What is Contax Carl Zeiss Biogon T* 21mm f2.8 Lens?
The Contax Carl Zeiss Biogon T* 21mm f2.8 lens is a high-quality wide-angle lens designed for Contax and Yashica mount cameras. It was manufactured by the renowned German lens manufacturer Carl Zeiss, which is known for its exceptional optics. The lens was part of the Contax system, which was popular among professional photographers in the 1990s.
The Power of Wide-Angle Photography
The 21mm focal length of the Contax Carl Zeiss Biogon T* lens captures a wide field of view, making it ideal for landscape, architecture, and street photography. With its wide perspective, this lens allows photographers to include more of the surroundings in their frame, creating a sense of depth and scale. It also excels in low-light situations, thanks to its wide maximum aperture of f2.8, which enables faster shutter speeds and enhances the lens’s versatility.
Exceptional Optical Performance
The Contax Carl Zeiss Biogon T* 21mm f2.8 lens delivers superb optical performance, thanks to its advanced design and high-quality glass elements. The lens features the Carl Zeiss T* coating, which minimizes lens flare and ghosting while maximizing contrast and color accuracy. This coating ensures that every image taken with this lens is sharp, vibrant, and free from unwanted reflections.
Build Quality and Handling
The build quality of the Contax Carl Zeiss Biogon T* 21mm f2.8 lens is exceptional, as is expected from Carl Zeiss lenses. The lens barrel is made of durable metal, providing a solid and robust feel. Its manual focus ring is smooth and precise, allowing photographers to achieve precise focus easily. The lens also has a distance scale and depth of field markings, which further aid in accurate focusing and zone focusing techniques.
Availability and Pricing
The Contax Carl Zeiss Biogon T* 21mm f2.8 lens was released in the 1990s for Contax and Yashica mount cameras. It quickly gained a reputation as one of the best wide-angle lenses in the market. However, due to the discontinuation of Contax cameras and lenses in the early 2000s, this lens is now only available in the used market. The price of a used Contax Carl Zeiss Biogon T* 21mm f2.8 lens can vary depending on its condition, ranging from $500 to $1000.
Conclusion
The Contax Carl Zeiss Biogon T* 21mm f2.8 lens is a top-tier wide-angle lens that offers exceptional optical performance and build quality. With its wide field of view and wide aperture, it is a versatile lens that excels in various photography genres. While it may no longer be in production, this lens remains highly sought after by photographers who value its quality and the unique perspective it provides.