| Introduction | Distagon T18mm f/3.5 | Distagon T21mm f/2.8 | Distagon T25mm f/2.8 | Distagon T28mm f/2 | Distagon T35mm f/2 | Makro Planar T 50mm f/2 | Planar T50mm f/1.4 | Planar T 85mm f/1.4 | Makro Planar T 100mm f/2 |
Distagon T28mm f/2
CANON MOUNT
This wide angle prime is one of the sharpest Zeiss lenses we tested. Its best DxOMark score (Low light – 150 Lux – 1/125th) is achieved at f/4 on both full-frame and APS-C sensors. This lens is a very good companion for reportage and landscape uses, and can even be suitable for portraits on an APS-C body.
Sharp and balanced, this lens behave particularly well coupled with an APS-C sensor, where it produces slightly less chromatic aberration, distortion, and vignetting. But it remains a very strong performer on a full-frame sensor as well.
On a full-frame sensor (EOS 1Ds MkIII):
On a full-frame sensor, the resolution field map is above 50lp/mm on two-thirds of the field. The edges are a bit softer, but this is rather harmonious. Closing by 1 stop makes the center particularly sharp, but you have to close to 2 stops beyond, to f/5.6, to have both a sharp center and very good edges. At f/8, the very good central zone expands to the entire first one-third; but at f/11, the center becomes much softer. The best resolution is thus achieved between f/5.6 and f/8.
Vignetting is rather important fully opened, but almost forgotten at f/5.6 and beyond.
On an APS-C sensor (EOS 7D)
Mounted on an APS-C sensor, this 28mm proves quite sharp as soon as f/4, which is the aperture providing the best resolution on the whole map. Stopping down to f/5.6 and f/8 keeps the middle sharp, but smoothes the edges. F/11 and smaller apertures are not as sharp, losing up to 10lp/mm on the whole field map.
Vignetting handling is quite well here. Visible at full aperture, it completely vanishes at f/2.8.
Comparison:
Zeiss Distagon T 28mm f/2 ZE Canon v. Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
NIKON MOUNT
With a resolution reaching 60lp/mm on a D3x, this lens proves extremely sharp. As often on the Zeiss lenses the chromatic aberrations are limited to the outer fringe of the map, leaving a perfectly handled frame. In this case this is true on a full-frame sensor; on an APS-C body however, this LCA phenomenon is really discrete and imperceptible at f/4 and smaller apertures.
This 28mm achieves its best DxOMark low-light performance at f/2.8 on both full-frame and APS-C sensors, which is good enough for a fast lens. The mid-light best performance is found at f/4.
This lens is thus very good for landscape shooting on a full-frame body as well as on an APS-C; on the latter, the crop factor helps to make it a very nice lens for reportage, too.
On a full-frame sensor (D3X):
Fully opened, the lens provides a good enough frame, mostly above 50lp/mm, except for the edges. At f/2.8, the middle climbs above 60lp/mm and at f/5.6, the central two-thirds of the field are sharp, while the edges climb above 50lp/mm.
Vignetting is important when the lens is opened wide, but stopping down gradually decreases the loss of light, and at f/5.6 the loss is already inferior to one-third EV. The pattern does not improve at smaller apertures.
On an APS-C sensor (D300s):
On an APS-C sensor, the full aperture provides a soft frame. Stopping down to f/4 improves the center a lot, and things remain constant until f/8 is reached, when the edges are softened a bit. F/8 is the upper limit if you are looking for the best resolution.
Vignetting is important here, too, when the lens is wide open, but as soon it is stopped down to f/2.8, only the corners are one-third EV darker. At f/4, vignetting is no longer visible.
Comparison 1:
Zeiss Distagon T28mm f/2.8 ZF2 v. Nikkor AF-S 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED
Comparison 2:
Zeiss Distagon T28mm f/2.8 ZF2 v. Nikkor AF-S 24mm f/1.4G ED
To provide photographers with a broader perspective about mobiles, lenses and cameras, here are links to articles, reviews, and analyses of photographic equipment produced by DxOMark, renown websites, magazines or blogs.
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Carl Zeiss is one of those almost mythical lens makers. Focusing on quality, its lenses almost always rely on complex optical formulas. Their price reflects this involvement in quality, and logically Zeiss lenses are on the same shelves as the very high-end Canon or Nikon models. The review is available here. |