I have no idea what it's optimized for. I'm assuming 1.5. Is there an easy way to tell?
Yes, If at f/1.5 at 1m-2m the image is tad soft,(Front Focus), (Using a RF to focus, not Live View), it is optimized for f/2.8... The reasoning is that it emulates the slight OOF effect of the 1940's PJ street portrait shooters who used the 50mm f/1.5 Sonnar's, which this lens was designed to emulate. There is a focus shift from f/1.5 to f/2.8 1m-2m (BTW, this was a design on purpose by Zeiss). But, so may people want tack sharp at wide open with the "Sonnar Look" that Zeiss would change it free under warranty, but, then, from f/2.8 and smaller, there was a focus shift. And they offered f/1.5 optimized lens latter on in the production.
On a Digital where you can use Live View to focus, the shift is a non issue.