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Leica Summilux-M 50mm f1.4 ASPH vs Zeiss Carl Planar T 250 ZM

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Leica Summilux-M 50mm f1.4 ASPH

Standard Prime | Leica M

Leica Summilux-M 50mm f1.4 ASPH
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Carl Zeiss Planar T2/50 ZM

Standard Prime | Leica M

Carl Zeiss Planar T 250 ZM
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BUY from B&H PHOTO

Leica Summilux-M 50mm f1.4 ASPH vs Carl Zeiss Planar T2/50 ZM Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing the Leica Summilux-M 50mm f1.4 ASPH for the M Mount and the Carl Zeiss Planar T2/50 ZM for the M Mount, two Standard Prime lenses from Leica and Zeiss. Both lenses have the same focal range of 50mm but different max apertures: Leica Summilux-M 50mm f1.4 ASPH has a max aperture of F1.4 while the Carl Zeiss Planar T2/50 ZM has a max aperture of F2.0.

We will start by looking briefly at the main specs of these two lenses, and in the next section, we will start analyzing them in more detail and listing the pros and cons of each lens.

Leica Summilux-M 50mm f1.4 ASPH Key Specs

  • 50mm Focal Range
  • F1.4 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 46mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Leica M Mount
  • Weight: 335g.
  • Diameter: 54mm
  • Length: 53mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.7m
  • Max Magnification: 0.088x

Carl Zeiss Planar T2/50 ZM Key Specs

  • 50mm Focal Range
  • F2.0 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 43mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Leica M Mount
  • Weight: 230g.
  • Diameter: 52mm
  • Length: 68mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.7m
  • Max Magnification: 0.083x

What type of photography are the Leica Summilux-M 50mm f1.4 ASPH and Carl Zeiss Planar T2/50 ZM lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Leica Summilux-M 50mm f1.4 ASPH and the Carl Zeiss Planar T2/50 ZM for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Leica Summilux-M 50mm f1.4 ASPH Carl Zeiss Planar T2/50 ZM
Bird/WildlifeFairFair
SportsAverageAverage
PortraitExcellentExcellent
TravelGoodGood
StreetVery GoodVery Good
WeddingExcellentExcellent
Walk AroundGoodGood
VloggingGoodGood
LandscapeGoodGood
MacroPoorPoor

Size and Weight Comparison

The size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses. Carl Zeiss Planar T2/50 ZM is the longer of the two lenses at 68mm. The Leica Summilux-M 50mm f1.4 ASPH with a length of 53mm, is 15mm shorter. On the other hand, the Leica Summilux-M 50mm f1.4 ASPH has a larger diameter of 54mm compared to the Carl Zeiss Planar T2/50 ZM's 52mm diameter.

The 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. Carl Zeiss Planar T2/50 ZM weighs 230g, 31% (105g) lighter than the Leica Summilux-M 50mm f1.4 ASPH's weight of 335g.


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

Standard Prime Lenses in Leica M Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Leica Summicron-M 50mm f2 Lens Leica Summicron-M 50mm f2
44mm
53mm 240g Amazon B&H Photo
Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic Lens Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic
30mm
55mm 175g Amazon B&H Photo
Leica Summarit-M 35mm F2.4 ASPH Lens Leica Summarit-M 35mm F2.4 ASPH
34mm
52mm 197g Amazon B&H Photo
Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm f2 ASPH Lens Leica APO 50mm f2 ASPH
47mm
53mm 300g Amazon B&H Photo
7artisans 50mm F1.1 Lens 7artisans 50mm F1.1
49mm
60mm 400g Amazon B&H Photo
Leica Summarit-M 50mm f2.5 Lens Leica Summarit-M 50mm f2.5
33mm
52mm 230g Amazon B&H Photo
Leica Summarit-M 50mm F2.4 ASPH Lens Leica Summarit-M 50mm F2.4 ASPH
33mm
52mm 105g Amazon B&H Photo
Leica Noctilux-M 50mm f0.95 ASPH Lens Leica Noctilux-M 50mm f0.95 ASPH
75mm
73mm 700g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both the Leica Summilux-M 50mm f1.4 ASPH and the Carl Zeiss Planar T2/50 ZM has the same Leica M lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Leica M lenses are Leica M11, Leica M10 and Leica M Typ 262.

Focal Range

Both lenses have the same focal range of 50mm but while Leica Summilux-M 50mm f1.4 ASPH has the fastest aperture of F1.4, the Carl Zeiss Planar T2/50 ZM's widest aperture value is F2.0.

Reasons to choose Leica Summilux-M 50mm f1.4 ASPH over Carl Zeiss Planar T 250 ZM

Max Aperture - Wide 1.4 vs 2 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 1.4 vs 2 Wider aperture at tele end
Length 53mm vs 68mm 15mm shorter
Max Magnification 0.088x vs 0.083x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Carl Zeiss Planar T 250 ZM over Leica Summilux-M 50mm f1.4 ASPH

Weight 230g vs 335g 105g lighter
Diameter 52mm vs 54mm 2mm smaller in diameter
Filter Thread 43mm vs 46mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find

Common Strengths of Leica Summilux-M 50mm f1.4 ASPH and Carl Zeiss Planar T 250 ZM
Distance Scale Yes vs Yes Distance Scale to assist focusing
Depth-of-Field Scale Yes vs Yes Depth of Field scale to assist focusing
Aperture Ring Yes vs Yes able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Common Weaknesses of Leica Summilux-M 50mm f1.4 ASPH and Carl Zeiss Planar T 250 ZM
Image Stabilization No vs No Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization
Autofocus No vs No Slow and less accurate focusing
Weather Sealing No vs No not safe under rain and dust


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Leica Summilux-M 50mm f1.4 ASPH vs Carl Zeiss Planar T2/50 ZM Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Leica Zeiss
Lens Type Prime Prime
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Standard Prime Standard Prime
Lens Mount Leica M Leica M
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 50mm 50mm
Image Stabilization No No
Colour black or chrome Silver or 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 F2.0
Min Aperture F16.0 F22.0
Aperture Ring Yes Yes
Diaphragm Blades - -
Optics
Optical Elements 8 6
Optical Groups 5 4
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.7m 0.7m
Max Magnification 0.088X 0.083X
Autofocus No No
AF Motor Type None None
Full Time Manual N/A N/A
Focus Method - -
Distance Scale Yes Yes
DoF Scale Yes Yes
Distance Scale Yes Yes
Focus Distance Limiter No No
Physical Specs
Weight 335g 230g
Diameter 54mm 52mm
Length 53mm 68mm
Materials metal barrel, metal mount metal barrel, metal mount
Weather Sealing No No
Filter Thread 46mm 43mm
Tripod Collar No No
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