Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm F/2.8 [MM]

Ultra-wide angle prime lens • Film era • Discontinued

Abbreviations

T* Multi-layer anti-reflection coating is applied to the surfaces of lens elements. This anti-reflection coating increases light transmission, eliminates flare and ghosting, and maintains color consistence among all lens models.

Model history (3)

Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm F/2.8 [MM]A15 - 130.25mE82 1992 
Carl Zeiss Classic Distagon T* 21mm F/2.8 ZE / ZF / ZF.2 / ZKA16 - 130.22mE82 2008 
ZEISS Milvus Distagon T* 21mm F/2.8 ZE / ZF.2A16 - 130.22mE82 2015 

Features highlight

Extreme AoV
Fast
IF
F.E.
MF
Auto
E82
filters
TC

Specification

Production details:
Announced:September 1992
Production status: Discontinued
Original name:Carl Zeiss Distagon 2,8/21 T*
System:Contax/Yashica (1975)
Optical design:
Focal length:21mm
Speed:F/2.8
Maximum format:35mm full frame
Mount and Flange focal distance:Contax/Yashica [45.5mm]
Diagonal angle of view:91.7°
Lens construction:15 elements in 13 groups
Internal focusing (IF)
Floating element system
Diaphragm mechanism:
Diaphragm type:Automatic
Aperture control:Aperture ring (Manual settings only)
Number of blades:6 (six)
Focusing:
Closest focusing distance:0.25m
Magnification ratio:<No data>
Focusing modes:Manual focus only
Manual focus control:Focusing ring
Physical characteristics:
Weight:530g
Maximum diameter x Length:⌀85×90.5mm
Accessories:
Filters:Screw-type 82mm
Lens hood:W-1 - Screw-type round
Teleconverters:Carl Zeiss Mutar T* 2X I (AE) → 42mm F/5.6
Sources of data:
1. Manufacturer's technical data.
2. Contax System brochure (PUB. CX-Sys GB) (May 1995).
3. Contax Carl Zeiss T* (T-Star) Wechselobjektivsystem brochure (in German).
4. Das Contax System booklet (in German) (1994).
5. Das Contax System booklet (PUB. CX-Sys D, in German) (September 1996).
6. Contax Aria booklet.
7. Contax AX booklet (in German).
8. Contax RTS III booklet (in German).
9. Contax RX booklet (in German).
10. Contax S2 booklet.

Manufacturer description #1

This 21 mm Distagon® T* f/2.8 wide-angle lens with its angular field of 92º meets the demand of experienced wide-angle photographers for a lens which would bridge the relatively large gap between the 18 mm Distagon® f/4 and 25 mm Distagon® f/2.8 lenses in the Contax® lens range. This lens, however, is not a modification of the existing wide-angle lenses, but a totally new design using the latest technologies.

All of the possibilities of correcting residual chromatic aberration were utilized to the full. The systematic use of glass featuring extreme anomalous partial dispersion combined with high-index glass resulted in a level of correction never achieved before. The incorporation of an internal focusing system and a floating element ensures that this lens delivers superior image quality in all conditions.

Manufacturer description #2

From the article "Retrofocus lenses - and why they were invented" by H.H. Nasse, Oberkochen, Germany, 2012:

"In 1992, Karl-Heinz Schuster at Carl Zeiss developed the Distagon T* 21 mm f/2.8 for the Contax/Yashica system, a retrofocus superwide-angle lens that was at least as good as the best symmetric types with respect to image sharpness. This Distagon even had a related lens, the PC Apodistagon 25 mm f/3.5, with a larger image circle, which unfortunately was never produced in quantity due to its high manufacturing costs.

Already at aperture f/4, the Distagon T* 21 mm f/2.8 achieved superb image quality; thus is no wonder that its price on the pre-owned market often exceeds the original prices after it was no longer produced."

From the editor

A wonderful ultra-wide angle lens, a true legend of its time. It was conceived as a landscape lens of uncompromising quality and substantial size (which is one of the lens's minor drawbacks), with a very complex retrofocus design with many corrective elements, floating focusing and several anomalous partial elements that suppress lateral chromatic aberrations extremely effectively.

On digital cameras with 20+ megapixels, this quite old lens shows an impeccable resolution across the frame, and is still considered the epitome of an ultra-wide angle lens.

The lens has two major drawbacks:

(1) complex distortion, which is noticeable when shooting interiors or architecture, and which is not so easy to fix in post-processing,

(2) noticeable vignetting wide open.

Frequently asked questions (1)

  • What does the Carl Zeiss lens designation "Distagon" mean?

    The name Distagon designates a type of wide-angle lens with a back focal length longer than its focal length. While this is a design technicality, it is necessary in order to allow free movement of the deflection mirrors used in SLR type cameras. This design permits wide angular fields of up to 100 degrees with large maximum apertures and remarkable correction of all forms of aberration usually found in wide-angle lenses. Definition is excellent, even at full aperture. And there is virtually no focus shift when the aperture is varied. / Source: Carl Zeiss Oberkochen literature /

Lenses with similar focal length

Sorted by manufacturer name

Contax/Yashica mount 30 lenses (25 third-party)
Cosina 20mm F/3.8 MCA9 - 80.20m⌀62
Cosina 24mm F/2.8 MC Macro
aka Carl Zeiss Jena II 24mm F/2.8 MC Macro
A7 - 70.19m⌀52
Kino Precision KIRON 24mm F/2 MCA8 - 80.30m⌀55 1980 
Panagor 21mm F/4 AutoA9 - 70.16m⌀82
Panagor 24mm F/2.5 Auto PMCA? - ?0.30m⌀55
Sigma MF 18mm F/3.5 ZENA10 - 90.25m⌀72 1992 
Sigma MF 24mm F/2.8 Super Wide IIA8 - 70.18m⌀52 1988 
Sigma MF 18mm F/2.8 IIA10 - 90.25m⌀72 1984 
Sigma MF 24mm F/2.8 Super WideA7 - 70.18m⌀52 1981 
Sigma MF 18mm F/2.8A11 - 90.25m⌀67 1980 
Sigma[-XQ] MF 24mm F/2.8 FiltermaticA10 - 80.25m⌀62 1978 
Sigma MF 18mm F/2.8 FiltermaticA12 - 90.23m⌀77 1978 
Soligor G/S Auto 24mm F/2.5 MC (s/n 3xxxxxx)A9 - 70.30m⌀55
Soligor C/D 20mm F/2.8 MCA9 - 70.20m⌀58
Spiratone 18mm F/3.5 Pluracoat [I]A11 - 80.22m⌀72 1979 
Spiratone 18mm F/3.5 Pluracoat [II]A11 - 90.25m⌀67
Spiratone 20mm F/2.8 Plura-CoatA9 - 70.20m⌀58 1983 
Tokina SL 24mm F/2.8 [II]A7 - 70.19m⌀52
RMC Tokina 24mm F/2.8
aka Tokina SL 24mm F/2.8 [I]
A8 - 80.27m⌀52
Vivitar 20mm F/3.8 Auto (s/n 22xxxxxx)A9 - 70.15m⌀82 1969 
Vivitar 24mm F/2 [Auto] [MC] Compact (s/n 22xxxxxx)A8 - 80.30m⌀55 1978 
Vivitar 24mm F/2.8 MC (s/n 9xxxxxxx)A7 - 70.19m⌀52
Vivitar 24mm F/2.8 AutoA8 - 70.13m⌀58 1976 
Vivitar 24mm F/2 MC Compact (s/n 28xxxxxx)A8 - 80.30m⌀52
Vivitar 19mm F/3.8 MC (s/n 9xxxxxxx)A9 - 80.20m⌀62
Yashica ML 21mm F/3.5A12 - 80.30m⌀72 1976 
Yashica ML 24mm F/2.8A9 - 80.30m⌀62 1976 
Yashica ML 20mm F/3.3A11 - 90.30m⌀72
Yashica DSB 24mm F/2.8A8 - 80.27m⌀52
Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 18mm F/4 [AE, MM]A10 - 90.30mA70 1975 
Interchangeable mount 13 lenses (all third-party)
Sankyo Kohki W-Komura 24mm F/3.5 [Unidapter Auto]A7 - ?0.26m⌀52
K·M·C Komuranon 24mm F/2.5A11 - 80.26m⌀58
Sigma[-XQ] MF [Widerama] 18mm F/3.2 [YS]
aka Accura/Sigma 18mm F/3.2
aka Spiratone 18mm F/3.2
aka Spiratone 18mm F/3.5
A12 - 100.17m⌀72 1972 
Sigma[-XQ] MF 24mm F/2.8 Filtermatic [YS]A10 - 80.20m⌀62 1972 
Soligor Wide-Auto 21mm F/3.8 (s/n 1xxxxxx) [T-4]A9 - 80.35m⌀72 1970 
Soligor Wide-Auto 24mm F/2.8 (s/n 1xxxxxxx) [T-4]A8 - 70.30m⌀67
Tamron 24mm F/2.5 01B [Adaptall-2]A10 - 90.25m⌀55 1979 
Tamron 24mm F/2.5 01BB [Adaptall-2]A10 - 90.25m⌀55 1987 
Tamron 24mm F/2.5 CW-24 [Adaptall]A10 - 90.25m⌀55 1976 
Auto Tamron 21mm F/4.5 [Adapt-A-Matic]A8 - 60.25m⌀82 1970 
Auto Tamron 24mm F/3.5 [Adapt-A-Matic]A8 - 60.25m⌀72 1971 
Vivitar 21mm F/3.8 Auto (s/n 37xxxxxxx) [T-4]A9 - 80.35m⌀72
Vivitar 24mm F/2.8 Auto (s/n 37xxxxx) [T-4]A8 - 70.30m⌀67
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Chromatic aberration

There are two kinds of chromatic aberration: longitudinal and lateral. Longitudinal chromatic aberration is a variation in location of the image plane with changes in wave lengths. It produces the image point surrounded by different colors which result in a blurred image in black-and-white pictures. Lateral chromatic aberration is a variation in image size or magnification with wave length. This aberration does not appear at axial image points but toward the surrounding area, proportional to the distance from the center of the image field. Stopping down the lens has only a limited effect on these aberrations.

Spherical aberration

Spherical aberration is caused because the lens is round and the film or image sensor is flat. Light entering the edge of the lens is more severely refracted than light entering the center of the lens. This results in a blurred image, and also causes flare (non-image forming internal reflections). Stopping down the lens minimizes spherical aberration and flare, but introduces diffraction.

Astigmatism

Astigmatism in a lens causes a point in the subject to be reproduced as a line in the image. The effect becomes worse towards the corner of the image. Stopping down the lens has very little effect.

Coma

Coma in a lens causes a circular shape in the subject to be reproduced as an oval shape in the image. Stopping down the lens has almost no effect.

Curvature of field

Curvature of field is the inability of a lens to produce a flat image of a flat subject. The image is formed instead on a curved surface. If the center of the image is in focus, the edges are out of focus and vice versa. Stopping down the lens has a limited effect.

Distortion

Distortion is the inability of a lens to capture lines as straight across the entire image area. Barrel distortion causes straight lines at the edges of the frame to bow toward the center of the image, producing a barrel shape. Pincushion distortion causes straight lines at the edges of the frame to curve in toward the lens axis. Distortion, whether barrel or pincushion type, is caused by differences in magnification; stopping down the lens has no effect at all.

The term "distortion" is also sometimes used instead of the term "aberration". In this case, other types of optical aberrations may also be meant, not necessarily geometric distortion.

Diffraction

Classically, light is thought of as always traveling in straight lines, but in reality, light waves tend to bend around nearby barriers, spreading out in the process. This phenomenon is known as diffraction and occurs when a light wave passes by a corner or through an opening. Diffraction plays a paramount role in limiting the resolving power of any lens.

Doublet

Doublet is a lens design comprised of two elements grouped together. Sometimes the two elements are cemented together, and other times they are separated by an air gap. Examples of this type of lens include achromatic close-up lenses.

Dynamic range

Dynamic range is the maximum range of tones, from darkest shadows to brightest highlights, that can be produced by a device or perceived in an image. Also called tonal range.

Resolving power

Resolving power is the ability of a lens, photographic emulsion or imaging sensor to distinguish fine detail. Resolving power is expressed in terms of lines per millimeter that are distinctly recorded in the final image.

Vignetting

Vignetting is the darkening of the corners of an image relative to the center of the image. There are three types of vignetting: optical, mechanical, and natural vignetting.

Optical vignetting is caused by the physical dimensions of a multi-element lens. Rear elements are shaded by elements in front of them, which reduces the effective lens opening for off-axis incident light. The result is a gradual decrease of the light intensity towards the image periphery. Optical vignetting is sensitive to the aperture and can be completely cured by stopping down the lens. Two or three stops are usually sufficient.

Mechanical vignetting occurs when light beams are partially blocked by external objects such as thick or stacked filters, secondary lenses, and improper lens hoods.

Natural vignetting (also known as natural illumination falloff) is not due to the blocking of light rays. The falloff is approximated by the "cosine fourth" law of illumination falloff. Wide-angle rangefinder designs are particularly prone to natural vignetting. Stopping down the lens cannot cure it.

Flare

Bright shapes or lack of contrast caused when light is scattered by the surface of the lens or reflected off the interior surfaces of the lens barrel. This is most often seen when the lens is pointed toward the sun or another bright light source. Flare can be minimized by using anti-reflection coatings, light baffles, or a lens hood.

Ghosting

Glowing patches of light that appear in a photograph due to lens flare.

Retrofocus design

Design with negative lens group(s) positioned in front of the diaphragm and positive lens group(s) positioned at the rear of the diaphragm. This provides a short focal length with a long back focus or lens-to-film distance, allowing for movement of the reflex mirror in SLR cameras. Sometimes called an inverted telephoto lens.

Rectilinear design

Design that does not introduce significant distortion, especially ultra-wide angle lenses that preserve straight lines and do not curve them (unlike a fisheye lens, for instance).

Focus shift

A change in the position of the plane of optimal focus, generally due to a change in focal length when using a zoom lens, and in some lenses, with a change in aperture.

Transmittance

The amount of light that passes through a lens without being either absorbed by the glass or being reflected by glass/air surfaces.

Modulation Transfer Function (MTF)

When optical designers attempt to compare the performance of optical systems, a commonly used measure is the modulation transfer function (MTF).

The components of MTF are:

The MTF of a lens is a measurement of its ability to transfer contrast at a particular resolution from the object to the image. In other words, MTF is a way to incorporate resolution and contrast into a single specification.

Knowing the MTF curves of each photographic lens and camera sensor within a system allows a designer to make the appropriate selection when optimizing for a particular resolution.

Veiling glare

Lens flare that causes loss of contrast over part or all of the image.

Anti-reflection coating

When light enters or exits an uncoated lens approximately 5% of the light is reflected back at each lens-air boundary due to the difference in refractive index. This reflected light causes flare and ghosting, which results in deterioration of image quality. To counter this, a vapor-deposited coating that reduces light reflection is applied to the lens surface. Early coatings consisted of a single thin film with the correct refractive index differences to cancel out reflections. Multi-layer coatings, introduced in the early 1970s, are made up of several such films.

Benefits of anti-reflection coating:

Circular fisheye

Produces a 180° angle of view in all directions (horizontal, vertical and diagonal).

The image circle of the lens is inscribed in the image frame.

Diagonal (full-frame) fisheye

Covers the entire image frame. For this reason diagonal fisheye lenses are often called full-frame fisheyes.

Extension ring

Extension rings can be used singly or in combination to vary the reproduction ratio of lenses. They are mounted between the camera body and the lens. As a rule, the effect becomes stronger the shorter the focal length of the lens in use, and the longer the focal length of the extension ring.

View camera

A large-format camera with a ground-glass viewfinder at the image plane for viewing and focusing. The photographer must stick his head under a cloth hood in order to see the image projected on the ground glass. Because of their 4x5-inch (or larger) negatives, these cameras can produce extremely high-quality results. View cameras also usually support movements.

135 cartridge-loaded film

43.27 24 36
  • Introduced: 1934
  • Frame size: 36 × 24mm
  • Aspect ratio: 3:2
  • Diagonal: 43.27mm
  • Area: 864mm2
  • Double perforated
  • 8 perforations per frame

120 roll film

71.22 44 56
  • Introduced: 1901
  • Frame size: 56 × 44mm
  • Aspect ratio: 11:14
  • Diagonal: 71.22mm
  • Area: 2464mm2
  • Unperforated

120 roll film

79.2 56 56
  • Introduced: 1901
  • Frame size: 56 × 56mm
  • Aspect ratio: 1:1
  • Diagonal: 79.2mm
  • Area: 3136mm2
  • Unperforated

120 roll film

89.64 56 70
  • Introduced: 1901
  • Frame size: 70 × 56mm
  • Aspect ratio: 5:4
  • Diagonal: 89.64mm
  • Area: 3920mm2
  • Unperforated

220 roll film

71.22 44 56
  • Introduced: 1965
  • Frame size: 56 × 44mm
  • Aspect ratio: 11:14
  • Diagonal: 71.22mm
  • Area: 2464mm2
  • Unperforated
  • Double the length of 120 roll film

220 roll film

79.2 56 56
  • Introduced: 1965
  • Frame size: 56 × 56mm
  • Aspect ratio: 1:1
  • Diagonal: 79.2mm
  • Area: 3136mm2
  • Unperforated
  • Double the length of 120 roll film

220 roll film

89.64 56 70
  • Introduced: 1965
  • Frame size: 70 × 56mm
  • Aspect ratio: 5:4
  • Diagonal: 89.64mm
  • Area: 3920mm2
  • Unperforated
  • Double the length of 120 roll film

Shutter speed ring with "F" setting

The "F" setting disengages the leaf shutter and is set when using only the focal plane shutter in the camera body.

Catch for disengaging cross-coupling

The shutter and diaphragm settings are cross-coupled so that the diaphragm opens to a corresponding degree when faster shutter speeds are selected. The cross-coupling can be disengaged at the press of a catch.

Cross-coupling button

With the cross-coupling button depressed speed/aperture combinations can be altered without changing the Exposure Value setting.

M & X sync

The shutter is fully synchronized for M- and X-settings so that you can work with flash at all shutter speeds.

In M-sync, the shutter closes the flash-firing circuit slightly before it is fully open to catch the flash at maximum intensity. The M-setting is used for Class M flash bulbs.

In X-sync, the flash takes place when the shutter is fully opened. The X-setting is used for electronic flash.

X sync

The shutter is fully synchronized for X-setting so that you can work with flash at all shutter speeds.

In X-sync, the flash takes place when the shutter is fully opened. The X-setting is used for electronic flash.

MF

Sorry, no additional information is available.

Unable to follow the link

You are already on the page dedicated to this lens.

Cannot perform comparison

Cannot compare the lens to itself.

Image stabilizer

A technology used for reducing or even eliminating the effects of camera shake. Gyro sensors inside the lens detect camera shake and pass the data to a microcomputer. Then an image stabilization group of elements controlled by the microcomputer moves inside the lens and compensates camera shake in order to keep the image static on the imaging sensor or film.

The technology allows to increase the shutter speed by several stops and shoot handheld in such lighting conditions and at such focal lengths where without image stabilizer you have to use tripod, decrease the shutter speed and/or increase the ISO setting which can lead to blurry and noisy images.

Original name

Lens name as indicated on the lens barrel (usually on the front ring). With lenses from film era, may vary slightly from batch to batch.

Format

Format refers to the shape and size of film or image sensor.

35mm is the common name of the 36x24mm film format or image sensor format. It has an aspect ratio of 3:2, and a diagonal measurement of approximately 43mm. The name originates with the total width of the 135 film which was the primary medium of the format prior to the invention of the full frame digital SLR. Historically the 35mm format was sometimes called small format to distinguish it from the medium and large formats.

APS-C is an image sensor format approximately equivalent in size to the film negatives of 25.1x16.7mm with an aspect ratio of 3:2.

Medium format is a film format or image sensor format larger than 36x24mm (35mm) but smaller than 4x5in (large format).

Angle of view

Angle of view describes the angular extent of a given scene that is imaged by a camera. It is used interchangeably with the more general term field of view.

As the focal length changes, the angle of view also changes. The shorter the focal length (eg 18mm), the wider the angle of view. Conversely, the longer the focal length (eg 55mm), the smaller the angle of view.

A camera's angle of view depends not only on the lens, but also on the sensor. Imaging sensors are sometimes smaller than 35mm film frame, and this causes the lens to have a narrower angle of view than with 35mm film, by a certain factor for each sensor (called the crop factor).

This website does not use the angles of view provided by lens manufacturers, but calculates them automatically by the following formula: 114.6 * arctan (21.622 / CF * FL),

where:

CF – crop-factor of a sensor,
FL – focal length of a lens.

Mount

A lens mount is an interface — mechanical and often also electrical — between a camera body and a lens.

A lens mount may be a screw-threaded type, a bayonet-type, or a breech-lock type. Modern camera lens mounts are of the bayonet type, because the bayonet mechanism precisely aligns mechanical and electrical features between lens and body, unlike screw-threaded mounts.

Lens mounts of competing manufacturers (Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony etc.) are always incompatible. In addition to the mechanical and electrical interface variations, the flange focal distance can also be different.

The flange focal distance (FFD) is the distance from the mechanical rear end surface of the lens mount to the focal plane.

Lens construction

Lens construction – a specific arrangement of elements and groups that make up the optical design, including type and size of elements, type of used materials etc.

Element - an individual piece of glass which makes up one component of a photographic lens. Photographic lenses are nearly always built up of multiple such elements.

Group – a cemented together pieces of glass which form a single unit or an individual piece of glass. The advantage is that there is no glass-air surfaces between cemented together pieces of glass, which reduces reflections.

Focal length

The focal length is the factor that determines the size of the image reproduced on the focal plane, picture angle which covers the area of the subject to be photographed, depth of field, etc.

Speed

The largest opening or stop at which a lens can be used is referred to as the speed of the lens. The larger the maximum aperture is, the faster the lens is considered to be. Lenses that offer a large maximum aperture are commonly referred to as fast lenses, and lenses with smaller maximum aperture are regarded as slow.

In low-light situations, having a wider maximum aperture means that you can shoot at a faster shutter speed or work at a lower ISO, or both.

Floating element system

Provides correction of aberrations and ensures constantly high image quality at the entire range of focusing distances from infinity down to the closest focusing distance. It is particularly effective for the correction of field curvature that tends to occur with large-aperture, wide-angle lenses when shooting at close ranges.

The basic mechanism of the floating element system is also incorporated into the internal and rear focusing methods.

Closest focusing distance

The minimum distance from the focal plane (film or sensor) to the subject where the lens is still able to focus.

Closest working distance

The distance from the front edge of the lens to the subject at the maximum magnification.

Magnification ratio

Determines how large the subject will appear in the final image. Magnification is expressed as a ratio. For example, a magnification ratio of 1:1 means that the image of the subject formed on the film or sensor will be the same size as the subject in real life. For this reason, a 1:1 ratio is often called "life-size".

Fixed focus

There is no helicoid in this lens and everything is in focus from the closest focusing distance to infinity.

Internal focusing (IF)

Conventional lenses employ an all-group shifting system, in which all lens elements shift during focusing. The IF system, however, shifts only part of the optics during focusing. The advantages of the IF system are:

Manual diaphragm

The diaphragm must be stopped down manually by rotating the detent aperture ring.

Preset diaphragm

The lens has two rings, one is for pre-setting, while the other is for normal diaphragm adjustment. The first ring must be set at the desired aperture, the second ring then should be fully opened for focusing, and turned back for stop down to the pre-set value.

Semi-automatic diaphragm

The lens features spring mechanism in the diaphragm, triggered by the shutter release, which stops down the diaphragm to the pre-set value. The spring needs to be reset manually after each exposure to re-open diaphragm to its maximum value.

Automatic diaphragm

The camera automatically closes the diaphragm down during the shutter operation. On completion of the exposure, the diaphragm re-opens to its maximum value.

Fixed diaphragm

The aperture setting is fixed at F/2.8 on this lens, and cannot be adjusted.

Number of blades

As a general rule, the more blades that are used to create the aperture opening in the lens, the rounder the out-of-focus highlights will be.

Some lenses are designed with curved diaphragm blades, so the roundness of the aperture comes not from the number of blades, but from their shape. However, the fewer blades the diaphragm has, the more difficult it is to form a circle, regardless of rounded edges.

At maximum aperture, the opening will be circular regardless of the number of blades.

Weight

Excluding case or pouch, caps and other detachable accessories (lens hood, close-up adapter, tripod adapter etc.).

Maximum diameter x Length

Excluding case or pouch, caps and other detachable accessories (lens hood, close-up adapter, tripod adapter etc.).

For lenses with collapsible design, the length is indicated for the working (retracted) state.

Weather sealing

A rubber material which is inserted in between each externally exposed part (manual focus and zoom rings, buttons, switch panels etc.) to ensure it is properly sealed against dust and moisture.

Lenses that accept front mounted filters typically do not have gaskets behind the filter mount. It is recommended to use a filter for complete weather resistance when desired.

Fluorine coating

Helps keep lenses clean by reducing the possibility of dust and dirt adhering to the lens and by facilitating cleaning should the need arise. Applied to the outer surface of the front and/or rear lens elements over multi-coatings.

Filters

Lens filters are accessories that can protect lenses from dirt and damage, enhance colors, minimize glare and reflections, and add creative effects to images.

Lens hood

A lens hood or lens shade is a device used on the end of a lens to block the sun or other light source in order to prevent glare and lens flare. Flare occurs when stray light strikes the front element of a lens and then bounces around within the lens. This stray light often comes from very bright light sources, such as the sun, bright studio lights, or a bright white background.

The geometry of the lens hood can vary from a plain cylindrical or conical section to a more complex shape, sometimes called a petal, tulip, or flower hood. This allows the lens hood to block stray light with the higher portions of the lens hood, while allowing more light into the corners of the image through the lowered portions of the hood.

Lens hoods are more prominent in long focus lenses because they have a smaller viewing angle than that of wide-angle lenses. For wide angle lenses, the length of the hood cannot be as long as those for telephoto lenses, as a longer hood would enter the wider field of view of the lens.

Lens hoods are often designed to fit onto the matching lens facing either forward, for normal use, or backwards, so that the hood may be stored with the lens without occupying much additional space. In addition, lens hoods can offer some degree of physical protection for the lens due to the hood extending farther than the lens itself.

Teleconverters

Teleconverters increase the effective focal length of lenses. They also usually maintain the closest focusing distance of lenses, thus increasing the magnification significantly. A lens combined with a teleconverter is normally smaller, lighter and cheaper than a "direct" telephoto lens of the same focal length and speed.

Teleconverters are a convenient way of enhancing telephoto capability, but it comes at a cost − reduced maximum aperture. Also, since teleconverters magnify every detail in the image, they logically also magnify residual aberrations of the lens.

Lens caps

Scratched lens surfaces can spoil the definition and contrast of even the finest lenses. Lens covers are the best and most inexpensive protection available against dust, moisture and abrasion. Safeguard lens elements - both front and rear - whenever the lens is not in use.