Zeiss Contax Planar 50mm F1.7 (left)
Canon FD 55mm F1.2 S.S.C (right)
Introduction
In this article, I will compare 2 "secondary" lens: Zeiss Contax Planar 50mm F1.7 and Canon FD 55mm F1.2 S.S.C . The former is less famous at second-hand market when it comes to F1.4 version. And the later is the much cheaper choice (40000 Yen during 80's) compare to the FD 55 1.2 Aspherical (140000 Yen).
Though not the tough one, both lenses are both very well-built and can provide good image quality. In this article I will compare them by sharpness, color performance, bokeh and my daily usage experience.
(Note: This lens comparison test is base on Fujifilm X-E1. Thus due the APSC crop sensor, all test images below is at 75mm (for Zeiss 50) / 77.5mm (for Canon 55) focal length. Besides, for the standardization of test outcome, aperture for both lens were at 1.7, camera setting was fixed at auto iso / auto shutter speed / 5300k color temperature .)
1. Central Sharpness
Suprisely, Zeiss Planar 50/1.7, a lens which was praised to be the sharpest lens at it's time, show significant rendering and soft image compare at full aperture (f1.7) to Canon FD 55/1.2 at a step down (f1.7) .
Zeiss Contax Planar 50mm F1.7 (100% crop center)
Canon FD 55mm F1.2 S.S.C (100% crop center)
Another interesting thing is that, the test image above was focusing at infinity.But when focus point come to middle range subjects, Zeiss Planar 50/1.7 has better sharpness performance and less rendering. The result here is quite the same between both lens.
Zeiss Contax Planar 50mm F1.7 (100% crop)
Canon FD 55mm F1.2 S.S.C (100% crop)
Obviously, Zeiss Planar 50 has better color performance, showing more color detail. Otherwise, Canon 55 FD looks more flat in color and has a overall yellow / warm tendecy
Zeiss Contax Planar 50mm F1.7 (cropped)
Canon FD 55mm F1.2 S.S.C (cropped)
3. Bokeh
Both lenses has similar but distinguishable bokeh. Zeiss Planar 50 has typical old Zeiss lens' creamy look. Otherwise, Canon FD 55 has a more soften and smooth, comfortable bokeh. In my personal view, i prefer
Zeiss Planar 50's bokeh because of the creamy feel.
Zeiss Contax Planar 50mm F1.7
Canon FD 55mm F1.2 S.S.C
4. Daily Usage Experience
Both lenses will have independent article for comprehensive review. So in this section I will only do a brief comparison according to my daily usage experience. In general, Canon FD 50 brings good sharpness when at F1.7, and even can provide a step up (directly to F1.2) if needed. When with sufficient light, it will show you very vivid and bright image. On the other hand, Zeiss Planar 50 is a little too mild for me under sufficient daylight. but when it comes to low light environment, Zeiss Planar 50 will give you fantastic high contrast photos, which is quite different to it's performance under day light. In sum, I think Canon FD 55 is a pleasant lens, and Zeiss Planar 50 has more characteristic.
But if consider most of the FD and C/Y mount lens are adapt to MILC cameras, the weight of canon FD 55 (572g) is significantly an issue when it comes to body-lens balancing and long-time holding. Though it offer F1.2 at wide open, which may be attractive to some ultra-fast lens addicts. But in fact canon FD 55 is too soft and have serious rending at F1.2 to the extent that you won't use it elsewhere aside from soft focus portrait. In other hand, Zeiss Planar 50's 192g weight is much more reasonable.
Conclusion
In general, both lenses perform quite well. Thus weight become a critical factor and Zeiss Planar 50 wins a lot here. Besides, Zeiss Planar 50 also a little bit cheaper in second-hand market and has better color details. So in sum, Zeiss wins, though it's mainly because of it's weight not it's performance. But it is true that Zeiss Planar 50 is not that impressive when it comes to high light environment.
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