Geeking Over the Sony ZEISS 50 1.4 Planar
January 12, 2021
Designed in 1896 with Zeiss T coatings added along the way, there are few lens that match its history, versatility and stellar rendering
The Zeiss Planar is a lens designed in 1896 by Paul Rudolph at Carl Zeiss. Unbelievably, the design and Zeiss are at work in today’s world. My copy is a modern one purchased 3.5 years ago, with all of the bells and whistles of today’s best lens. It is clinical and creamy but often can pull off a painterly vintage vibe pending subject matter, distances and light.
As a standard 50mm, it can be used in a variety of ways. If you’re just starting photography, pick up a 50 or 35mm lens. 50s tend to be relatively inexpensive and almost every 50mm lens can take really good images. This one, however, is not inexpensive.
Here are some pics taken a week ago and a few taken in the last year.
Best designer there is… God’s plan. (Sorry, listening to Drake as I type this.) But it’s true!
I haven’t quite figured out how to shoot oaks in the city without a million objects around them, but found this under-belly angle pretty nice… note the artistic rendering of the leaves and yet sharp lines of the tree and moss. 
Below: Shooting straight into the sunset. This lens eats colors for breakfast and is just wonderful. Shot at 50mm f2. As I was walking, I saw a stark contrast of color and bokeh between the left and right fields of view…
Above: Details from the previous image. Crisp, sharp and colorful. (Note: All images processed in Capture One, some taken into Photoshop.)
How diverse is the lens? See a few portraits… please… stop and LOOK!!
Again, how diverse is the lens? It can be used in studio for product photography. Say hello to my 1913 Colt 45… yes, this pistol is more than 100 years old and fires brilliantly. See the glorious details achieved?
Okay, so to finish things off, here fall colors in winter. Come on, it be like Houston and everything.
Thanks for your time. You can find out more about me on this website. I’m Scott Edwards, a hybrid (digital, modern and vintage lens, and a little bit of film) photographer who shoots portraits, lifestyle, commercial and fine art photography. I gladly, thankfully shoot for individuals, families, businesses and organizations.