The Zeiss Distagon T* 18mm f/3.5 ZE Wide Angle Lens is designed floating lens elements that deliver consistent high-quality over the entire distance range from 0.98'(0.3 m) to infinity. The Zeiss T* anti-reflective coating yields images with depth, contrast and brilliance even under a difficult lighting situations. Optimal color correction yields images with contrasting edges, delivered without color fringing. This ultra-wide provides the photographer with a tool that enables dramatic perspectives and creative possibilities.
When combined with a digital SLR using a DX type sensor, this lens has an effective focal length of 27mm.
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Focal Length | 18 mm |
| Aperture |
Maximum: f/3.5 Minimum: f/22 |
| Camera Mount Type | Canon EF |
| Format Compatibility |
35mm Film / Full-Frame Digital Sensor Canon (APS-C) |
| Angle of View | 99° |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 11.81" (30 cm) |
| Magnification | 0.083x |
| Maximum Reproduction Ratio | 1:12 |
| Groups/Elements | 11/13 |
| Diaphragm Blades | Not Specified By Manufacturer |
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Image Stabilization | No |
| Autofocus | No |
| Tripod Collar | No |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Filter Thread | 82 mm |
| Dimensions (DxL) | Approx. 3.31 x 3.43" (8.41 x 8.71 cm) |
| Weight | 1.04 lb (472 g) |
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Reviewed by 10 customers
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Comments about Zeiss Distagon T* 18mm f/3.5 ZE Wide Angle Lens Canon EF Mounts:
I have EF 17-40 F/4, 16-35 F/2.8 and am getting more and more fussy about image quality. From my research, the Carl Zeiss 21mm has the best reputation, but so much of my landscape shooting is done at the UWA, so I opted for the 18mm.
Having compared the CZ 18mm f/3.5 and the Canon 16-35 @ 18mm* for the past 2 weeks, I am of the mind that the Canon lens holds up well for corner to corner sharpness and distortion.
Given the zoom, that, in my opinion, makes the Canon lens more versitile. An obvious comment, but an important one when looking at shelling out good money.
The saving grace for the Carl Zeiss lens, I am finding the colour and contrast a touch more pleasing than the EF 16-35mm f/2.8.
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Comments about Zeiss Distagon T* 18mm f/3.5 ZE Wide Angle Lens Canon EF Mounts:
This Lens is super sharp. I love it. It's also very contrasty. It takes some getting used to. It's a tough lens to use in harsh light or dim light because the Highlights go and the Blacks are blocked up but it makes you really pay attention to the light. If you can simplify the light or shoot in non contrasty situations this bad boy shines. Amazing lens.
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Comments about Zeiss Distagon T* 18mm f/3.5 ZE Wide Angle Lens Canon EF Mounts:
very useful for video shooting, well built and it is as advertised, I use it with the D5 MKII, manual focus is a must.
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Comments about Zeiss Distagon T* 18mm f/3.5 ZE Wide Angle Lens Canon EF Mounts:
I use this lens with a Canon 7d recently and was able to capture sharp landscape photos. It feels solid. The lens hood is metal and not plastic which enhances its durability. This Zeiss lens was my first...but it may not be my last.
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Comments about Zeiss Distagon T* 18mm f/3.5 ZE Wide Angle Lens Canon EF Mounts:
On my 7D the effective focal length is just shy of 29mm and on my better half's 10s film camera it will capture the grand panoramas she appreciates. I wanted something easy to carry - compact and discreet - while providing the ability to capture the entire group and scene at various family events (close quarters indoors and outdoor cookouts). I have captured nice colorful pictures indoors and out with this lens and quality edge to edge is very satisfying even cropped.
This fills my wide angle portfolio-gap and now I will no longer whine about my 24-70 mounted on the film camera. I really liked the reviews on the Zeiss 21mm but their 18mm is appreciably shorter (one inch) and wider by an effective 9 or 10mm focal length compared to the wide end of my 24-70mm lens.
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Comments about Zeiss Distagon T* 18mm f/3.5 ZE Wide Angle Lens Canon EF Mounts:
I've read reviews that show a fairly decent comparison between this lens and the Canon 14mm T/S. For some reason the tilt shift does a better job of controlling chromatic aberration. However, other than that, which is an issue I fix in photoshop, this lens is fantastic. It's the widest I would go while shooting video, you're on the very boundary of getting a spherical shift that takes the audience out of the moment, it's got a 99 degree field of view.
HDR looks great with this wide panoramic perspective, it's a beautiful lens.
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Comments about Zeiss Distagon T* 18mm f/3.5 ZE Wide Angle Lens Canon EF Mounts:
I am very happy with this lens.
I have had another 21mm zeiss.
These two are my favorites.
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Comments about Zeiss Distagon T* 18mm f/3.5 ZE Wide Angle Lens Canon EF Mounts:
Fantastic lens for Canon EF System
Makes my new Canon 5D Mark II go from "wow" to "out of this world quality.
Looking forward to purchasing another.
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Comments about Zeiss Distagon T* 18mm f/3.5 ZE Wide Angle Lens Canon EF Mounts:
I bought this lens after testing a friend's head to head against my Canon 16-35mm. After seeing the results, I could barely look at the edges of my 16-35, they were that soft in comparison! The Zeiss is a beautifully made lens, that is incredibly sharp from center to corner, from edge to edge.
My one con is that Zeiss made the filter ring out of shiny silver. I find that it easily reflects in all kinds of surfaces. Flat black would have been much better.
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Comments about Zeiss Distagon T* 18mm f/3.5 ZE Wide Angle Lens Canon EF Mounts:
I'm really pleased with this lens, I am running it on a 5D mk2. It is super sharp right into the edges which is something that I'd struggled to get out of other lenses in this category.
I was a little nervous about the manual focus but it's great easy to use and I think it improves my photography as it slows me down a little.
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