Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm F/2.8 ZF.2 Lens for Nikon F-Mount Cameras

Comments about Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm F/2.8 ZF.2 Lens for Nikon F-Mount Cameras:

I use this lens for environmental and landscape shooting. The focusing is smooth and accurate. The lens is not all that heavy but can be intimidating with the hood mounted. The Zeiss 21 is sharp edge to edge, in my first shots I had a little fuzziness in one corner only and that was probably due to being too close to the subject matter. Even so the lens will focus quite close. This is a precision lens manufactured to exacting tolerances and feels it. I rented this lens first before buying to be certain it fit my needs.
Highly recommeded.

Comments about Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm F/2.8 ZF.2 Lens for Nikon F-Mount Cameras:

Pretty nice and sharpe lense.

Comments about Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm F/2.8 ZF.2 Lens for Nikon F-Mount Cameras:

My experience was just like a lot of the other reviewers here. I deliberated for months over whether or not I should get this lens. My concerns were the obvious ones: cost and lack of autofocus. However, just like everyone else, those concerns immediately vanished the first time I took the lens out and used it. The lens' reputation for corner-to-corner sharpness is well deserved. Yes it is quite expensive, but you get very high quality in return. It is the best wide-angle lens I have ever used and I have no regrets about buying it.

Comments about Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm F/2.8 ZF.2 Lens for Nikon F-Mount Cameras:

This wide-angle lens is exceptional and more professional than nikon 14-24, which is heavy and inavoidable of flares shooting in some angle. Besides, if you strive for outstanding image quality near the edge using full-frame camera, this zeiss 21mm has to be your first choice. One thing I am not fond of this lens is it has a huge front, which is pretty odd compared to its relatively slim grip ring, especially mounted with the hood.

Comments about Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm F/2.8 ZF.2 Lens for Nikon F-Mount Cameras:

I use this lens for a wide range of applications from astronomical photography to indoor photography of rooms and furnishings.The lens works well in low light situations where there are bright lights present in the background. Glare or scatter are very well controlled by the lens design, T* coatings and lens hood.
Scenery images transform into "works of art" when captured by this lens.

The lens provides vivid and accurate colors, as well as tack sharp image detail from F/2.8 to F/5.6. I rarely use the lens stopped down beyond F/5.6 because it is so good wide open.

At F/2.8,the lens easily keeps up with the Nikon DX3 and Nikon D7000 smaller pixel sites. With an adapter, I have used the lens on the Canon Rebel T2i camera which has the smallest pixel sites and the results are outstanding. The Canon 5D Mark II works very well with the lens, too.

If you want the very best in Ultra Wide angle performance for both APS and Full frame 35mm formats, this is the lens to own.

Comments about Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm F/2.8 ZF.2 Lens for Nikon F-Mount Cameras:

This is the best lens ever. Do not worry about AF, doesn't matter becouse this lens is amazing. The colors and sharpness is unbelivable. This is what you need.

Comments about Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm F/2.8 ZF.2 Lens for Nikon F-Mount Cameras:

This lens is simply amazing, the colors are jaw-dropping. The manual focus is perfect, precise and very soft.

Comments about Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm F/2.8 ZF.2 Lens for Nikon F-Mount Cameras:

This is a superb lens from Zeiss !
Great definition and wonderful contrast !

Comments about Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm F/2.8 ZF.2 Lens for Nikon F-Mount Cameras:

Great sharpness, nice color, and really solid design. One of the best lenses I've ever owned.

Comments about Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm F/2.8 ZF.2 Lens for Nikon F-Mount Cameras:

Probably the best lens for landscapes on the market. One point though...since this is a manual focus lens, the focus point is only limited to a single point. I use a Nikon D300s...on my Nikon lenses, I'm able to choose between a 54, 21, 9, and single focus points. This lens only has single point available. However, I don't feel it's a issues since I'm not shooting any objects that move.

Perfect lens. Go for it.

Comments about Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm F/2.8 ZF.2 Lens for Nikon F-Mount Cameras:

Compares well to Nikon 14-24 on my side-by-side field test but has the legendary Zeiss color drawing compared to the Nikon which looks clean but sterile - and the filter thread is a bonus. (Lee 82mm W/A adapter does not vignette.) A Katzeye 'B" focus screen which gives improved manual focus snap (not really a problem on 21 mm anyaway). Tried some "casual" architecture shots to check the alleged wave distortion - it was scarcely noticeable, and is invisible on landscapes. Cannot think of any serious cons - other than certain pro uses that would probably need T/S on 35mm else large format movements anyway -minor quibble the lens cap could be improved. Once I have the 18mm, will sell my 14-24 for sure.

Comments about Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm F/2.8 ZF.2 Lens for Nikon F-Mount Cameras:

I used this lens and two other Zeiss ZF.2 lenses with a Nikon F3x on my recent trip to Patagonia, Torres del Paine, and a trip through the channels around Tierra del Fuego. The contrast and clarity of the images are superb. This was my lens of choice for dramatic photos including the sun in the image with snow covered mountains and ocean. The results were dramatic and stunning with no ghosting or flare. Not something that I can do with other lenses. Portraits of people were fun with close approach to the subject and great depth of field!

Comments about Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm F/2.8 ZF.2 Lens for Nikon F-Mount Cameras:

Purchased this lens on the advise of a friend who shoots for a national magazine. At first I was skeptical...why use a manual focus lens on a D700 nikon which has the best AF dynamics of any DSLR? Take some pictures and that question will easily be answered! Without a doubt the clarity, sharpness, and depth is far better than any Nikon glass I own...my next purchase will be a Zeiss

Comments about Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm F/2.8 ZF.2 Lens for Nikon F-Mount Cameras:

Nikon makes some of the very best wide angle zooms, the 14 - 24 f/2.8, 17 - 35mm f/2.8, and the new 16 - 35mm f/4; but the Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 is worth considering even though it is a manual focus, fix focal length length lens. I have seen obvious improvements in image quality in for example landscapes where trees in the distance have each branch and leaf sharply defined even when viewed at 1:1 magnification. Also the so-called micro contrast is better and I much prefer the somewhat warmer color balance compared to the Nikon lenses. While some of this can be adjusted with imaging software, I love the colors right out of the camera with this and the other Zeiss ZF lenses I have (35mm f/2 and 100mm f/2 macro).

The Zeiss 21mm apparently has more distortion than especially the 14 - 24mm Nikon zoom but I cannot see it in landscapes. My initial impression of photos taken with the Zeiss 21mm is that for the first time images from my Nikon D700 35mm DSLR rival or maybe surpass the quality I can get with my MF Hasselblad film camera.