Zeiss 15mm f/2.8 - Distagon T* 2,8/15 lens

Product Summary

Model name: Zeiss Distagon T* 2,8/15
Release Date: March 16, 2012
Focus Type: Manual
Format : Full Frame
Mounts: Canon | Nikon
Color: Black
Availability: May 2012
Price: $2,948
Purchase options: Amazon | B&H | Adorama

Overview

The super wide angle Distagon T* 2,8/15 with an extra-large angle of view of 110 degrees in combination with a fast f/2.8 aperture, the lens enables the features for dramatic perspectives and performance demanded by the most ambitious landscape and architectural photographers. With a unique ability to capture events in a natural and extraordinary manner, it is also an ideal companion for advertising,journalism and commercial photography.

Thanks to the extreme angle of view of the lens, the fore and background can be creatively emphasized in landscape and architecture photography. These applications will also benefit from the large depth-of-field, which provides a wide range of image sharpness from close-up up to infinity. With a close focus of 0.25m (10″) – combined with a wide angle view, photographers can work in tight spaces, while also allowing focus on close-up details. Distortion is extremely well controlled, producing naturally proportioned photographs which are not typical of many other super wide angle lenses.

The Distagon T* 2,8/15 incorporates two aspheric lenses and special types of glass material with abnormal partial dispersion to provide an extraordinary correction of chromatic aberration. A floating elements design guarantees high image quality from close-focus through infinity. Like the other SLR lenses in the ZE and ZF.2 series, stray light and reflections are well controlled by the Carl Zeiss T* anti-reflective coating and the sophisticated treatment of the lens element edges with special light absorbing paint.

The robust all-metal barrel of the Distagon T* 2,8/15 is designed for decades of reliable service. A long focus rotation and buttery-smooth action is perfect for photographers who want to take control of their picture making, as well as for filmmakers looking for superior focus control. A nine blade aperture provides a nearly circular opening, producing natural looking out of focus details. The lens shade is integrated into the design and helps to protect the lens surface from unintentional damage. The 95mm filter thread accepts all standard filters, including the recently released Carl Zeiss T* UV and POL filters.

Features

Aspherical design

The lens incorporates a aspherical lens design to ensures consistent imaging performance throughout the entire focusing range including superior sharpness to the periphery of the image. The aspherical design sphere’s can reduce or eliminate spherical aberration and also reduce other optical aberrations compared to a simple lens.

Floating Elements Design

This lens also has state-of-the-art camera techniques and high-resolution digital image sensors increasingly demand more from the lenses. The modern floating element design compensates aberrations of the Carl Zeiss SLR lenses at different distance settings. This is accomplished by changing the axial distance of single lens elements or element groups to each other. The adjustment of the element distance is coupled to the distance setting so that it always results in the right correction. The mechanical design of these lens elements is very complex and the workmanship must be particularly exact – both specialties of Carl Zeiss.

Excellent resolution and high contrast

Rich, vibrant colors are vital to creating a lasting impression. Stray light in the lens, however, would lead to a brightening of the image, which is particularly visible in shadow areas. Image contrast is lowered; the image appears dull and bleached. We combine various, elaborate techniques to reduce unwanted stray light.

Virtually distortion-free optics

Dramatic perspectives and a view from extraordinary image angles – SLR lenses from Carl Zeiss open up new composition possibilities. Distortion would disrupt the composition because straight lines, whose image does not go through the image center, would be reproduced with a curved shape. This annoying effect is accordingly and largely compensated through elaborate optical designs at all focal lengths.

Homogeneous image quality throughout the image field

ZEISS lenses are famous for their extraordinary image quality. Even with challenging subjects, perspective, color and light are optimally rendered – throughout the entire 35 mm image field. For this reason, we place great emphasis on particularly high image quality, e.g. low distortion and outstanding stray light reduction for rich colors.

Specifications

Focal Length	15 mm
Aperture range	f/2.8 – f/22
Focusing range	9.85 / “0.25m – infinity
Image ratio at close range	1 : 9
Coverage at close range	340 x 221 mm (close-up)
Number of elements/groups	15/12
Angular field (diag./horiz./vert.)	110° / 100° / 76°
Filter-Mount	M 95 x 1.0
Diameter	103mm
Length with Caps	5.2″ / 132mm
Weight	28.9 oz / 820 g
Warranty	Zeiss warranty