Zeiss Classic Distagon 25mm F2 ZE/ZF - The Best Wide Angle Lens for my Lumix S5 & S1

#zeiss #wideangle #lumixs5
Ciao guys, in today's video I'll share some sample photos and videos taken with the fantastic Zeiss Classic Distagon 25mm F2. In my opinion this is the best wide angle lens you can find, considering the size, weight and price in the used market! This lens can be considered as a vintage lens because zeiss, sadly, doesn't produce the classic lineup anymore.
The photos shared in the video are simply jpegs with the standard profile of my Lumix S5. Talking about the video clips, they've been filmed in V-Log 4k 10bit 4:2:2 and converted with the Rec709 LUT, plus a minor adjustment in the contrast level.
If you have found this video useful, I'll really appreciate a like and subscribe in the channel to support my work. Ciao!
- Zeiss 25mm F2 (ebay.us/GkVcAH)
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If you have found this video useful, I'd really appreciate a like and subscribe to support my work. Thanks!
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My IG = / lucabono.studio
Updated List of the gear I use = visuals.lucabonostudio.com/eq...
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[@LucaBono.Studio]

If you have found this video useful, I'll really appreciate a like to the video and subscribe in the channel to support my work. Ciao!

[@shanefoleymedia]

Gorgeous shots!

[@LucaBono.Studio]

Thanks!

[@rayanayash]

I really agree with you! The 25mm and 135mm are the ones that will stand the test of time, but also a forgotten gem: the 21mm f2.8! Only issue with the 135 is the extension of the barrel!

[@LucaBono.Studio]

Yes, the 21mm f2.8 is also pretty spectacular. But I don't use it too often because I prefer the field of view from the 25mm. Thanks for watching!

[@LuisCruz-yg6rs]

Great content!

[@LucaBono.Studio]

Thank you Luis!

[@jacksonpetit1212]

I bought one a couple of years ago and instantly regretted selling it. Was such a beautiful lens. Hopefully will pick one up again.

[@LucaBono.Studio]

Oh mate...I can understand the feeling! Good luck in the research! Cheers!

[@backfilms1953]

@@LucaBono.Studio I would trade my zeiss classic 85mm 1.4 or zeiss 35mm f2 for that 25mm f2. From the examples in this videos.. I want to try it. Love for this video.

[@LucaBono.Studio]

@@backfilms1953 Hi! Yes, the 25mm f2 is by far a superior lens than the planar 85mm f1.4 and distagon 35mm f2. Thanks for watching!

[@roderickfield1855]

Hey Luca, another Zeiss gem! I just bought the 50mm makro, prefer it to the Leica SL apo 50!

[@LucaBono.Studio]

Mmmmh interesting! Thanks for sharing!

[@magiccarpetrider4594]

I’ve got a full kit of Zeiss ZE of 7 primes from 15mm to 100. I’ll never sell any, even tho I’ve pretty much abandoned Canon and have the same full focal length kit in M lenses.

[@LucaBono.Studio]

Do you like the 100mm? Is the only one I miss 😬

[@pedroshields9122]

Hi bro, I love your videos, if you could choose only one lens that offers that special "cinematic look", would you choose the zeiss distagon 25mm or the distagon 21mm f2.8? thanks

[@LucaBono.Studio]

Hi Pedro, thanks! I can't choose, sorry....I love both of them

[@86BBUB]

The "cinematic look" has more to do with aspect ratio and processing than focal length.

[@matthijstermeer611]

If by 'cinematic' you mean (the ability to create) shallow DOF at 'not super close' distance, you should probably choose the 25mm. It is both 'less wide angle' and faster. The spatial transitions (in-focus to out-of-focus) from the 25mm are absolutely wonderful. I don't know if the same goes for the 21mm. If so, that would only be at significantly closer distances, being a super wide angle with its inherently larger DOF than the relatively more moderate 25mm (especially at f/2.8, compared to the f/2 the 25mm boasts). 21mm is rather specialised (not just for landscapes, mind you), 25mm would be more all round. A 35mm might be even better, depending on your goals. I have no experience with the 21mm, but have been using the 25mm for nearly ten years now for environmental portraits, reportage and the like and it is all you can wish for. I would imagine the 21mm has its uses too (big 'vistas' or storytelling 'from within' with the super wide angle), but it would seem more limited to me. It would largely depend on your preference for a certain field of view, too. 21mm and 25mm are quite far apart for such a seemingly small 'difference in millimeters'. Especially this 25mm, which some say is closer to 26mm in reality. I used 28mm's for many years and this 25mm seems to follow up to them flawlessly. I used 24mm and 20mm next to each other and there was quite a difference. So be aware that 21mm and 25mm are (very) different tools. But ultimately, this is all just theoretical. You should try them both yourself and then decide.

[@AlexUtreras]

I have always refused to buy manual lenses, I feel that it compromises the use a lot for certain contexts, now, after seeing these images, and how compact it is, hmm, I am rethinking it. Thanks for the video, I had a hard time coming up with samples on newer cameras.

[@LucaBono.Studio]

Thanks for watching! This lens is a gem...if you find one, get it!

[@szenenschmiede]

this lens looks incredible. wtf :D

[@LucaBono.Studio]

it is incredible!

[@muziektelevisie]

You've convinced me, lovely images. Have you ever compared it to the 28mm f2?

[@LucaBono.Studio]

Thank you! No, I didn't compared it with the 28mm f2 directly. But from what I saw online and from some samples of my friends, I think that the 25mm f2 is a better lens. Cheers!

[@BK-it8ht]

I own both lenes. 25mm it is better corrected but the 28mm has better dimensionality, more 3d pop. For example if you photograph round objects it is easy to see this effect. For a kit I normally use the 25mm and a 50mm 1.5 Sonnar C ZM because they are further apart. As a single lens I use only the 28mm, especially on crop sensor o MFT.

[@86BBUB]

@@LucaBono.Studio I understand that English is not your first language but you often use the word "better" erroneously. Neither lens is "better" when assessed by someone conversant in both photography and the language. No offense; I am sure you are a great guy and mean well !

[@LucaBono.Studio]

​@@86BBUBA lens that has a better control of CA, for me, is a better piece of glass. Infact I can only use the 25/50/135mm f2 in a kit, or I use the 21/35/50/85mm kit. If I start to mix the lenses, there's too much difference in the colors (strong magenta tint, especially in the blacks, with the old optical design kit). That's why I consider the new optical design lenses better than the old ones. Cheers!

[@eravizuala]

Hello Luca, I bought the 25 2.8 zf2 version for 180 euro. It has some external scratches on the body because the previous owner tighten those tiny screws too hard but the glass is in perfect condition. Have you compared the 25 f2 vs 25 2.8 to see any differences?

[@LucaBono.Studio]

Hi! No, I didn't sorry! Enjoy your new lens!

[@86BBUB]

I have both - the 2.8 is fantastic. Better for most images actually. The f/2 is best wide open.

[@raksh9]

There was a secondhand one for a very good price at my local shop, but I slept on it and it was gone in a few weeks. Now the waiting starts again.

[@LucaBono.Studio]

This lens is rare, like the 135mm f2 apo, for a good reason. People aren't selling them 😕

[@raksh9]

​@@LucaBono.Studio Have you tried the Zeiss Classic 28mm f2 Hollywood? Do you know if the visual characteristics like saturation and contrast are similar?

[@LucaBono.Studio]

No, I didn't try it. But the zeiss 25mm f2 is the best fast wide angle lens you can buy, after the milvus 25mm f1.4 and the otus 28mm f1.4

[@Ronroncho]

i saw one in a flea store for 600 CAD, i still wondering if i should take it XD very good video!

[@LucaBono.Studio]

Yes, take it! It's not as good as the Milvus 25mm f1.4 or the Apo Summicron SL 28mm, but it's much cheaper and smaller. You can always resell it if you don't like it. Cheers!

[@erick9762]

Thanks for the video. Do you know if there is a difference with the ZF2 25 mm f2,8 version, except the aperture? Is the f2.8 version contemporary to the f2.0 version or older? I would also like to know the differences with the version for Leica M mount which is a Biogon (not Distagon) 25 mm f2,8? Thanks a lot if you can help me.

[@LucaBono.Studio]

Hi! The f2 is newer and better than the f2.8. Honestly I've zero experience with leica m-mount lenses. Cheers!

[@86BBUB]

The f/2 is not "better"; it's different. Both are excellent in their own way.

[@ngterry9653]

Zf 25 f2.8 is the older version, smaller, lighter, has more field curvature wide open, it can focus really really close. Zf 25mm f2 is newer version, has aspherical element to improve wide open sharpness. M mount biogon 25mm f2.8 is design for compact and light weight rangefinder photography. M lens cant focus as close as dslr lens unless you adapt to mirrorless and using helicoid adapter. biogon has better distortion control than all the dslr zeiss. sharpness and rendition is not much different.

[@86BBUB]

@@ngterry9653 It is an older lens but not an older version. Big difference between the two characterizations. I have both very differents lenses with different strengths and weaknesses.

[@moisie13]

f2 is a superior version of this lens as shown on dxomark side by side tests. Even Nikon version showed much better results in sharpness, check it out.

[@mamumonkan]

it reminds me of Sony GM 24 1.4 ?

[@LucaBono.Studio]

This zeiss lens has character, some imperfections and some barrel distortion. Generally, sony gm lenses are perfect and sterile

[@86BBUB]

If you shoot Sony buy the Canon version. There are lots of advantages because you can get "smart" EF-FE adapters and they focus in the same direction. CPU problems are not a real issue.

[@vinc74600]

it's funny, you test all the lenses that I had. if you have the opportunity to test the SLR MAGIC Apo microprime (not the cheap E mount, the EF ones) you can like it, there are modern but with a vintage look too ;)

[@vinc74600]

Also, If you add a mist filter on the zeiss lens, you remove the chromatic aberrations of the lens, the 50mm at 1.4 is usable for exemple

[@LucaBono.Studio]

Hey Vincent! Thanks for the tip, I never worked with the SLR Magic Apo...I'll give them a try! I normally rent the Zeiss Superspeed when I can work with cine lenses. I don't use mist filters anymore 😅 I can't digest the little ghost flying around in the frame

[@ngterry9653]

this is a highly regarded zeiss lens and only very few people own. It is heavy though, even compared to the 35mm f2 distagon, how do these 2 lens compare?

[@LucaBono.Studio]

No, they've almost the same weight...just 60 or 70g heavier

[@matthijstermeer611]

The 25mm is way superior optically to the 35/2. I used them alongside each other and couldn't live with the difference in rendering fine detail. The 25 blew the 35/2 away big time. Bought the 35/1.4, which complements the 25 nicely. Both are from a newer generation than the 35/2. Incidentally, my 'Golden Trinity' consists of 25/2, 35/1.4 and 135/2 Apo Sonnar, with a beat-up 50/2 MP as a secret weapon/pinch hitter. I use them on a 5D mk2, never looked back since I went the Zeiss way. If you think the 25 is heavy, stay away from the big 35 and the 135. They'll kill you, more so because once you have seen their output, you can't live without them. The 25/2 is probably the finest 'all purpose' journalistic lense I have ever used. Creating context in storytelling, portraits, close-ups: it can do it all and ALWAYS delivers, unlike the 50 MP (which can be trusted to have an off day now and then, strangely). (Also, steer clear from the 18/3,5, it sucks. 50/1.4 is overrated IMHO. I have it and used it for some time, but I can do without the 'painterly' bokeh and the 50 MP gives a cleaner, but still very 'Zeissy' image. Just don't compare the output of the 50 MP to that of the aforementioned 'Golden Trinity'.) Long story short: once you touch a 25/2, there is no way back. BTW: 35/2 and 25/2 weigh about the same, like Luca mentions.

[@ngterry9653]

@@matthijstermeer611 thanks for your comment. I have been collecting zeiss lens for many years, the mp50, 28distagon, mp100, 18/f3.5, and 85planar recently, hopefully it is my last pirce of collection :). I like the 18mm for stop down landscape work, 82mm filter while remain short and compact, compatible with my square ND/GND. holders. 28mm is my walk around lens every time. mp50 and mp100 are superior optics but i seldom bring them out now because they are all heavy if i bring 3 lens. 28distagon + smaller Voightlaner nokton 58mm is my combo these days, somtimes 28mm + 85mm. all of their optical quality match my needs, just the zeiss weight (500g to 600g) is on the heavy side, for video work weight is not a problem at all, but i always want to size down a bit for photography. (2 zeiss lens and camera =2kg). btw my zeiss are ZF version which is slightly lighter then ZE version, not to mention about the zeiss milvus, octus, all bulky and and front heavy on camera.

[@AlienGrade]

@@matthijstermeer611 Agree! I use it on my Z6II for video and close-ups are unbelievable picked it up in the used bin at my local Camera Store, it's going to get plenty of use!

[@LucaBono.Studio]

@@matthijstermeer611 Yep! My ultimate Zeiss kit is now 25mm f2, 50mm f2, 135mm f2. But I also kept the 21mm f2.8, 35mm f2, 85mm f1.4 if I want to film with some imperfections. Cheers!