Quick answer
The Contax Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 Distagon is a ultra-wide prime lens covering 21mm at f/2.8 for the Contax/Yashica mount. Its bright maximum aperture handles indoor and evening light reasonably well.
About this lens
This 21mm f/2.8 manual-focus wide-angle prime lens from Contax fits Contax/Yashica mount cameras. The wide view suits landscapes, architecture and environmental shots.
Contax Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 Distagon specifications
- Brand
- Contax
- Mount
- Contax/Yashica
- Focal length
- 21mm
- Maximum aperture
- f/2.8
- Lens type
- Prime
- Format coverage
- full-frame
- Optical construction
- 15 elements in 13 groups
- Autofocus motor
- none
- Minimum focus distance
- 0.25 m
- Filter thread
- 82 mm
- Weight
- 530 g
- Length
- 90.5 mm
- Diameter
- 85 mm
Specification source: en.wikipedia.org
What can you shoot with the Contax Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 Distagon?
At 21mm this is a ultra-wide prime, which typically suits:
- Landscapes and big skies
- Architecture and interiors
- Astrophotography and night skies
Its bright maximum aperture handles indoor and evening light reasonably well.
Full-frame equivalent and field of view
Calculated from the focal length and crop factor (adapted mount, so sensor size depends on your camera). Not measured.
| Sensor | Crop | Equivalent | Horizontal FOV | Diagonal FOV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full frame | 1.0x | 21mm | 81.2° | 91.7° |
| APS-C | 1.5x | 32mm | 59.5° | 69° |
| Micro Four Thirds | 2.0x | 42mm | 46.4° | 54.5° |
Frequently asked questions
What mount does the Contax Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 Distagon use?
It uses the Contax/Yashica mount, so it fits Contax/Yashica cameras directly and can be used on other systems through a mount adapter.
What is the focal length of the Contax Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 Distagon?
It is a fixed 21mm lens with a maximum aperture of f/2.8. That makes it a ultra-wide lens.
Is the Contax Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 Distagon a prime or a zoom lens?
It is a prime lens with a fixed 21mm focal length. Primes usually open wider than zooms; this one opens to f/2.8.
What is the Contax Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 Distagon equivalent on a crop sensor?
On APS-C (1.5x crop) it frames like 32mm on full frame, with a 59.5° horizontal and 69° diagonal field of view. On Micro Four Thirds (2x crop) it frames like 42mm on full frame, with a 46.4° horizontal and 54.5° diagonal field of view. These figures are calculated from the focal length and crop factor.
