Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you're buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
It shouldn't come as much of a surprise that the Zeiss Makro-Planar T* F2 100mm ZE lens is a stellar performer. Photo results at its widest f/2 aperture are impressively high in the centre (although not quite as great in the corners) while stopping the lens down towards f/8 improves consistency, with sharpness maintained to an excellent standard. Even at f/22, where other lenses are already compromised too greatly by diffraction, the lens manages to record a superb level of detail.
Verdict
Overall then, the Zeiss Makro-Planar T* F2 100mm ZE lens is a joy to use, and can deliver the quality results suggested by its asking price. Without the provision of autofocus or a life-size 1:1 reproduction ratio it clearly won't be for everyone, while it's asking price of £1,550 will only further place it out of the reach of many.
Then again, this isn't a lens necessarily aimed at the mass market, but one quite clearly built to a standard rather than a price.