OVERVIEW

The Zeiss 28mm F2 Distagon ZE is essentially an evolution of the original Contax lens. The two hallmark features of the Carl Zeiss 28mm F2 Distagon design are its F2 aperture and the floating element construction. In the Zeiss 28mm F2 Distagon ZE press release, Zeiss emphasizes the F2 aperture, “From landscape photography at dawn to interior shots with weak lighting and close-up portraits, the Distagon T* 2/28 ZE offers photographers plenty of room for creativity when a tripod is not used.”

The ZE mount adds automatic aperture operation, complete EXIF data, focus confirmation and a native Canon EF mount. Using a Zeiss ZE lens is like using any other Canon manual focus EF lens - aperture is set via the control dials on the Canon camera body, EXIF data shows the lens info and exposure data - including the aperture selected, focus confirmation beeps and so on. Zeiss ZE lenses work on all Canon EF and EF-S dSLR bodies.

BUILD QUALITY

I am happy to write that the Zeiss 28/2 ZE build quality feels as a good Leica lens. The Zeiss 28/2 ZE has a dense, substantial feel to it. It balances nicely on the Canon 1Ds Mark III and feels comfortable as a walk-around lens. The manual focus ring turns smoothly with the wonderful dampened feel that we associate with quality manual focus lenses. Looking through the front element reveals of series of concentric circles created by the 10 elements; from a mechanical engineering standpoint, it is a lovely looking design. The body barrel construction is taught with no hints of wobble or flex. It is hard to imagine anybody being upset with the build quality.

On the Zeiss ZF lenses the aperture ring is quite close to the camera body, and recessed in a valley. In my experience with the Zeiss 100/2 ZF and 50/2 ZF, I found the aperture ring placement awkward - making aperture changes difficult. Thus, I welcome the 100% electronically integrated approach on the Zeiss ZE versions. There is a price to pay for electronic aperture control; compared to the ZF model, the ZE version gains 60 grams (about ~10% heavier) and has a slightly larger barrel diameter. The Zeiss 28mm F2 ZE mounts smoothly and easily on the 1Ds Mark III. When mounted the lens feels solid and there is no rotational play.

A metal lens hood is included. It rotates into place and locks into position with metal spring clips. I have not observed any ill-effects such as flare or reflections. The aperture and focus distance markings are engraved, so they should age well. The knurling on the focus ring is very fine. It is likely that finger oil and dust will accumulate in the ridges, so wiping down the lens with micro fiber lens cloth is good preventive maintenance.

My only grip with Zeiss lenses build quality is the front lens caps - which pop off far too easily. A slight twist locks them down into the threads, but without that twist, mentalists could will the caps to pop off with just a blink of the eye!

HANDLING

The Zeiss 28mm ZE might be a heavier lens than some people may expect. The Zeiss 28mm ZE has 10 elements in a relatively short barrel length, the result is a dense lens. As a comparison, it weighs about the same as a Canon 35L. On the Canon 1Ds Mark III the Zeiss 28mm feels nicely balanced. The 28mm ZE will probably feel comfortable on a 5D Mark II and 7D body as well, but it may feel nose-heavy on a smaller dSLR like the Canon 500D / XTi.