For Sale Zeiss Distagon ZF lenses - 21mm f/2.8 and 35mm f/2.0

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bags27

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RalphLambrecht said:
These are obviously in a Nikon F mount. Their reputation isexcellent but I wonder how the really compare to the original Nikon equivalents. Anybody in the know or compared them?
Click to expand...

I own the 25, 50 (f/1.4, not the f/2 macro) and the 100 macro in Nikon mount. I sold the 28 which is a hit or miss amazing lens but too close to the 25 for my purposes

Much heavier (some would say "better build quality") than Nikon equivalents.
Optically, they have that modern Zeiss look: very, very sharp, more "pop" and more highly saturated. I'm getting mine out now for fall colors. With Portra 400, they dazzle.

There isn't a single lens in this whole lineup that isn't highly praised. The 135mm is sort of legendary but massive; the 21 and 35 are exceptionally strong. Weakest is my 50 f/1.4 which is--to put it kindly--"interpretative" wide open. But a lot cheaper than the 50 f/2 macro and just as good by f/2. Actually pretty wonderful at f/5.6 and f/8.
 
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Angarian

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RalphLambrecht said:
These are obviously in a Nikon F mount. Their reputation isexcellent but I wonder how the really compare to the original Nikon equivalents. Anybody in the know or compared them?
Click to expand...

Yes, we did some years ago in our local photographers group. As every member has lots of different lenses, such comparison tests are very educating, interesting and give fun, too.

The Zeiss 2/35 ZF is much better optically and mechanically compared to the Nikkor 2,8/35 AI-S, Nikkor 2/35 AI-S, Nikkor 2/35 AF-D and Nikkor 1.4/35 AI-S.
The Zeiss 2.8/21 ZF is significantly better optically and mechanically compared to the Nikkor 2.8/20 AI-S and 2.8/20 AF-D.
 

JParker

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RalphLambrecht said:
These are obviously in a Nikon F mount. Their reputation isexcellent but I wonder how the really compare to the original Nikon equivalents. Anybody in the know or compared them?
Click to expand...

So far all Zeiss ZF / ZF.2 / Milvus lenses that I have used have performed much, much better than their equivalent Nikkor counterparts.
The advantages of the Zeiss lenses have been very clearly visible. Construction quality is also better.

Here a comparison of the Nikkor 1.8/50 AI-S (short barrel version) with the current Zeiss Milvus Distagon 1.4/50:

You will find almost all Nikkor and Zeiss lenses tested here:

Nikon / Nikkor Full Format Lens Tests / Reviews

OpticalLimits - Lens reviews and beyond!
photozone.de

and here:

- lenses reviews - LensTip.com

Best digital cameras and lens reviews. If you are looking for the information about digital cameras and lenses you are in a right place. We have many professional tests of digital photography equipment.
www.lenstip.com

- lenses reviews - LensTip.com

Best digital cameras and lens reviews. If you are looking for the information about digital cameras and lenses you are in a right place. We have many professional tests of digital photography equipment.
www.lenstip.com
 

skahde

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I owned both of theses lenses after having used their different Nikon-equivalents (I will not start listing them all) for many years. It was my solution to the high demands of the Sensor of the Nikon D800E and the Zeiss-lenses delivered! Both are wonderful and I have a 1.2 m (4 feet) wide print from the 2/35 hanging just behind me. You cant go wrong with either one I think the pricing is very reasonable.
 

Film-Niko

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skahde said:
I owned both of theses lenses after having used their different Nikon-equivalents (I will not start listing them all) for many years. It was my solution to the high demands of the Sensor of the Nikon D800E and the Zeiss-lenses delivered!......
Click to expand...
skahde said:
You cant go wrong with either one I think the pricing is very reasonable.
Click to expand...

I can completely agree.
Both lenses are excellent from my experience (on film and digital), and are surpassing their Nikkor counterparts / equivalent lenses by far. In their optical, and also mechanical performance. The better performance of the Zeiss lenses is very well visible and obvious.

Especially the newly designed lenses of the ZE / ZF / ZF.2 / Milvus lens programme (that means all except the classic Planar 1.4/50 and 1.4/85) are really a league of their own and surpassing the older Nikon Nikkor and Canon FD / EF lenses by a huge margin.
I had the chance to test many of them, and using some regularly because I own them.

And yes, the pricing of the two lenses here is indeed very fair.
 

skahde

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If I remember correctly the 2/35 and 2.8/21 mm Distagons in my inventory existed in Contax/Yashica (and some more from the ZF/ZE-line). Of the 2.8/21 I read it was released as late as 1995, though.
 

Film-Niko

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skahde said:
If I remember correctly the 2/35 and 2.8/21 mm Distagons in my inventory existed in Contax/Yashica (and some more from the ZF/ZE-line). Of the 2.8/21 I read it was released as late as 1995, though.
Click to expand...

AFAIK also the 2/35 and 2,8/21mm Distagons has been improved compared to the former Zeiss/Contax lenses.
Here in post 13 there is a comparison of the MTF charts of the former Zeiss/Contax 2.8/21 to the current Zeiss 2.8/21 in Nikon F and Canon EF mount:

Z8 with Zeiss Milvus 21mm?

Curious if anyone has adapted the Zeiss Milvus 21mm on the Z8, and if so, what are your thoughts on the pair?
www.fredmiranda.com
 

skahde

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That is good news, Zeiss keeps improving their products obviously.
 

RalphLambrecht

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this is a Nikon F/AI mount, correct?
 
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