SLR Magic Anamorphot-CINE 50mm T2.8 2x vs Zeiss Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA
SLR Magic Anamorphot-CINE 50mm T2.8 2x vs Zeiss Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA
When comparing Zeiss Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA and SLR Magic Anamorphot-CINE 50mm T2.8 2x, which one is better?
1. Lens Weight Comparison
Regarding the weight of the lenses, Zeiss Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA is the winner with a weight of 778 g compared to the 1360 g that SLR Magic Anamorphot-CINE 50mm T2.8 2x weighs.
Winner: Zeiss Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA
Regarding weight: The weight of a lens is something you need to consider, since you have to carry it around on the camera as long as you're shooting. It adds to the total weight of your camera and it's important to keep the weight low if you get tired in your arms when taking photographs or filming.
2. Lens Mount Comparison
The lenses each feature different lens mounts — the SLR Magic Anamorphot-CINE 50mm T2.8 2x features a Micro Four Thirds while the Zeiss Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA features a Sony E — and because of this the preference varies. If you have a compatible camera, then of course that lens will be a better choice for you.
Winner: Tied — It depends on your gear
Regarding lens mount: Popular lens mounts are Canon RF and EF, Micro Four Thirds and Nikon Z. Different lens mounts lets you connect different lenses to camera bodies, but some might not be compatible. This can be helped by using an adapter, like a Canon EF to RF adapter.
3. Largest Aperture Comparison
The Zeiss Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA has the largest aperture of the two lenses at 1.4 compared to the 2.8 aperture of SLR Magic Anamorphot-CINE 50mm T2.8 2x. This means that you get more light to your sensor using Zeiss Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA wide open, and therefore it might be a better lens in dark situations.
Winner: Zeiss Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA
Regarding largest aperture: A lower aperture number means that the widest aperture on the lens is larger. This means that more light will hit the sensor and also that the depth of field will be shallower, better separating your subject from the background.
4. Anamorphic Comparison
Winner: SLR Magic Anamorphot-CINE 50mm T2.8 2x
Regarding anamorphic: Anamorphic lenses are usually used on cinema cameras and squeezes the image when its recorded, which gives the final, stretched out, image oval bokeh and a different angle of view. The most common lenses, however, are not anamorphic but spherical, which gives a spherical bokeh and is a much cheaper lens design.
5. Focus Distance Comparison
Zeiss Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA features a minimum focus distance of 45 cm while SLR Magic Anamorphot-CINE 50mm T2.8 2x has a minimum focus distance of 110 cm. Depending on your shooting style, the Zeiss Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA might be a better choice.
Winner: Zeiss Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA
Regarding minimum focus distance: The minimum focus distance of a lens is the smallest distance from the lens to the subject you want to be in focus; subjects closer than the lens' minimum focus distance will not be in focus. Whether or not this is important to you is up for you to decide, but some want to take close photos and videos and in those cases it's important to have a lens with a low minimum focus distance.
6. Lens Type Comparison
Both lenses are Prime lenses, which means that you can choose both SLR Magic Anamorphot-CINE 50mm T2.8 2x or Zeiss Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA if you're looking for that type of lens.
Winner: Tied
Regarding type: There are two types of lenses; zoom lenses and prime lenses. Prime lenses have a fixed focal length and cannot be zoomed, while zoom lenses have a focal length range and can be zoomed in to get closer to the subject. Prime lenses are usually lighter, cheaper and let in more light. Zoom lenses are more versatile but are more expensive since they require a more advanced lens design.
7. Stabilization Comparison
Neither SLR Magic Anamorphot-CINE 50mm T2.8 2x or Zeiss Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA feature built-in image stabilization.
Winner: Tied — Neither have this feature
Regarding image stabilization: When a lens features built-in stabilization, it will actively help you hold the image steady by adjusting the optical elements inside the lens to compensate for movements. Do remember that lens stabilization is not required, but it may be suitable depending on your specific needs.
8. Autofocus Comparison
In regards to autofocus, the winner is Zeiss Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA since the other lens in this comparison, the SLR Magic Anamorphot-CINE 50mm T2.8 2x does not have autofocus at all — it is a manual focus lens.
Winner: Zeiss Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA
Regarding autofocus: Lenses with autofocus help you focus when shooting pictures or video. If a lens only has manual focus it means that you have to focus manually by adjusting the focus wheel on the lens. Most cinema lenses do not use autofocus and are manual focus only.
Specifications
Full specifications table of SLR Magic Anamorphot-CINE 50mm T2.8 2x and Zeiss Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA:
| SLR Magic Anamorphot-CINE 50mm T2.8 2x | Zeiss Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA | |
 |  | |
| Brand | SLR Magic | Zeiss |
| Weight | 1360 g | 778 g |
| Lens Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
| Focal Length | 50 mm | 50 mm |
| Largest Aperture | 2.8 | 1.4 |
| Anamorphic | Yes | No |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 110 cm | 45 cm |
| Type | Prime | Prime |
| Aperture Range | Missing | 1.4 - 16 |
| Filter Thread Diameter | 72 | |
| Lens Front Diameter (Not Filter Thread) | Missing | 83.5 mm |
| Aperture Blades | Missing | 11 |
| Lens Groups | Missing | 9 |
| Lens Elements | Missing | 12 |
| Image Stabilization | No | No |
| Autofocus | Hayır | Evet |