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Zeiss ZE Distagon T* 25mm f/2 (Canon EF) - Review / Lab Test |
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Lens Reviews -
Canon EOS (Full Format)
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Page 1 of 3
Review by Klaus Schroiff, published February 2012
Lens kindly provided for testing purposes by Walter Greifenstein!
Introduction
Several of the currently offered manual focus Zeiss Z-series lenses are based on fairly old designs. However, slowly but steadily we are seeing newly developed lenses like the Distagon T* 35mm f/1.4 and the Distagon T* 25mm f/2. This time we'll have a look at the latter one. The T* 25mm f/2 is available in Nikon F and Canon EF mount. Apart from the lack of AF it is a fully coupled lens so a camera-controlled aperture, focus confirmation and EXIF data is supported. The Distagon is, obvious, a moderate ultra-wide angle lens with typical applications such as landscape, street and architecture photography. It is, of course, not exactly a budget item but it isn't any more expensive than its nearest competitor - the Canon EF 24mm f/1.4 USM L ... which has the advantage of being faster though. The optical design is not identical to the Zeiss ZA 24mm f/2 SSM (for Sony Alpha), BTW.
The build quality of the full-metal Zeiss (brass with chromium-plated brass front bayonet) is stunning. The fluted focus ring feels exceptionally well dampened - something that isn't really possible on AF lenses. The physical length changes (extends) marginally when focusing towards close distances. The focus path is fairly long so precise focusing is possible (in magnified Live-View mode or via a split-image viewfinder screen). A petal shaped lens hood is supplied.
| Specifications |
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| Optical construction | 11 elements in 10 groups inc. 1x aspherical + 4x AD elements |
| Number of aperture blades | 9 (circular) |
| min. focus distance | 0.25 m (max. magnification ratio 1:5.9) |
| Dimensions | 73 x 98 mm |
| Weight | 570 g |
| Filter size | 67 mm (non-rotating) |
| Hood | included, petal-shaped, bayonet mount |
| Other features | Floating System |
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