Overview of Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 2/50 ZF.2 T *

According provided by Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 2/50 ZF.2 T * lens many thanks the store ProFotoSalewhere you can find many new and used lenses for different systems, including similar lens Carl Zeiss.

Browse Navigation

1. In short
2. History
3. Main Specifications
4. Appearance
5. Assembly and management
6. Focusing
7. Image quality
8. Sample photos with source
   • Nikon D3200 (+ original RAW)
   • Nikon D40 (+ source JPEG)
9. My experience
10. Prices
11. Results
12. User Comments
13. Add your review / comment or question on the lens

Please note that Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 2/50 T * exists in several versions for different systems. This review shows the ZF.2 version for Nikon cameras. At the same time, there are versions for Canon (ZE) и Pentax (ZK)as well as an older version for Nikon (ZF).

In short

Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 2/50 ZF.2 T * - an excellent manual macro lens-fifty.

The main feature is excellent assembly and automatic iris control with automatic metering exposure on any Nikon DSLR camera. Unlike conventional manual lenses, Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 2/50 ZF.2 T * has microprocessor contacts, the diaphragm can be controlled from the camera.

Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 2/50 ZF.2 T * optically very good. There are practically no obvious flaws.

History

In total there are several similar models, each of which was released in the version for Nikon (ZF, ZF.2), Canon (ZE) and Pentax (ZK).

1. Carl Zeiss Makro Planar 2/50 ZF T * for Nikon F, s October 1, 2006, with cleft eyes, no CPU contacts
2. Carl Zeiss Makro Planar 2/50 ZK T * for Pentax K, s 2008, with CPU contacts, discontinued in 2010
3. Carl Zeiss Makro Planar 2/50 ZF.2 T * for Nikon F, s November 16, 2009with CPU contacts
   
4. Carl Zeiss Makro Planar 2/50 ZE T * for Canon EF, with December 4 2009with CPU contacts
5. Zeiss Milvus 2 / 50M ZF.2 Makro Planar 2/50 T * for Nikon F, s 10 September 2015with CPU contacts
6. Zeiss Milvus 2 / 50M ZE Makro Planar 2/50 T * for Canon EF, with 10 September 2015with CPU contacts

All these lenses are built on the same optical design and do not have fundamental differences in their photographic capabilities. The lens options for Nikon / Canon / Pentax have the direction of rotation of the focus ring that is characteristic of a particular system.

The first 4 versions from the list of ZF, ZF.2, ZE, ZK differ only in the bayonet mount and the presence of a microprocessor contact. Subsequent generation Zeiss Milvus 2 / 50M It has a cardinally redesigned case design.

Along with the release of Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 2/50 T * in 2006, another Macro-Planar was introduced: Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 2/100 T *, which is likewise a unique macro lens.

Main technical characteristics of Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 2/50 ZF.2 T *:

Review Instance Name	Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 2/50 ZF.2 T * + serial number Lens made in Japan
Basic properties	ZF.2 - version for cameras with Nikon F mount lens designed for full-frame cameras manual focus only automatic iris control from the camera menu T* - special enlightenment of Carl Zeiss T * optics lens suitable for full-frame cameras built-in microprocessor simulating the operation of original lenses presence of a diaphragm control ring (analog of Nikon Non-G) the lens does not transmit the focus distance (analog Non-D) metal case 1: 2 macro mode Important: a lens from a third-party manufacturer, which imposes some restrictions on its practical use
Front Filter Diameter	67 mm, metal thread for filters
Focal length	50 mm EGF for cameras Nikon DX, Pentax with APS-C sensor Kf=1.5 is 75 mm EGF for Canon cameras with APS-C sensor is 80 mm EGF for Canon cameras with APS-H sensor is 65 mm
Zoom ratio	1 x
Designed by	for digital cameras with a frame size of 24 x 36 There is a version for Canon EF mount, which instead of 'ZF.2' in the name is written 'ZE'. There is also a rare 'ZK' version for Penax KAF mount
Number of aperture blades	9 petals, form a fairly regular polygon
Tags	focus distance scale in meters and feet, plotted on the focus ring. The depth of field scale for F / 8, 16, 22 (explicitly) + 5.6 (not explicitly). Bayonet mount tag, hood mount tag. Label for working in the infrared spectrum. Zoom factor for macro photography: 1:10, 1: 5, 1: 4, 1: 3, 1: 2
Diaphragm	F / 2 to F / 22
MDF	0.24 m, maximum magnification ratio 1: 2
The weight	503 grams (measured)
Optical design	8 elements in 6 groups. Usual spherical elements are used. Here is the diagram for the previous ZF lens, but it is the same as for ZF.2
Lens hood	Baynet type, metal
Manufacturer country	Lens made in Japan (lens made in Japan)
Period	From November 16, 2009, it was subsequently replaced by Zeiss Milvus 2 / 50M Makro Planar 2/50 T * ZF.2
Price	Prices for this model can be see here

Unfortunately, despite the presence of a microprocessor, the Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 2/50 ZF.2 T * version does not work in the focus trap mode (when the shutter is only allowed with precise focus). Only a green dot in the viewfinder indicates sharp focus. It is advisable to use Live View mode with the lens. On the camera, the lens is recognized as autofocus, but switched to manual focus mode.

The iris automation on the manual lens significantly adds convenience in work and post-processing (you can always see with what settings the photo was taken).

Appearance

Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 2/50 ZF.2 T * uses a classic body design that is typical of many lenses that have reached modern rulers Otus/Milvus/batis/Touit/loxia.

Assembly and management

The lens is made very high quality, has a stylish design with a chromed front of the frame. The whole body is made of metal.

The kit comes with a metal hood, which does not have push clamps, but at the same time easy and reliable installation. On the inside, the hood has a special coating that resembles velvet, which adds a feeling of a premium item. The hood can be installed in the reverse position for transportation. In this position, access to the focus ring is a little difficult.

The front lens is deeply recessed in the frame of the housing, which form a kind of analogue of the integrated lens hood. The shaft in front of the front lens has a stepped light-cutting structure that helps the lens when working in backlight.

The retractable body frame (trunk) consists of two metal parts. The trunk significantly lengthens the lens barrel. During focusing, one part of the trunk rotates, the other, on which the filter is attached, does not. The filter diameter is 67 mm.

The focus ring does not have a rubberized insert, the edges of the focus ring are metal.

The diaphragm mechanism works very loudly with a characteristic metallic clanging sound.

The lens has a manual aperture ring. To be able to control the value aperture from camera or for automatic installation aperture on modern digital cameras, you need to turn the control ring to the value F / 22, after which it is automatically fixed by a small special button-lock, which is located to the left of the marks aperture. If this is not done, then on a number of cameras, the display will display an error - 'fEE' (ring is not installed aperture) Some cameras having diaphragm rheostatallow you to control the aperture using the ring aperturebut only in metering modes exposure 'M' and 'A'. You can read more about this issue in the section on Non-G Lenses. Ring aperture rotates with clicks, the values ​​F / 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22 (full stops) are plotted on it; You can set one intermediate value between pairs of numbers (except between F / 16 and F / 22). Other intermediate values ​​can only be set using the camera menu.

It's important: Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 2/50 ZF.2 T * on cameras Nikon D3400, D3500 can only work in 'M' mode. These cameras simply do not support NON-G type lenses (which have an aperture control ring). On all other cameras the Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 2/50 ZF.2 T * will work like any other original lens with autofocus disabled. All camera modes will be available.

Focusing

Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 2/50 ZF.2 T * may use manual focus only.

The focusing ring is wide enough, not rubberized. The fins of the focusing ring are metal. The ring spins on 300 degrees (more than 3/4 of a full turn). Focusing is smooth, but tight enough, which sometimes interferes with comfortable work. When extreme positions are reached, the focus ring abuts and cannot be rotated further. The direction of rotation of the focusing ring matches Nikon's original lenses, such as Micro Nikon 60 / 2.8G.

The focus ring is poorly 'stretched' in the range from half a meter to infinity, which makes it difficult to focus in this range of distances. For example, portrait shooting becomes a difficult task precisely because of the inconvenience of focusing. Small shifts of the focus ring in this range significantly changes the focus accuracy. Classic fifty dollars usually have an MDF of 50 cm. The focus ring of Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 2/50 ZF.2 T * from infinity to 50 cm has a stroke of only 90 degrees.

When focusing the lens changes greatly. The trunk of the lens protrudes a few centimeters.

Used floating focus, something like the original Nikon CRC technology (for example, like Nikon Micro Nikkor 60 / 2.8D) This technology is designed to receive high-quality images at all focusing distances. During focusing, the thread under the front filter does not rotate.

On the focus ring there is a scale with the focusing distance in meters and feet and a zoom scale. There is also a depth of field scale and a label for working in the infrared spectrum.

The minimum focusing distance is 24 cm (the distance from the camera’s sensor to the subject). With such an MDF, the maximum magnification ratio is 1: 2. The working distance to the subject is about 10 cm (distance from the subject to the lens).

Real aperture the lens, expressed in T-stops, decreases significantly during focusing towards MDF. If F / 2 and approximately T / 2.2 are used during focusing on infinity, then F / 2.5 and approximately T / 2.8 are used during focusing on MDF. This is a common occurrence for macro lenses.

There is a very strong effect of 'Focus Breathing' (changing the viewing angle during focusing), which is typical for almost all macro lenses. During focusing towards the MDF, the viewing angle decreases. In fact, focusing on MDF produces a '70 /2.5 'lens. This can serve as a plus (increase in focal length), and as a minus (decrease in aperture).

Focus Shift (shift focus, changing the focus distance due to iris) is missing.

The Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 2/50 ZF.2 T * has a hard stop (hard infinity mechanical stop) for quick and accurate aiming at infinity under any temperature operating conditions.

When used on cameras Nikon D3200, D40 и Nikon D700 the green dot, confirming the correct focusing, works correctly.

It is not known whether Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 2/50 ZF.2 T * supports macro extenders or macro ringsas well as an adapter Nikon FTZ.

Important: despite the fact that the lens has microprocessor contacts, it does not transmit the distance to the subject into the camera and is an analog of NON-D lenses. This can sometimes affect accurate metering. exposure, especially when using flash.

Image quality

Everything is in order with the quality of the photos: high sharpness is already at F / 2 in the center of the frame, good work in back and side light, very nice color rendering, low distortion. Of the most severe flaws, I would only note tangible vignetting on F / 2.0. At small focusing distances, the edges and corners of the frame may slightly sag on open apertures (most likely due to the field of sharpness).

'Carl Zeiss' is a special spell used by some photographers who 'understand' the subtleties of photography. I recently heard a very funny phrase about the Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 2/50 ZF.2 T *. I was told that the 'color density' it has is like some pretty Leica lenses.

Sample photos on Nikon D40

I love contrast sets from a cheap camera and an expensive lens. In this case, Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 2/50 ZF.2 T * fully 'revealed' the potential of the old woman Nikon D40... All jokes aside, in the gallery below there is a good opportunity to look at the 'other' color from the CCD sensor.

Jpeg source photos download from this link (130 files, 500 MB).

Sample photos on Nikon D3200

D3200 is still one of the cameras with the highest pixel density, and therefore, from the images from it, one can easily judge about some of the optical capabilities of the Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 2/50 ZF.2 T *. Converting the original RAW files with the original Nikon Capture NX-D v 1.4.6 utility.

• Picture Control Mode: SD (Standard with default settings, 3, 0, 0, 0, 0)
• White balance: Auto (with default offset)
• Active D-lighting: ON or OFF (the camera does not allow you to select a level ADL)
• Noise Reduction: OFF
• use of the function 'Aut. distortion control 'with this lens on the camera Nikon D3200 not available, but Capture NX-D automatically removes some chromatic aberration
• The lens was used without filters.

Original RAW photos (12-bit '.NEF') can be download from this link (44 files, 800 MB).

Prices

Prices for modern Carl Zeiss manual lenses are available see here.

Now it is very difficult to find a new Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 2/50 ZF.2 T * in the store - in 2015 it was replaced by a model Zeiss Milvus 2 / 50M Makro Planar 2/50 T *.

At the start of sales, the price tag of Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 2/50 ZF.2 T * was about $ 1.300. Nowadays they are sold at 600-700 dollars.

My experience

Rarely do I rejoice in some interesting lens. But Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 2/50 ZF.2 T * immediately impressed with its pleasant color, especially the midtones and fully functional F / 2.0 aperture.

I shot about 7.000 frames with this lens. While shooting, I tried to use the Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 2/50 ZF.2 T * not only as a macro lens, but also as a normal XNUMX-aperture lens, shooting a variety of subjects - from macro to portrait. Once, during a whole day of working with the lens, I got the vivid impression that the focusing ring, although it has a smooth stroke, still rotates too tightly, from which you get tired of rotating it back and forth. There is no oily and light feeling like, for example, the old Takumaras such as Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1: 1.8 / 55 ASAHI OPT. CO., JAPAN... From my experience with lenses, I know that with intensive work with long-barrel lenses, over time, the latter begin to accumulate dust on the insides of the helicoid, and in the worst case of such operation, a 'sandy' crunch may appear. For some reason, I got the impression that with this Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 2/50 ZF.2 T * it will be the same, and the lens itself is still designed not for field conditions, but for less intense photography, for example, food photography, or studio unhurried macro photography.

Minor personal quibbles aside, the Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 2/50 ZF.2 T * is just a miracle. is he always gives predictable results, which immediately shows his characteristic handwriting.

If you need an uncompromising fifty-kopeck macro lens, then the Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 2/50 ZF.2 T * will do just fine. By the way, the previous ZF version or the subsequent Milvus ZF.2 version can serve the same tasks.

Results

The Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 2/50 ZF.2 T * is a very high quality macro lens with a rather unique focal length / aperture ratio. Despite the fact that the maximum magnification ratio is only 1: 2, the Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 2/50 ZF.2 T * is nevertheless much closer to macro lenses than to the classic high-aperture XNUMX kopecks. In the role of a classic fifty dollars, another Planar will be much better - Carl Zeiss Planar 1,4 / 50 ZF T *.

In 2015, Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 2/50 ZF.2 T * was updated to version Zeiss Milvus 2 / 50M ZF.2 Makro Planar 2/50 T *, built on the same optical scheme, which only proves the huge margin of performance laid down in the first versions of Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 2/50 T *.

10 main advantages:

1. high aperture. There are practically no such lenses with F / 2.0 aperture
2. full metal case
3. smooth focus ring, rotates 300 degrees
4. the front lens does not rotate during focusing. Front lens deep in the lens housing
5. floating focus system, provides high image quality at all focusing distances
6. nine aperture blades
7. all the necessary marks are present: focusing distance, depth of field, infrared spectrum mark and magnification ratio
8. T * enlightenment, which makes the lens glare-resistant and provides good color reproduction
9. microprocessor contacts for correct operation with EXIF and for convenient work with the lens
10. good optical performance, high resolution already with F / 2.0

10 main disadvantages:

1. focus ring poorly 'stretched' from infinity
2. focus ring tight enough for constant and frequent change of focus distance
3. the maximum magnification is only 1: 2 (e.g. 'like' Yongnuo 60/2NE has 1: 1)
4. no weather protection (e.g. Zeiss Milvus 2 / 50M she is)
5. no way to customize focus trap (when shutter release is possible only when accurate focus is achieved)
6. focusing is not internal, with a long trunk of two sections (for example, Tamron 60 / 2 focusing is completely internal type)
7. focus rings and apertures are not rubberized, metal ribs of rings can become chipped over time and lose their former beauty
8. the lens does not show / does not change the effective aperture value during focusing towards MDF. Also, the lens does not transmit the focusing distance to the camera (NON-D type of lens)
9. very strong focus breathing effect, which sometimes interferes with the correct composition of the frame (you have to additionally move the camera)
10. minor optical imperfections, such as vignetting at f / 2.0 and small freezing

According provided by Carl Zeiss Makro-Planar 2/50 ZF.2 T * lens many thanks the store ProFotoSalewhere you can find many new and used lenses for different systems, including similar lens Carl Zeiss.

Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram