DOF applies to all lenses and the 28mm F2.0 Distagon is subject to the same laws. F8 to F16 are common apertures for landscape photography, and at these apertures the 28mm F2.0 Distagon’s landscape performance is the best I have ever used (at 28mm). The lens produces excellent resolution, perfect corners, micro contrast, little or no CA (fringing) and pleasing color. Of course, there is nice bokeh (background blur) at faster apertures such as F2 through F4.

The 28mm F2.0 Distagon can be used for landscape work even F2.0. In fact even at F4 to F5.6 the lens is very good - and much, much better than Canon EF 35mm F1.4L. At F2.0 and F2.8 the 28/2 is sharp in center, but lacks necessary DOF for sharp lower corners - unless you pull focus forward. And since the 28mm is a F2, pulling focus forward, shooting with a faster aperture can be quite fun because of the narrow DOF.

I have used the Contax 21mm F2.8 Distagon and do not care for its mustache distortion (think of a gull wing shape). For architecture pictures it can be a frustrating lens. Plus, as noted earlier, a 21mm will have considerably more corrections and the corners & edges will have the typical wide angle look. That look is fine if it is the desired result, but if the goal is more natural perspective, then 28mm is a better option. Unfortunately I have not had as much opportunity to shoot with the 28mm as expected. During our last trip to Hawaii the weather was hit or miss. With the rain, winds and blowing sand I decided to play it safe and use a couple Canon L zooms with weather sealing.  

ADAPTERS FOR CANON EF & EF-S BODIES

There are mixed reports with the 28mm F2.0 Distagon when mounted on a Canon 5D dSLR. There have been successes with Cameraquest, Fotodiox, HappyPageHK and Adapter Solutions. Meanwhile other people say the Canon 5D mirror hangs on rear of the lens regardless of which adapter. There is some speculation that the problem is due Canon production variances in Canon 5D’s mirror box assembly. I currently use the 28mm F2.0 Distagon on a Canon 1Ds Mark II with a HappyPageHK focus confirmation adapter. The lens reaches infinity and focus confirmation works well. Despite being a 28mm lens, the DOF at F2.0 can be surprisingly thin when focusing on near subjects. I find the HappyPageHK adapter to be an invaluable focusing aid.  For more on adapters, click here.

ZEISS ZF LENSES

Carl Zeiss added the Zeiss 28mm F2.0 Distagon ZF to the ZF line-up in the 2007. For Nikon D3 owners, I think the lens is worth checking out. The new Nikon 14-24mm F2.8 ED zoom is supposedly pretty good, so the 28mm F2.0 will be probably be overlooked by most. For Canon dSLR owners, we can pick either the Contax or Zeiss version. Based upon reading several user reports about the new Zeiss 28mm F2.0, it sounds like both lenses are equally good with new ZF having a slighter bolder contrast [at the expense of shadow detail]. One important consideration, Zeiss no longer services the Contax 28mm F2.0 in the older AE configuration (MM’s are still supported). Considering the cost of a Contax 28mm F2.0 MM (especially if made in West Germany), a new Zeiss 28mm F2.0 ZF may make better financial sense. And if you think you may be switching to Nikon at some point (a-la the Nikon D3 or D3X), then buying the new ZF’s is a nice way to hedge your bets.

ZEISS ZE UPDATES

I purchased a Zeiss 50mm F2.0 Makro-Planar ZE, the review is here. And a field report for the Zeiss 28mm F2 ZE for Canon EF / EF-S SLRs and dSLRs is also available now, (click here).