Lens review

Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 25 mm f/2.0 ZE/ZF.2

8. Vignetting

It can be seen at the maximum relative aperture where it amounts to 28% (-0.96%) but already by f/2.8 it is slight, reaching just 13% (-0.39 EV) and by f/4.0 it disappears completely (9%). Comparing these results to those of competitors you can assume there will be problems on full frame - you should notice that the vignetting level of the Zeiss by f/2.0 is very similar to the vignetting level of the Nikkor by f/1.4.

The problems on full frame are undoubtedly more serious – one look at the thumbnails is enough to see it rather clearly.

At the maximum relative aperture the vignetting gets to a huge level of 67% (-3.19 EV). On stopping down the aperture to f/2.8 the brightness loss in the frame corners remains pronounced, reaching 46% (-1.78 EV). The performance by f/4.0 and f/5.6 is far from perfect as well, being respectively 34% (-1.20 EV) and 29% (-0.99 EV) On further stopping down you don’t see the level of this aberration decrease – it doesn’t want to drop lower than 25%.

The comparison with its competitors, shown below, proves that the Zeiss is much worse than the faster Nikkor. In the case of a duel between the Canon and the Zeiss we must admit the tested lens, despite being slower, fights as equal.