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.
- Leica M-Mount Lens
- Aperture Range: f/4.5 to f/22
- ZEISS T* Anti-Reflective Coating
- Manual Focus Design
ZEISS C Biogon T* 21mm f/4.5 ZM Overview
ZEISS C Biogon T* 21mm f/4.5 ZM Specs
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ZEISS C Biogon T* 21mm f/4.5 ZM Reviews
Super Answer to Wide Needs
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
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
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.
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.
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
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
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.