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28/2 Distagon vs Voigtlander Color Skopar 28/2.8 SL II, Nikon 28/2 AIS, Nikon AF-S 28/1.8G
The Zeiss 28mm f/2 Distagon is compared here to three other lenses using the 36-megapixel Nikon D800E:
- Voigtlander Color-Skopar 28mm f/2.8 SL II (2012 debut).
- Nikon 28mm f/2 AIS (older manual focus design).
- Nikon AF-S 28mm f/1.8G (2012 debut).
RAW conversion
The brightness for all lenses was matched precisely at f/5.6 (exposure compensation, push or pull). The other apertures for each lens were then match to the f/5.6 frame, again using exposure compensation. This facilitates assessment without perceptual traps.
The Voigtlander lens was a consistent 1/3 to 1/2 stop darker than the Zeiss 28/2 Distagon at the same aperture on this and other comparisons, which means that its T-stop is notably lower than the Zeiss 28/2. The Voigtlander 28/2.8 is likely closer to T/3.5 at f/2.8, with the Zeiss 28/2 closer to T/2.9— quite a shutter speed difference when the light is marginal.
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