ZEISS Loxia 2/50

Reviewers describe a lens with a traditional character. The centre is reasonably sharp at f/2 but low in contrast, with some spherical aberration and longitudinal colour fringing. Sharpness across the frame improves a lot by f/4 and is excellent at f/5.6 to f/8. Distortion is negligible.

Compared with modern 50mm designs it trails in wide-open resolution and in correcting colour fringing, and the 0.45m close focus is limiting. Its strengths are size, build, handling, and a rendering many reviewers find more pleasing than the clinical look of newer lenses.

Owners value it as a small everyday standard lens with very good focus feel, and many describe the f/2 glow and colour as a deliberate look rather than a flaw. It is a popular second Loxia after the 35.

Known quirks are purple and green fringing on high-contrast edges wide open, slightly nervous out-of-focus highlights in busy backgrounds, and the long minimum focus distance. Some users compare it unfavourably with cheaper autofocus fifties on sharpness alone.