ZEISS PLANAR ZM T* 50mm F2

A review and photo examples of using the Carl Zeiss Planar ZM 50mm with film and digital cameras.

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Gallery
Review
1. About
2. Usage
3. Summary
Specification
Reference links
Update history
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Gallery

The sample photos were taken with HEXAR RF + KODAK EKTACHROME 64 (EPR) and EPSON R-D1.

1．Overview

The Planar 50mm F2 ZM is a standard lens manufactured by Cosina under the Carl Zeiss brand, released on January 15, 2005.

Its main specifications are a 4-group, 6-element Gaussian configuration, 8 aperture blades, and a minimum shooting distance of 0.7m.

A dedicated bayonet hood, the Lens Shade 35/50mm, is available for 7,500 yen (excluding tax) JAN 4530076 855359, which is the same as the BIOGON 35mm F2, released at the same time.

The Planar 50mm F2 ZM is a monumental lens that officially marks the launch of the CARL ZEISS brand into the Leica M mount.

ZEISS had been actively licensing the ZEISS brand to Sony, Cosina, and others for several years before the release of this lens, but I was surprised to see that this had been expanded to lenses for the Leica M mount when the lens was released.

2．Usability

I bought the Planar 50mm F2 ZM at the now defunct Chikuma Shokai in Kannai as soon as it was released.

I used this lens with both film and digital cameras, and when I looked at the sleeves of the reversal film shots on a light box, I was impressed by the sharp depiction of the landscape photos of cherry blossoms.

This was the era of digital cameras, the Epson R-D1 and the Leica M8, both of which had sensors smaller than 35mm full-frame sensors, with the R-D1 having a focal length equivalent to 75mm in 35mm format and the M8 having a focal length equivalent to 65mm, making the R-D1 feel a bit cramped.

The lens construction is a standard double Gauss type with an orthodox structure. Thanks to the evolution of the coating and improved manufacturing precision, it feels like a lens with high basic performance.

3．Summary

The Planar 50mm F2 ZM is one of the best M-mount 50mm prime lenses I’ve used since I started using non-Leica cameras, and it’s one of the best lenses in terms of cost performance. It’s versatile enough to be used with both digital and film cameras, and it’s been a useful standard lens for me for a long time.

Specification and Competitor

The difference between the lens configuration diagrams of the Planar 50mm ZM and the C Sonnar 50mm ZM is clear when you compare them side by side. The Sonnar has a recessed rear lens element, which allows the lens barrel to be made compact, and it is a lens configuration suitable for rangefinders.

The lens construction diagrams are quoted from each company’s materials, and the sizes have been adjusted by us, so they are not exact.

Items	Planar	C Sonnar
Focal length(mm)	50	50
Max aperture	2	1.5
Min aperture	22	16
Lens Construction	4群6枚	←
Min distance(m)	0.7	0.9
Lens length(mm)	43.5	38.2
Max diameter(mm)	52	55.6
Filter Size(mm)	43	46
Weight(g)	210	250
Release date	2005.1.15	2006.8.4
Price(Yen/No-tax)	￥75,000	¥105,000