First Impressions: Zeiss C Sonnar 50mm f/1.5 ZM on Leica M11

I recently picked up the Zeiss C Sonnar 50mm f/1.5 ZM, a lens often described as “vintage-inspired,” “character-rich,” and a great complement to Leica M bodies. As someone who shoots regularly with a Leica M11 and has logged plenty of hours with the Leica Summilux 50mm f1.4 version III, I was curious to see how the Zeiss would compare—particularly at wide open apertures, where so much of a lens’s personality is revealed.

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Build Quality & Handling

Right out of the box, this lens feels exceptionally well-built. It has that dense, all-metal construction you'd expect from a Zeiss lens. The aperture ring is clicky and satisfying, reminiscent of Voigtlander lenses—precise and tactile without being too stiff. My copy is essentially brand new, so I can’t comment on how the feel might change over time, but so far it’s a joy to handle.

In terms of size, it’s just about perfect for a Leica M body. On the M11, the 50mm Sonnar looks and feels balanced—compact, but not too small to handle comfortably. Compared to bulkier 50mm lenses (especially modern f/1.4s or f/1.2s), the Sonnar keeps the setup light and unobtrusive, which is ideal for how I like to shoot.

One design choice that often divides people is the small focusing knob instead of a traditional tab. Interestingly, I actually prefer it. My Summicron-C 40mm has a similar focus nub, and I find it works better for me—not because I use it to drive focus directly, but because it lets me instantly know where the focus is without needing to look or guess. It’s subtle, but intuitive once you get used to it.

Everyday Usability: A Bit Limiting

Now, while the lens handles beautifully, there’s one practical issue I ran into: the minimum focus distance.

At 0.9 meters, it’s just not close enough for some everyday situations. If you’re like me and enjoy shooting little lifestyle details—like a coffee cup at the table—this lens forces you to either stand up awkwardly or just skip the shot. It’s a small thing, but it adds up when you’re using the lens daily.

Image Quality: Where’s That “Vintage Look”?

All of the images I’ve taken so far were shot wide open at f/1.5, because I wanted to really understand the character of this lens in its most expressive state.

And honestly? While it definitely has more vintage charm than something like the Thypoch Simera 50mm f/1.4 (which I’ve also tested), I still found it more subtle than expected.

The internet tends to hype this lens up with loads of character—but to my eye, it’s actually fairly refined. Compared to my Summilux 50mm f1.4 version III, which  exhibits a lot more glow and character, the Sonnar feels like it’s walking a careful line between modern rendering and nostalgic softness.

Is that a bad thing? Not at all—it just depends on what you're after. If you're used to more extreme vintage characteristics, you might find the Zeiss a bit tame. But if you're coming from sharper, more clinical lenses, this might be the charm you're looking for. After all it has really well controlled flare and contrasty images.

Early Thoughts

There’s a lot to like about this lens:

• Build quality is top-notch
  
  
• Handling is smooth and intuitive, especially with the compact size and focus knob
  
  
• Image quality is clean with a hint of vintage, especially wide open
  
  

But there are also a few things to keep in mind:

• Focus shift is a known issue, though my copy has no problem with it.
  
  
• Close focus of 0.9m limits versatility
  
  
• The vintage rendering is there—but it’s subtle, not dreamy or extreme
  
  

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Final Verdict (So Far)

If you're in the market for a compact 50mm lens that blends classic charm with modern usability, the Zeiss C Sonnar 50mm f/1.5 ZM is worth trying. Just don’t expect magic straight out of the box—this is a lens that grows on you.

For me, it’s probably not a keeper, but I’m curious to keep shooting with it and see how it performs in different lighting and subject matter.

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Want to See More?

📸 Follow me on Instagram for more sample shots from this lens and others:
👉 www.instagram.com/paomees

🛒 Thinking about picking one up? Check current used prices at MPB:
👉 www.mpb.com

Thanks for reading—and let me know in Instagram if you’ve had a different experience with this lens. I’d love to hear how it’s working for you!