Based on a classic design from 1952, the black ZEISS C Biogon T* 21mm f/4.5 ZM Lens Blackfrom ZEISS C Biogon T* 21mm f/4.5 ZM Lens Blackis a super wide-angle prime for M-mount rangefinder cameras. Its 'C' designation reflects the lens's compact form factor and classic optical design to produce imagery with true color fidelity and natural rendering. The Biogon optical concept helps to ensure virtually no distortion, and this eight elements, six groups layout also maintains a high degree of sharpness and clarity. Additionally, a T* anti-reflective coating has also been applied to reduce lens flare and ghosting for improved contrast in strong lighting conditions.

Leica M-Mount Lens    Aperture Range: f/4.5 to f/22    ZEISS T* Anti-Reflective Coating    Manual Focus Design    Minimum Focus Distance: 1.6'    Filter Thread: 46mm    10-Blade Diaphragm

Type 'C' lens refers to this lens's classic aesthetic and compact design that recalls its predecessor from 1952. The glass and coatings have been updated to contemporary standards, however it still produces a timeless look well-suited for both film and digital use.

Biogon optical concept benefits the super-wide focal length by helping to virtually eliminate distortion for clean, realistic rendering.

Zeiss T* anti-reflective coatings have been applied to each lens surface to help minimize reflections in order to provide greater image clarity, contrast, and color fidelity.

Manual focus design enables a minimum focusing distance of 1.6'.

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Does anyone have experience with this lens on an A7II? Thanks!

A: This is a very very sharp lens. It will produce some very sharp shots with the Sony a7II but it does need an adapter.Below are some that can work.

Q: 2. Is this 6-bit coded? If not how is lens selection accomplished?

A: It is not 6-bit coded. However, if you have a Leica M9, you can select the closest lens from the Menu - Lens Detect- 35/F2 11310/11311=Set and exitIf an M8 you will need to understand the focus frame in the camera works and shoot accordingly.

Q: 3. How would this compare with the ZF ZE line of zeiss manual focus lenses? Would you get similar performance on a full frame Sony camera?

A: Don't really know. I bought the ZM for my Leica M240 and have been extremely pleased. Very sharp and crisp, even when wide open. Very nice glass.

Q: 4. How is the barrel distortion performance?

A: This lens does an excellent job in minimizing barrel distortion.

Q: 5. can I use this lens for sony a7R... This is full frame lens? need adapter...exc Thank You Sincerely Lech- Moritz

A: Hello,The Zeiss 35mm f/2 Biogon T ZM lens will cover a full frame digital sensor (or 35mm film frame) and can be used on the Sony A7r.The black Leica M Mount Lens to Sony NEX Camera Lens Mount Adapter from Metabones allows a Leica M mount lens to be attached to a Sony E-mount NEX format camera. Metabones adapters are quality made, using precision-machined brass with chromium plating on both the camera-body and the lens sides of the adapter in order to ensure smooth mounting, quality aesthetic, and durability. http://bhpho.to/15iz5im

Q: 6. Does this lens require slim-mount 46mm filters? Or will a regular 46mm work? Thanks!

A: The ZEISS C Biogon T* 21mm f/4.5 ZM Lens (Silver) compatible with regular 46mm thread filters.

Q: 7. Do they make a hood for this lens?

A: Yes, the bayonet hood for this lens can be purchased here: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/361534-REG/Zeiss_1365_667_Lens_Hood_for_35mm.html

Q: 8. Does this take the round hoods ? How well does this sense deal with flare from sun ?Chris

A: Chris - I am not a big fan of lens hoods on ultra-wide lens as there is a risk of vignetting. A lens hood would only provide a very minor shade covering for a 21mm anyway. Besides a Leica, I also shoot with a Nikon 800e with an ultra-wide angle...I just do not bother with the useless hood that came with the lens. If sun flare may be an issue, I usually just use my hand to shade the lens (obviously keeping my hand out of the photo!). Otherwise, use a tripod and something like a card, your hand, a hat, etc to shade the lens from the flare. Great lens for wide landscapes. Cheers, Kent

Q: 9. Would this lens be compatible with a Fuji X E2, I understand that it would be a manual focus...that's ok. What other constraints might there be?

A: Using the correct adapter, the Fuji X-mount system works very well with Leica M lenses. You would retain the same constant aperture and infinity focus capability when using something like this:Metabones Leica M Mount Lens to Fujifilm X-Mount Camera Lens Mount Adapter (Black Matte)B&H # MELMXBM1 ? Mfr # MB_LM-X-BM1However, automatic diaphragm (AE metering), or other auto functions are not retained using this adapter. This second option will allow for aperture priority automatic exposure:Novoflex Adapter for Leica M Mount Lenses to Fujifilm X Mount Digital CamerasB&H # NOFUXLEM ? Mfr # FUX/LEM

Q: 10. Hello, Im new to rangefinders, I just purchased a used Leica m-p240. Using this Zeiss lens on the Leica will the framelines of different focal lengths be visible in the viewfinder? Thank you!

A: Depending on the focal length, the ZEISS ZM lenses will engage the rangefinder 28mm, 35mm and 50mm frame lines in this camera.