Carl Zeiss Classic Planar T* 50mm F/1.4 ZE / ZF.2 / ZK / ZS
Standard prime lens • Digital era
Sample photos
Abbreviations
| T* | Multi-layer anti-reflection coating is applied to the surfaces of lens elements. This anti-reflection coating boosts light transmission, ensures sharp and high contrast images, minimizes ghosting and flares. |
| ZE | The lens is designed for Canon EOS 35mm SLR cameras but can be also used on APS-C SLR cameras. |
| ZF.2 | The lens is designed for Nikon 35mm SLR cameras but can be also used on APS-C SLR cameras. The lens features a built-in CPU which is used to transfer metering data from the lens to the camera. |
| ZK | The lens is designed for Pentax 35mm SLR cameras but can be also used on APS-C SLR cameras. |
| ZS | A version of the lens with M42 screw mount. |
Model history (2)
| ■Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm F/1.4 [AE, MM] | A | 7 - 6 | 0.45m | E55 | 1975 ● | |
| Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm F/1.4 Gold “CONTAX 50 Years” [AE] (200 units) | 1982 ● | |||||
| ■Carl Zeiss Classic Planar T* 50mm F/1.4 ZE / ZF.2 / ZK / ZS | A | 7 - 6 | 0.45m | E58 | 2006 ● | |
Features highlight
Specification
| Production details: | |
| Announced: | January 2006 |
| Production status: | ● In production (Canon EF, Nikon F) |
| ● Discontinued (Pentax K, M42) | |
| Original name: | Carl Zeiss Planar 1,4/50 ZE T* |
| Carl Zeiss Planar 1,4/50 ZF.2 T* | |
| Carl Zeiss Planar 1,4/50 ZK T* | |
| Carl Zeiss Planar 1,4/50 ZS T* | |
| System: | - |
| Optical design: | |
| Focal length: | 50mm |
| Speed: | F/1.4 |
| Maximum format: | 35mm full frame |
| Mount and Flange focal distance: | Canon EF [44mm] |
| M42 [45.5mm] | |
| Nikon F [46.5mm] | |
| Pentax K [45.5mm] | |
| Diagonal angle of view: | 46.8° |
| Lens construction: | 7 elements in 6 groups |
| Diaphragm mechanism: | |
| Diaphragm type: | Automatic |
| Aperture control: | None; the aperture is controlled from the camera (Canon EF) |
| Aperture ring (Manual settings only) (M42) | |
| Aperture ring (Manual settings only) (Nikon F, ZF version) | |
| Aperture ring (Manual settings + Auto Exposure setting) (Nikon F, ZF.2 version) | |
| Aperture ring (Manual settings + Auto Exposure setting) (Pentax K) | |
| Number of blades: | 9 (nine) |
| On Canon EOS APS-C [1.59x] cameras: | |
| 35mm equivalent focal length: | 79.5mm (in terms of field of view) |
| 35mm equivalent speed: | F/2.2 (in terms of depth of field) |
| Diagonal angle of view: | 30.4° |
| On Nikon D APS-C [1.53x] cameras: | |
| 35mm equivalent focal length: | 76.5mm (in terms of field of view) |
| 35mm equivalent speed: | F/2.1 (in terms of depth of field) |
| Diagonal angle of view: | 31.6° |
| On Pentax K APS-C [1.53x] cameras: | |
| 35mm equivalent focal length: | 76.5mm (in terms of field of view) |
| 35mm equivalent speed: | F/2.1 (in terms of depth of field) |
| Diagonal angle of view: | 31.6° |
| Focusing: | |
| Closest focusing distance: | 0.45m |
| Maximum magnification: | 1:6.7 at the closest focusing distance |
| Focusing modes: | Manual focus only |
| Manual focus control: | Focusing ring |
| Physical characteristics: | |
| Weight: | 380g (Canon EF) |
| 330g (Nikon F) | |
| Maximum diameter x Length: | ⌀71.3×48mm (Canon EF) |
| ⌀66×45mm (Nikon F) | |
| Weather sealing: | - |
| Fluorine coating: | - |
| Accessories: | |
| Filters: | Screw-type 58mm |
| Lens hood: | 1454-475 - Bayonet-type round |
| Teleconverters: | Not available |
| Sources of data: | |
| 1. Manufacturer's technical data. | |
| 2. SLR lenses: Perfection from Carl Zeiss booklet (PUB. EN_10_025_148III). | |
| 3. ZEISS lenses for SLR cameras booklet (PUB. EN_10_025_0020II). | |
Manufacturer description #1
The focal length of the Planar T* 1,4/50 is equal to the perspective of the human eye. Its fast aperture and exceptional compactness are its outstanding features. This lens produces pleasing portrait style quality at the widest aperture and sharpens considerably beyond f/4 for any general purpose application.
Manufacturer description #2
Carl Zeiss SLR Lenses Now Available for K Bayonet
OBERKOCHEN/Germany, 2007-07-19.
Carl Zeiss now offers its premium lenses for 35 mm SLR (single lens reflex) cameras for an additional camera connector: the K bayonet. This lens series is sold under the ZK name. Until now, the manually focusable SLR lenses were only available for the F bayonet (ZF) and the M42 screw threads (ZS).
SLR lenses from Carl Zeiss are known for their outstanding image quality and precise, long- lasting mechanical parts. For the design of its lenses, Carl Zeiss draws on more than 100 years of experience in camera optics and current developments from the production of high-quality lenses for cinematography. Cine lenses from Carl Zeiss have been used in numerous major productions such as The Lord of the Rings and Perfume.
Lenses for the K bayonet will initially be available as Distagon T* 2.8/25 and 2/35, Planar T* 1.4/50 and 1.4/85 as well as Makro-Planar T* 2/50 and 2/100. In the future, the SLR line of lenses will be expanded to offer demanding photographers an even larger selection of focal lengths for their work.
The K bayonet has been available since 1975 and is the standard connector on various well-known analog and digital SLR cameras for the 35 mm format. The manually focused ZEISS SLR lenses (with their transmission elements) for the K bayonet fulfill the SMC-A standard and thus permit the utilization of the shutter priority, aperture priority and programmed auto exposure on all camera models with these features.
With the expansion of the line of SLR lenses, Carl Zeiss provides fans of SLR photography with lenses featuring outstanding imaging performance and high durability with which they can further enhance the performance of their camera system.
The first lens will be available for shipping in August 2007: Planar T* 1,4/50 ZK. All other lenses will be available in Q4 2007.
Manufacturer description #3
ZE – Carl Zeiss SLR lenses now also with EF bayonet
OBERKOCHEN/Germany, September 2008
Carl Zeiss is expanding its successful line of SLR lenses: ZE lenses with EF bayonet for all analog and digital EOS camera models. As with all EF lenses, the new ZE lenses from Carl Zeiss transfer all information exclusively via electronic contacts. This means that all exposure modes such as programmed auto exposure, shutter priority, aperture priority and manual setting are supported.
The camera’s automatic focus confirmation also remains available to an unlimited extent with these manual focus lenses. With digital SLRs, the lens data and all exposure data can also be accessed via the camera’s EXIF file. Even E-TTL flash metering is supported. The first lenses to be available will be the Planar T* 1.4/50 ZE and the Planar T* 1.4/85 ZE in the last quarter of this year.
Manufacturer description #4
Maximum image quality meets the comfort of automatic control
OBERKOCHEN/Germany, 16.11.2009
Optics specialist Carl Zeiss today announced its introduction of a new series of lenses for the semi-professional market: the ZF.2 with F bayonet for digital SLRs. Thanks to its electronic interface (CPU), these new ZEISS lenses support all- important operations such as the automatic mechanisms for time, aperture setting and program. The CPU also supports manual exposure settings, including those for camera casings that are not AI-compatible. Since the lens now transmits the EXIF data such as manufacturer, date, metering system and exposure to the camera, photographers no longer need to set the parameters manually. These quicker and faster handling capabilities of the ZF.2 lenses are especially useful under hectic shooting conditions.
ZEISS lenses truly come into their own in situations that demand extreme photographic creativity and maximum image quality. Carl Zeiss’ established fixed focal length lenses are known for their high light sensitivity and precise manual handling, leaving the photographer in full control. The new ZF.2 series will be especially interesting for photo enthusiasts who value creative, high-quality images combined with the comfort of automatic settings.
Martin Klottig, Marketing Manager of the Camera Lens Division at Carl Zeiss AG: “The ZF.2 lenses are ideal tools for photographers who want to concentrate more on the subject than on their camera equipment. Whether at a wedding, a toddler’s first steps or impressions from faraway countries, these lenses are perfect for photographers who want to capture once-only moments quickly and accurately. These situations demand first-class technology that captures spontaneous actions without too much effort and delivers fantastic images each time.”
The ZF.2 lenses are available in eight focal lengths, six of which will be available from the end of November: 3,5/18, 2,8/21, 2/35, 1,4/50, 2/50 and 1,4/85. The Distagon T* 2/28 ZF.2 and macro Planar T* 2/100 ZF.2 will be introduced in Spring 2010. “We are currently completely reworking and optimizing the Distagon T* 2.8/25 ZF. As a result, it will be available for other mounts somewhat later,“ says Klottig.
With the new ZF.2 series, Carl Zeiss extends its acclaimed ZF family of lenses, for which there is still high demand and possibly long waiting times.
“We will offer the ZF series as long as the demand lasts,” stresses Klottig.
From the editor
Optically the lens is based on Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 50mm F/1.4 lens designed for the Contax RTS series of 35mm film SLR cameras. In 2015 it was complemented by ZEISS Milvus Distagon T* 50mm F/1.4 with its modern sleek look, massive weather-sealed construction and more complex optical formula optimized for high-resolution digital SLR cameras.
Lenses with similar focal length and speed
Sorted by manufacturer name
Irix 45mm F/1.4 A 11 - 9 0.4m ⌀77 2020 ● Samyang 50mm F/1.4 AS UMC (Bower, Rokinon, Walimex Pro) 9 - 6 0.45m ⌀77 2014 ● Samyang XP 50mm F/1.2 (Rokinon SP) A 11 - 8 0.45m ⌀86 2018 ● ZEISS Otus Apo Distagon T* 55mm F/1.4 ZE / ZF.2 A 12 - 10 0.5m E77 2013 ● ZEISS Milvus Distagon T* 50mm F/1.4 ZE / ZF.2 A 10 - 8 0.45m E67 2015 ●
Standard prime lens
Sorry, no additional information is available.