Zeiss ZE/ZF.2 Distagon T* 18mm f/3.5 : Specifications and Opinions

Reviews

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Jörg Beschmann

sent on 03 Ottobre 2020

Pros: The build. Price when bought used.

Cons: Nothing

Opinion: My first experiences with Zeiss lenses are with the ones for the Contax cameras. My Sony A7II likes Zeiss lenses. As the prices for the C/Y lenses have risen, I decided to buy the wide angle lenses as ZF.2. The 18mm was my first purchase. At the begining was not so happy, cause there are not so many situations in which a 18mm lens make sense. This lens does everything that all Zeiss lenses do. It captures the light in the Zeiss typical way. Once you are in 18mm situation, you can't stop looking through the camera. It's so intense and so different from the normal view, that you are experience the moment in a total different way. After enjoying this lens, you might think that you need a bigger bag and an additional camera body for the other lenses ...

The following opinions have been automatically translated with Google Translate.

user26730

sent on 03 Luglio 2017

Pros: It's a Zeiss! Constructive quality. Image quality. It's a Zeiss! (I already said it?)

Cons: size. F3.5

Opinion: Another big glass of Zeiss home! The constructive quality is what each of us expects when we put our hands on a piece of Carl Zeiss brand. The fluidity of the rings is a reference. Image quality is always at the top. Focusing with such a short focal length and with unobstructed openings is easy and immediate. The size, especially the front (82mm filters) is really impressive and proportionate to the reduced optic length makes it all a bit disproportionate to the sight . This Zeiss has the opposite of the two ring guides and if you have the habit of shooting with manual optics, with this 18mm for the first few days you miss a little time to make friends with the inverted movements.rn the ring, though Very fluid and precise, do not shine for ergonomics. The aperture of the diaphragm is very fine and it is not easy to find it to operate it. The focus ring is also small in size and is so close to the cone formed by the large hood that often fTo lose a few seconds to find it and feel it well between our fingers. The maximum opening of only f3.5 can not be considered a pro and sincerely at least a f2.8 would have been appreciated. Overall I still feel like giving a Rating of 9 points to this gorgeous optics.rnP.S. Important thing: on ff gives you special and interesting perspectives. On APS-C becomes a 27 / 28mm that for street and reportage uses is a jewel! RnMax

Marco50

sent on 07 Marzo 2017

Pros: Those who try these lenses is hard to get rid of it. excellent mechanics that is not easily if not in optics of this type

Cons: Slight vignetting at TA easy to fix in post

Opinion: I waited about six months before writing my impressions of this perspective, the photographic performance is at a high level since f4 typical Zeiss unique sharpness of focus, good lines correction, the manual focus is precise and with bright consent it becomes absolutely complicated, for me it is a return to the past and a great help for the mind. Definitely makes some effect the words "made in Japan" But we must acknowledge that the quality and always up to the old (T star) red writing reminds, in the interior excels in sharpness. Neo frequently use the lens hood is not practical to assemble and disassemble, for the lens cover could be done much better. I started to eliminate zoom as 12/24 and 17/40, I think of the 21 (the usual kidney who sacrifices) having already 50 F1.4 and 100 f 2 macros I always go out with these lenses.

Filippo Secciani

sent on 17 Febbraio 2016

Pros: General optical performance very much in line with the blazon. Mechanics highly professional turner, with few equals. Compactness. Calata characteristic of light that often from a value to the images.

Cons: Slight descent of light at full aperture. Barrel correction not up to the old f4.

Opinion: Now sacrificed at the altar of the most expensive 21mm, it has long been my companion found (I had the old f4 attack c / y). Color rendering and no terms of comparison except with optics of the same brand, is characterized by the very special lowered the light to the edges that still appears valuable and characteristic of this perspective. Disappears at f8, at f5.6 is almost imperceptible, but in fact from the images a peculiarity and is fun to play and then be able to choose: often surprises are interesting! Fun but challenging for reportage and useful for scenic effect (it has a lot of effect !!!), to disappoint people like me who thought like the old f4 for his stratospheric lines correction. In this aspect, it remains only in line with the best wide-angle other brands, forcing you to work in pp for architectural photos.

Fabio1951

sent on 15 Febbraio 2015

Pros: optical quality and constructive

Cons: high cost

Opinion: I own this perspective a little over a month and I seem to be in line with the usual quality "zeiss". The mechanical construction is that of the old days which ensures enjoyment obtained from the move dials focus and aperture which is certainly not essential for the purpose of photography, but still represents a plus for those who, like me, a photographer since 1969 . The optical performance is excellent Aperture intermediate, less ta. The color rendering is in the usual magnificent zeiss standards. The resistance to the reflections is far superior to 14-24mm Nikon (which I yielded just for the ease to create reflections in conditions of light just difficult).

Mevill

sent on 29 Giugno 2014

Pros: Unsurpassed build quality, sharpness, focal

Cons: The most significant defect is a visible distortion in whisker, sometimes unpleasant. Correctable pp with obvious clarity decay. Cartoon a little to the TA.

Opinion: I'm happy but unworthy owner of this perspective, I am not able to report extensively about. One thing I can say: maf manual certainly requires a mental change in the shot, perhaps more than most people realize. In this beginning with the wide-angle certainly help matters, for obvious reasons of PDC.rnL'obiettivo is fantastic, always expect to be able to use and experience, if only rained a little less .... it looks like a 40-year-piece mounted on a contemporary body , you get a feeling of an object out of time, built when the plastic and metal alloys did not exist. This marked "made in japan" clashes a bit ;-) rnDopo thinking I preferred to even blasonatissimo 21 to less weight-footprint-price focus.

Dariun

sent on 10 Aprile 2012

Pros: Mechanically perfect with optical characteristics of high general level. As I touched it and Focusing, you can have feelings of enjoyment only. The manual focus does not present any problem as long as you turn the dial very slowly.

Cons: Not cheap, but worth all the money spent. In my humble opinion, slightly heavy.

Opinion: It 's the first manual lens you purchase, and are strafelice.Nell' use gives unique sensations, has an 'excellent color rendition is crystal clear in the center, but loses a hair of sharpness at the edges until it is used to f5, 6.Da here on it is great. I do not give, but it is worth all the money it costs: the ricomprerei stesso.Anzi today, so if you give me time, I might even think of selling the Canon 17-40 and also get the 21 f2.8.

Giorgio Garrone

sent on 07 Aprile 2012

Pros: Outstanding mechanical and optical characteristics of total elevatosupergrandangolare level if you keep in mind that it is a true fisheye. The manual focus, since it is a view very short, there is no problem

Cons: Considerable reduction in brightness at the edges between f / 3.5 to 5.6 and a mediocre resolution, always on the edge, wide open but improves at f / 5.6 onwards. The only negative factor is the price: really expensive!

Opinion: This is the second lens of the series Zeiss DSLR I purchased (after the 50mm f / 1.4) and gives the same satisfaction and anger of the first: great color rendering and excellent ntidezza in the center since the maximum opening, followed by a made soft and blurred the edges to greater openness, from f / 5.6 becomes a spectacle! Used in confined spaces or photographing interiors of churches and historic buildings gives true satisfaction!