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Comparison

Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm f/1.4 (C/Y) vs Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 AI-S

The Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm f/1.4 (C/Y) is a 50mm f/1.4 Contax/Yashica lens made 1975-2005, valued at $120 to $420 used. The Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 AI-S is a 50mm f/1.2 Nikon F (AI-S) lens made 1981-2020s, valued at $400 to $950 used.

Specifications side by side

Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm f/1.4 (C/Y) and Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 AI-S specifications compared
SpecificationCarl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm f/1.4 (C/Y)Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 AI-S
Focal length50 mm50 mm
Maximum aperturef/1.4f/1.2
Native mountContax/YashicaNikon F (AI-S)
Production years1975-20051981-2020s
Optical design7 elements / 6 groups, Planar Double Gauss, T* coating7 elements / 6 groups, Double Gauss
Typical used value$220$600
Value range$120 to $420$400 to $950
Adapts toSony E, Canon RF, Nikon Z, L-mount, Fuji X, MFTSony E, Canon RF, Nikon Z, L-mount, Fuji X, MFT

What actually differs

  • The Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 AI-S is 0.4 stops faster: f/1.2 against f/1.4.
  • The Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm f/1.4 (C/Y) is cheaper. Typical used value is $220 against $600, a gap of $380 (roughly 2.7x). Ranges: $120 to $420 versus $400 to $950.
  • Both are 50mm lenses, so framing is identical on the same sensor.
  • The Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm f/1.4 (C/Y) is the older design; production began around 1975 against 1981 for the Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 AI-S (1975-2005 versus 1981-2020s).
  • They use different mounts, Contax/Yashica and Nikon F (AI-S), so each needs its own adapter. Both reach infinity on mirrorless bodies with a plain mechanical adapter.
  • Both use 7 elements in 6 groups.

Which one to buy

Choose the Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm f/1.4 (C/Y) for the $380 lower typical price. Choose the Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 AI-S for the 0.4 stops of extra speed. Rendering differs too: read the character notes below, because speed and price are the only advantages the catalog data can settle.

Minimum focus distance, weight, and measured sharpness are not in the catalog, so this comparison does not claim anything about them.

Full reference pages

Mount references: Contax/Yashica and Nikon F