Zeiss ZF 21mm f/2.8 Distagon
Related: Zeiss, Zeiss 21mm, Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 Distagon, Zeiss Distagon, Zeiss DSLR Lenses, Zeiss Lenses
I’m working on my full report on the Zeiss ZF 21mm f/2.8 Distagon, having shot the tedious comparison stuff with 4 samples and the Nikon 14-24 and Canon 16-35/2.8L II (some long days of effort already).
My writeup in Zeiss ZF Lenses will follow as quickly as possible, which means this weekend for initial coverage, but that’s not a firm deadline—quality comes first. Properly assessing a lens takes at least several weeks of shooting under a wide variety of conditions, to yield insights not accessible with limited usage. I will be focusing at first on some comparisons, distortion and initial impressions, with much more to follow.
There are some tolerance issues around short focal lengths (not specific to Zeiss) having to do with the camera body lens mount and sensor alignment, but it appears that this is just Life With 20+ Megapixel DSLRs today, not particular to any brand lens. But it does mean that any particular ultra-wide lens of any brand and your DSLR might not be perfect friends across the frame, something you can explore yourself and see with proper care and choice of subject. Details will be forthcoming in my full report in Zeiss ZF Lenses, well worth your money.
What’s clear in both resolution chart and field shooting of the ZF 21/2.8 Distagon is that there is simply no comparison. Which is to say that neither the Nikon 14-24/2.8 or the Canon 16-35/2.8L II can match the contrast and sparkle of the ZF 21/2.8 Distagon.
The Canon 16-35/2.8L II looks positively murky compared to the ZF 21/2.8 Distagon (shot on EOS with a lens adapter).
The Nikon 14-24 handily wins on the distortion front, and fares better than the Canon 16-35, but otherwise lacks punch compared to the ZF 21/2.8 Distagon.
You can get the Zeiss ZF 21/2.8 Distagon at B&H Photo.
