ZEISS C Sonnar T* 1.5/50 ZM

Document the real.

ZM Lenses

2.8/15

2.8/21

2.8/25

2.8/28

1.4/35

2/35

2.8/35

1.5/50

2/50

2.8/15

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2.8/15

2.8/21

2.8/25

2.8/28

1.4/35

2/35

2.8/35

1.5/50

2/50

This standard focal length offers special qualities, which make it well suited for portraiture and documenting authentic events and people.

The ‘C’ designation in the ZEISS C Sonnar T* 1,5/50 ZM name means both ‘compact’ and ‘classic’. The lens design and aperture geometry reflect its predecessor from the 1930s, the Sonnar 1,5/50, which was the fastest standard lens of its time. The excellent flare control inherent of the Sonnar lens design is further optimized with the ZEISS T* anti-reflection coating. This lens stays true to its heritage, physically resembling the lenses of the past. With its fast aperture, taking photographs with a beautiful ‘bokeh’ that reflects the ambiance of the golden age of rangefinder photography is as simple as pressing a button.

Excellent image quality

The range of ZEISS T*® lenses offers the highest possible standards in terms of performance, reliability and, of course, image quality. Quite simply, they are superior in every way. You can count on highly advanced flare control for crisp and brilliant images, for example. And virtually zero geometric distortion, ensuring precise accuracy when reproducing shapes – especially useful when photographing products and architecture.

Smooth, precise focusing

Manually focusing a lens means controlling the image result from your fingertips. A good ergonomic design makes all the difference. The user-friendly focusing ring on ZEISS lenses with an ergonomic finger rest is perfect for fast, precise focusing. Changes are immediately visible in the viewfinder. The high-quality focusing mechanism moves smoothly without play, thus also supporting the intuitive interaction with the focal plane.

Ideal aperture properties

Photographers want to guide the observer through the image. Minimal depth of focus is often used as a design element. This keeps the background intentionally blurred to keep the attention of the observer on the main subject. The ZM lenses feature ten aperture blades. The almost circular aperture helps to create a particularly harmonious effect in the out-of-focus areas of the picture (bokeh).

ZEISS T* anti-reflective coating

The optical elements of ZEISS lenses feature T*® anti-reflective coating on all surfaces and an optical design that guarantees images of superior brilliance at all times, even in unfavourable lighting conditions. We apply the anti-reflective coating to the lens surfaces by the vapour deposition of extremely thin, transparent layers on the glass. In this process, special substances are vaporized with extremely high energy in a high-vacuum environment and are subsequently deposited on the glass surfaces, one after another, as layers with precisely controlled thicknesses to achieve the desired reduction of reflective properties. The first coating techniques were employed by ZEISS as long ago as in the 1930s.

Robust design

The mount and control elements of all ZM lenses are made of metal and are designed for decades of intensive use. The high-quality craftsmanship of the all-metal mounts, the easy-to-grip metal focus and aperture ring and the robust front bayonet and filter threads ensure an amazing photographic experience.

Performance

Focal length	50 mm
Aperture range	f/1.5 – f/16
Camera mount	Leica M-Mount* (ZM)
Format compatibility	Full Frame
Focusing range	0,90 m (35.43") – ∞
Free working distance
Angular field** (diag. \| horiz. \| vert.)	46° \| 39° \| 27°
Diameter of image field
Coverage at close range (MOD)**	370 x 550 mm (14.57 x 21.65")
Image ratio at minimum object distance	1 : 15
Lens elements \| groups	6 \| 4
Flange focal distance
Entrance pupil position (front of image plane)

Features

Autofocus	–
Image Stabilization	–

Physical

Filter thread	M46 x 0.75
Rotation angle of focusing ring
Diameter max.
Diameter of focusing ring
Length (with lens caps)
Length (without lens caps)	45 mm (1.77")
Weight	250 g (8.82 oz)

A lens with relatively few glass-air surfaces, it was developed by Dr. Ludwig Bertele at ZEISS in 1930. At the time it was one of the fastest high-speed lenses for 35 mm photography, with apertures as large as 1:1.5 and high contrast thanks to effective stray light reduction. Its high speed and high contrast helped give the lens its name, which is derived from the word “sun,” the symbol of maximum brightness. You continue to find the aforementioned benefits with modern lenses in the normal and telephoto ranges whose optical design is based on this basic type.

Sonnar Design

ZEISS ZM Lenses

Brochure

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ZEISS Camera Lenses Product Overview

Brochure

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ZEISS Accessories for Rangefinder Cameras

Brochure

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ZEISS C Sonnar T* 1.5/50 ZM

Datasheet

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Reviews

luminous-landscape.com
"In 2004 Carl Zeiss introduced the Zeiss Ikon ZM rangefinder camera and a range of lenses. These lenses, as with the ZM camera..."
luminous-landscape.com

lavidaleica.com
"The C Sonnar T* 1,5/50 ZM is a bit of a controversial lens. There are basically two camps; those that like it and those that don't..."
lavidaleica.com

35mmc.com
"It took me so long to commit to the idea of buying a Zeiss ZM 50mm Sonnar. I must have hanged my mouse over a buy-it-now button..."
35mmc.com

Lens Accessories

Round off the fully unique product experience.

When taking pictures, an optimal image is not the only consideration. Capturing that special experience also plays a key role. With their reliable functions, camera lenses from ZEISS ensure that photographers can fully concentrate on the image and composition, and bring their creativity to life. In order to perfect this experience, ZEISS now offers accessories tailored to the requirements of demanding photographers.

Cleaning Products

Optimal care for optical surfaces.

Cleaning Products

T* UV and POL Filters from ZEISS

Quality down to the last detail.

T* UV and POL Filters

Comfort Camera Strap

Ensure comfortable carrying or your equipment.

Comfort Camera Strap

Lens Gear

Attached in a flash.

Lens Gear

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Obtain the extended warranty

Product Registration

ZEISS grants a warranty period of two years from the date of purchase for all its photographic lenses. This may be extended to three years after registering with ZEISS Online Registration. Although the ZEISS extended warranty is already available in numerous countries, claims under warranty may only be made in the country in which the product was purchased.

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