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Lensbaby Velvet 56 vs Zeiss Carl Planar T1.4 50

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Lensbaby Velvet 56

Standard Prime | Canon EF

Lensbaby Velvet 56
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Carl Zeiss Planar T1,4/50

Standard Prime | Canon EF

Carl Zeiss Planar T1.4 50
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BUY from B&H PHOTO

Lensbaby Velvet 56 vs Carl Zeiss Planar T1,4/50 Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing the Lensbaby Velvet 56 for the EF Mount and the Carl Zeiss Planar T1,4/50 for the EF Mount, two Standard Prime lenses from Lensbaby and Zeiss.

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.

Lensbaby Velvet 56 Key Specs

  • 56mm Focal Range
  • F1.6 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 62mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Canon EF Mount
  • Weight: 400g.
  • Diameter: 72mm
  • Length: 86mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 5m

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

What type of photography are the Lensbaby Velvet 56 and Carl Zeiss Planar T1,4/50 lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Lensbaby Velvet 56 and the Carl Zeiss Planar T1,4/50 for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Lensbaby Velvet 56 Carl Zeiss Planar T1,4/50
Bird/WildlifeFairFair
SportsAverageAverage
PortraitExcellentExcellent
TravelGoodGood
StreetVery GoodVery Good
WeddingExcellentExcellent
Walk AroundGoodGood
VloggingGoodGood
LandscapeGoodGood

Size and Weight Comparison

The size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses. Lensbaby Velvet 56 is the longer of the two lenses at 86mm. The Carl Zeiss Planar T1,4/50 with a length of 69mm, is 17mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Lensbaby Velvet 56 also has a larger diameter of 72mm compared to the Carl Zeiss Planar T1,4/50's 66mm 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 T1,4/50 weighs 350g, 12% (50g) lighter than the Lensbaby Velvet 56's weight of 400g.


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
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Canon EF 50mm f1.8 STM Lens Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM
39mm
69mm 159g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Lens Canon 50mm f1.4 USM
51mm
74mm 290g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II Lens Canon 50mm f1.8 II
41mm
68mm 130g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC HSM Lens Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC HSM
63mm
74mm 435g Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM A Lens Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM A
100mm
85mm 815g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 50mm f1.2L USM Lens Canon 50mm f1.2L USM
66mm
86mm 580g Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD Lens Tamron 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD
92mm
80mm 540g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 40mm f2.8 STM Lens Canon 40mm f2.8 STM
22mm
68mm 130g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both the Lensbaby Velvet 56 and the Carl Zeiss Planar T1,4/50 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.

Lensbaby Velvet 56 is also available in Fujifilm X , Micro Four Thirds, Nikon F (FX), Pentax KAF3, Samsung NX, Sony Alpha and Sony E mounts.

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

Focal Range

Lensbaby Velvet 56 is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 56mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.6x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 89.6mm.
Carl Zeiss Planar T1,4/50 is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 50mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.6x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 80mm.

Reasons to choose Lensbaby Velvet 56 over Carl Zeiss Planar T1.4 50

Focal Length - Tele 56mm vs 50mm 6mm more Tele coverage

Reasons to choose Carl Zeiss Planar T1.4 50 over Lensbaby Velvet 56

Focal Length - Wide 50mm vs 56mm 6mm Wider coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 1.4 vs 1.6 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 1.4 vs 1.6 Wider aperture at tele end
Diaphgragm Blades 9 vs Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Depth-of-Field Scale Yes vs No Depth of Field scale to assist focusing
Weight 350g vs 400g 50g lighter
Diameter 66mm vs 72mm 6mm smaller in diameter
Length 69mm vs 86mm 17mm shorter
Filter Thread 58mm vs 62mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance 0.45m vs 5m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.15x vs x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Common Strengths of Lensbaby Velvet 56 and Carl Zeiss Planar T1.4 50
Distance Scale Yes vs Yes Distance Scale to assist focusing
Aperture Ring Yes vs Yes able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Common Weaknesses of Lensbaby Velvet 56 and Carl Zeiss Planar T1.4 50
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.

Lensbaby Velvet 56 vs Carl Zeiss Planar T1,4/50 Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Lensbaby Zeiss
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 56mm 50mm
Image Stabilization No No
Colour Black, silver -
Zoom Method No Zoom No Zoom
Power Zoom No No
Zoom Lock No No
Zoom Ratio 1.0X 1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture F1.6 F1.4
Min Aperture F16.0
Aperture Ring Yes Yes
Diaphragm Blades - 9
Optics
Optical Elements - 7
Optical Groups - 6
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 5m 0.45m
Max Magnification - 0.15X
Autofocus No No
AF Motor Type No AF None
Full Time Manual Yes N/A
Focus Method Extending front -
Distance Scale Yes Yes
DoF Scale No Yes
Distance Scale Yes Yes
Focus Distance Limiter No No
Physical Specs
Weight 400g 350g
Diameter 72mm 66mm
Length 86mm 69mm
Weather Sealing No No
Filter Thread 62mm 58mm
Hood Supplied No Yes
Tripod Collar No No
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