Lens Summary
Brand: Zeiss
Also Known As: Zeiss 50mm f/2
Lens Type: Prime Lens
Format: Full Frame / FX
Focus: Manual Focus
Lens Mount: Canon EF, Nikon F, Pentax K
Release Date: 2005-01-01
MSRP Price: $1283
Made in: Germany
Infrared Rating: Good
Production Status: In Production
Lens Description: Classic portraits are as much the strength of the Makro-Planar T* 2/50 as the most striking details from close up. Thanks to its high performance at any distance, this macro lens can be used for a variety of tasks. As one of the fastest macro lenses available, small details can be isolated from the foreground and the background for great creative control.
Zeiss Makro-Planar T* 50mm f/2 Specifications
| Lens Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Lens Type | Prime Lens |
| Focal Length | 50mm |
| Mount Type | Canon EF, Nikon F, Pentax K |
| Format | Full Frame / FX |
| Compatible Format(s) | 35mm Film / Full-Frame Digital Sensor APS-C |
| Compatible with Teleconverters | No |
| Maximum Reproduction Ratio | 1:2 |
| Image Stabilization | No |
| Aperture Information | |
| Aperture Ring | Yes |
| Maximim Aperture | f/2 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22 |
| Maximum Angle of View (Full frame or larger format) | 45° |
| Optical Information | |
| Lens Elements | 8 |
| Lens Groups | 6 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 (rounded) |
| T* Anti-Reflective Coating | Yes |
| Focus Information | |
| Focus | Manual Focus |
| Built-in Focus Motor | No |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 0.24m |
| Distance Information | Yes |
| Filter Information | |
| Filter Size | 67mm |
| Accepts Filter Type | Screw-on |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Weather / Dust Sealing | Yes |
| Mount Material | Metal |
| Dimensions | 72 x 88mm |
| Weight | 530g |
| Other Information | |
| Available in Colors | Black |
Lens Construction 
MTF Chart
MTF Chart
It used to be one of my favourite 50ies (in its Nikon ZF2 version), albeit with some issues:
– Too warm, nearly a yellowish cast
– High vignetting
– strong flare when shooting against the light and stopping down.
All these issues have been resolved by the recent Milvus avatar of this lens. The optical formula is said to be the same, but the coatings at least are clearly better, and there might have been other, subtle changes. So I’d recommend the latter version (I bought mine second hand – the price point is a bit high).
Wide open, it is easily as sharp as other MF fifties at f/2.8. I guess that it competes in the same league as, say, the Sigma 50/1.4 “A”.