Zeiss Distagon
T* 21mm f/2.8 ZE Canon-ef
 vs
Nikon Nikkor
PC-E Micro 45mm f/2.8D ED

vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Zeiss T* 21mm f/2.8 ZE Canon-ef
Slightly better wide angle 21 mm vs 45 mm
Help
 2.1x better wide angle
Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm f/2.8 ZE Canon-ef Learn more about
the Zeiss T* 21mm f/2.8 ZE Canon-ef

Reasons to consider the Nikon PC-E Micro 45mm f/2.8D ED
Tilt-shift lens Yes vs No
Help
 Can achieve selective focus simulating a miniature effect, and correct for perspective distortion of straight lines
Significantly narrower aperture f/32 vs f/22
Help
 At its narrowest, the PC-E Micro 45mm f/2.8D ED goes 1.1 f-stops narrower
More magnification 1:2 (0.5x) vs 1:5 (0.2x)
Help
 Take macro shots with subjects around 2.5x larger in your photo
Slightly better telephoto 45 mm vs 21 mm
Help
 More than 2x more reach, less perspective distortion
Nikon Nikkor PC-E Micro 45mm f/2.8D ED Learn more about
the Nikon PC-E Micro 45mm f/2.8D ED

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Prime lens Fixed focal length prime lenses Help
Typically very sharp
Auto focus Auto focus Help
Focus yourself
Focus motor No silent focus motor Help
Louder and slower
Zoom range Poor zoom Help
1x
Max focal length Poor telephoto Help
T* 21mm f/2.8 ZE Canon-ef:21 mm
PC-E Micro 45mm f/2.8D ED:45 mm

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Zeiss Distagon T* 15mm f/2.8 ZE Canon-ef

Zeiss Distagon T* 15mm f/2.8 ZE Canon-ef

Wide angle lens

$2,950
Compare the Distagon T* 15mm f/2.8 ZE Canon-ef vs the Distagon T* 21mm f/2.8 ZE Canon-ef
Compare the Distagon T* 15mm f/2.8 ZE Canon-ef vs the Nikkor PC-E Micro 45mm f/2.8D ED
Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II

Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II

Tilt-shift lens

$1,999
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Compare the TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II vs the Distagon T* 21mm f/2.8 ZE Canon-ef
Compare the TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II vs the Nikkor PC-E Micro 45mm f/2.8D ED
Nikon Nikkor PC-E 24mm f/3.5D ED

Nikon Nikkor PC-E 24mm f/3.5D ED

Tilt-shift lens

$1,969
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Compare the Nikkor PC-E 24mm f/3.5D ED vs the Distagon T* 21mm f/2.8 ZE Canon-ef
Compare the Nikkor PC-E 24mm f/3.5D ED vs the Nikkor PC-E Micro 45mm f/2.8D ED
Canon TS-E 45mm f/2.8

Canon TS-E 45mm f/2.8

Tilt-shift lens

$1,299
Compare the TS-E 45mm f/2.8 vs the Distagon T* 21mm f/2.8 ZE Canon-ef
Compare the TS-E 45mm f/2.8 vs the Nikkor PC-E Micro 45mm f/2.8D ED
Zeiss Distagon 28mm f/2 T* Canon-ef

Zeiss Distagon 28mm f/2 T* Canon-ef

Low light lens

$1,283
Aperture Has a wider aperture
Compare the Distagon 28mm f/2 T* Canon-ef vs the Distagon T* 21mm f/2.8 ZE Canon-ef
Compare the Distagon 28mm f/2 T* Canon-ef vs the Nikkor PC-E Micro 45mm f/2.8D ED
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM

Fisheye lens

$1,499 - $1,699
Auto focus Has autofocus
Fisheye Is a fisheye lens
Prime lens Is a zoom lens
Compare the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM vs the Distagon T* 21mm f/2.8 ZE Canon-ef
Compare the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM vs the Nikkor PC-E Micro 45mm f/2.8D ED
Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM

Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM

Low light lens

$1,549
Aperture Has a wider aperture
Auto focus Has autofocus
Compare the EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM vs the Distagon T* 21mm f/2.8 ZE Canon-ef
Compare the EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM vs the Nikkor PC-E Micro 45mm f/2.8D ED

Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm f/2.8 ZE Canon-ef Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Zeiss Distagon T* 25mm f/2 ZE Canon-ef

Zeiss Distagon T* 25mm f/2 ZE Canon-ef

Low light lens

$1,699
Magnification More magnification
Aperture Wider aperture
Compare the Distagon T* 25mm f/2 ZE Canon-ef vs the Distagon T* 21mm f/2.8 ZE Canon-ef
Canon TS-E 17mm f/4L

Canon TS-E 17mm f/4L

Tilt-shift lens

$2,299
Tilt-shift Tilt-shift lens
Length Slightly shorter
Aperture Narrower aperture
Magnification Slightly less magnification
Compare the TS-E 17mm f/4L vs the Distagon T* 21mm f/2.8 ZE Canon-ef
Zeiss Distagon T* 25mm f/2.8 ZF.2 Nikon-f

Zeiss Distagon T* 25mm f/2.8 ZF.2 Nikon-f

Wide angle lens

$1,004
Length Shorter
Lowest price Cheaper
Compare the Distagon T* 25mm f/2.8 ZF.2 Nikon-f vs the Distagon T* 21mm f/2.8 ZE Canon-ef
Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm f/2.8 ZF.2 Nikon-f

Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm f/2.8 ZF.2 Nikon-f

Wide angle lens

$1,843
Compare the Distagon T* 21mm f/2.8 ZF.2 Nikon-f vs the Distagon T* 21mm f/2.8 ZE Canon-ef

Nikon Nikkor PC-E Micro 45mm f/2.8D ED Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Lensbaby Composer Special Effects Fisheye Four-thirds

Lensbaby Composer Special Effects Fisheye Four-thirds

Fisheye lens

$179
Fisheye Fisheye lens
Auto focus Auto focus
Tilt-shift Not a tilt-shift lens
Compare the Composer Special Effects Fisheye Four-thirds vs the Nikkor PC-E Micro 45mm f/2.8D ED
Canon TS-E 90mm f/2.8

Canon TS-E 90mm f/2.8

Tilt-shift lens

$1,219
Max focal length Better telephoto
Length Slightly shorter
Magnification Less magnification
Min focal length Worse wide angle
Compare the TS-E 90mm f/2.8 vs the Nikkor PC-E Micro 45mm f/2.8D ED
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 28mm f/1.8G

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 28mm f/1.8G

Low light lens

$697
Auto focus Auto focus
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Tilt-shift Not a tilt-shift lens
Max focal length Slightly worse telephoto
Compare the Nikkor AF-S 28mm f/1.8G vs the Nikkor PC-E Micro 45mm f/2.8D ED
Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Canon-ef

Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Canon-ef

Low light lens

$725
Aperture Significantly wider aperture
Length Shorter
Tilt-shift Not a tilt-shift lens
Wide maximum Much wider aperture
Compare the 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Canon-ef vs the Nikkor PC-E Micro 45mm f/2.8D ED

discussion Which do you think is better?

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