I had an hour in Frankfurt last week, after a meeting at the Max-Planck-Institut für Chemie, in Mainz. I had the latest addition to my lens test-group (trying to find the perfect setup?); the Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 28/2,8 in Contax/Yashica mount.
This lens is something of a legend, due in part to its ability to mounted on a Canon full frame DSLR such as the 5D, without hitting the mirror. The other reason it's quite popular, is that it's very well made, and just as nice optically.
There are buildings like this all throughout Frankfurt. It's so refreshing compared to 1970s concrete. Modern buildings, though often impressive, don't have the character or the ornate detail of years past.
So, how is 28mm? It's a popular focal length, that's for sure. The Ricoh GR is 28mm fixed, and 28mm is often considered to be wide without being too wide. It's typically sharp from corner to corner, and free from distortion. 24mm lenses pose something more of a challenge, and wider that 24mm is asking for trouble. 20mm and below is really super wide. 28mm offers a decent compromise between a wide angle, and the subject-in-context framing of my favourite 35mm.
I obtained this lens for a decent price, so I will be keeping it for the foreseeable, and as such, will write a review at a later date. There's some of that Zeiss contrast I love, that's for sure.
I was only in Frankfurt centre for around an hour, but the light kit (I only had a carry-on bag with me) meant that I didn't feel tired or fatigued at any point. I headed to the airport, which luckily had a decent Japanese restaurant inside.
懐かしいですね！
「nostalgic!」