Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 lens real world portraits ~ high res samples

Dec 2, 2009 | Uncategorized | 14 comments

Here are ten of the portraits I shot using my new Zeiss Distagon 21mm f/2.8 ZE lens over the past couple of days. They were shot on the creative day workshops I ran for Pocket Wizard TT1 and TT5 owners. Each of the pictures can be downloaded at full resolution by clicking on it’s preview image. All the shots were taken hand held and were focused using the Canon focus confirm system in my 5D mk2.

Zeiss 21mm f/2.8, ISO 100, 1/125th second at f/11

Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 on a Canon 5Dmk2, ISO 100, 1/125th second at f/11

The above shot was lit using a 580EX11 Speedlight in a Lastolite 38cm Ezybox Hotshoe with a Tilt Head bracket on a Lastolite Stand and another 580EX11 Speedlight on a Lastolite stand as a back light. Both flashes were triggered using the Pocket Wizard TTL system.

Zeiss 21mm f/2.8, ISO 200, 1/60th second at f/4

Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 on a Canon 5Dmk2, ISO 200, 1/60th second at f/4

The above shot was lit using a single 580EX11 Speedlight in a Lastolite 60cm Ezybox Hotshoe and triggered by Pocket Wizard TTL units. I pre-focused the lens and hand held the camera above my head to get the high viewpoint.

Zeiss 21mm f/2.8, ISO 200, 1/800th second at f/4

Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 on a Canon 5Dmk2, ISO 200, 1/800th second at f/4

The above picture was lit using a single 580EX11 Speedlight in a Lastolite 60cm Ezybox Hotshoe and triggered by Pocket Wizard TTL units.

Zeiss 21mm f/2.8, ISO 400, 1/60th second at f/4

Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 on a Canon 5Dmk2, ISO 400, 1/60th second at f/4

The above picture was taken hand held, like all the other shots in this post. It was lit using a single 580EX11 Speedlight fitted with a full CTO gel on a Honl Speed Strap in a Lastolite 38cm Ezybox Hotshoe and triggered by Pocket Wizard TTL units. The camera white balance was set at 3800K.

Canon 5Dmk2, Zeiss 21mm f/2.8, ISO 200, 1/125th second at f/4

Canon 5Dmk2, Zeiss 21mm f/2.8, ISO 200, 1/125th second at f/4

The shot above was lit with two 3/4 backlights and a frontal key. Two 580EX2’s and a 430EX2 on Pocket Wizard Flexs provided the three point lighting and the backlights were fitted with Honl CTB gels with 1/4 inch grids to avoid flare. The keylight was fitted with a CTO gel. If you want to learn how to light shots like this then why not book yourself a place on this Speedlight Mastery Workshop.

Canon 5Dmk2, Zeiss 21mm f/2.8, ISO 200, 1/60th second at f/4

Canon 5Dmk2, Zeiss 21mm f/2.8, ISO 200, 1/60th second at f/4

The shot above was lit with one 580EX2 in a 38mm Lastolite Ezybox Hotshoe.

Canon 5

Canon 5Dmk2, Zeiss 21mm f/2.8, ISO 200, 1/60th second at f/4

The shot above was lit with one 580EX2 in a 38mm Lastolite Ezybox Hotshoe.

The shot above was lit with one 580EX2 in a 38mm Lastolite Ezybox Hotshoe.

Canon 5Dmk2, Zeiss 21mm f/2.8, ISO 200, 1/80th second at f/4

The above picture was lit with one 580EX2 with a Honl full CTO gel in a 38mm Lastolite Ezybox Hotshoe.

lit with one 580EX2 in a 38mm Lastolite Ezybox Hotshoe.

Canon 5Dmk2, Zeiss 21mm f/2.8, ISO 800, 1/50th second at f/3.2

The above picture was lit with one 580EX2 with a Honl full CTO gel in a 38mm Lastolite Ezybox Hotshoe. I converted it to monochrome in Lightroom. The contrast and clarity of the Zeiss glass is perfect for fine art subjects.

The above picture was lit with one 580EX2 with a Honl full CTO gel in a 38mm Lastolite Ezybox Hotshoe.

Canon 5Dmk2, Zeiss 21mm f/2.8, ISO 400, 1/80th second at f/4

I can’t help myself from shooting ‘arty’ frames with this lens. I feel like a student again with my first camera learning how to ‘see’ pictures.

Many thanks go to my delegates and our model Natasha for braving the December weather and the bitterly cold temperatures.

Please respect my copyright and do not republish any of the images. Feel fee to link to this page or comment on the shots below.  Damien.

14 Comments

  1. Helen Perry

    Hi Damien,

    I have an ST-E2, do you think i’d have trouble triggering my flash with the softbox? Would I be better off using an umbrella or are they equally problematic?

    Would you consider using a 1 light softbox for an indoors group shot?

    Thank you in advance.

    Helen.

    Reply
    • damien

      Hi Helen,
      A Lastolite Ezybox is the only solution for you. I use the 60cm Ezybox and can trigger the Speedlight using IR from my ST-E2. I have to use my Pocket Wizard TTL units to trigger Speedlights with umbrellas.

      For interior group shots, I’d use an umbrella with a studio type flash unit. A Speedlight in an Ezybox works well at close range but will struggle with a group.

      Regards, Damien.

      Reply
  2. George

    Hi Damien,

    I’m thinking about the 38cm Lastolite Ezybox. I wonder in your opinion, how close you need it to be to benefit from the soft light on your subject. I guess after a certain distance you might as well use a bare faced Speedlite? For example – at a distance that would light a full body, is it still noticable soft light or more like a silver umbrella?

    Thanks!

    What are your thoughts on using a silver umbrella outdoors too – is this just like a bare speedlite but bigger

    Reply
    • damien

      Hi George,

      Sorry for the delay in replying. The Ezybox comes in 3 sizes. They are all efficient light modifiers. Within 3m the effect of the softness is evident. An interior at night lit with just an Ezybox at 3m would look like it was lit by a small window giving clearly defined shadows with a beautiful penumbra region.

      Outside in daylight, the range of a Speedlight in an Ezybox is limited by the power of the flash. I like to use mine in close proximity, say within 1m from my subject. I use them like fashion studio shooters use beauty dishes. Softboxes and silver umbrellas have a very different light quality and is best seen at pixel level. Skin lit with a softbox takes on a flat look and with a silver umbrella it has a sheen.

      Silver umbrellas outside are great as long as there is no wind or they are supported properly. I use a magic arm and superclamp or a good stand weighted down with my camera bag.

      Damien.

      Reply
  3. DA

    Hey Damien,

    How did you fit the PW Flex onto your Ezybox? The bracket with my Ezybox does not fit the Flex. A picture would be very interesting if you have time?

    Reply
    • damien

      Hi DA, I put my PW flex on the SB900 side of the cold shoe adapter (the thinner side) so that the item is at 90 degrees to the bracket. It only fits one way round. The 580 EX2 or 430 EX2 then goes on the Flex and have their heads at 90 degrees too so they go in the hole etc. The bracket is at full extension, maximum height. Sorry for not posting a picture yet but I’ve no time this side of Christmas – V, V busy

      Damien.

      Reply
  4. Billy

    Nice shots! I just picked up this lens today and can’t wait to use it.

    Reply
  5. damien

    Hi Paul,

    Contrary to popular belief, the diffusion dome doesn’t soften the light from your Speedlight it merely sends it in all directions. The shadows the flash creates are still just as sharp and clearly defined as those created by the bare flash itself. However, because of the effect of flash coming off other surfaces this tends to ‘lift’ and reduce the contrast of the shadows. Outside though this rarely has any effect at all and the diffusing dome merely cuts the light output for which the power of the flash has to compensate.

    A softbox is a soft light source because of it’s relative size. Unlike the diffused Speedlight it creates diffused shadows from near light subjects. The light is directional too meaning it leaves shadows deep and punchy.

    For soft light and shadow fill I use a shoot through umbrella. The light from the umbrella goes in all directions yet the source is still soft. Perfect for one light interior groups at a wedding.

    I hope this helps,

    Damien.

    Reply
  6. Paul Gallagher

    Thanks Damien,

    That does make sense, I have all Nikon gear and find the diffusion dome that comes with the SB900 does a good job of giving soft light, no comparison to a softbox but does a good job and won’t get blew away in the wind…lol.

    Reply
  7. damien

    Hi Paul,

    Thanks for your kind words. It’s important to know that I shoot static subjects from a static camera. Some shooters who take reportage pictures might find this lens hard to use because of the lack of AF. I love it and the results please me.

    I’ve started to use softboxes because I can. With infra red triggering they were a pain and so were brollies. Now though I can shoot on location like I shot in the studio and it’s magic. These new Pocket Wizard units have liberated my lighting. Softboxes this size are like beauty dishes, they need to be used in close proximity, just out of shot. The skin tones and soft directional shadows they create are sublime. Hard barefaced Speedlights get 90% of the way there but why not go the whole hog now that we can?

    I know for sure, that in the summer on the beach I’ll need to use my Broncolor kit just for the power advantage but my PW mini will trigger that too. There’s no going back to infra red now.

    Regards,

    Damien.

    Reply
  8. Paul Gallagher

    A super set of images Damien, and thats a really sharp lens.

    Why have you now started to use soft boxes for your off camera flash shoots, can you maybe explain the pros and cons to using one of these over the bare flash?

    Paul

    Reply
  9. Stuart

    Damien, I know when shooting bare flash you zoom to 105 quite a bit but does this still ring true when using the Ezybox? I have an ezybox and have used it quite a bit recently so was just wondering.Thanks as always for the images

    Reply
  10. damien

    Hi Stuart, In the Ezybox I use the 14mm wide angle grid on the front of the Speedlite.

    Hi Andy, I have the smaller one when there is a bit of wind and the larger one when it’s not windy.

    Thanks for your kind words, Damien.

    Reply
  11. Andy Rapkins

    Was going to ask the same question as Stuart above so +1 for that please.

    Great shots Damien. It’s obvious just from looking at them how the lens has inspired you with the framing and composition. Very impressed.

    What drives your choice of which size Ezybox to use? Is it dictated by physical space in which to setup or is there a particular difference to the light you are looking for?

    Thanks for the great shots and information.

    Reply

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