Comparing Zeiss ZF 50mm f/2 macro with ZF 50mm 1.4

[jimhare]

There have been a lot of posts wanting to compare the Zeiss ZF 50mm f2 macro with the ZF 50mm 1.4.

The f2 macro costs about twice as much as the faster 1.4, but is considered a far superior lens.

I have the f2, but have also just purchased the 1.4, which I will only use when I need that little of bit of extra light.

Here are a couple of quick shots to compare. I'm no expert so please let me know if there are better shots I can set up to draw out the differences.

While the macro is clearly a sharper lens, the CA wasn't bad when matched at f2. When opened up to 1.4, it started showing, particularly around the knob, which probably isn't surprising.

http://www.reduser.net/forum/uploaded/4020_1232750452.jpg

http://www.reduser.net/forum/uploaded/4020_1232750476.jpg

http://www.reduser.net/forum/uploaded/4020_1232750496.jpg

[Andrew Walker]

Its seems like the 50mm f~2 has a little more contrast than the 50mm f~1.4 @ f~2. The 50mm f~1.4 @ f~2 looks a little brighter for some reason. The 50mm f~2 does look a little sharper.

[jimhare]

Definitely. The 50 1.4 isn't bad at all, but the f2 looks better in every way except very low light, which is where I will be using it.

[Roberto Lequeux]

that's a big difference in brightness at f2... could the f1.4 lens have been set slightly wider?

big jump in contrast but I wonder how they would compare once they were matched in brightness