The Zeiss ZE 21mm f/2.8 is a precision manually focusing wide-angle lens. Looking for a newer version of this lens? Check out the Zeiss Milvus ZE 21mm f/2.8. Key features include:

Extremely Sharp Wide-Angle Lens. The Zeiss 21mm Distagon is a legendary lens among SLR shooters. For years, the out-of-production Contax version of this lens was widely considered the sharpest wide-angle lens ever made. People routinely paid $4,000-$5,000 for it so they could adapter-mount and use it on modern SLR cameras.

High-Quality Optics. Now Zeiss has remade the 21mm in ZE (Canon) mount with modern anti-reflective coatings that help produce professional-quality, high-microcontrast images with accurate colors and no color fringing, all regardless of lighting conditions.

Precision Focusing. This is a fully manually focusing lens, but cameras will automatically adjust exposure with the lens and give full TTL information. This lens’s 8.64-inch minimum focusing distance is great for shooting landscapes, and enables adventurous shooters to capture dramatic perspectives.

Sale of Zeiss ZE Lenses. We’re a registered Zeiss dealer and sell new, in-box, fully warrantied Zeiss ZE lenses in our For Sale section. If the lens is listed, we have a new, in-box copy of it in stock for immediate shipment. If it’s not listed, it’s backordered, but we still have rental copies available.

Zeiss Try and Buy. We offer a new service with ZE lenses only. First, rent any ZE lens for four days. Then, if you decide you want to buy it, we will apply your four-day rental fee to the purchase of a brand-new copy at our listed price. (Please note that this isn’t your used rental copy. You’ll be buying a new lens.)