ZEISS PLANAR ZM T* 50mm F2

COSINA / Carl Zeiss M-mount standard lens, Planar ZM 50mm review and photo examples

Gallery

HEXAR RF +KODAK EKTACHROME 64(EPR)

Review

Planar 50mm F2 ZM is a Carl Zeiss branded lens manufactured by Cosina.
At the time of its release, it was the latest 50mm lens, and although it was half a step less bright than Cosina Voigtlander’s Nocton 50mm F1.5, I was surprised by the sharpness of the images taken with reversal film. I think reversal film viewed through a light box is really interesting.

I’ve used many non-Leica M mount 50mm single focal length lenses, but this lens is close to the best in terms of cost performance, and has been useful for a relatively long period of time among the standard lenses I’ve owned.

The lens construction is a standard double Gauss type, and there is nothing special about it. It seems that performance has improved due to advances in coating and improved manufacturing precision. The size is about the same as a very common 50mm, so there are no problems at all, including portability.
This can’t be helped due to the sensor size, but if you use a 50mm focal length lens on the EPSON R-D1, it will be equivalent to 75mm, making it feel narrower. LEICA M8.2 is 1.3x and 65mm, making it less narrow and easier to use.

If you compare the lens configuration diagrams of Planar 50mm ZM and C Sonnar 50mm ZM side by side, you can clearly see the difference. The Sonnar has a recessed rear element, which allows the lens barrel to be made compact, making it suitable for rangefinders.

Specification

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