase the conclusion, the Zeiss is certainly a great lens. However, I was surprised how close the dirt cheap 50mm f/1.8 II came in most performance aspects (at least on crop sensor). I guess we're well into the point of diminishing returns here. Of course that also doesn't consider the additional ability of the Zeiss to close focus which was an important selling point to me. The 50mm f/1.8 II does take extension tubes well but it wasn't fun using it practically.
Hi Popo,
I carried out some extensive street and indoor testing over several hours with the Zeiss 25,28,35 and 50/1,4 - when I analyzed the pictures later, I found the 50/2 the best, with edge-to edge sharpness at F2 onwards. This was confirmed recently when a specialist dealer in Berlin (Monochrom) told me that the 50/2 and the 100/2 are the best of the Zeiss bunch.
It could be that the flaws in the Canon 50/1.8 show up more on a 5D MKII, making the Zeiss appear better, but it could also be that you have a bad copy (even though I'm told that there shouldn't be noticeable quality variations in Zeiss products). You might need to try another copy if you are really not happy.
[/quote]
Looking back, I guess the way I worded might have sounded negative, it wasn't intended as such. To rephrase the conclusion, the Zeiss is certainly a great lens. However, I was surprised how close the dirt cheap 50mm f/1.8 II came in most performance aspects (at least on crop sensor). I guess we're well into the point of diminishing returns here. Of course that also doesn't consider the additional ability of the Zeiss to close focus which was an important selling point to me. The 50mm f/1.8 II does take extension tubes well but it wasn't fun using it practically.
<a class="bbc_url" href="http://snowporing.deviantart.com/">dA</a> Canon 7D2, 7D, 5D2, 600D, 450D, 300D IR modified, 1D, EF-S 10-18, 15-85, EF 35/2, 85/1.8, 135/2, 70-300L, 100-400L, MP-E65, Zeiss 2/50, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300/2.8, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Olympus E-P1, Panasonic 20/1.7, Sony HX9V, Fuji X100.