Zeiss v.s. Leica 50mm lenses | A detailed review

[@mwales2112]

I've been using a Zeiss 50/2 Planar for some time now and just love it... It's sharp and not huge and heavy... With the price I was able to keep both of my kidneys....

[@arrangearrange]

For sure. Try a contax g planar 45 sometime if you can!

[@tjendrawandinata1187]

I use it for pict reproduction..... amazing

[@gregpantelides1355]

Hi Jimmy, one of the reasons the Zeiss 35mm F2.8 is my favorite as a black and white photographer is the contrast. It makes printing high contrast images in the darkroom super easy. For color, I absolutely see your point. Thank you! Keep shooting and stay inspired!

[@MrVoayer]

Your comparison videos are indispensable !!! Thank you for sharing your experience !!!

[@alexc8512]

You’re the only KZbinr who has enough money to buy and test all these lenses for us to review. Ridiculous and thank you.

[@JimmyCheng]

Hey thanks Alex for the comments. I’m glad you enjoyed these videos. I certainly am not the “only” person, I’m just a guy who’s got GAS and happens to love photography 😋

[@crispin8888]

Thank you for your usual insightful video. The Zeiss is extremely nice, but large. As an aside, I have an original 35mm steel rim. Nothing is loose. But, unfortunately, many Leica lenses suffer from this annoyance.

[@rolleicanon]

Thank you. That's clear, well illustrated and helpful.

[@georgiostriantopoulos9921]

Thank you Jimmy, what a nice review!!!

[@unmecvrai]

You actually made me buy a Leica m9 with a summicron 50mm v5

[@benvoyons626]

I find this review very informative and objective. I have an M and the 50mm Planar and I concur with all that is said here. The point about 50 vs 35mm is also what I think.

[@JimmyCheng]

Thanks Ben. I’m glad you found the information accurate.

[@quint57]

Great review! This really helps with a purchase I'm contemplating..

[@JimmyCheng]

I’m glad you find it helpful!

[@vickey59]

The Zeiss performs so well, as with most of the ZM lenses but I still prefer the Cron V because it’s so light, compact and has a built in hood (although the Zeiss probably needs the hood less because it’s more contrasty and flare-resistant). I don’t know, I tried the ZM lenses but it’s just nicer to pair the Leica M cameras with Leica lenses (if nothing else, just for matching style and 6-bit coding). But I get that ZMs’ main advantage is price.

[@arrangearrange]

I think you have it right. The Zeiss quality is generally up there with Leica but the overall package is what you’re paying for on the Leica. Query whether you care enough about that stuff to pay quite a lot more, especially for focals you don’t use as much. Zeiss has no real answer to the 50 summilux and the 50 APO, for Leica M

[@vickey59]

@@arrangearrange yeah, good point about having focal lengths that are not used often. I think Zeiss are as good, if not better, optically than most of Leica’s mid range (not APO), especially some of the older but still current designs. But I only shoot 3-4 focal lengths, so it was okay for me to buy Leica from a budget perspective. I’m okay with trading off a bit of optical quality for more portability, handling I personally liked better, and a slightly higher cost.

[@zenden6564]

6-bit coding is needed on Zeiss M mount lenses. Come on, guys.

[@GastonShutters]

Another great video Jimmy

[@senyang2260]

Jimmy, this is a great sharing. Thank you! I am a 50mm shooter and Leica 50mm f1.4 summilux is my only choice for traveling with one camera / one lens combo. Since you recently have shard a great deal of Nikkor and Voigtländer lenses. I am wondering whether you have ever tried (or heard from other Leica M shooters) the legendary Nikkor 58mm f1.2 ai manual lens on Leica M? I would love to hear about your feedback if possible. Happy Shooting !!

[@nattawutwangchomphoo5618]

Your review save me a ton of money :)

[@JimmyCheng]

That’s nice, I’m glad you find it useful!

[@superkrell]

I use a Zeiss T Planar 50mm F2 ZM on my Leica MD 262 and see no need at all for another 50mm lens, its that good...!

[@thomascoulombe-morency861]

Love these reviews Jimmy. Any chance you'll be reviewing Light Lens Labs lenses in a near future? I'd love to see how the Elcan perform.

[@JimmyCheng]

@@thomascoulombe-morency861 thanks for you kind words. I might consider reviewing in the future but so far I’m not so keen on using them.

[@davide88rn]

The planar is soo good for the price...

[@smartdoctorphysicist3095]

Hi thank you very much.

[@zenden6564]

A good review, i think the bokeh comparision section could have been expanded to include the near to middle distance transition at wide open aperture. Also at the end, a comparo of a long suffering gf as model, as the female complexion is very delicate and while the planar is fair, it can be a bit cruel. If I'm not mistaken the non-apo summicron is a type of planar too, but sweeter to the lady face SOOC, sort of "more sonnar" like. Thank-you for your testing and relaxed style. ❤

[@chrisreich40]

If I could have only one lens to mount on my Voigtlander rangefinder camera, it would be the Carl Zeiss 50mm f2. In fact, it's the biggest reason I bought the camera.

[@franciskoo4398]

Hi Mr. Cheng, would you please compare Zeiss 35mm f1.4 Distagon zm and Leica 35mm f1.4 asph FLE thank

[@JimmyCheng]

Sorry unfortunately I don’t have the distagon anymore. If I ever get my hand on one I would.

[@VincenzoNoletto]

It's a good comparison...but can I ask you something about the different color rendition between them?

[@JimmyCheng]

I don’t notice any meaningful differences. I usually toss my own Lut on

[@thomastuorto9929]

When watching lens reviews, I always wonder if they will cover, shooting towards/into the lights, or/& sun-light or there abouts & how the lens handles it & flaring if any. Is it a lens with character? All Leica lens should feel it has a better build quality for the $$$ difference in purchase price. I doubt the silver vs black Leica lenses render any different results, just my thoughts. Nice gear. Happy shooting.

[@JimmyCheng]

thanks for your comments. What do you mean by silver vs black? The two lenses are completely different in this review btw.

[@thomastuorto9929]

@@JimmyCheng oops, my mistake. Sorry. I thought I heard you say the silver Zeiss vs the black Zeiss lenses. If the colors indicate 2 different model lenses, I didn’t know. I do not own any. How do you like Voitlander lenses if you have tried any?

[@taneltinnuri8985]

Yes. I had VC 50/1.2 but always left it home because of the size and weight. Thats the way it is. Summicron is a pretty perfect lens for all kind of photograpers and photography. Yes its nothing special but hey, photo you taking is more important than a lens!

[@JimmyCheng]

exactly, the vm is amazing for its price but the size is a bit off putting. The cron and the Zeiss I would say are the perfect size.

[@ductritran8637]

Zeiss beat Summicron hand out . But for Leica blindly faithful every Leica lens are the best none can surpass . I shot and owned too many Leica since the mid 70’s but slowly I change my mine about Leica lenses . Today many others lens like voigtlander, zeiss even some new lens makers from China are fantastic and very affordable. Keep your mind open , don’t just only Leica is the best , not anymore .

[@weisserth]

Basically this goes to show that buying Leica's APO M lenses is a huge effing waste of money - unless there is any evidence that the Apo resolved at 60MP of the M11 with other lenses having less resolution at that pixel count. I doubt that though.

[@zenden6564]

Yes the mystique is a marketing strategy as well as a nuance advantage 😊

[@CianMcsweeney]

If you're not an avid Leica collector then yes, I personally prefer the Zeiss look over Leica's lenses

[@mignav464]

Wanna add the Voigtländer 50mm APO to this maybe? Imagine it would steer this lineup quite a bit.

[@JimmyCheng]

I've reviewed the vm 50 apo against the leica 50 apo before, pls check out that video on my channel :)

[@tfylhk]

I have 50mm summicron v but prefer ZM 50mm planar because better flare resistant

[@JimmyCheng]

The v5 has a hood 😃

[@benficaM8888]

how is this zeiss compared to the noktons?

[@JimmyCheng]

which one?

[@nickcr3919]

Eyes see in about 42mm,so 35mm and 50mm are in the middle.It depends what you prefer,little wider or the opposite.I personally preferred 35mm,but also depends on the place and the circumstances.

[@JimmyCheng]

in terms of angle of view or depth relationship? I feel 50 is narrow but neutral in depth. 35mm feels about right in angle of view but a bit pushed away effect on the background. So maybe 40 does provide most neutral perspective if taking into account both .

[@Sylvester414]

@@JimmyCheng I feel exactly the same way about the 35mm and 50mm. I prefer 35mm angle of view but 50mm compression.

[@autodidact537]

@@JimmyCheng Try the Summicron-C 40mm f2 from the 1970s made for the Minolta/Leica CL

[@JimmyCheng]

@@autodidact537 good option but sadly the lack of 40mm frame line sucks

[@umue11]

As always, very nice review! One minor niggle for me, is the fact that you never compare distortion, which is very important to me. AFAIK, the Zeiss has pronounced barrel distortion. Both, the Cron and the Apo, have practically no distorrtion at all. That is a huge plus for me.

[@vampolascott36]

I own the Zeiss 50mm Planar and it doesn't have pronounced barrel distortion. The distortion is so slight that it is unnoticeable. But, if you're still worried about distortion, Lightroom has a lens profile for that.

[@LuqmanHM]

I would say 40mm is close to what human sees

[@PedroskyFrEsp]

I ain’t paying 8000$ just to get a better focusing tab

[@JimmyCheng]

Yeah lol

[@lensman5762]

A 50mm lens has a horizontal FOV of about 46 degrees. Human eye has a horizontal FOV of over 115 degrees. A 50mm lens does not represent the natural vision of a human eye. The closest lens to the FOV of a human eye is about 20 mm, distortion not withstanding. The 50mm is considered ' standard ' because the focal length is roughgly equivalent to the digonal of the 35mm format. In case of 6X6 it is about 75mm, 6X7 90mm, 6X9 105mm and so on and on. Our brains have an uncanny ability to zoom in on the region of interest in our vision, and this ability is often mistaken for the 50mm lens representing the vision of a human eye.

[@j.f.7509]

I agree. However, looking with with just one eye, the perspective of a 50 is similar to the human eye. One can test this by using the Leica SBOOI 50mm finder with both eyes open. It looks like the framelines are hanging in the air! That is also an advantage of the Leica M3 with it's 0.92x viewfinder.

[@rolleicanon]

you need to adjust the title: lens not lenc

[@JimmyCheng]

You mean the subtitles?

[@carlosmcse]

I sold the planar. I found the sharpness too harsh. Too much contrast. Overall harsh. Colors. Etc. my lens is now the Summicron. It’s the perfect 50. The planar is okay for beginners though. I would choose the Mandler Summicron over the APO version. The old Summicron has the beauty of the “Leica look”. It comes from all the optical “issues” the Mandler Summicron has. All the great look comes from the flaws. It’s beautiful. It’s a lens made to make photographs and not for test shots.

[@mjbxxv]

Ok so you’re now an expert? 🤡

[@carlosmcse]

@@mjbxxv who said I was an expert?

[@PrestonThomasCafe]

Yeah, so... there's no such thing as a "beginners lens" for Leica. I own both the Summicron v5 and the Zeiss Planar, and I've finally decided to sell the Summicron. I prefer the Planar, it's just that simple. Unless you're a hopeless Leica fanboy, you will choose the lens that best suits your purpose and photographic style. Perhaps, that lens is a Summicron, or a Planar, or a vintage Canon LTM. "Ok for beginners..." Please.

[@carlosmcse]

@@PrestonThomasCafe Yes. Usually people who are beginners with Leica get cheap lenses at first and not drop thousands on a focal length you’re unsure about. You may keep them or sell them. Up to you.

[@sbassett8723]

Had to stop watching because of annoying background tap tap noise, shame.

[@JimmyCheng]

You mean the music beats? Sorry about that.

[@sbassett8723]

@@JimmyCheng Well it's hardly music, and what does it actually add to the information you're trying to present?

[@JimmyCheng]

@@sbassett8723 bad choice of bgm sorry Man I disappointed you.

[@kevin-parratt-artist]

It's too big for what it is. Leica wins.

[@JimmyCheng]

hmm, it's smaller than the Leica summicrons though ...

[@markshwang6967]

wei shen me bu shuo zhong wen?

[@JimmyCheng]

@@markshwang6967 why speak mandarin on KZbin? You have to look at the demographics

[@markshwang6967]

@@JimmyCheng I see, first time viewing your channel and I see embedded subtitles in Zhong-Wen, so I jump into assumption. Well done the video!