Contax Carl Zeiss Planar 50mm f/1.4 Review

Written on: 17/05/2000

Review of Contax Carl Zeiss Planar 50mm f/1.4

Good Points
The best normal lens of SLR. Sharpness, color correction, no distortion, physical design, price, all are superior to all competitor.

Bad Points
It's Zeiss, so you have to use Contax :)

General Comments
Photodo rates ir for 4.5, which is lower than its brother -50/1.7 (4.6). However, both lenses are great and the highest MTF of all SLR lenses. I prefer 50/1.4 over 50/1.7 not only half stop faster but it has a better built. The 50/1.4 feels more metal than 50/1.7; but it's heavier and slightly larger than 50/1.7. This is the least expensive Zeiss for Contax and it's the most useful lens. I've never disappointed whenever I use this lens. Planar 50/1.4 is one of 3 factors that I still keep my Contax SLR even though my job currently more on medium format and rangefinder. Planar 50/1.4 and Planar 85/1.4 are worth to keep even though I have only 2 lenses.