Zeiss Distagon T* 28mm f/2.0 Lens with ZF.2 Mount for Nikon F Mount SLRs

Comments about Zeiss Distagon T* 28mm f/2.0 Lens with ZF.2 Mount for Nikon F Mount SLRs:

I've acquired a variety of the Zeiss catalog from 18mm to 85mm and find this lens the most unique and versatile. The unusual and very appealing captures are due primarily to the fact that this lens behaves as a hybrid of sorts: Wide angle, bit of macro and telephoto. This simply means one can focus within a very close distance to an object, say a flower or person, while capturing a wide angle background, say a forest or ocean, while adding a bit of bokeh if you choose. Of course the sharpness and color rendering are wonderful. I think what pushed me to choose this lens over the 25mm (would love to try) was the fact that Zeiss offers this one in their five lens set.

Comments about Zeiss Distagon T* 28mm f/2.0 Lens with ZF.2 Mount for Nikon F Mount SLRs:

My staple 28/2 before I got this lens was the Nikon 28/2 Non-AI (AI-converted).

I didn't expect much from it until I took my first photo from it wide-open: I could not believe it, I thought I took the picture stopped down! the contrast and detail is just heads and shoulders above my Nikon!

A lot of reviews will tell you that vignetting never goes away completely until around f3.5 (unlike the Nikon where the vignetting has very little to begin with wide-open and pretty much gone by f2.8)...but in all practical purposes, it doesn't matter to me. I don't shoot brick walls and contrast and sharpness is much more important in that regard. Not a lot of post-processing is needed!

And less susceptible to flare that I don't feel the need to use the hood at all.

With all that said, this lens is not for everyone--and certainly not for beginners, IMO. You have to really know you NEED this focal length, and not just you're buying into the Zeiss mystique...Some may recommend the 35/2 and I would tend to agree because most photographers may find that focal length more practical...I cannot speak for its sharpness as I have never used one, but looking at the samples out there (full-size ones)...trust me, the sharpness difference is negligible.

Oh, and the lens cap kind of a pain, though.

Comments about Zeiss Distagon T* 28mm f/2.0 Lens with ZF.2 Mount for Nikon F Mount SLRs:

Using this lens for street shooting and landscape work makes it quite versatile for me. Mechanics, i.e. built, materials, moving parts are top like all Zeiss lenses in this line up. f/2 delivers a bright viewfinder and allows for more creative composition. This is a manual focus lens, which might slow down the process from time to time. Using it on DX cameras, the achieved field of view corresponds almost to 'normal' view and makes a nice one-lens walk around combo.

Comments about Zeiss Distagon T* 28mm f/2.0 Lens with ZF.2 Mount for Nikon F Mount SLRs:

I bought it just before a vacation and couldn't be happier with my purchase.. i have canon (35mm 1.4L) and nikon (85 mm 1.4) lenses.. all the lens mentioned above are great and this zeiss is just as good..

I would have bought the nikon 24mm 1.4 G lens for this trip, but it was out of stock and decided to get this lens..

using MF lens after 15 odd years, was a good change.. this lens lived up to the zeiss hype on the internet.. focuses very close with good results.. infinity is a fixed location and it delivers sharp results.. don't buy a polarizer filter as this lens renders blue sky very well..

highly recommended if you can handle manual focus lens .. these lenses are built very well and will last a lifetime.. only down side is that you may end up wanting to buy the distagon 21mm and/or the 100mm makro down the road, like me..

Comments about Zeiss Distagon T* 28mm f/2.0 Lens with ZF.2 Mount for Nikon F Mount SLRs:

This is one of four Zeiss lenses I have the pleasure of owning. Incredible optics, bokah and clarity/sharpness. I prefer Zeiss to Leica lenses, as I find them more neutral. I use the lens on a Nikon D2Xs and Panasonic DMC-GF1 with Voigtlander adapter.