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ZEISS C Biogon T* 21mm f/4.5 ZM Lens (Black)

BH #ZE2145B • MFR #1419-575
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ZEISS C Biogon T* 21mm f/4.5 ZM Lens (Black)
Key Features
  • Leica M-Mount Lens
  • Aperture Range: f/4.5 to f/22
  • ZEISS T* Anti-Reflective Coating
  • Manual Focus Design
Based on a classic design from 1952, the black C Biogon T* 21mm f/4.5 ZM from ZEISS is a super wide-angle prime for M-mount rangefinder cameras. Its 'C' designation reflects the lens's compact form factor and classic optical design to produce imagery with true color fidelity and natural rendering. The Biogon optical concept helps to ensure virtually no distortion, and this eight elements, six groups layout also maintains a high degree of sharpness and clarity. Additionally, a T* anti-reflective coating has also been applied to reduce lens flare and ghosting for improved contrast in strong lighting conditions.
More Details
Discontinued
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ZEISS C Biogon T* 21mm f/4.5 ZM Overview

Based on a classic design from 1952, the black C Biogon T* 21mm f/4.5 ZM from ZEISS is a super wide-angle prime for M-mount rangefinder cameras. Its 'C' designation reflects the lens's compact form factor and classic optical design to produce imagery with true color fidelity and natural rendering. The Biogon optical concept helps to ensure virtually no distortion, and this eight elements, six groups layout also maintains a high degree of sharpness and clarity. Additionally, a T* anti-reflective coating has also been applied to reduce lens flare and ghosting for improved contrast in strong lighting conditions.

Type 'C' lens refers to this lens's classic aesthetic and compact design that recalls its predecessor from 1952. The glass and coatings have been updated to contemporary standards, however it still produces a timeless look well-suited for both film and digital use.
Biogon optical concept benefits the super-wide focal length by helping to virtually eliminate distortion for clean, realistic rendering.
Zeiss T* anti-reflective coatings have been applied to each lens surface to help minimize reflections in order to provide greater image clarity, contrast, and color fidelity.
Manual focus design enables a minimum focusing distance of 1.6'.

ZEISS C Biogon T* 21mm f/4.5 ZM Specs

Key Specs
Focal Length
21mm
Maximum Aperture
f/4.5
Lens Mount
Leica M
Focus Type
Manual Focus
Filter Size
46 mm (Front)
Maximum Aperture
f/4.5
Minimum Aperture
f/22
Lens Mount
Leica M
Angle of View
90°
Minimum Focus Distance
1.6' / 50 cm
Macro Reproduction Ratio
1:20
Optical Design
8 Elements in 6 Groups
Diaphragm Blades
10
Focus Type
Manual Focus
Filter Size
46 mm (Front)
Dimensions (ø x L)
2.1 x 1.2" / 53 x 31 mm
Weight
6.7 oz / 190 g
Packaging Info
Package Weight
0.655 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
4.7 x 4.2 x 3.05"

ZEISS C Biogon T* 21mm f/4.5 ZM Reviews

Super Answer to Wide Needs

By Craig
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2020-12-30

I expected Zeiss quality from past experience with ZM optics and this certainly lives up to expectations.... I use this mainly on film bodies and it exhibits great resolution and just the right amount of contrast with minimal distortion as you're fighting that with this focal length to start with. It's got a nice, solid feel and its substantial construction gives an impression of being a lifetime lens.

Very Nice

By John
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2010-11-11

This is a very high quality, sharp lens that shows almost no distortion and is sharp out to the corners. It is great for street use and is quick on the draw at smaller apertures in that use because of the amazing depth of field at this focal length. It is relatively slow, but that is part of the trade off for a somewhat lower price than its f2.8 cousin. I also bought the slower lens because I've been delighted by another f4.5 Biogon lens that I use in 6x6 format.

Great Compact Travel Super Wide

By Anonymous
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2009-08-01

I have had the chrome version of this lens for a month now and used it on a Leica M in the UK and Germany together with a Voigtlander 21mm Finder. It quickly became one of my favorite M-mount lenses. Great for interiors, dynamic group shots and vistas (with interesting foregrounds). Compact rendering sharp and brilliant images.

Another marvel from Zeiss Ikon.

By Rolacach
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2008-10-02

It is my normal lens in all situations. I like this lens very much, with a little lenshood that you can find to Voigtlander.

A marvel of optic.

By Rolacach
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2008-10-02

I use this lens and his fantastic viewfinder to photograph landscape and sometimes portraits in their environment too. I can compare it with Zeiss lenses for Hasselblad, but with 35mm film: all metal, softness of the rings and above all quality of the transparencies. With a Zeiss Ikon rangefinder body and a 400 ASA Provia, each shot is a new pleasure.

beautiful and compact

By Jayasimha
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2018-08-26

great rendition on film Leica as well as fuji Xpro 2; no issues of color shifts or other problems on this digital rangefinder, (because it is an APSC sensor?)

Phenomenal

By Frit
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2014-06-04

I have only used it on film bodies: M2 and M6. It is a masterpiece producing near medium format quality images. It is the equal of the famous Mamiya 6 50mm. It shares the Zeiss signature with their Hasselblad wide lenses, including the SWC. One could spend years with it and not exhaust its potential. Issues with digital cameras have been reported, but I don't care about that.

See any errors on this page? Let us know

Does this lens work well on a Leica M10 as there ...

Does this lens work well on a Leica M10 as there is no Leica correction profile close?
Asked by: Jim
Yes, it works very well on the M10.
Answered by: Rob
Date published: 2020-05-25

question

Does anyone have experience with this lens on an A7II? Thanks!
Asked by: Richard M.
This is a very very sharp lens. It will produce some very sharp shots with the Sony a7II but it does need an adapter.Below are some that can work.
Answered by: Robert K.
Date published: 2020-11-29
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