The Best 50mm for Leica? Zeiss 50mm ZM Planar vs Sonnar vs Summilux

Thanks to Zeiss for lending me these lenses for this video.
Planar: geni.us/MbcB
Sonnar: geni.us/xKGKLE
Summilux: geni.us/ipsK
Cascade Presets: benjhais.ch/ca...
Patreon: / benjhaisch
Cascade Luts: benjhais.ch/luts
Check out the new Clever Supply Straps: benjhais.ch/clever
[Use Code BENJ for 10% off @CleverSupplyCo]
Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed.
Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself: | benjhais.ch/mu...
My filming gear:
Main Camera | geni.us/TD7RMF
Studio Wide Lens | geni.us/ttBaVOm
Zoom Lens | geni.us/RnL5Wy
Secondary Camera | geni.us/s98Knq
Shotgun Mic | geni.us/ggIB
Studio Light | geni.us/mlzyH
Podcast Mic | geni.us/aBraEri
Audio Interface | geni.us/suQL
My Favorite Dual Camera Straps:
Dual Camera: benjhais.ch/hol...
My photo kit:
LEICA
Leica M10 [silver]: geni.us/leicam...
Leica M10 [black]: geni.us/leicam...
28mm: geni.us/6uA8Wt
35mm: geni.us/gpDwu
50mm: geni.us/ipsK
90mm: geni.us/Kyn4hvq
FUJIFILM
Fujifilm GFX: geni.us/fujifi...
GFX Lens: geni.us/yExVd
X100V: geni.us/ByLJ2
X-E4: geni.us/WBkc0
SONY
Sony A7IV | geni.us/s98Knq
Wide Lens | geni.us/ttBaVOm
Zoom Lens | geni.us/RnL5Wy
Telephoto | geni.us/vjpiOlB
Video Light: geni.us/q5X9f
Tripod: geni.us/Fbuz9p
Subscribe to Benj Haisch Here:
► / benjhaisch
Benj Haisch on Social Media:
► benjhaisch.com
► / benjhaisch
► / benjaminhaisch
► benjhai...
DISCLAIMER: This video and description contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. This helps to support the channel and allows me to continue to make videos like this.

[@frame-lines]

Oh yes. This is my bag. I've tried all of these. Summilux is ideal, but a bit too heavy for carrying it around all day. Sonnar is the most unique I've tried- totally unique and beautiful images from it but maddeningly unpredictable focus. Planar shaaarp but it is a bit boring. If Zeiss released a new Sonnar with a floating element to fix the focus issues- that would be my favourite lens. -Shane

[@magiccarpetrider4594]

Summilux 50 is too big? 🤣🤣

[@jameskezman]

The Planar has been my 50 for about ten years now. Love the contrast and it has a unique color signature on my M9. Aldo works very well on the MM246!

[@08yankeefan]

Just ordered one for my m9 to compliment my 35mm biogon. Cant wait!

[@superkrell]

When I purchased the Leica MD 262 from KEH, I did a lot of research for a 50mm lens to go with the camera. So I took the chance on a mint Zeiss 50mm f/2 T ZM Planar on eBay from Japan for only $450! Probably the best lens choice ever...!

[@ashrafazlan89]

It's a shame there isn't a smaller version of the APO-Lanthar, cause Voigtlander really knocked it out the park with that one. Probably my favorite 50, just wished it was a tad smaller (or 1.4)

[@Kevon420]

To be fair, the 50mm APO Lanthar is not much larger than the 50mm Planar. Given the high performance of it, I think it is fine. I just wish it came in a silver finish like the 90mm f2.8 APO Skopar. It's the 35mm APO Lanthar that's on the big side for an f2 lens, while it is very high performance it's less exciting in my opinion than the 50mm version.

[@FFVoyager]

I've got a Carl Zeiss Planar T* 45mm f2 (from a Contax G) in a Leica helicoid. It's fabulous.

[@Old-School-Liberal]

Same here

[@lifeandmylens]

I actually went the other way. Sold the Summilux and got a Sonnar, cron v4 and $1000 left over. Love the lux, but felt it was a little big for the M. And really just wanted something a little more unique like the Sonnar.

[@colinosullivan]

I’ve had the 50mm planar for over ten years now and it’s still going strong through a ton of travel and use. So I guess I can add that the the quality is there. I’ve often wondered how it stands up against a 50 cron. Maybe someday I’ll find out. Great video Benj. Cheers

[@michaelneumann1865]

I always wondered why you got rid of the 50mm 1.5 I still love it. You did a great job of explaining. I really enjoyed this video Benj! Thank you!!!

[@weisserth]

There is another Zeiss option - adapting the Contax G 45mm f2 Planar to M mount. There now is a focusing heliocoid you can just drop in the lens group as a whole from the G lens housing, the conversion only takes a few minutes and some patience with focus adjustments - or you can buy an already converted lens at around ~USD1,000. 45mm is barely wider than 50mm and the 50mm frame lines work well with little mental adjustment. The 45mm is lovely, as it is both sharp wide open and renders bokeh really nicely, but it does not have that clinical APO look. It's compact.

[@epstar83]

The ZM lenses are superb bang for the buck. I owned both at one point, and considering you could have both of these lenses for the price of a Summicron it is a compelling option. The Planar makes a perfect everyday lens for most people and the Sonnar offers character when needed. We are spoiled for choice these days though with Voigtlander also offering some superb options at a very attractive price point. In the end though I settled on a Summicron-M V5 and haven’t looked back, having just one 50mm lens that I knew would do the job for me and would automatically show up in my EXIF data etc was what won me over. The Cron has worked well for me on digital and film, if F/2 is fast enough then it’s a wonderful lens that performs to a really high level, even today on high resolution cameras as well as film, and it will keep its value for many years to come.

[@jklphoto]

The 28/35/50mm offerings from Zeiss are very compelling. I enjoyed owning and shooting the Planar. It is as sharp and modern as any M-user needs.

[@mwales2112]

I really enjoy using my 50 Planar that produces great images and stays glued to one of my M240s. Thanks Benj...

[@paulsehstedt6275]

I had the Sonar 50 too, but switched to the Summilux 50, which is the best 50 for me. Leica also made, but ditched the Summicron 2.4/2.5 as a 50 mm. Just for information. The only Summicron I've is the 90/2.5, a great performer. Keep on rolling!

[@Isajaymes]

Yeah the 1.5 Sonnar is more of a specific paint brush with a very particular look and very particular situation to get the right rendering. Its beautiful when it hits, and a mess when it doesn't. The voigtlander 1.5 50mm nokton is a nice balance before jumping to a summilux but the f2 summicron is also great

[@VariTimo]

The Voigtländer 50mm f1.5 Nokton is a double Gauß design just like the Summilux. It has some CA and very very slight softness wide open but is generally really really sharp. I'm gonna sell mine though 'cause I have a Canon 50mm f1.4 LTM that is just gorgeous and sharp enough for what I do with a 50mm.

[@gregpantelides1355]

Thank you, Benj! I just ordered a Planar! :-) I mostly do landscape/still life work and it seems like a good fit.

[@jr8440]

I used the Sonnar for a few years. Totally agree with you but you could have said a bit more about the focus shift of the sonnar. It is an issuey esp when you shoot film. I sold it because i got to many defocused frames. The Planar is the bang for the buck!

[@TCMx3]

Bit of a contrarian opinion here, but I had the planar and it was a bad fit for me. I think it's a fine choice for someone who doesn't love 50mm and wants a budget option. If you love 50, and youre shooting M mount... the 50 summilux asph was an unrivaled lens for many many years and today it still remains one of my favorite rendering lenses of all time. To the degree that because I couldnt afford it at the time, I simply sold out of the M system. When I owned the planar, I got an old Olympus OM 50mm f2.0 auto-macro and found it to be a better effort in the 50/2.0 world. More natural color rendition, just as sharp (and much, much sharper close focused), 1:2 reproduction which was more than enough for most stuff for me, well built. I think Zeiss' best M mount lenses were the wide angles. The 21mm biogon is the real winner of the lot. JMO.

[@neoaureus]

@@TCMx3 ...the Zeiss 21 Biogon is unbelievable

[@ChrisCore93]

This was the video I hoped for some time. Because I can’t decide between the planar and the sonnar. Summilux isn’t in my budget. Thanks for this video it’s very helpful! Cheers

[@_parkphoto]

Man I can definitely tell the difference between the Sonnar and the Summilux - which testifies to how amazing the Summilux is - but the Sonnar looks amazing still, and seems like a great option compared to the Summilux for the price. I rented the Planar and it’s absolutely amazing too. I just love the vintage character of the others.

[@Seapatico]

Agreed, stranger!

[@_parkphoto]

@@Seapatico 😜

[@thomas.kovacik]

if i ever end up with a m240 or m262 i’m forsure pairing with with these zeiss lenses

[@loubenii]

Honestly, this is crazy timing. I was looking up this comparison last week as I weigh my options of buying a Leica M10 + Zeiss or 240 + Summicron. Thanks for all the incredible knowledge you share with us!

[@PaulTimlett]

This is a really timely (and useful) video Benj. I was just about to Google best M mount 50mm lenses when your video popped up!

[@KingGameReview]

I have the old 1950s Sonnar 1.5, Summarit 1.5, and Nokton 1.5 - they're all great, but I think my favorite is the Voigtlander Nokton. On APS-C, though, my preference from that time period is the Cooke Ivotal 2" 1.4 in c-mount. I use the old 1950s Nokton on my GFX quite a bit (but recently found a good deal on a Summicron V3, so I've been using that more lately). As far as 50s go, the only modern-ish one I have is a Contax/Yashica Zeiss Planar 1.4. It's one of my favorite lenses on the GFX as well. I do have the Fuji GF 50 3.5 (my newest lens overall and the only one I own with autofocus), but that's a totally different beast. It's a couple stops slower, but super sharp.

[@annekedebruyn7797]

For what I am seeing: Summilux stands ahead. The bokeh just looks buttery smooth, the bokeh has barely got any color fringing in the bokeh balls on it. The Planar is just a character beast. I personally like the way the background renders. It makes it more painterly especially in the trees. Sonnar sits a bit in the middle. The character is not as extreme as the Planar. But it isn't as clean looking as the Summilux either. Can't go wrong with both but in a perfect world I would love the Planar and Summilux for both styles.

[@Renzsu]

Hey Benj, you should try out the new 58mm Biotar f/1.5 from Meyer Optik Gorlitz. It's a remake of the original, but shaper and faster. The bokeh on that is wild, could make for some artsy images. It's kind of similar to what happens when you put the Summilux ASPH on a medium format camera. Very swirly.

[@Edwin_Lam]

Thanks Benj for another great comparison video, really appreciate the efforts you put in it. From your experience with the Sonnar, what did you do to mitigate the focus shift issue? How did you live with it? Or you traded/sold it for this reason? I also like its compactness and the fact that it's a fast 50, and that's a combo that's cannot be found easily elsewhere (the Voigtlander Nokton 50 f1.5 vignettes a bit too heavily to my taste), but the focus shift has always been something that stops me from making a move on it. I know I will love the Planar though, but the 1-stop difference is not nothing :)

[@noahahill]

Super helpful vid! Been looking into lens brands other than Leica just to see what’s going to work best for me

[@pierratdrepy]

if one is sensitive to color rendering performance, you can try to compare som berthiot flor 50mm lens with any german made lenses. you will notice huge difference on this oldest french made vintage lens for its superb natural color rendering and grey transition. no wonder, in early stage of lens industry, english and french made vintages lenses from oldest brand such as ross london and som berthiot was way superb than leitz.

[@tradingtime369]

Your videos are brilliant. I loved that ZM Planar

[@VariTimo]

Get the Jupiter 3 if you want a good 50mm f1.5 Sonnar. And this one is actually vintage.

[@carlosmcse]

As far as I’m concerned the Summicron is the best 50 for Leica M. It’s a legend for a reason. I know the summilux is great but for every day use, the Summicron is just lighter, smaller, more awesome. Plus it gives you soft glow and super sharp in one lens. I had the Planar but for me it’s just too harsh with the sharpness. Good for B&W but not so much for color. At least for my taste.

[@loubenii]

Can you share what stickers you're using (particularly the silver one)? They look a lot cleaner than the square ones you used to throw on there. Would love to have an M-P but that's the next best thing.

[@neoaureus]

Ben and guys ... I have a Summicron 50mm... but it has weird color compared to Voigtlander and Zeiss... so In Zeiss adding which one make sense ?

[@kimw994]

Hi Ben- superb video: Thanks! But ...: I got so many problems with perfect focus with different companies: my Zeiss ZMs (on my M262) are always a bit in backfocus-, the Noktons are front -new Leica Ms are perfect... Now I adjust the finder for my Voigtländer (35/1,2 +50/1,2) and it works 100%...but not possible to use other glas....of course only on 1,2/1,4...How do you adjust?

[@AlexOnStreets]

Awesome timing! Here's my story with 50 M-mount. First I got the Zeiss Plannar. Freaking sharp with amazing pop of contrast. The bokeh was very normal and good with one exception, foreground bokeh was often weird on out of focus subjects. Only in the foreground though. Backgrounds were amazing. I honestly loved the lens overall but for one big stupid reason, I thought the body of the lens looked weird on my M6 Titanium. Too many color tones on one camera just aesthetically put me off. Ridiculous reason but that brought me to the newest Voigtlander 50mm 1.5 Nokton mk2 ASPH. Tons of character, softer but better bokeh. Unfortunately though especially on digital, a good amount of chromatic aberrations and fringing. It's still a character lens despite the new asph elements. It's a great looking lens though on all my M bodies. Then literally just yesterday, my friend offered to sell me his 50mm f2 Summicron. Now my very first Leica lens. Initial testing brings me back to the quality of the Plannar. And I think more character in the bokeh. Also it's body looks aesthetically perfect on my M2 and M6. Fin!

[@zarifk]

Nice. Which 50 summicron did you get?

[@ericrjennings]

Which version? I have v5 and it has swirl character at f/2. Love it.

[@Old-School-Liberal]

Contax G 45mm for M mount

[@fotodivision]

Great and precise as Always.👏 By the way where to get that wooden grip?? I need one. Thank you dude.

[@marcusoutdoors4999]

Really fantastic review. Do you think the Voigtlander Nokton 50mm F1.5ii would be an alternative?

[@Eliehbk]

Hey Benj, thanks for another useful and great video! I was wondering if you could share a link to where you bought the tape to cover the Leica logo on the silver M10? I currently use a black one on my M11 and looking for something like yours. Thanks!!

[@forgottenamericana]

Benj. Great comparison video. Did you put silver tape over your red dot on your m10?? What kind of silver tape is that? Thanks man

[@emmanueltsI5]

Heliar f1.5 is another good 50mm lens :)

[@_jinesque]

Where would you slot the Voigtlander 50mm f/2 APO-LANTHAR amongst these? Asking bc I definitely need a second opinion~

[@peteracain]

Good to see you still own a Leica after switching to Sony

[@benjhaisch]

Haha I need to make a video about what I use because I think people have a really weird conception of what my kit looks like.

[@peteracain]

@@benjhaisch haha. Just pulling your chain. Would be interesting to see how you integrate the two systems into a gig

[@richdachtera8525]

Would you suggest one of these over the Voigtlander 50mm APO F2?

[@DeeRosa]

Good shit Benj 🤝🏽

[@rickschricter]

This video needed a film test. This is a film shooter's lens.

[@barthonhoff5547]

Why not try an old Canon 1.4 50mm LTM? It blowed away my Zeiss 1.5 50mm!

[@carlosmerelles1791]

Voigtlander 50mm F2 APO Lanthar beats those 3 any day I think...

[@Isaiasramirezministries]

Hi! What adapter mount are you using to mount it to your fx3?

[@maheshg212]

Sonnar is the one lens that I have kept over the year, others came and went..

[@bubuli]

seeing the complaints here about how "heavy" or "big" an M-mount lens is bizarre to me. i know it's relative but, come on, the Summillux is not heavy compared to any of its contemporaries... and about this review: not mentioning the Voigtlander/Cosisna equivalents is weird... i would agree that the ZM Planar is good for the price, but the Voigtlander APO is better (and cheaper by $100 as of this writing) if you're looking for that "modern" look (which is what the ZM Planar is). also, the Sonnar is notorious for its focus shift and horrible purple fringing at wide-open apertures and there are numerous reports about the ZM lens helicoid as not durable...weirdly not mentioned in this video...those would have been huge factors to consider when buying these lenses.

[@benjhaisch]

I mean, I can only go off of what I’ve used and/or have access to?

[@bobbleczar]

Just a suggestion but the film grain noise layer you use for your video should not continue over the sample images. It makes the white matte look awful. Love your videos!

[@benjhaisch]

Totally made a layer mistake on this one, thanks!

[@bobbleczar]

@@benjhaisch - I forgot to hit record on a zoom recorder last week and botched a whole video. It happens!

[@1984williamblake]

cool shirt!

[@IDaumI]

Is that the real shutter sound of the M10? Definitely different from the M10P.

[@benjhaisch]

yep, the M10-P has a more "silent" shutter in comparison

[@g33k3301]

With LiveView for sure, otherwise it‘s faster.

[@bobbleczar]

Can you share what camera strap that is? The green leather one with the Peak clips on the ends!

[@bobbleczar]

Is it the IDS modular grip?

[@benjhaisch]

benjhais.ch/clever for the strap

[@benjhaisch]

And IDS for the grip!

[@gewglesux]

Summilux for my money

[@lameaim]

UPS!

[@enshongmiranda]

Do you still shoot weddings with Leicas?

[@benjhaisch]

Yep!

[@Robocobo]

Sorry to be a grouch. Did you put a film grain over the video? It carries over to when you show the images of the m6 on a tripod and its really distracting.

[@simossosias3727]

Why do you use cheap Cosina made lenses on expensive Leica bodies?

[@hsiaochungtse5043]

I really need to send you my new grip pad for you to exchange

[@benjhaisch]

Please do, my friend!

[@sbassett8723]

Don't need the annoying background bang bang noise!

[@jerrylee7737]

Interesting and informative. Just for God's sake, when will some American learn to pronounce the German name Zeiss??? 😀

[@benjhaisch]

Fwiw, the pronunciation I'm using is the colloquial way for my context. There are a myriad of foreign words/titles/etc that get pronounced differently depending on region/culture/context. If I were to say, "Carl Zeiss" in a German accent and style, it would sound pretentious to my audience.

[@KeithEmmerichDOTcom]

I love my VL 50apo. I always felt the zeiss bokeh is to busy.

[@westdk6705]

Well done Ben