Zeiss Carl Planar T1.4 50 vs Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II

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Carl Zeiss Planar T1,4/50

Standard Prime | Canon EF

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Canon 50mm f1.8 II

Standard Prime | Canon EF

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Carl Zeiss Planar T1,4/50 vs Canon 50mm f1.8 II Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing Carl Zeiss Planar T1,4/50 and Canon 50mm f1.8 II, two Standard Prime lenses from Zeiss and Canon. Both cameras have the same focal range of 50mm but different max apertures: Carl Zeiss Planar T1,4/50 has a max aperture of F1.4 while the Canon 50mm f1.8 II has a max aperture of F1.8.

We will start with briefly looking and the main specs of these two lenses and in the section, we will start analyzing in more detail and list the pros and cons of each lenses.

Carl Zeiss Planar T1,4/50 Key Specs

50mm Focal Range

F1.4 Max Aperture

Filter Thread: 58mm

Max Format: 35mm FF

Canon EF Mount

Weight: 350g.

Diameter: 66mm

Length: 69mm

Min Focus Distance:0.45m

Max Magnification:0.15x

Canon 50mm f1.8 II Key Specs

50mm Focal Range

F1.8 Max Aperture

Filter Thread: 52mm

Max Format:

Canon EF Mount

Weight: 130g.

Diameter: 68mm

Length: 41mm

Min Focus Distance:0.45m

Max Magnification:0.15x

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Carl Zeiss Planar T1,4/50 is the longer of the two lenses at 69mm. The Canon 50mm f1.8 II with a length of 41mm is 28mm shorter. On the other hand, the Canon 50mm f1.8 II has a larger diameter of 68mm compared to Carl Zeiss Planar T1,4/50's 66mm diameter.

Weight of a lens is as important as its external dimensions, especially if you are planning to hand hold your camera and lens combination for longer periods. Canon 50mm f1.8 II weighs 130g, 169% (220g) lighter than the Carl Zeiss Planar T1,4/50's weight of 350g.

Below you can find the dimension and weight table of the 'Standard Prime Lenses in Canon EF Mount for size comparison purposes.

Standard Prime Lenses in Canon EF Mount for Size Comparison

	Length	Diameter	Weight	Street Price
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM	39mm	69mm	159g	Amazon B&H Photo
Canon 50mm f1.4 USM	51mm	74mm	290g	Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC HSM	63mm	74mm	435g	Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM A	100mm	85mm	815g	Amazon B&H Photo
Canon 50mm f1.2L USM	66mm	86mm	580g	Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD	92mm	80mm	540g	Amazon B&H Photo
Canon 40mm f2.8 STM	22mm	68mm	130g	Amazon B&H Photo
Samyang XP 35mm F1.2	117mm	93mm	1106g	Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both Carl Zeiss Planar T1,4/50 and Canon 50mm f1.8 II has the same Canon EF lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Canon EF lenses are Canon 1D X III, Canon 6D MII and Canon 5D MIV.

Carl Zeiss Planar T1,4/50 is also available in Pentax KAF and Nikon F (FX) mounts.

Focal Range

Reasons to choose Carl Zeiss Planar T1.4 50 over Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II

Max Aperture - Wide	1.4 vs 1.8	Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele	1.4 vs 1.8	Wider aperture at tele end
Diaphgragm Blades	9 vs 5	Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Distance Scale	Yes vs No	Distance Scale to assist focusing
Depth-of-Field Scale	Yes vs No	Depth of Field scale to assist focusing
Aperture Ring	Yes vs No	able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Diameter	66mm vs 68mm	2mm smaller in diameter

Reasons to choose Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II over Carl Zeiss Planar T1.4 50

Autofocus	Yes vs No	Easier, faster and more accurate focusing
Weight	130g vs 350g	220g lighter
Length	41mm vs 69mm	28mm shorter
Filter Thread	52mm vs 58mm	Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find

Common Weaknesses of Carl Zeiss Planar T1.4 50 and Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II

Image Stabilization	No vs No	Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization
Weather Sealing	No vs No	not safe under rain and dust

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Carl Zeiss Planar T1,4/50 vs Canon 50mm f1.8 II Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications

General	Carl Zeiss Planar T1,4/50	Canon 50mm f1.8 II
Brand	Zeiss	Canon
Lens Type	Prime	Prime
Price	CHECK PRICE	CHECK PRICE
Lens Type	Standard Prime	Standard Prime
Lens Mount	Canon EF	Canon EF
Max Format	35mm FF	35mm FF
Focal Range	50mm	50mm
Image Stabilization	No	No
Colour	Unknown	Black
Zoom Method	No Zoom	No Zoom
Power Zoom	No	No
Zoom Lock	No	No
Zoom Ratio	1.0X	1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture	F1.4	F1.8
Min Aperture	F16.0	F22.0
Aperture Ring	Yes	No
Diaphragm Blades	9	5
Optics
Optical Elements	7	6
Optical Groups	6	5
Focusing
Min Focus Distance	0.45m	0.45m
Max Magnification	0.15X	0.15X
Autofocus	No	Yes
AF Motor Type	None	Micromotor
Full Time Manual	N/A	No
Focus Method	Unknown	Unit
Distance Scale	Yes	No
DoF Scale	Yes	No
Distance Scale	Yes	No
Focus Distance Limiter	Unknown	Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight	350g	130g
Diameter	66mm	68mm
Length	69mm	41mm
Materials	Unknown	Plastic barrel, plastic mount
Weather Sealing	No	No
Filter Thread	58mm	52mm
Filter Notes	-	-
Hood Supplied	Yes	No
Hood Code	Unknown	ES-62
Tripod Collar	No	No
Optional Accessories	-	Hard Case LH-B9 Soft Case ES-C9/LP1014
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