The Contax Carl Zeiss 25mm f/2.8 T* Distagon Lens is a high-quality wide-angle lens designed for Contax cameras. It was manufactured by Carl Zeiss, a renowned German optics company known for producing exceptional lenses.
**Overview of the Lens**
Released in the 1990s, this lens was designed for the Contax RTS series of film cameras. It features a wide-angle focal length of 25mm, making it ideal for landscape, architectural, and street photography. The maximum aperture of f/2.8 allows for excellent low-light performance and shallow depth of field capabilities.
**Key Features of the Lens**
1. **Optical Performance**: The Contax Carl Zeiss 25mm f/2.8 T* Distagon Lens delivers exceptional image quality with high contrast and sharpness. The lens elements are multi-coated with Zeiss T* anti-reflective coating, minimizing flare and ghosting while enhancing overall image clarity.
2. **Construction**: The lens is constructed with high-quality materials, featuring a metal barrel for durability and precision. It has a robust build that can withstand various weather conditions, making it suitable for outdoor photography.
3. **Manual Focus**: As with most lenses from the film era, the Contax Carl Zeiss 25mm f/2.8 T* Distagon Lens is a manual focus lens. This allows photographers to have full control over their focus and accurately capture their desired subjects.
4. **Compatibility**: The lens is designed specifically for Contax RTS series film cameras. However, with the appropriate adapter, it can also be used on modern digital cameras with a similar lens mount.
**Price and Availability**
Back in the 1990s when it was first released, the Contax Carl Zeiss 25mm f/2.8 T* Distagon Lens had a price tag of around $700. Since it is no longer in production, finding a used one might be your best option. The price for a used lens can vary depending on its condition and the market demand.
**Final Thoughts**
The Contax Carl Zeiss 25mm f/2.8 T* Distagon Lens is a fantastic choice for photographers who appreciate the exceptional image quality and impressive build quality that Carl Zeiss lenses are renowned for. Although it may require manual focusing and potentially an adapter to use on modern digital cameras, the results it produces are well worth the investment. So, if you’re a fan of wide-angle photography and have a Contax RTS series camera or compatible system, this lens could be the perfect addition to your gear.
