Zeiss ZE/ZF 21mm f/2.8 Distagon
I’ve been studying the technical data for the Zeiss ZF/ZE 21mm f/2.8 Distagon, which is not yet available, and will likely not appear for at least another 3 months. Still, it appears that it will be worth the wait.
My complete (but limited) insights into how the 21/2.8 might perform in terms of sharpness, distortion and vignetting are now online in Zeiss ZF Lenses. Until I have a actual 21/2.8 Distagon in hand, real pictures and comments based on experience are pending.
In summary, MTF is exceptionally high for a 21mm wide-angle lens, distortion is very similar to the 18/3.5 Distagon and relative illumination (vignetting) is quite strong wide open, improving rapidly by stopping down.
Zeiss ZF/ZE 21mm f/2.8 Distagon optical design
You won’t often see (well, maybe never see) MTF this high in a 21mm wide angle lens: this graph is wide-open at f/2.8, already a performance that cannot be much criticized were it at f/8. The 21/2.8 Distagon for Contax has been a legendary performer, reportedly this recent design is even better: save your pennies.
Zeiss ZF/ZE 21mm f/2.8 Distagon MTF @ f/2.8
