Zeiss Distagon T* 35mm f/2 ZF - Review / Test Report |
Lens Reviews -
Nikon / Nikkor (APS-C)
|
Page 1 of 3
Review by Klaus Schroiff, published February 2007
Lens kindly provided for testing purposes by Peter-Cornelius Spaeth!
Introduction
The Zeiss Distagon T* 35mm f/2 ZF is another representative of the
recently introduced ZF line-up. Zeiss ZF are a manual focus lenses
compatible to the Nikon F(Ai-S)-mount (therefore ZF).
On the APS-C DSLRs the Distagon has a field-of-view equivalent to
52mm so it behaves like a normal lens within this scope.
Typical for all ZF lenses the 35mm f/2 doesn´t feature AF nor an electronically
controlled aperture. Reads: the lens has an automatic aperture but you have
to stop down via the aperture ring on the lens (1/2 stop steps).
Consequently the lens is not compatible to the consumer-grade Nikon DSLRs a la
D40 or D70. However, it works just fine e.g. in aperture-priority mode on the
D200.
The build quality of the full-metal Zeiss (brass with chromium-plated brass
front bayonet) is superb. The fluted focus ring feels exceptionally
well damped. The front element does not rotate. The physical length
changes when focusing towards close distances though.
Specifications |
Equiv. focal length | 52.5 mm (full format equivalent) |
Equiv. aperture | f/3 (full format equivalent, in terms of depth-of-field) |
Optical construction | 9 elements in 7 groups |
Number of aperture blades | 9 |
min. focus distance | 0.3 m (max. magnification ratio 1:5.3) |
Dimensions | 65 mm x 97 mm |
Weight | 530 g |
Filter size | 58 mm (non-rotating) |
Hood | barrel shaped, metal, bayonet mount (supplied) |
Other features | - |
|