As for the curvature in the focus field, I simply have not noticed it in any of the pictures. Thus far most of my pictures have been at wider apertures at near or mid focus distances, so the curvature could be there, but because of my style, I am not seeing it. The following file is typical example of the CA performance thus (click to download a 22 MB 1Ds Mark III CR2 file).

CONCLUSION

Generally speaking I do not consider myself as a “wide angle” shooter. When vacationing to scenic locations with broad, sweeping views, then yes, I like a wide angle lens. Unfortunately the other 50 weeks a year are spent in suburbia amongst a sea of roofs, walled-in neighborhoods, shopping centers and the usual things found in a bedroom community. Wide angle lenses captures power lines, sidewalks, streets, signage, highways, passing cars - all the stuff I am trying to avoid. “Testing” a 28mm in the North Dallas suburbs is not nearly exciting as hiking through the Canadian Rockies. In this report I have tried to include images which show the 28mm ZE’s performance with close-up and mid-distance subjects, along with the lens’ bokeh and wide open performance traits. If you are hoping to find some of those sweeping landscape images, revisit the review in about a year after we have returned from a trip in Sedona, Arizona.

As noted on the previous page, the 28mm ZE is a relatively new addition to the lens kit, so it is a bit earlier to proclaim any sweeping judgements about the lens’ performance. I can say without a doubt, given a choice between the original Contax 28mm F2 Distagon and a Zeiss 28mm F2 Distagon ZE, I would select the Zeiss 28mm F2 ZE every time. Some of my reasons include:

1. •Close-up performance at wide apertures (such as F2) is very good; most likely better than any of the three Contax 28mm F2’s I owned.
   

2. •The fully automatic aperture makes the lens more enjoyable and easier to use, and back at home in front of the computer - all the EXIF data is there - including the aperture value.
   

3. •There is no need for a third party lens adapter, so one variable is removed from the performance equation along with that nagging doubt of whether or not the adapter is compromising the lens’ performance.
   

4. •Canon 5D and 5D Mark II owners will no longer need to worry about mirror clearance.
   

5. •Purchasing a new 28mm ZE is mostly like cheaper than buying a Contax 28mm F2 Distagon plus a CY/EOS adapter, Contax 55-86 Metal Ring and Contax #2 Metal Hood. Also, Contax AE lenses are no longer serviceable by Zeiss; MM lenses are still serviced.
   

6. •Should there be anything wrong with a newly purchased 28mm ZE, replacement is simply a matter of returning the lens to the dealer for exchange or refund.
   

Picking the 28mm ZE over the Contax 28mm F2 Distagon is an easy decision in my opinion. For most people the more difficult decision will be deciding between a Canon 35mm F1.4 L or a Zeiss 28mm F2 Distagon ZE. In favor of the Zeiss is the wider field of view and probably better optical performance (just my opinion based on past experience with the Canon 35L). Or is the Canon 35L a better value given that its auto-focus and one stop advantage (ie - F1.4)? That is not an easy question because there are more variables at work than just optical performance. Ultimately each person will have to make that decision for themselves.

Based on first impressions I really like how the Zeiss 28mm ZE is drawing / rendering close-up scenes. It is probably a fine landscape lens, but its sweet spot and its “fingerprint” is more evident when shooting close subjects at wide apertures. The colors are deep and rich (saturated). The contrast is a nice balance between open shadows and still having a good “snap” or “pop”. From time to time there is a nice 3D feel to the images. While the 28mm ZE is good performer on the 1Ds Mark III, I can’t help but wonder if it would be a better lens on a 1.6x crop dSLR as a walk-around lens. Something like a Canon 7D and 28mm ZE could be a very interesting combo because the 28mm would feel like ~45mm lens in terms of its FOV. For full-frame use the 28mm ZE is very sharp and I have zero reservations about using it for landscapes, etc.

During 2010 this review will be updated from time to time as the 28mm ZE sees more use with the Canon 1Ds Mark III.