© Robert I. Sadler, 2011
© Robert I. Sadler, 2011
© Robert I. Sadler, 2011
© Robert I. Sadler, 2011
© Robert I. Sadler, 2011
© Robert I. Sadler, 2011
Description & Specifications
Depth of Field Guide
| f/2·8 | f/4 | f/5·6 | f/8 | f/11 | f/16 | f/22 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0·60 | 0·59 | 0·62 | 0·58 | 0·62 | 0·57 | 0·63 | 0·56 | 0·65 | 0·55 | 0·66 | 0·53 | 0·70 | 0·50 | 0·74 |
| 0·70 | 0·68 | 0·72 | 0·67 | 0·73 | 0·66 | 0·74 | 0·65 | 0·76 | 0·63 | 0·79 | 0·60 | 0·84 | 0·57 | 0·91 |
| 0·80 | 0·77 | 0·83 | 0·76 | 0·84 | 0·75 | 0·86 | 0·73 | 0·88 | 0·71 | 0·92 | 0·67 | 0·99 | 0·63 | 1·08 |
| 1·00 | 0·96 | 1·04 | 0·94 | 1·06 | 0·92 | 1·09 | 0·89 | 1·14 | 0·86 | 1·20 | 0·81 | 1·32 | 0·75 | 1·50 |
| 1·50 | 1·41 | 1·60 | 1·37 | 1·65 | 1·33 | 1·72 | 1·27 | 1·84 | 1·20 | 2·01 | 1·10 | 2·37 | 1·00 | 3·04 |
| 2·00 | 1·84 | 2·19 | 1·78 | 2·28 | 1·71 | 2·42 | 1·60 | 2·66 | 1·49 | 3·03 | 1·34 | 3·95 | 1·19 | 6·24 |
| 3·00 | 2·65 | 3·45 | 2·53 | 3·69 | 2·38 | 4·06 | 2·18 | 4·79 | 1·98 | 6·17 | 1·72 | 11·86 | 1·48 | ∞ |
| 10·00 | 6·94 | 17·87 | 6·14 | 26·97 | 5·32 | ∞ | 4·43 | ∞ | 3·66 | ∞ | 2·84 | ∞ | 2·24 | ∞ |
| ∞ | 18·07 | ∞ | 13·46 | ∞ | 10·04 | ∞ | 7·27 | ∞ | 5·41 | ∞ | 3·79 | ∞ | 2·79 | ∞ |
(Distances in metres; Circle of Confusion is taken at 0·032 millimetres.)
Review
Spiffy. Real darn spiffy little lens.
Let’s start with the bad points... which really aren’t the fault of the lens or its designers. This lens is what some folks call a “pancake” lens, meaning it is exceptionally short in length. Unfortunately this compactness comes at a price — of the aperture and focussing rings being very thin and close together. I have small hands and found it extremely difficult to set the aperture without also re-adjusting the focus. Mmmmm, what else? I can nitpick that the lens only has six aperture blades and forms a rather weird shape at f/4, or that the aperture only runs in full-stops. But that's just scraping the bottom of the barrel.
On the good side... and there are many. The focus ring is a tad bigger than the standard on most Canon lenses, so we Canoneers feel right at home. The focal length of 45mm is new to me and actually very nice — slightly a wider field of view than the standard 50mm and not so distancing as the 35mm.
Construction is a combination of metal and high quality plastic. The lens really feels extremely solid and doesn't unbalance the camera.
Focus is super-smooth and the lens is very sharp from f/4 to f/16, with f/2·8 being a tad soft and f/22 sharp, but lacking contrast and saturation. What is interesting, is that the “snapshot” indicators are f/8 and a hair past 3 metres. This setting does not cause the lens to hyperfocus, so I assume it is more of a people setting.
On a FoVCF camera there is no discernable distortion and CA is so teensy-weensy I rather think is the sensor in my camera.
This is a quality lens and I just hope Zeiss brings it out again in the near future for the Canon EOS system. In the meantime, this little fella will do the job as a snapshot lens with absolute distinction.
Recommended: Yes
Sample Photographs
© Robert I. Sadler, 2011
© Robert I. Sadler, 2011
© Robert I. Sadler, 2011
© Robert I. Sadler, 2011
© Robert I. Sadler, 2011
Disassembly and Service
The rear lens group can be removed and access gained to the rear of the front group by removing the circular plate with the two holes at the back. The thread is gummed, so a little force is needed.
In order to remove the barrel containing the actual lens assembly and thereby gaining access to the helicoid, the aperture mechanism must either be completely disassembled or (possibly) unscrewed — the aperture guide lever is the problem.
Remember to calibrate the aperture mechanism!