Contax G Biogon 21mm f/2.8 Reviews

The f/2.8 21 mm Contax/Zeiss Biogon is a small gem. Rich contrast, very resistant to flares and an exceptional sharpness are the main positive characteristics of this lens. The color response is neutral just in line with that of the 2/45 Planar and the 2.8/28 Biogon. Vignetting is present and does not disappear completely when stopped down to f/8 or f/11. The dedicated external viewfinder that comes as a package together with the lens is much better than the internal one (G2). Have some problems to find a polarizer that does not shade the image corners. A slim version might work, a conventional 58 mm polarizer mounted via a step-up ring vignetts in the corners.

This is the number one lens for Contax G system, using it is the number one reason to buy Contax G2 camera. It is more affordable than famous Zeiss 16mm Hologon and more versatile with its fast aperture. Owning all Contax G lenses (except a funny zoom), it is my favorite and I use it more often than 16mm Hologon. In image quality it surpasses any SLR 20mm lens and equals (if not better) the Leica Elmarit 21mm/2.8 Aspherical (and Leica is much more expensive). I still use my Nikkor 20mm/2.8 for underwater photography (there is no underwater housing for Contax G2 system), but on land nothing can be better in 35mm system image quality for superwide angle shots, than this outstanding Zeiss 21mm Biogon germ. I use it often with Contax polariser 55mm filter to get blue sky and even more saturated colors. In one word. it's perfect.