Getting that High Contrast “Pop” in a Wide Angle Lens

2014-01-06 • SEND FEEDBACK |
Related: Moots, Zeiss, Zeiss 25mm, Zeiss 25mm f/2 Distagon, Zeiss Distagon, Zeiss DSLR Lenses, Zeiss Lenses

This field image of the epic Moots Mooto X YBB was taken in 2012 with the Zeiss 25mm f/2 Distagon*.

The high contrast pop is more apparent at larger size; it comes from a combination of high overall contrast and high micro contrast in combination with the vignetting and shallow depth of field of f/2. It is a good example of why I prefer Zeiss lenses, and how f/2 is a versatile bonus aperture over f/2.8. And why smaller formats like Micro Four Thirds really don’t work for such effects; aperture f/1.0 at ~12mm would be needed for equivalent effect—unobtanium.

* At sub-freezing temps of about 25° F and 1000 feet down from any likely human, it really does qualify as a field image.

MootoX YBB 29er mountain bike — White Mountains of California
Canon 5D Mark II + Zeiss 25mm f/2 Distagon