Tank like construction lovely dampened focus . Und zat zeiss pop zooo kool, excuse the pun. Best wide angle option adapted to ff canon although cannon telephoto are the masters in that realm ,not so in w.a.

A little prone to flare ,mustache distortion , a little cool ,but the latter two are corectable in pp.

Superb optical performance ,Ive lusted after this lens from its first reviews on photo mags eons ago .I have this lens 3 years and had to replace the rear element as previous owner got a bit heavy handed on cleaning it. Zeiss supplied me with lens element and i have to say super customer service . cutting the chase here. Color ,contrast ,sharpness superb love the mf but not the shape but havent lost sleep over it either.Slightly sharper at mid range apetures than newer version slightly less so at max f/2.8 but not really relavent in the field or printing to max size .

Customer Service

Thanks to zeiss in germany (ulm for repairs) for all their great service.

Similar Products Used:

niknn 28f/2.8 ai-s nikon 35f/1.4 mamiya 35n zeiss 28f/2 zeiss 25f/2.8 65f/3.5 fuji

No distortion! Stunning optical performance, though getting a bit softer towards the corners when chromes are scanned in at 4000 dpi, but still FAR better than any other wide angles I've used.

No distortion. When you need distortion for accentuated curved horizon, this lens will not provide it, even when you put the horizon towards the margin of the frame.

A stunning lens. The 2% pincussion (not barrel) distortion (or lack thereof) is amazing for the 90 degree angle of view. It is worth every penny! The shape of the lens is a bit odd, but the internal focussing is very nice. An 82 slim B&W UV protection filter does not cause any vigneting, and I have used a 72 mm oversized Minolta circular polarizing filter (hand held without UV filer) with no vignetting either. I don't use it every day, but when I need it, every time I am in awe anew.

Customer Service

The lens had a speck on one of the internal glass elements fresh out of the box. The problem was resolved in minimal time.

Similar Products Used:

OM 21mm MF, Pentax 24mm MF

Superb optical quality. Focuses close. Best wide angle I've used in all respects.

Large filter size and heavy. Expensive.

This lens is the reason I got into the Contax system. It is the only wide angle I've used that has essentially no visible optical aberrations. All other wide angles I've seen have at least some of the dreaded chromatic aberration on the edges of the field. I have never seen even a hint of lateral color with this lens. The image is sharp, extremely clear and the colors are saturated. Distortion is well controlled. It is heavy, long and expensive, but if optical perfection is what you're after, look no further.

Customer Service

Excellent.

Similar Products Used:

Canon 17-35 f/2.8L, Canon 20-35 f/2.8L and various wide-angle primes and zooms from other manufacturers.

Optically the best wide angle lens I’ve ever owned or tried!

Heavy, long, large filter dimeter.

If you want the best wide-angle lens available in the 20mm range for a 35mm SLR this is it. Images are very contrasty and tack sharp even wide open (where I use the lens a great deal) to get 16x20s. Distortion is non-existent. The only complaints...the lens is heavy and long. However, if you want the best wide-angle lens available this is it – it’s worth every penny.

Customer Service

Never needed.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 20mm/2.8, Leica M 21mm/2.8

1.Acturally lower disperssion even at field.
2.More contrasty than theother contax-wide lenses.
3.Images are very flaten!
4.So nice for distortion correction among of SLR wide-angle!
5.Beautiful colors compare with other's contax-wide lenes!
6.Comparing with Leica R-19mm/Rom,it offers better price!

When facing at light sources,flare is dangerous!
82mm CPL-w is expansive!
No useful hood!

n

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As I mentioned at above.
Optically,this lens is super!
For Operation,this lens is outstanding because it has so wide focusing ring let me feel very enjoyable!
Balance is good when mounted on Pro Contax body,just like medium tele lens!
My experiences for this lens like others,it is so sharp comparing with other's brand(but I think R-19mm/2.8 ROM is another good one except for price)
The main best points from Distagon 21mm/2.8 are:
1.Best color correction from the newest tech for wide angle by Zeiss.

2.although Distagon 21mm is a SLR retrofocus design,the effors from the distortin correct are still wonderful!As you can see from the study-hard effors by Zeiss,the glasses it uses more than 15 pcs,that's why it is so big(long)! The result is (when we watch from viewfinder)like no any ditortion and we can say like 50mm's flatten but covering wider angle!

It is so amazing that I use it as my standar lens,not 35mm or 50mm!

The body of Distagon 21mm/2.8 is a Monster,but is also a good pet!

The 100% dream lens for Contax's users!

Sharp from edge-to-edge. Outstanding at wide-open. Close focusing. It's one of the correct color renderness. What more... it's Zeiss optics

82mm and Metal Hood W-1 are problem. K-94 is very hard to find in market. No hood if I use filter. What should i do?

The best wide-angle for 35mm SLR that you can afford...

Customer Service

No need, built-to-last

Similar Products Used:

Biogon 21/2.8

Outstanding in resolution and contrast even at full aperture. I'ver never owned such a perfect wide angle lens

expensive and large filters(82 mm)

This lens is an optical wonder in all aspects

Customer Service

not needed

Similar Products Used:

CZ Distagon 2,8/25,
Tokina SL 3,5/17