Zeiss ZE 50mm f/2 Makro-Planar examples

See the discussion of the 50mm f/2 and 100mm f/2 Makro-Planars further below.

I’ve been working with the ZE 50mm f/2 Makro-Planar on Canon EOS for some weeks now, and I can say it’s a thoroughly enjoyable lens, a top pick for an all-around “normal” lens. It exudes the same jewel-like build quality of its siblings, and delivers the same satisfaction in using great ergonomics, if you can stand being without autofocus. At about $1280 (available soon), it’s no casual purchase, but then again the Canon 50mm f/2.5 sits in my drawer unused.

Below are some handheld shots using the 50/2 Makro-Planar. These images and many more will be incorporated into my Guide to Zeiss ZF/ZE Lenses soon, but in much higher resolution and with actual-pixels crops, as is my practice.

A rare early December snowstorm covers the Santa Cruz mountains in the San Francisco bay area— this snow will not last more than a day. Unlike some macro lenses, the 50mm f/2 Makro-Planar offers outstanding sharpness at infinity focus.

The beauty of the 50/2 Makro-Planar is that you can shoot it up close or far away, with outstanding results either way, and its bokeh is exceptionally pleasing also.

Exception color rendition is a hallmark of the ZE and ZF/ZF.2 lines.