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Voigtlander 21mm F4 Color Skopar Pancake II vs Zeiss Carl Distagon T 2,815 ZM

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Voigtlander 21mm F4 Color Skopar II

Wideangle Prime | Leica M

Voigtlander 21mm F4 Color Skopar Pancake II
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Carl Zeiss Distagon T2,8/15 ZM

Wideangle Prime | Leica M

Carl Zeiss Distagon T 2,815 ZM
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Voigtlander 21mm F4 Color Skopar II vs Carl Zeiss Distagon T2,8/15 ZM Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing the Voigtlander 21mm F4 Color Skopar II for the M Mount and the Carl Zeiss Distagon T2,8/15 ZM for the M Mount, two Wideangle Prime lenses from Voigtlander and Zeiss.

We will start by looking briefly at the main specs of these two lenses, and in the next section, we will start analyzing them in more detail and listing the pros and cons of each lens.

Voigtlander 21mm F4 Color Skopar II Key Specs

  • 21mm Focal Range
  • F4.0 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 39mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Leica M Mount
  • Weight: 136g.
  • Diameter: 55mm
  • Length: 25mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.5m

Carl Zeiss Distagon T2,8/15 ZM Key Specs

  • 15mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 72mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Leica M Mount
  • Weight: 550g.
  • Diameter: 78mm
  • Length: 92mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.3m
  • Max Magnification: 0.056x

What type of photography are the Voigtlander 21mm F4 Color Skopar II and Carl Zeiss Distagon T2,8/15 ZM lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Voigtlander 21mm F4 Color Skopar II and the Carl Zeiss Distagon T2,8/15 ZM for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Voigtlander 21mm F4 Color Skopar II Carl Zeiss Distagon T2,8/15 ZM
Bird/WildlifePoorPoor
SportsPoorPoor
PortraitFairFair
TravelAverageFair
StreetExcellentAverage
WeddingFairFair
Walk AroundAverageFair
VloggingVery GoodGood
LandscapeGoodGood

Size and Weight Comparison

The size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses. Carl Zeiss Distagon T2,8/15 ZM is the longer of the two lenses at 92mm. The Voigtlander 21mm F4 Color Skopar II with a length of 25mm, is 67mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Carl Zeiss Distagon T2,8/15 ZM also has a larger diameter of 78mm compared to the Voigtlander 21mm F4 Color Skopar II's 55mm diameter.

The weight of a lens is as important as its external dimensions, especially if you are planning to hand hold your camera and lens combination for longer periods. Voigtlander 21mm F4 Color Skopar II weighs 136g, which means it is 414g (75%) lighter than the Carl Zeiss Distagon T2,8/15 ZM which has a weight of 550g.


Below you can find the dimension and weight table of the Wideangle Prime Lenses in Leica M Mount for size comparison purposes.

Wideangle Prime Lenses in Leica M Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Voigtlander 25mm F4 Color Skopar Pancake Lens Voigtlander 25mm F4 Color Skopar
30mm
55mm 156g Amazon B&H Photo
Leica Elmarit-M 24mm f2.8 ASPH Lens Leica Elmarit-M 24mm f2.8 ASPH
45mm
58mm 290g Amazon B&H Photo
Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f2.8 ASPH Lens Leica Elmarit-M 21mm f2.8 ASPH
46mm
58mm 300g Amazon B&H Photo
Voigtlander 35mm F2.5 Color Skopar Lens Voigtlander 35mm F2.5 Color Skopar
23mm
55mm 134g Amazon B&H Photo
Leica Summarit-M 35mm f2.5 Lens Leica Summarit-M 35mm f2.5
34mm
51mm 220g Amazon B&H Photo
Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm f3.4 ASPH Lens Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm f3.4 ASPH
43mm
53mm 279g Amazon B&H Photo
Leica Elmar-M 24mm f3.8 ASPH Lens Leica Elmar-M 24mm f3.8 ASPH
53mm
41mm 260g Amazon B&H Photo
Voigtlander 35mm F1.4 Nokton Lens Voigtlander 35mm F1.4 Nokton
29mm
55mm 200g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both the Voigtlander 21mm F4 Color Skopar II and the Carl Zeiss Distagon T2,8/15 ZM has the same Leica M lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Leica M lenses are Leica M11, Leica M10 and Leica M Typ 262.

Focal Range

Voigtlander 21mm F4 Color Skopar II is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 21mm. Carl Zeiss Distagon T2,8/15 ZM is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 15mm.

Reasons to choose Voigtlander 21mm F4 Color Skopar Pancake II over Carl Zeiss Distagon T 2,815 ZM

Focal Length - Tele 21mm vs 15mm 6mm more Tele coverage
Diaphgragm Blades 10 vs Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Weight 136g vs 550g 414g lighter
Diameter 55mm vs 78mm 23mm smaller in diameter
Length 25mm vs 92mm 67mm shorter
Filter Thread 39mm vs 72mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find

Reasons to choose Carl Zeiss Distagon T 2,815 ZM over Voigtlander 21mm F4 Color Skopar Pancake II

Focal Length - Wide 15mm vs 21mm 6mm Wider coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 2.8 vs 4 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 2.8 vs 4 Wider aperture at tele end
Minimum Focus Distance 0.3m vs 0.5m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.056x vs x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Common Strengths of Voigtlander 21mm F4 Color Skopar Pancake II and Carl Zeiss Distagon T 2,815 ZM
Distance Scale Yes vs Yes Distance Scale to assist focusing
Depth-of-Field Scale Yes vs Yes Depth of Field scale to assist focusing
Aperture Ring Yes vs Yes able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Common Weaknesses of Voigtlander 21mm F4 Color Skopar Pancake II and Carl Zeiss Distagon T 2,815 ZM
Image Stabilization No vs No Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization
Autofocus No vs No Slow and less accurate focusing
Weather Sealing No vs No not safe under rain and dust


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Voigtlander 21mm F4 Color Skopar II vs Carl Zeiss Distagon T2,8/15 ZM Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Voigtlander Zeiss
Lens Type Prime Prime
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Wideangle Prime Wideangle Prime
Lens Mount Leica M Leica M
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 21mm 15mm
Image Stabilization No No
Colour - -
Zoom Method No Zoom No Zoom
Power Zoom No No
Zoom Lock No No
Zoom Ratio 1.0X 1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture F4.0 F2.8
Min Aperture F22.0 F22.0
Aperture Ring Yes Yes
Diaphragm Blades 10 -
Optics
Optical Elements 8 11
Optical Groups 5 9
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.5m 0.3m
Max Magnification - 0.056X
Autofocus No No
AF Motor Type None None
Full Time Manual N/A N/A
Focus Method - -
Distance Scale Yes Yes
DoF Scale Yes Yes
Distance Scale Yes Yes
Focus Distance Limiter No No
Physical Specs
Weight 136g 550g
Diameter 55mm 78mm
Length 25mm 92mm
Materials - metal barrel, metal mount
Weather Sealing No No
Filter Thread 39mm 72mm
Hood Supplied Yes Yes
Tripod Collar No No
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