Zeiss 50mm Makro-Planar f/2 Lens
The Zeiss 50mm f/2 is a 50mm f/2 lens designed for Canon EF, Nikon F mount cameras. Used copies start from $599.99 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.
Zeiss 50mm Makro-Planar f/2 Lens
Used Zeiss 50mm f/2 Listings on GearFocus
Lens Overview — Zeiss 50mm f/2
Key Features — Zeiss 50mm f/2
50mm Macro Prime: Fixed 50mm focal length provides a natural perspective suitable for both close-up macro work and general-purpose photography.
1:2 Macro Reproduction: Achieves half life-size reproduction at minimum focus distance, bringing fine subject detail clearly into frame.
f/2 Maximum Aperture: Wide f/2 aperture is unusually fast for a dedicated macro lens, offering strong light-gathering and shallow depth-of-field control.
T* Anti-Reflective Coating: Zeiss's proprietary T* coating reduces flare and ghosting, maintaining contrast and color fidelity across a wide range of lighting conditions.
Manual Focus Only: Precision manual focus ring suits the deliberate, frame-by-frame control that macro and close-up shooting requires.
Full-Frame Coverage: Image circle covers full-frame sensors and works equally well on APS-C and crop-sensor bodies.
Lens Specifications — Zeiss 50mm f/2
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Macro, Portrait, Product |
| Lens Type | Macro |
| Format | Full Frame |
| Zoom/Prime | Prime |
| Focal Length | 50mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/2 |
| Camera System | DSLR |
| Lens Mount | Canon EF, Nikon F |
| Autofocus | No |
| Focus Type | Manual |
| Image Stabilization | None |
| Filter Thread | 67mm |
Description — Zeiss 50mm f/2
The Zeiss 50mm Makro-Planar f/2 is a prime macro lens designed for full-frame camera systems, with a fixed 50mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/2. It is offered in Canon EF, Nikon F, and Sony E mounts, providing flexibility for photographers across multiple camera platforms. Focusing is entirely manual, with no autofocus system present — a deliberate choice that suits the precise, controlled nature of macro and close-up photography.
The lens features a 67mm filter thread, a practical and widely supported size for adding polarizers or neutral density filters. At 530g, it has a reassuringly solid build. Image stabilization is not included, so stable support is recommended for close-up work. With a Standard focal length classification and a Macro type designation, this lens is a versatile tool capable of serving a range of photographic applications beyond pure macro shooting.
Pros — Zeiss 50mm f/2
- ✓Wide f/2 maximum aperture provides strong light-gathering capability for a macro lens
- ✓Available in three mounts — Canon EF, Nikon F, and Sony E — covering a broad range of camera systems
- ✓Full-frame coverage ensures compatibility with both full-frame and crop-sensor bodies
Cons — Zeiss 50mm f/2
- ✗Manual focus only — no autofocus option, which can slow down shooting outside of deliberate macro work
- ✗No image stabilization, making handheld macro shots at close distances more challenging
- ✗530g weight is relatively substantial for a 50mm prime lens
Videos — Zeiss 50mm f/2
Zeiss 50mm f/2.0 Makro Planar Review — Darren Miles
Frequently Asked Questions — Zeiss 50mm f/2
What camera mounts is this lens available in?+
The Zeiss 50mm Makro-Planar f/2 is available in Canon EF, Nikon F, and Sony E mounts. This covers a wide range of DSLR and mirrorless camera bodies, so you should be able to find a compatible version for most major systems.
Does this lens have autofocus?+
No, this lens is manual focus only. There is no autofocus capability, so all focusing must be done by hand. For macro photography this is often preferred, as it allows very precise control over the exact focus point.
Will this lens work on a crop-sensor camera body?+
Yes. The lens has a full-frame image circle designation, which means it will cover both full-frame and smaller crop-sensor sensors in compatible mounts without vignetting.
Does the lens have image stabilization?+
No, image stabilization is not included. For macro shooting in particular, using a tripod or other support is advisable to compensate for camera shake, especially when working at close distances.
What filter size does this lens use?+
The Zeiss 50mm Makro-Planar f/2 uses a 67mm filter thread. This is a widely available size, so polarizers, ND filters, and other accessories are easy to find.
How heavy is this lens?+
The lens weighs 530g. This gives it a solid, substantial feel that is typical of Zeiss optics, though it is worth factoring in if you plan on extended handheld shooting sessions.