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Zeiss Distagon T* 25mm f/2 ZF.2 (FX) - Review / Test Report - Sample Images & Verdict |
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Lens Reviews -
Nikon / Nikkor (full format)
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Page 3 of 3
Sample Shots
The following sample shots were taken with a D3x and RAW-converted via CaptureOne.
Click on a thumbnail to view the original file (opens in a separate window).
| Make |
NIKON CORPORATION |
|
| Model |
NIKON D3X |
| ISO Speed |
100 |
| Focal Length |
25.0mm |
| Aperture: |
f/2.0 |
| Exposure |
1/3200s |
|
| Make |
NIKON CORPORATION |
|
| Model |
NIKON D3X |
| ISO Speed |
100 |
| Focal Length |
25.0mm |
| Aperture: |
f/3.2 |
| Exposure |
1/800s |
|
| Make |
NIKON CORPORATION |
|
| Model |
NIKON D3X |
| ISO Speed |
100 |
| Focal Length |
25.0mm |
| Aperture: |
f/8.0 |
| Exposure |
1/250s |
|
| Make |
NIKON CORPORATION |
|
| Model |
NIKON D3X |
| ISO Speed |
100 |
| Focal Length |
25.0mm |
| Aperture: |
f/4.0 |
| Exposure |
1/1000s |
|
| Make |
NIKON CORPORATION |
|
| Model |
NIKON D3X |
| ISO Speed |
100 |
| Focal Length |
25.0mm |
| Aperture: |
f/4.0 |
| Exposure |
1/2500s |
|
| Make |
NIKON CORPORATION |
|
| Model |
NIKON D3X |
| ISO Speed |
100 |
| Focal Length |
25.0mm |
| Aperture: |
f/7.1 |
| Exposure |
1/500s |
|
| Make |
NIKON CORPORATION |
|
| Model |
NIKON D3X |
| ISO Speed |
160 |
| Focal Length |
25.0mm |
| Aperture: |
f/8.0 |
| Exposure |
1/250s |
|
| Make |
NIKON CORPORATION |
|
| Model |
NIKON D3X |
| ISO Speed |
160 |
| Focal Length |
25.0mm |
| Aperture: |
f/2.0 |
| Exposure |
1/4000s |
|
| Make |
NIKON CORPORATION |
|
| Model |
NIKON D3X |
| ISO Speed |
160 |
| Focal Length |
25.0mm |
| Aperture: |
f/7.1 |
| Exposure |
1/320s |
|
| Make |
NIKON CORPORATION |
|
| Model |
NIKON D3X |
| ISO Speed |
160 |
| Focal Length |
25.0mm |
| Aperture: |
f/4.0 |
| Exposure |
1/1250s |
|
| Make |
NIKON CORPORATION |
|
| Model |
NIKON D3X |
| ISO Speed |
160 |
| Focal Length |
25.0mm |
| Aperture: |
f/4.0 |
| Exposure |
1/1250s |
|
| Make |
NIKON CORPORATION |
|
| Model |
NIKON D3X |
| ISO Speed |
160 |
| Focal Length |
25.0mm |
| Aperture: |
f/2.0 |
| Exposure |
1/4000s |
|
| Make |
NIKON CORPORATION |
|
| Model |
NIKON D3X |
| ISO Speed |
160 |
| Focal Length |
25.0mm |
| Aperture: |
f/3.5 |
| Exposure |
1/800s |
|
| Make |
NIKON CORPORATION |
|
| Model |
NIKON D3X |
| ISO Speed |
100 |
| Focal Length |
25.0mm |
| Aperture: |
f/2.0 |
| Exposure |
1/3200s |
|
| Make |
NIKON CORPORATION |
|
| Model |
NIKON D3X |
| ISO Speed |
100 |
| Focal Length |
25.0mm |
| Aperture: |
f/8.0 |
| Exposure |
1/320s |
|
| Make |
NIKON CORPORATION |
|
| Model |
NIKON D3X |
| ISO Speed |
100 |
| Focal Length |
25.0mm |
| Aperture: |
f/8.0 |
| Exposure |
1/400s |
|
| Make |
NIKON CORPORATION |
|
| Model |
NIKON D3X |
| ISO Speed |
100 |
| Focal Length |
25.0mm |
| Aperture: |
f/8.0 |
| Exposure |
1/320s |
|
| Make |
NIKON CORPORATION |
|
| Model |
NIKON D3X |
| ISO Speed |
100 |
| Focal Length |
25.0mm |
| Aperture: |
f/6.3 |
| Exposure |
1/400s |
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Verdict
The Zeiss ZF.2 Distagon T* 25mm f/2 is an impressive lens. It is capable of delivering outstanding center resolution combined with very high contrast at all mainstream apertures. However, expect some corner softness at large aperture settings - that said it is probably not really an issue for most of the kind of images taken at f/2 or f/2.8. The Distagon is very sharp at f/5.6 and f/8 which is e.g. certainly appreciated by landscape photographers. The very low CAs contribute to the high sharpness perception. A moderate degree of barrel distortion is typical for such a wide-angle prime lens. A common Zeiss weakness is the amount of vignetting which is very obvious at large aperture settings.
Just like the rest of its family, the Zeiss lens is built to the highest standards except for the lack of weather sealing. Some users may complain about the lack of AF but this is, frankly, not really a show-stopper at this focal length. The focus confirmation is available in the viewfinder and in very critical scenes (for example close focus) Live-View can give you a helping hand.
A drawback is, of course, the steep pricing of the lens. At around 1400EUR it competes price-wise with the Nikon AF-S 24mm f/1.4, while its specifications are closer to the recently released Nikon AF-S 24mm f/1.8, which currently retails for half of the price of the Distagon and unlike the Zeiss features a modern autofocus drive.
So, in the end one really needs to prefer the look of the results the Zeiss delivers and/or appreciate the physical look and feel of the Z-series lenses to justify the cost of choosing it over more affordable competition.
Mechanical Quality:
★★★★★
Click here for an explanation of our star ratings
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