Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm F/2.8 ZF.2

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Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm F/2.8 ZF.2

espressogeek
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p.1 #1 · Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm F/2.8 ZF.2

I purchased a Nikon 16-35/4 lens for my D800e with the expectation it would be sufficient and I could avoid the hassle of buying filters larger than 77mm. Well, the 16-35/4 just isn't quite good enough and I hope to find some extra resolution and contrast of details with a Zeiss lens. The issue is that I haven't seen a 21mm CZ lens for sale in Nikon mount, in the US, for a number of weeks. Does anyone know where I can pick one up?

Aug 28, 2012 at 06:47 PM

U.C.
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p.1 #2 · Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm F/2.8 ZF.2

espressogeek wrote:
I could avoid the hassle of buying filters larger than 77mm.

The 21/2.8 has a 82mm filter size.

Aug 28, 2012 at 07:02 PM

espressogeek
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p.1 #3 · Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm F/2.8 ZF.2

Yea , I know I will have to buy new filters but such is the price of using the Zeiss lens. The Nikon just isn't cutting it. Maybe I have a bum copy.

Aug 28, 2012 at 07:19 PM

Mescalamba
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p.1 #4 · Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm F/2.8 ZF.2

Nah you dont have, its very good lens, but its zoom lens (and not Zeiss or Leica). Its regular convenience vs performance.

There might be some SH on KEH.. or here in Buy n Sell section?

Aug 28, 2012 at 07:33 PM

AhamB
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p.1 #5 · Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm F/2.8 ZF.2

Mescalamba wrote:
Nah you dont have, its very good lens, but its zoom lens (and not Zeiss or Leica). Its regular convenience vs performance.

The Nikkor G 14-24 proves that (UWA) zooms can nearly/pretty much match Zeiss' best UWA primes, doesn't it? I thought it comes awfully close to the Distagon 21 as far as sharpness is concerned anyway.

Aug 28, 2012 at 07:42 PM

espressogeek
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p.1 #6 · Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm F/2.8 ZF.2

Well the 14-24G is a real pita for filters. I would rather have a Zeiss 21/2.8. If it wasn't for that I would buy the 14-24, in fact, I would have bought it to begin with.

I've checked KEH and the B&S. I've also checked Adorama, Popflash, and BH. I was just wondering if there were any other dealers that might have one.

Its a real shame, I rented a copy of the 16-35/4 and used it on my wife's D5100 and I didn't think it was that good. I thought it might be better on the D800E , or that I had a bad copy when I rented it, but it appears it is just lame. Some folks reportedly have stellar copies though.

Aug 28, 2012 at 09:12 PM

corposant
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p.1 #7 · Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm F/2.8 ZF.2

espressogeek wrote:
Well the 14-24G is a real pita for filters. I would rather have a Zeiss 21/2.8. If it wasn't for that I would buy the 14-24, in fact, I would have bought it to begin with.

I've checked KEH and the B&S. I've also checked Adorama, Popflash, and BH. I was just wondering if there were any other dealers that might have one.

Its a real shame, I rented a copy of the 16-35/4 and used it on my wife's D5100 and I didn't think it was that good. I thought it might be better on the D800E , or that I had a bad copy when I rented it, but it appears it is just lame. Some folks reportedly have stellar copies though.

I was incredibly happy with mine - the fact that even on a DX camera you were not pleased with the lens would lead me to believe you may have had a technical issue with your lens.

Aug 28, 2012 at 09:44 PM

philip_pj
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p.1 #8 · Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm F/2.8 ZF.2

Just looked at photozone's review on the 16-35/4 and I see what you mean - resolution barely makes it out of the 'good' category apart from the centre, and around 21mm is the best it can do. Sad for a costly well-made pseudo-pro lens, with a huge number of elements and fancy glass, a similar spec to the 14-24/2.8.

Nikon don't seem to do corners well in wide angle zooms, as the 14-24 is similar in this respect at more usable FLs (20-24mm) but somewhat better. It does weigh like an anchor, flares, no easy fit Pol/NDs. Looks like a terrific 14-18mm however. I see your reasons now on refresh..

Maybe look further and be patient? A good ebay dealer in east Asia? Being in Aust I use them and have had very good results and prices...local to you, photo.net, a wanted ad right here (the 21mm is not everyone's cup of tea), getdpi, camera west, Nikon sites (Nikonians, etc.) good luck with it/.

Aug 28, 2012 at 09:46 PM

tsdevine
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p.1 #9 · Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm F/2.8 ZF.2

This is just conjecture, but they are really behind in the 15mm production, I wonder if they've been focusing resources there...hence the 21mm be scarce. Like I said, just pure conjecture.

-Tim

Aug 28, 2012 at 11:22 PM

wayne seltzer
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p.1 #10 · Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm F/2.8 ZF.2

I have been wanting to buy a ZF 21 all summer for my D800E and it has been out of stock the whole time.
While the ZE version has been available.
I think there has been some unique part shortage for the ZF version which is the problem.
I have 14-24G but prefer colors and microcontrast of the 21 plus have polarizer and ND grad filters for it.
When will the ZF21 be in stock new?

Aug 29, 2012 at 12:20 AM

OneAnt
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p.1 #11 · Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm F/2.8 ZF.2

Wayne, is in stock and ordering one through a vip-level service agent any different?
Christine (chris@zgc.com) at ZGC.com (owned by the owner of Cooke(UK) lenses is a film company supplier and academy award winner.

Zeiss appear to give them some priority and besides great service, Christine is lovely.

ZGC.com

Ant.

Aug 29, 2012 at 01:32 AM

FlyPenFly
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p.1 #12 · Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm F/2.8 ZF.2

If I had unlimited funds, I would have kept my zf.2 21mm F2.8

Quite a unique lens.

Aug 29, 2012 at 02:06 AM

dimitris77
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p.1 #13 · Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm F/2.8 ZF.2

Well you can buy the 5 Zeiss bundle from B&H

Aug 29, 2012 at 02:22 AM

trumpet_guy
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p.1 #14 · Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm F/2.8 ZF.2

I assume you have checked lensrentals.com

They are a Zeiss dealer for new glass.

Edit: Well, it looks like they are out of stock also.

Aug 29, 2012 at 04:59 AM

wayne seltzer
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p.1 #15 · Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm F/2.8 ZF.2

trumpet_guy wrote:
I assume you have checked lensrentals.com

They are a Zeiss dealer for new glass.

Actually, they are who I want to buy it through under the try and buy deal.
But they don't have any new ones to buy right now either.
Full Zeiss set! Lol!
Thanks Ant for the info. Worried about return policy for decentered lens since not in US.

Aug 29, 2012 at 05:24 AM

carstenw
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p.1 #16 · Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm F/2.8 ZF.2

If anyone in Europe wants the Zeiss 21/2.8 for Nikon, and doesn't need the ZF.2 version, I have an incredibly handsome ZF copy for sale, which I didn't yet get around to re-listing on the B&S.

Aug 29, 2012 at 07:14 AM

wayne seltzer
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p.1 #17 · Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm F/2.8 ZF.2

So nobody here knows why the ZF.2 21 has been out of stock so long?
Can our Zeiss liasons tell us why?

Aug 29, 2012 at 04:05 PM

espressogeek
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p.1 #18 · Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm F/2.8 ZF.2

I missed a good used one on eBay the other day. It would be nice if someone could give us the skinny on why the 21/2.8 is AWOL. I might have to rent one but I would rather just buy one.

Sep 01, 2012 at 03:55 PM

Toothwalker
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p.1 #19 · Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm F/2.8 ZF.2

It is in stock in the Zeiss lens shop.

Sep 02, 2012 at 10:41 AM

espressogeek
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p.1 #20 · Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm F/2.8 ZF.2

Toothwalker, do you know if I would still have a warranty if I bought it overseas?

Sep 02, 2012 at 04:33 PM

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