Manual beauties: Quick look at the Carl Zeiss Planar 50mm F1.4 ZE

This is just a short post about my first impression with the mighty Carl Zeiss Planar 50mm F1.4 ZE. I will definitely write more about it later, but let me share close-ups this time. The lens does not perform really good in this type of shots according to many forum threads on popular photo sites. However I like its painterly rendering, so I don't mind that it is not clinically sharp at closer distances and faster apertures.
 
 
After lunch tablsecape
After lunch tablsecape
 
 
Metadata
 
Camera: Canon 5D
Lens: Carl Zeiss Planar 50mm F1.4 ZE
Aperture: F2
 
 
The center sharpness is already good at F2. Even F1.4 is sufficient to shoot portraits; the slight softness adds to the dreamy atmosphere of shallow depth of field shots. At least F2.8 is required to achieve sharpness across the whole frame. (But DOF is still thin on full frame, so I have sometimes problem with getting my son completely in focus.)
 
 
 
Time for dessert!
Time for dessert!

Metadata
 
Camera: Canon 5D
Lens: Carl Zeiss Planar 50mm F1.4 ZE
Aperture: F1.4
 
 
Glowing glass
Glowing glass
 
Metadata
 
Camera: Canon 5D
Lens: Carl Zeiss Planar 50mm F1.4 ZE
Aperture: F1.4
 
 

 

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