Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 Planar T* ZF Manual Focus Standard Lens for the Nikon F (AI-S) Bayonet SLR System.
by Zeiss
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Digital product summary information
Manufacturer: ZeissModel: Planar 1,4/50 ZF
Product features:
- Extremely fast standard lens for challenging 35 mm photography
- The best SLR standard lens in the world
- It is compatible with the Nikon F (AI-S) bayonet
- Its precise mechanism enables exact manual focusing
- The lens provides optimum image quality
- Zeiss Lens Shade 35mm/50mm
- Tiffen 58mm Photo Essentials Filter Kit
- Tiffen 58mm UV Protection Filter
- Adorama 58mm Circular Polarizer Glass Filter
- Giottos CL1001 Large Cleaning Kit with Small Rocket Blaster
Digital camera reviews of Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 Planar T* ZF Manual Focus Standard Lens for the Nikon F (AI-S) Bayonet SLR System.
Digital camera Review: A Wonderful Lens
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a Japanese made lens. That's not a bad thing, they make a lot of terrific lenses in Japan, the best, actually, but it's important to state that, because of the Zeiss name. This lens does not come from their German factory. A long time ago, before there were digital cameras, there was a company called Contex, which made super film cameras and you could buy lenses by Carl Zeiss for them. These lenses were made in Japan and when Contex closed their doors, they started making these lenses in a Nikon mount.
This is a wonderful lens, but I've sort of got a love hate relationship with it. Kind of sad really, because it has to do with autofocus. I've gotten so used to autofocus, even when shooting people indoors (on my D300s 50mm translates into 75mm which makes for an excellent portrait lens) that I've become spoiled, expecting the camera to do my work for me. And sadly, sometimes, the camera with it's autofocus lenses is faster than me. But still, doing portraits with this lens, I take my time anyway.
The bokeh is very pleasant with this lens at f2/8, as one would expect, and it's still quite pleasing as you move up to f/4 and you get you get a super, super sharp image throughout the lens' range. In my opinion, you won't find sharper images anywhere else, even if you do have to work at getting your focus just right, sometimes it takes a lot of shots to get the one you want, but I'm patient. If you're not, then maybe you need autofocus and this lens isn't for you.
There is no rubber on this lens, it looks and feels as if it was made a half century ago and as a lover of a time when they built things to last, that really works for me. Add to that the fact that the photos I get with my copy are terrific, you get a lens that I wouldn't trade away for anything. Well, I suppose if you came my way with a barrel full of cash I could be persuaded.
More Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 Planar T* ZF Manual Focus Standard Lens for the Nikon F (AI-S) Bayonet SLR System. reviews:
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Summary of Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 Planar T* ZF Manual Focus Standard Lens for the Nikon F (AI-S) Bayonet SLR System.
The T* 1.4/50 ZF is an extremely fast standard lens for challenging 35 mm photography with SLR cameras. Professional photographers also consider it the best SLR standard lens in the world. It is compatible with the Nikon F (AI-S) bayonet. Its precise mechanism enables exact manual focusing. The lens provides optimum image quality and fully utilizes the technical and aesthetic potential of the best color films. The excellent color rendition and brilliance set the highest standards and simultaneously provide ideal conditions for ambitious digital photography.Camera & Photo
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