Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 15 mm f/2.8 ZM § 03 Head to head
Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 15 mm f/2.8 ZM vs Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm f/2 ZERO-D
Zeiss 15mm f/2.8 has a more aperture blades. Laowa 15mm f/2 is 1 stop brighter maximum aperture.
Both lenses are made for the Leica M mount: the Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 15 mm f/2.8 ZM is a 15mm f/2.8 prime, and the Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm f/2 ZERO-D is a 15mm f/2 prime. On paper the Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm f/2 ZERO-D comes out ahead, 4 advantages to 1, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 15 mm f/2.8 ZM 
Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm f/2 ZERO-D 01
Key differences
Why is the Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 15 mm f/2.8 ZM better than the Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm f/2 ZERO-D?
- More aperture blades (10 vs 7)
Why is the Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm f/2 ZERO-D better than the Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 15 mm f/2.8 ZM?
- 1 stop brighter maximum aperture (f/2 vs f/2.8)
- 50 g lighter (500 g vs 550 g)
- Focuses 15 cm closer (0.15 m vs 0.3 m)
- Newer design (2017 vs 2004)
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Which should you buy?
- landscape For landscape photography, the Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm f/2 ZERO-D has the edge: it is 50 g lighter to carry.
- architecture For architecture, the Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm f/2 ZERO-D has the edge: it is 50 g lighter to carry.
- low-light For low-light shooting, the Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm f/2 ZERO-D has the edge: its f/2 aperture gathers more light than f/2.8.
- astrophotography For astrophotography, the Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm f/2 ZERO-D has the edge: its f/2 aperture gathers more light than f/2.8.
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Specification
| Specification | Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 15 mm f/2.8 ZM | Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm f/2 ZERO-D |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 15mm | 15mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 | f/2 ◆ |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/22 |
| Lens type | Prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | Full frame | Full frame |
| Weight | 550 g (19.40 oz) | 500 g (17.64 oz) ◆ |
| Dimensions | — | 82 x 66 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.3 m (11.81 inches) | 0.15 m (5.91 inches) ◆ |
| Image stabilization | No | No |
| Aperture ring | Yes | Yes |
| Aperture blades | 10 ◆ | 7 |
| Optical construction | 11 elements in 9 groups | 12 elements / 9 groups |
| Filter size | 72 mm | 72 mm |
| Lens mount | Leica M | Leica M, Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, L-Mount |
| Released | 2004 | 2017 |
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Sample frames
Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 15 mm f/2.8 ZM
Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm f/2 ZERO-D
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which lens has the brighter aperture, the Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 15 mm f/2.8 ZM or the Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm f/2 ZERO-D?
- The Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm f/2 ZERO-D opens to f/2, against f/2.8 on the Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 15 mm f/2.8 ZM, 1 stop brighter.
- Which is lighter, the Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 15 mm f/2.8 ZM or the Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm f/2 ZERO-D?
- The Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm f/2 ZERO-D weighs 500 g, 50 g less than the Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 15 mm f/2.8 ZM (550 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 15 mm f/2.8 ZM or the Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm f/2 ZERO-D?
- The Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm f/2 ZERO-D focuses down to 0.15 m, against 0.3 m for the Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 15 mm f/2.8 ZM.
- Do the Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 15 mm f/2.8 ZM and the Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm f/2 ZERO-D have image stabilization?
- No, neither lens has optical image stabilization; rely on in-body stabilization if your camera has it.
- Is the Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 15 mm f/2.8 ZM or the Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm f/2 ZERO-D better for landscape photography?
- For landscape photography, the Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm f/2 ZERO-D has the edge: it is 50 g lighter to carry.
- Is the Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 15 mm f/2.8 ZM or the Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm f/2 ZERO-D better for architecture?
- For architecture, the Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm f/2 ZERO-D has the edge: it is 50 g lighter to carry.