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ZEISS Milvus 21mm f/2.8 ZE Lens for Canon EF

BH #ZE2128MZE • MFR #2096-549
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ZEISS Milvus 21mm f/2.8 ZE Lens for Canon EF
Key Features
  • EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/22
  • Five Low Dispersion Elements
  • Distagon Optical Design
An expansive wide-angle for Canon EF-mount cameras, the Milvus 21mm f/2.8 ZE from ZEISS features a sophisticated optical design to control distortion and produce sharp, clean imagery with a dynamic perspective. A Distagon concept, along with a floating elements system, is employed for consistent performance throughout the focusing range and five anomalous partial dispersion elements are featured to control chromatic aberrations for increased clarity and color accuracy. For minimizing flare and ghosting, an enhanced ZEISS T* anti-reflective coating has been applied to benefit working in difficult lighting conditions.
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ZEISS Milvus 21mm f/2.8 Overview

An expansive wide-angle for Canon EF-mount cameras, the Milvus 21mm f/2.8 ZE from ZEISS features a sophisticated optical design to control distortion and produce sharp, clean imagery with a dynamic perspective. A Distagon concept, along with a floating elements system, is employed for consistent performance throughout the focusing range and five anomalous partial dispersion elements are featured to control chromatic aberrations for increased clarity and color accuracy. For minimizing flare and ghosting, an enhanced ZEISS T* anti-reflective coating has been applied to benefit working in difficult lighting conditions.

The manual focus design is complemented by a rubberized focus ring for fine-tuned, precise control over your focus position. Additionally, Milvus-series lenses also feature an equally aesthetic and durable frosted, anodized metal lens-barrel surface along with a weather-sealed construction to protect against dust and moisture.

Wide-angle prime is designed for full-frame Canon EF-mount cameras, however can also be used with APS-C models where it provides a 33.6mm equivalent focal length.
Bright f/2.8 maximum aperture suits working in available-light conditions and is also well-suited for astrophotography use.
Distagon optical concept affords high sharpness, well-corrected image quality from edge-to-edge, and very low field curvature.
Five anomalous partial dispersion elements are used to significantly reduce color fringing and chromatic aberrations for increased clarity and color fidelity.
ZEISS T* anti-reflective coating has been applied to each lens surface to help minimize reflections and provide greater contrast and color fidelity.
Floating elements system helps to maintain consistent image quality throughout the entire focusing range, from 8.7" to infinity.
Manual focus design is benefitted by focusing and depth of field scales along with hard stops at both infinity and minimum focusing positions.
Weather-resistant construction includes internal seals to guard against dust and moisture as well as a blue sealing ring at the lens mount to protect the lens-camera interface.
All-metal lens barrel has a frosted, anodized surface along with a rubberized focusing ring for both durability and improved tactile control.

ZEISS Milvus 21mm f/2.8 Specs

Focal Length
21mm
Aperture
Maximum: f/2.8
Minimum: f/22
Lens Mount
Canon EF
Lens Format Coverage
Full-Frame
Angle of View
90°
Minimum Focus Distance
8.66" / 22 cm
Magnification
1:5 Macro Reproduction Ratio
0.2x Magnification
Optical Design
16 Elements in 13 Groups
Focus Type
Manual Focus
Image Stabilization
No
Filter Size
82 mm (Front)
Dimensions
ø: 3.78 x L: 3.74" / ø: 96 x L: 95 mm
Weight
1.87 lb / 851 g
Packaging Info
Package Weight
3.29 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
11.6 x 6.7 x 5.55"

ZEISS Milvus 21mm f/2.8 Reviews

Wide but not too wide

By raymond
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2026-06-02

I bought this len on sale to see if it is worth the Zeiss hype. The build quality is solid (heavy) and operations are very smooth. I use it on D850. I have no other wide angle len to compare to except Z14-30mm on Z6 III. Set both lens at identical settings (i.e. F4) and looking at the pics on a 34" monitor @100%, Subjectively, the Milvus is sharper then the Z , but not by much. The color rendition is excellent, much better then the Z. At f/2.8 it helps a lot in night shots (handheld). I took it recently to a foreign trip. @21 mm it is wide, but sometime I wish to have a few more mm so I can blanket e.g. a whole church in one shot. I have no problem using manual focus, but that few extra seconds to take a snap shot on the go may left you behind in a guided tour. Overall I like this len a lot, especially use it in control shooting condition. If I am going on a trip, I will take the z14-30mm.

Great Astrophotography Lens

By Random Guy
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2024-03-11

I bought this lens for astrophotography and couldn't be more pleased. It has many other uses as well. The performance of this lens is simply amazing. I started shooting pictures way before autofocus was even a thing so it's natural for me. But seriously, manual focus is required for Milky Way photography anyway and it's not difficult with a wide-angle lens. I attached a Milky Way image from Sedona taken with my Canon 5D Mark IV. To get this shot, I aligned and stacked 36 18-second frames.

See any errors on this page?

will the Blackmagic 6K Pro control the electronic ...

will the Blackmagic 6K Pro control the electronic aperture?
Asked by: Richard
Yes, ZEISS Milvus 21mm f/2.8 ZE Lens for Canon EF has the electronic contacts on thelens mount which would allow Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro (Canon EF) to control aperture and other electronic feature on the lens. The focus is the only manual operation that you can not control through the camera.
Answered by: Llinelva D
Date published: 2023-02-02

question

How does the Milvus compare to the Contax Zeiss 21mm?
Asked by: Tony Y.
While also a manual focus lens like a Contax Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm, the Milvus offers an electronically controlled aperture on Canon EOS bodies, improved lens coatings and a weather sealed design.
Answered by: Kirk R.
Date published: 2022-08-14

question

How does this Milvus 21mm compare to the Contax Zeiss 21mm? Trying to decide if I want to buy the Milvus or buy the Contax Zeiss 21mm.
Asked by: Tony Y.
Other than the focal length similarity, both lenses are nearly the same size and weight, with a minimum focus distance of 3' (0.9 m). The depth of field scale and aperture setting can only be read from the front of the Biogon lens. Both lenses render beautifully, while the Biogon lens seems to have higher contrast, and the Contax has somewhat better resolution, and less contrast. The results with either lens are outstanding and mostly matter of personal choice.
Answered by: Andrea O.
Date published: 2021-04-08

Can this lens be used on a Nikon Z7II with the ...

Can this lens be used on a Nikon Z7II with the FTZ Adapter?
Asked by: Richard
The ZEISS Milvus 21mm f/2.8 ZF.2 Lens for Nikon F is compatible with the Z7 II when used with the FTZ adapter.
Answered by: Boyd H
Date published: 2023-03-22

Can ZEISS Milvus 21mm f/2.8 ZF.2 mount on a D850 ...

Can ZEISS Milvus 21mm f/2.8 ZF.2 mount on a D850 without adapter?
Asked by: Neculai
Yes, the Nikon D850 uses a F-mount. The Milvus lineup also uses the F-mount. So you will not need an adapter to use this lens on the D850.
Answered by: David B
Date published: 2023-10-24

Is this lens made in Germany? Or Japan?

Is this lens made in Germany? Or Japan?
Asked by: Scot
The following lens is made in japan.
Answered by: hectorm
Date published: 2021-08-15

question

How many blades does the diaphram have? Are they rounded?
Asked by: Fred
The lens has 9-blade circular aperture.
Answered by: Robert K.
Date published: 2022-08-14

will this work on an older f series camera like ...

will this work on an older f series camera like an f3?
Asked by: Brian and Tisha
Yes this lens can work on a Nikon SLR body like an F3.
Answered by: Kirk R
Date published: 2021-09-13
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