[0.05 lb] I use this on my Nex 7 and it really enhances the detail that's possible with a 24 mp sensor.Crisp focus is easy with focus peaking.Very pleased overall.

[0.05 lb] I just moved from an autofocus to a rangefinder (Leica ME) and was looking for an affordable 50 mm. This is the one. It is well made and easy to work with. But as with all 50 mm you gotta get the focus right on, as the depth of field wide open is minimal. A 35 mm is much more forgiving in that regard. I bought a 3 party UV filter to protect the lens and also the Zeiss lens cap. Contrary to what some may say they work well together. Not sure whether the Zeiss lens cap is worth the money. It is big and really draws attention and yes, it blocks part of the viewfinder on the ME. But then compared to a summicron this lens is so much more affordable and at above 2.8 raiser sharp. Love the colors and the pop out of the main subject.

[0.05 lb] I recently bought a used copy of the 50mm f/2 Planar ZM for my Leica M10. This lens really showed me more of what the camera is capable of. The sharpness really became apparent when I took some landscapes of some interesting weather. If you're like me and shoot mainly 50mm, the Planar is a great, high-resolution choice. B&H got the lens to me in the original packaging. Rangefinder focus calibration is spot on and the focus ring nub works great. The Planar is a performer.

[0.05 lb] Call me old fashioned when it comes to lenses but this is one of the best 50mm lenses you can buy. For practical work, 2 is more than fast enough and the small size and weight is perfect. I scratch my head when I look at how lens makers can make an 2 lens weigh many times as much and be three times larger and for significantly better performance.

It's been said that nobody ever took a good picture on a standard lens but I disagree. You just have to think a little harder. The planar design has stood the test of time. This lens is sharp enough, fast enough and well made enough for anyone, and the price is good compared with the Leitz alternatives.

[0.4 oz / 11.3 g] I bought this and the 35mm f/2.8 for my Leica M2 and they both ROCK! Very nice construction. Smooth movements and great image quality. I love the 1/3 stops. Makes sense, don't it? I am not sure why I waited in buying these.

[0.4 oz / 11.3 g] I have been an amateur photographer for about 25 years, and in the past few years have become more serious than ever in collecting gear and finding what works for my own artistic tastes.Although I shoot regularly with a digital SLR, I enjoy the slower pace and deeper involvement of using a rangefinder camera.I have owned several rangefinder lenses in the past few years, and when I was looking for a nice 50mm for my Leica M6, I did tons of research. I ended up buying a Zeiss 50/2 instead of a comparable Leica product.Let me just say that this lens is incredibly underrated. It excels in so many ways, it's crazy that Zeiss can sells it for their price point.This lens produces a 'wow' factor in a way that few other lenses can. Sharpness is incredible. Color depth is rich. Contrast is intense but controlled. The bokeh effects are neutral but pleasant.Is this lens for every rangefinder fan? No. Some people will not like the way it renders. I will definitely say this lens has that certain 'Zeiss' character -- strong color, razor sharp, and bold contrast.I find many of the Zeiss rangefinder lenses share these same qualities. They produce a 'modern' look that's not soft and relatively forgiving like a 1950's Summicron, considered by many (including myself) to be a fabulous 'classic' lens. The Zeiss almost seems clinical at times, in how it captures the image. Is this a bad thing? Not in my opinion.So who would really buy this lens? I think it's for open-minded camera enthusiasts (and pros) that don't want to break the bank and still get a fantastic price / performance ratio. Is it worth it to spend almost $1000 to get a Summarit, and lose 1/2 a stop on the aperture ring, not to mention more plastic on the body on 1/2-stop clicks? I really don't think so.This lens is world-class and Zeiss has knocked it out of the park with this product.

[0.05 lb] I can compare this lens to both a Leica 50 1.4 ASPH and the pre-ASPH, and the last 50/2.8 elmar. The 50 ASPH is the only lens that beats the Planar, assuming you can find a good copy of the 50 ASPH.Build quality may not be as great as the Leica offerings, but at 1/3 or 1/4th the price, there is nothing to complain about.On a digital M wide open at minimum focus distance this lens will miss the focus just a bit, but it's easy to compensate for.Unless you need/want a 50 ASPH this lens is a serious contender to the 50 Summicron.

[0.05 lb] The lens will be used with my Zeiss Ikon camera for black and white fotos primarily.

[0.05 lb] I have Summicron experience and have a positive attitude toward that optic but actually have preferred this ZM. I appreciate sharpness and this certainly delivers in that regard. I mainly use for B&W film duties but this works nicely on my Fuji bodies, too. Not all film-era glass delivers with the Fuji bodies for me but this lens does. Build quality is confidence inspiring and this one will be a permanent resident of my gear bag.

[0.4 oz / 11.3 g] This lens is magnificent. It's well-made, just as well as any Leica lens, including the Summilux. I think people confuse the excessive stiffness of a focus ring on a Summilux with build quality. It's perfectly sharp and contrasty wide open. The image quality is hard to complain about. Some people say it's clinical but that's just another way of saying my photos are boring without interesting optical effects introduced by the lens. On the negative side, I am not a fan of 1/3 increments in aperture. Another minor complaint is the blue dot marker, making it hard to see when changing lenses in the dark. And finally, this lens (just like all Zeiss designs) is not the smallest. To be specific, it's kind of long... see the dimensions and map to your expectations. I am a huge fan of compact lenses and ultimately I decided to downgrade to a slower but MUCH shorter Summarit f/2.5 for the same price.