Zeiss ZF.2 25mm f/2 Distagon for Nikon

2012-02-14 • SEND FEEDBACK |
Related: Zeiss, Zeiss 25mm, Zeiss 25mm f/2 Distagon, Zeiss Distagon, Zeiss DSLR Lenses, Zeiss Lenses

Arriving today or tomorrow is the Zeiss ZF.2 25mm f/2 Distagon for Nikon, which B&H Photo has IN STOCK as I write this for about $1699. Highly recommended.

There is already extensive coverage of the Zeiss 25mm f/2 Distagon in my Zeiss Guide; that coverage is with the 21MP Canon 5D Mark II.

I will be adding material using the Nikon version, and I hope to do most of that on the new Nikon D800, but it has not yet arrived. In the meantime, the 24MP Nikon D3x will have to do.

Patriarch Grove
Canon 5D Mark II Zeiss ZF.2 25mm f/2 Distagon @ f/2

Lens design

With special types of glass and two aspheric elements, Zeiss has apparently gone the extra mile to design an outstanding 25mm lens.

The MTF chart suggests that the new 25/2 can be expected to be a very high performing 25mm lens, with exceptionally high contrast across most of the frame that looks nearly as good as rangefinder lenses, quite an accomplishment. But it does get a little weak at the edges and corners, so stopping down is needed for full-frame sharpness.

The 25/2 Distagon is a more compact lens than the 21/2.8 Distagon. Also, 67mm filters are much less expensive than 82mm, and match up with the 50/2 Makro-Planar and 100/2 Makro-Planar. Yet 21mm offers quite a bit wider angle of view, so owning both focal lengths is not unreasonable. Still, as an all-around lens, I’d suggest that 25mm will suit most users better than the ultra-wide 21mm, and the f/2 aperture adds some more flexibility as well. Yet the 21/2.8 is a better performer to the edges and corners, so it’s not a simple question.

When buying Zeiss (or other stuff), THANK YOU for using my links to B&H Photo.

Zeiss ZF.2 25mm f/2 Distagon (Nikon mount)