{"id":35825,"date":"2023-02-06T08:51:29","date_gmt":"2023-02-06T07:51:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/?p=35825"},"modified":"2026-03-23T20:31:23","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T19:31:23","slug":"review-zeiss-zm-18mm-4-0-distagon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-zeiss-zm-18mm-4-0-distagon\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 Distagon"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Introduction<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_35974\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-35974\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-35974\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_Distagon_M10_2.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"478\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_Distagon_M10_2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_Distagon_M10_2-300x179.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_Distagon_M10_2-768x459.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-35974\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 Distagon on Leica M10<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 Distagon is the second widest lens of the ZM family and one of the few 18mm M-mount lenses. Is 18mm being an unpopular focal length among Leica users the reason this lens has already been discontinued or is it because of its optical qualities? Let&#8217;s find out in this review.<br \/>\n<em>Lens is being tested on 42mp Sony A7rII and 24mp Leica M10<br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Sample Images<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_36369\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-36369\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-36369\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_4.0_Sample_16.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_4.0_Sample_16.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_4.0_Sample_16-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_4.0_Sample_16-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-36369\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Leica M10 | Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 | f\/4.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_36364\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-36364\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-36364\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_4.0_Sample_10.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_4.0_Sample_10.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_4.0_Sample_10-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_4.0_Sample_10-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-36364\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Leica M10 | Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 | f\/4.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_36365\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-36365\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-36365\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_4.0_Sample_11.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_4.0_Sample_11.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_4.0_Sample_11-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_4.0_Sample_11-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-36365\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Leica M10 | Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 | f\/4.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"mceTemp\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<figure id=\"attachment_35891\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-35891\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-35891\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_8.0_Sample_4.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_8.0_Sample_4.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_8.0_Sample_4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_8.0_Sample_4-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-35891\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Leica M10 | Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 | f\/8.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_35890\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-35890\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-35890\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_8.0_Sample_3.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_8.0_Sample_3.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_8.0_Sample_3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_8.0_Sample_3-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-35890\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Leica M10 | Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 | f\/8.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p><em>You can find most of the sample images in full resolution <a href=\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/s\/aHBqjCkm4i\">here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n<h2>Disclosure<\/h2>\n<p>The Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 was kindly provided by our reader Christian for a review. He is also active under the name gladstone at digicamclub.de.<\/p>\n<h2>Specifications \/ Version History<\/h2>\n<p>Zeiss has a bit of a history making 18mm lenses but they made only one for M-mount, the Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 Distagon &#8211; which was available in black and silver &#8211; and has the following specifications:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Diameter: 65mm<\/li>\n<li>Field of view: 98\u00b0 (diagonally)<\/li>\n<li>Length: 47mm<\/li>\n<li>Weight: 320g (without hood)<\/li>\n<li>Filter Diameter: 58mm<\/li>\n<li>Number of Aperture Blades: 10<\/li>\n<li>Elements\/Groups: 10\/8<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-35938 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM18_4_optical_design-300x167.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"167\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM18_4_optical_design-300x167.png 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM18_4_optical_design.png 498w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/li>\n<li>Close Focusing Distance: 0.5 m<\/li>\n<li>Maximum Magnification: 1:23<\/li>\n<li>Mount: Leica-M<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>The Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 Distagon has already been discontinued and can therefore mainly be found on the used market, e.g. on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ebay.com\/sch\/i.html?_from=R40&amp;_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&amp;_nkw=zeiss+zm+18mm+4.0&amp;_sacat=0&amp;mkcid=1&amp;mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&amp;siteid=0&amp;campid=5337820268&amp;toolid=20008&amp;mkevt=1\">ebay.com<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ebay.de\/sch\/i.html?_from=R40&amp;_nkw=zeiss+zm+18mm+4.0&amp;_sacat=0&amp;rt=nc&amp;LH_PrefLoc=2&amp;mkcid=1&amp;mkrid=707-53477-19255-0&amp;siteid=77&amp;campid=5337820268&amp;toolid=20008&amp;mkevt=1\">ebay.de<\/a> (advertisememt\/affiliate links), for around <strong>$1000<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Handling \/ Build Quality<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_35818\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-35818\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-35818\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_Distagon.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_Distagon.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_Distagon-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_Distagon-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-35818\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 Distagon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Except for the 1\/3rd of a stop click stops (I greatly prefer full stop ones) the ergonomics of all the ZM lenses I have personally used were simply top notch and the 18mm 4.0 Distagon is no different.<\/p>\n<p>The focus ring has just the right resistance and turns ~100\u00b0 from the minimum focus distance of 0.5 m to infinity. Unlike a minority of lenses like the <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-laowa-9mm-5-6-ff-rl\/\">Laowa 9mm 5.6<\/a> there is no click-stop when leaving the rangefinder coupled range which I always find a bit unfortunate.<br \/>\nThe lens doesn&#8217;t have a focus tab, but its owner added one from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ebay.com\/sch\/i.html?_from=R40&amp;_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&amp;_nkw=7artisans+focus+tab&amp;_sacat=0&amp;mkcid=1&amp;mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&amp;siteid=0&amp;campid=5337820268&amp;toolid=20008&amp;mkevt=1\">7Artisans<\/a> <em>(affiliate link)<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>The aperture ring does feature distinct click-stops which are of course equidistantly spaced.<\/p>\n<p>It feels like the lens is completely made from metal and all the markings are engraved and filled with paint.<\/p>\n<div class=\"osc-res-tab tabbable   osc-tabs-left\"><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"nav osc-res-nav nav-tabs osc-tabs-left-ul\" id=\"oscitas-restabs-1-review-zeiss-zm-18mm-4-0-distagon-65439\"><li class=\"active\"><a href=\"#ert_pane1-0\" data-toggle=\"tab\">no hood<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane1-1\" data-toggle=\"tab\">hood attached<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"tab-content\" id=\"oscitas-restabcontent-1-review-zeiss-zm-18mm-4-0-distagon-65439\"><li class=\"tab-pane active\" id=\"ert_pane1-0\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-35823\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_Distagon_no_hood.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_Distagon_no_hood.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_Distagon_no_hood-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_Distagon_no_hood-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane1-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-35819\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_Distagon_hood.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_Distagon_hood.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_Distagon_hood-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_Distagon_hood-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n<p>If the lens is not big enough for you already you can attach a nice tulip-shaped bayonet-style lens hood made from metal.<\/p>\n<div class=\"osc-res-tab tabbable   osc-tabs-left\"><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"nav osc-res-nav nav-tabs osc-tabs-left-ul\" id=\"oscitas-restabs-2-review-zeiss-zm-18mm-4-0-distagon-26584\"><li class=\"active\"><a href=\"#ert_pane2-0\" data-toggle=\"tab\">infinity no hood<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane2-1\" data-toggle=\"tab\">0.5 m no hood<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane2-2\" data-toggle=\"tab\">infinity hood<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane2-3\" data-toggle=\"tab\">0.5 m hood<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"tab-content\" id=\"oscitas-restabcontent-2-review-zeiss-zm-18mm-4-0-distagon-26584\"><li class=\"tab-pane active\" id=\"ert_pane2-0\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-36040 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18_4_RF_Blockage_no_hood_infinity.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"544\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18_4_RF_Blockage_no_hood_infinity.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18_4_RF_Blockage_no_hood_infinity-300x204.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18_4_RF_Blockage_no_hood_infinity-768x522.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane2-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-36041 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18_4_RF_Blockage_no_hood_mfd.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"544\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18_4_RF_Blockage_no_hood_mfd.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18_4_RF_Blockage_no_hood_mfd-300x204.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18_4_RF_Blockage_no_hood_mfd-768x522.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane2-2\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-36038 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18_4_RF_Blockage_hood_infinity.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"544\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18_4_RF_Blockage_hood_infinity.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18_4_RF_Blockage_hood_infinity-300x204.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18_4_RF_Blockage_hood_infinity-768x522.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane2-3\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-36039 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18_4_RF_Blockage_hood_mfd.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"544\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18_4_RF_Blockage_hood_mfd.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18_4_RF_Blockage_hood_mfd-300x204.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18_4_RF_Blockage_hood_mfd-768x522.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The Zeiss ZM 18mm 4,0 is not a small lens so the rangefinder blockage is significant, even more so with the hood attached. The lens brings up the 28\/135mm framelines.<\/p>\n<p>Comparing the size of the ZM 18mm 4.0 Distagon to the <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-contax-g-16mm-8-0-hologon\/\">16mm 8.0 Hologon<\/a> is probably a bit unfair, but the <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-voigtlander-vm-15mm-4-5-ii-super-wide-heliar\/\">Voigtl\u00e4nder VM 15mm 4.5 II<\/a> is almost as fast while being quite a bit wider, yet significantly smaller (and cheaper):<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_35796\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-35796\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-35796\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Comparison_Hologon_16mm_8.0_VM_15mm_4.5_II_ZM_18mm_4.0.jpg\" alt=\"hologon leica m contax-g 16mm 8.0 8\/16 center filter review sharpness leica m10 m11 sony e-mount adapter conversion sharpness distortion carl zeiss germany\" width=\"800\" height=\"276\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Comparison_Hologon_16mm_8.0_VM_15mm_4.5_II_ZM_18mm_4.0.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Comparison_Hologon_16mm_8.0_VM_15mm_4.5_II_ZM_18mm_4.0-300x104.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Comparison_Hologon_16mm_8.0_VM_15mm_4.5_II_ZM_18mm_4.0-768x265.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-35796\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Zeiss 16mm 8.0 Hologon | Voigtl\u00e4nder VM 15mm 4.5 II | Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The onwer of the lens is mainly using it adapted to a Sony camera. And to be honest &#8211; in terms of size and weight &#8211; I find it to be a much better fit here compared to using it on the slim Leica bodies.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_35824\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-35824\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-35824 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_Distagon_Sony_A7rII-e1669501021570.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_Distagon_Sony_A7rII-e1669501021570.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_Distagon_Sony_A7rII-e1669501021570-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_Distagon_Sony_A7rII-e1669501021570-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-35824\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 Distagon via metabones adapter on Sony A7rII<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Vignetting<\/h2>\n<h3><strong>light falloff<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-35888\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/vignetting_Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"750\" height=\"610\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/vignetting_Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0.jpg 750w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/vignetting_Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0-300x244.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/p>\n\n<table id=\"tablepress-67\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-67\">\n<tbody class=\"row-striping\">\n<tr class=\"row-1\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">f\/4.0<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">2.8 EV<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-2\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">f\/5.6<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">2.3 EV<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">f\/8.0<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">2.2 EV<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">f\/11<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">2.2 EV<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-5\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">f\/16<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">2.2 EV<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<!-- #tablepress-67 from cache -->\n<p>To my knowledge this is the biggest 18mm lens for M-mount and in such cases I am always hoping for lower vignetting figures but not always this is the case. But in the fact the values are a little better compared to other (but also smaller) ultra wide angle lenses.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_35905\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-35905\" style=\"width: 1026px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-35905\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18mm_4.0_Vig_Graph.png\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"1026\" height=\"766\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18mm_4.0_Vig_Graph.png 1026w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18mm_4.0_Vig_Graph-300x224.png 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18mm_4.0_Vig_Graph-800x597.png 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18mm_4.0_Vig_Graph-768x573.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1026px) 100vw, 1026px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-35905\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 on Leica M10<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>It is recommended to have a look at <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/vignetting-graphs-explained\/\">this article<\/a> first to get an idea how this brightness graph works.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3><strong>color cast<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div class=\"osc-res-tab tabbable   osc-tabs-left\"><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"nav osc-res-nav nav-tabs osc-tabs-left-ul\" id=\"oscitas-restabs-3-review-zeiss-zm-18mm-4-0-distagon-73654\"><li class=\"active\"><a href=\"#ert_pane3-0\" data-toggle=\"tab\">Sony A7rII<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane3-1\" data-toggle=\"tab\">Leica M10<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"tab-content\" id=\"oscitas-restabcontent-3-review-zeiss-zm-18mm-4-0-distagon-73654\"><li class=\"tab-pane active\" id=\"ert_pane3-0\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-35971\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18mm_4.0_Color_Cast_R2.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18mm_4.0_Color_Cast_R2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18mm_4.0_Color_Cast_R2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18mm_4.0_Color_Cast_R2-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane3-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-35897\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18mm_4.0_Color_Cast_M10.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18mm_4.0_Color_Cast_M10.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18mm_4.0_Color_Cast_M10-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18mm_4.0_Color_Cast_M10-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n<p>On the A7rII we have a bit of a green color cast in all the 4 corners, which is what we have often seen in the past with other compact ultra wide lenses as well.<br \/>\nOn the M10 there is a bit of a green cast on the left side of the frame while the right side of the frame shows a very slight magenta color cast.<\/p>\n<p>You can check out my article <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/how-to-correcting-color-cast-in-lightroom\/\">How to: Correcting Color Cast in Lightroom<\/a> where I explain different methods to fix this.<\/p>\n<h2>Sharpness<\/h2>\n<h3>MTF-Graphs<\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-35898\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18mm_4.0_MTF.png\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"734\" height=\"446\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18mm_4.0_MTF.png 734w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18mm_4.0_MTF-300x182.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 734px) 100vw, 734px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Generally I always considered the MTF graphs Zeiss published quite realistic. At f\/4.0 we see very high contrast and resolution in the center with a bit of astigmatism building up in the midfield. Performance drops significantly towars the very corners though. By f\/8.0 the contrast looks really great across all of the frame with a slight drop in resolution in the extreme corners.<br \/>\nFrom the graphs this looks like a good performance, but let&#8217;s find out how these graphs translate into reality.<\/p>\n<h3>infinity (42mp Sony A7rII, 24mp Leica M10)<\/h3>\n<div class=\"osc-res-tab tabbable   osc-tabs-left\"><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"nav osc-res-nav nav-tabs osc-tabs-left-ul\" id=\"oscitas-restabs-4-review-zeiss-zm-18mm-4-0-distagon-24893\"><li class=\"active\"><a href=\"#ert_pane4-0\" data-toggle=\"tab\">Sony A7rII<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane4-1\" data-toggle=\"tab\">Leica M10<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"tab-content\" id=\"oscitas-restabcontent-4-review-zeiss-zm-18mm-4-0-distagon-24893\"><li class=\"tab-pane active\" id=\"ert_pane4-0\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-36091\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Sharpness_ZM_18mm_4.0_R2.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"1708\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Sharpness_ZM_18mm_4.0_R2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Sharpness_ZM_18mm_4.0_R2-141x300.jpg 141w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Sharpness_ZM_18mm_4.0_R2-600x1280.jpg 600w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Sharpness_ZM_18mm_4.0_R2-768x1640.jpg 768w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Sharpness_ZM_18mm_4.0_R2-719x1536.jpg 719w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane4-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-36090\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Sharpness_ZM_18mm_4.0_M10.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"1708\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Sharpness_ZM_18mm_4.0_M10.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Sharpness_ZM_18mm_4.0_M10-141x300.jpg 141w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Sharpness_ZM_18mm_4.0_M10-600x1280.jpg 600w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Sharpness_ZM_18mm_4.0_M10-768x1640.jpg 768w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Sharpness_ZM_18mm_4.0_M10-719x1536.jpg 719w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n<p>On the <strong>Sony A7rII<\/strong> we see the typical behaviour of rangefinder wide angle lenses coupled with cameras with a <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-kolari-ultra-thin-sensor-stack-modification\/\">thick filter stack<\/a> in front of their sensor: smeared corners at wider apertures due to added field curvature. It might be possible to get a more even performance at f\/8.0 and f\/11 when focusing a little closer though.<\/p>\n<p>Now the performance on the <strong>Leica M10<\/strong> exactly mirrors what we see in the MTF graphs: great center and midframe at f\/4.0 but the corners need stopping down to f\/8.0 to look best.<\/p>\n<h3>close (0.5 m, 1:23)<em><br \/>\n<\/em><\/h3>\n<p><div class=\"osc-res-tab tabbable   osc-tabs-left\"><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"nav osc-res-nav nav-tabs osc-tabs-left-ul\" id=\"oscitas-restabs-5-review-zeiss-zm-18mm-4-0-distagon-59466\"><li class=\"active\"><a href=\"#ert_pane5-0\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/4.0<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane5-1\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/5.6<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"tab-content\" id=\"oscitas-restabcontent-5-review-zeiss-zm-18mm-4-0-distagon-59466\"><li class=\"tab-pane active\" id=\"ert_pane5-0\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-36051\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ZM_18_4_close_4.0.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ZM_18_4_close_4.0.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ZM_18_4_close_4.0-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ZM_18_4_close_4.0-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane5-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-36052\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ZM_18_4_close_5.6.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ZM_18_4_close_5.6.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ZM_18_4_close_5.6-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ZM_18_4_close_5.6-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<em><span style=\"color: #999999;\">100% crops from center, Sony A7rII<\/span><br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<p>A minimum focus distance of 0.5 m is a bit long for an 18mm lens if you ask me. But then, this is still an M-mount lens, so I guess we should be happy they didn&#8217;t go for 0.7 m. Performance over most of the frame is great from f\/4.0, but as is the case for most ultra wide angle lenses the field is not perfectly flat at these distances. If you want to take a picture of a bookshelf close up or something like that, it is a good idea to stop the lens down. In the field I don&#8217;t think this will ever pose a problem though.<\/p>\n<p>The Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 also shows no focus shift.<\/p>\n<h2>Flare resistance<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_35895\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-35895\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-35895\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_Flare_8.0_1.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_Flare_8.0_1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_Flare_8.0_1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_Flare_8.0_1-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-35895\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Leica M10 | Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 | f\/8.0 | no hood<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>As always evaluating flare is a complex matter since you can get any lens to look bad if you push it hard enough and a slight change of scenario can affect results a lot.<\/p>\n<p>With a strong point light source in the frame it is very easy to catch some orange ghosts. They get smaller on stopping down, but also more contrasty:<\/p>\n<p><div class=\"osc-res-tab tabbable   osc-tabs-left\"><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"nav osc-res-nav nav-tabs osc-tabs-left-ul\" id=\"oscitas-restabs-6-review-zeiss-zm-18mm-4-0-distagon-47963\"><li class=\"active\"><a href=\"#ert_pane6-0\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/4.0<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane6-1\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/11<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"tab-content\" id=\"oscitas-restabcontent-6-review-zeiss-zm-18mm-4-0-distagon-47963\"><li class=\"tab-pane active\" id=\"ert_pane6-0\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-36177\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ZM_18_4_Flare_4.0.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ZM_18_4_Flare_4.0.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ZM_18_4_Flare_4.0-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ZM_18_4_Flare_4.0-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane6-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-36178\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ZM_18_4_Flare_11.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ZM_18_4_Flare_11.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ZM_18_4_Flare_11-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ZM_18_4_Flare_11-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><span style=\"color: #999999;\"><em>Leica M10 | Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 Distagon | no hood<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>With the sun inside the frame the hood rarely helps, I still tried but it doesn&#8217;t help at all with these ghosts.<\/p>\n<p>With the light source closer to the center of the frame also smaller purple ghosts can appear:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_35896\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-35896\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-35896\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_Flare_8.0_2.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_Flare_8.0_2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_Flare_8.0_2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_Flare_8.0_2-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-35896\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Leica M10 | Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 | f\/8.0 | no hood<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Coma<\/h2>\n<p><div class=\"osc-res-tab tabbable   osc-tabs-left\"><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"nav osc-res-nav nav-tabs osc-tabs-left-ul\" id=\"oscitas-restabs-7-review-zeiss-zm-18mm-4-0-distagon-64531\"><li class=\"active\"><a href=\"#ert_pane7-0\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/4.0<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane7-1\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/5.6<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane7-2\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/8.0<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"tab-content\" id=\"oscitas-restabcontent-7-review-zeiss-zm-18mm-4-0-distagon-64531\"><li class=\"tab-pane active\" id=\"ert_pane7-0\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-35975\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18_4_Coma_4.0.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18_4_Coma_4.0.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18_4_Coma_4.0-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18_4_Coma_4.0-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane7-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-35976\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18_4_Coma_5.6.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18_4_Coma_5.6.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18_4_Coma_5.6-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18_4_Coma_5.6-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane7-2\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-35977\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18_4_Coma_8.0.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18_4_Coma_8.0.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18_4_Coma_8.0-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18_4_Coma_8.0-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #999999;\"><em>100% crops from extreme corner, Leica M10<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>The coma correction is pretty solid. While there is a bit of coma visible at f\/4.0 and less so at f\/5.6, this should not be something to ruin your shots.<\/p>\n<h2>Distortion<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_35894\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-35894\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-35894\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_Distortion.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_Distortion.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_Distortion-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_Distortion-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-35894\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Leica M10 | Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 | f\/8.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>According to Zeiss&#8217; data sheet the ZM 18mm 4.0 shows low but slightly wavy distortion. In fact lines close to the edges of the frame are not completely straight. For most subjects this will hardly be noticeable, but for critical architecture shooting this might be something to bother you.<\/p>\n<p>There is a Lightroom profile available for this lens but it actually made the distortion worse. That is not something I have encountered before.<\/p>\n<h2>Sunstars<\/h2>\n<p>The Zeiss ZM lenses were among the first to make use of a 10-blade aperture diaphragm creating distinct sunstars. We see very well defined sunstars between f\/4.5 and f\/11. At f\/16 they start to look a bit too obstrusive though, covering almost all the frame as can be easily seen from this picture set.<br \/>\nIf you want to learn more about this topic have a look at <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/best-lenses-for-sunstars\/\">this article<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><div class=\"osc-res-tab tabbable   osc-tabs-left\"><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"nav osc-res-nav nav-tabs osc-tabs-left-ul\" id=\"oscitas-restabs-8-review-zeiss-zm-18mm-4-0-distagon-89406\"><li class=\"active\"><a href=\"#ert_pane8-0\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/4.0<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane8-1\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/5.6<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane8-2\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/8.0<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane8-3\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/11<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane8-4\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/16<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane8-5\" data-toggle=\"tab\">f\/22<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"tab-content\" id=\"oscitas-restabcontent-8-review-zeiss-zm-18mm-4-0-distagon-89406\"><li class=\"tab-pane active\" id=\"ert_pane8-0\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-35899\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18mm_4.0_Sunstars_4.0.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18mm_4.0_Sunstars_4.0.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18mm_4.0_Sunstars_4.0-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18mm_4.0_Sunstars_4.0-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane8-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-35900\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18mm_4.0_Sunstars_5.6.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18mm_4.0_Sunstars_5.6.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18mm_4.0_Sunstars_5.6-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18mm_4.0_Sunstars_5.6-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane8-2\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-35901\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18mm_4.0_Sunstars_8.0.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18mm_4.0_Sunstars_8.0.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18mm_4.0_Sunstars_8.0-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18mm_4.0_Sunstars_8.0-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane8-3\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-35902\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18mm_4.0_Sunstars_11.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18mm_4.0_Sunstars_11.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18mm_4.0_Sunstars_11-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18mm_4.0_Sunstars_11-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane8-4\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-35903\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18mm_4.0_Sunstars_16.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18mm_4.0_Sunstars_16.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18mm_4.0_Sunstars_16-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18mm_4.0_Sunstars_16-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane8-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-35904\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18mm_4.0_Sunstars_22.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18mm_4.0_Sunstars_22.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18mm_4.0_Sunstars_22-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ZM_18mm_4.0_Sunstars_22-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<em><span style=\"color: #999999;\">Leica M10 | Zeiss 18mm 4.0 Distagon<\/span><br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Chromatic Aberrations<\/h2>\n<h3><strong>lateral<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Ultra wide lenses with a retrofocus design often show strong lateral CA and this also holds true for the Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0. Luckily the lateral CA are still easily corrected in a raw developer like Lightroom by one click.<\/p>\n<p><div class=\"osc-res-tab tabbable   osc-tabs-left\"><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"nav osc-res-nav nav-tabs osc-tabs-left-ul\" id=\"oscitas-restabs-9-review-zeiss-zm-18mm-4-0-distagon-15827\"><li class=\"active\"><a href=\"#ert_pane9-0\" data-toggle=\"tab\">uncorrected<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane9-1\" data-toggle=\"tab\">corrected<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"tab-content\" id=\"oscitas-restabcontent-9-review-zeiss-zm-18mm-4-0-distagon-15827\"><li class=\"tab-pane active\" id=\"ert_pane9-0\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-36132\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ZM_18_4_lateral_CA_uncorrected.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ZM_18_4_lateral_CA_uncorrected.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ZM_18_4_lateral_CA_uncorrected-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ZM_18_4_lateral_CA_uncorrected-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane9-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-36131\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ZM_18_4_lateral_CA_corrected.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ZM_18_4_lateral_CA_corrected.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ZM_18_4_lateral_CA_corrected-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ZM_18_4_lateral_CA_corrected-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<em><span style=\"color: #999999;\">Leica M10 | Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 | f\/11 | 100% crops from corner<\/span><br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<h3><strong>longitudinal<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Due to being an 18mm lens with a maximum aperture of f\/4.0 bokeh fringing is not really an issue, but what about purple fringing around contrasty edges?<br \/>\nThe performance is really remarkable. Even shooting directly into the sun at f\/4.0 there is no purple fringing to be found.<\/p>\n<p><div class=\"osc-res-tab tabbable   osc-tabs-left\"><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"nav osc-res-nav nav-tabs osc-tabs-left-ul\" id=\"oscitas-restabs-10-review-zeiss-zm-18mm-4-0-distagon-63904\"><li class=\"active\"><a href=\"#ert_pane10-0\" data-toggle=\"tab\">overview<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#ert_pane10-1\" data-toggle=\"tab\">crop<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div style=\"clear:both;width: 100%;\"><ul class=\"tab-content\" id=\"oscitas-restabcontent-10-review-zeiss-zm-18mm-4-0-distagon-63904\"><li class=\"tab-pane active\" id=\"ert_pane10-0\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-36136\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ZM_18_4_Purple_fringing_Overview.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ZM_18_4_Purple_fringing_Overview.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ZM_18_4_Purple_fringing_Overview-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ZM_18_4_Purple_fringing_Overview-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><li class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"ert_pane10-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-36135\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ZM_18_4_Purple_fringing.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ZM_18_4_Purple_fringing.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ZM_18_4_Purple_fringing-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ZM_18_4_Purple_fringing-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #999999;\"><em>Leica M10 | Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 | f\/4.0 | 100% crops from corner<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Alternatives<\/h2>\n<h3>M-mount<\/h3>\n<p><em><strong>Leica 18mm 3.8 Super-Elmar:<\/strong><\/em><br \/>\nI haven&#8217;t used this lens personally. According to its MTF graphs it should perform better at its maximum aperture than the ZM but similar stopped down. In terms of weight they are almost the same but the Leica is 2-3 times as expensive.<br \/>\n<em>buy from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ebay.com\/sch\/i.html?_from=R40&amp;_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&amp;_nkw=leica+18mm+3.8&amp;_sacat=0&amp;mkcid=1&amp;mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&amp;siteid=0&amp;campid=5337820268&amp;toolid=20008&amp;mkevt=1\">ebay.com<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ebay.de\/sch\/i.html?_from=R40&amp;_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&amp;_nkw=leica+18mm+3.8&amp;_sacat=0&amp;mkcid=1&amp;mkrid=707-53477-19255-0&amp;siteid=77&amp;campid=5337820268&amp;toolid=20008&amp;mkevt=1\">ebay.de<\/a> (advertisememt\/affiliate links) for <strong>$3000<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Leica 16-18-21mm 4.0 Tri-Elmar:<\/strong><\/em><br \/>\nI bought this lens but only used it shortly before returning it due to it being more <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/how-to-check-how-decentered-your-lens-is\/\">decentered<\/a> than I can accept for such a high price tag. As it generally didn&#8217;t really overwhelm me I also didn&#8217;t bother looking for a better sample. From what I have seen it cannot beat the ZM 18mm 4.0 in terms of optical performance but it brings a lot of versatility to the table.<br \/>\n<em>buy new from <a href=\"https:\/\/bhpho.to\/33OWjYT\">B&amp;H<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3HeqdU8\">amazon.com<\/a> for <strong>$6500 <\/strong>or try to find a used one on <a href=\"https:\/\/ebay.us\/RAaNUy\">ebay.com<\/a> |&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ebay.de\/sch\/i.html?_from=R40&amp;_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&amp;_nkw=leica+16-18-21&amp;_sacat=0&amp;mkcid=1&amp;mkrid=707-53477-19255-0&amp;siteid=77&amp;campid=5337820268&amp;toolid=20008&amp;mkevt=1\">ebay.de<\/a> starting at <strong>$4000 <\/strong>(advertisememt\/affiliate links)<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-ms-optics-17mm-4-5-perar\/\"><em>MS-Optics 17mm 4.5 Perar:<\/em><\/a><\/strong><br \/>\nMuch smaller but also not nearly as good a performer.<br \/>\n<em>try to find one on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ebay.com\/sch\/i.html?_from=R40&amp;_trksid=p2047675.m570.l1313&amp;_nkw=perar+17mm&amp;_sacat=0&amp;mkcid=1&amp;mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&amp;siteid=0&amp;campid=5337820268&amp;toolid=20008&amp;mkevt=1\">ebay.com<\/a> (advertisememt\/affiliate link) starting at <strong>$800<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Funleader 18mm 8.0 M-mount:<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/em>Also much smaller and not nearly as good a perfomer but the cheapest 18mm option.<br \/>\n<em>buy from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ebay.com\/sch\/i.html?_from=R40&amp;_trksid=p2334524.m570.l1313&amp;_nkw=funleader+18mm+leica+m&amp;_sacat=0&amp;LH_TitleDesc=0&amp;rt=nc&amp;_odkw=funleader+18mm&amp;_osacat=0&amp;LH_PrefLoc=2&amp;mkcid=1&amp;mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&amp;siteid=0&amp;campid=5337820268&amp;toolid=20008&amp;mkevt=1\">ebay.com<\/a> (advertisememt\/affiliate link) for <strong>$140<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-voigtlander-vm-15mm-4-5-ii-super-wide-heliar\/\">Voigtl\u00e4nder VM 15mm 4.5 Super-Wide-Heliar Mark I\/II<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-voigtlander-15mm-4-5-e-super-wide-heliar\/\">III<\/a>:<\/strong><\/em><br \/>\nThe difference between 15 and 18mm is way bigger than it sounds. The Mark II has more issues with color cast but is significantly smaller whereas Mark III has less issues with color cast but is of similar size as this ZM.<br \/>\n<em>buy Mark I\/II used from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ebay.com\/sch\/i.html?_from=R40&amp;_trksid=m570.l1313&amp;_nkw=Voigtlander+15mm+4.5+II+vm+&amp;_sacat=0&amp;LH_TitleDesc=0&amp;_osacat=0&amp;_odkw=leica+m10&amp;mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&amp;siteid=0&amp;mkcid=1&amp;campid=5337820268&amp;toolid=10001&amp;customid=&amp;mkevt=1\">ebay.com<\/a> |&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ebay.de\/sch\/i.html?_osacat=0&amp;_odkw=leica+m10&amp;_from=R40&amp;_trksid=p2334524.m570.l1313.TR10.TRC2.A0.H0.XVoigtlander+15mm+4.5+II+vm.TRS0&amp;_nkw=Voigtlander+15mm+4.5+II+vm&amp;_sacat=0&amp;mkrid=707-53477-19255-0&amp;siteid=77&amp;mkcid=1&amp;campid=5337820268&amp;toolid=10001&amp;customid=&amp;mkevt=1\">ebay.de<\/a> (advertisememt\/affiliate links) for <strong>$300+ <\/strong>or Mark III new from <a href=\"https:\/\/bhpho.to\/3VuqmL0\">B&amp;H<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ebay.com\/sch\/i.html?_from=R40&amp;_trksid=p2334524.m570.l1313&amp;_nkw=voigtlander+vm+15mm+4.5+iii&amp;_sacat=0&amp;LH_TitleDesc=0&amp;_odkw=leica+18mm+3.8&amp;_osacat=0&amp;mkcid=1&amp;mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&amp;siteid=0&amp;campid=5337820268&amp;toolid=20008&amp;mkevt=1\">ebay.com<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ebay.de\/sch\/i.html?_from=R40&amp;_trksid=p2334524.m570.l1313&amp;_nkw=voigtlander+vm+15mm+4.5+iii&amp;_sacat=0&amp;LH_TitleDesc=0&amp;_odkw=leica+18mm+3.8&amp;_osacat=0&amp;LH_PrefLoc=2&amp;mkcid=1&amp;mkrid=707-53477-19255-0&amp;siteid=77&amp;campid=5337820268&amp;toolid=20008&amp;mkevt=1\">ebay.de<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3XOOauN\">amazon.com<\/a> (advertisememt\/affiliate links) for<strong> $799<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<h3>E-mount<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-zeiss-batis-18mm-2-8\/\"><em><strong>Zeiss Batis 18mm 2.8:<\/strong><\/em><\/a><br \/>\nI included this because it is one of Zeiss&#8217; latest 18mm lenses and we can definitely see the improvements one decade of technological progress made possible. Have a look at my review, this is pretty much a flawless lens.<br \/>\n<em>buy from <a href=\"http:\/\/amzn.to\/2zigD0a\">amazon.com<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.de\/gp\/product\/B01E8OBQS8\/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1638&amp;creative=6742&amp;creativeASIN=B01E8OBQS8&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=httpphillinet-21\">amazon.de<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/bhpho.to\/2xBjMMz\">B&amp;H<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ebay.com\/sch\/i.html?LH_CAds=&amp;_ex_kw=&amp;_fpos=&amp;_fspt=1&amp;_mPrRngCbx=1&amp;_nkw=batis+zeiss+18mm&amp;_sacat=625&amp;_sadis=&amp;_sop=12&amp;_udhi=&amp;_udlo=&amp;_fosrp=1&amp;mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&amp;siteid=0&amp;mkcid=1&amp;campid=5337820268&amp;toolid=10001&amp;customid=&amp;mkevt=1\">ebay.com<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ebay.de\/sch\/i.html?_ex_kw=&amp;_mPrRngCbx=1&amp;_nkw=batis+18mm+2.8&amp;_sacat=625&amp;_sop=12&amp;_udhi=&amp;_udlo=&amp;_fosrp=1&amp;mkrid=707-53477-19255-0&amp;siteid=77&amp;mkcid=1&amp;campid=5337820268&amp;toolid=10001&amp;customid=&amp;mkevt=1\">ebay.de<\/a> (advertisememt\/affiliate links) for <strong>$1299<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>There are also many zooms available covering 18mm, best have a look at our <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/fe-lenses-sony-comprehensive-independent-guide\/\">Sony FE guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Conclusion<\/h2>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>good<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #339966;\">sharpness <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">(corners need f\/8.0 to match the rest of the frame)<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #339966;\">sunstars<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #339966;\">correction of longitudinal CA<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #339966;\">build quality\/handling<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td><strong>average<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>vignetting<\/li>\n<li>distortion<\/li>\n<li>coma correction<\/li>\n<li>correction of lateral CA<\/li>\n<li>flare resistance?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<td><strong>not good<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">size\/weight<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #ff9900;\">slight color cast<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>I have actually considered getting the ZM 18mm 4.0 for myself. Usually my <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/building-a-lens-kit\/\">travel kit<\/a> consists of the <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-laowa-9mm-5-6-ff-rl\/\">Laowa 9mm 5.6<\/a>, a 21mm and a 35mm lens. But when trying to <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/building-a-lens-kit\/\">build a kit<\/a> around a 28mm lens for a change I always encountered issues in the ultra wide angle region. Carrying a 21mm and a 28mm lens at the same time? Nah, too close. So 15mm and 28mm? Nah, somewhat too far apart. So a high performing 18mm lens would fit right in there. Is the Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 Distagon that high performing 18mm lens? Yes, but&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>When using the M-mount cameras I am all for compactness and low weight. The <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-voigtlander-vm-21mm-3-5-color-skopar\/\">VM 21mm 3.5<\/a> is noticeably smaller and weighs over 40% less. The <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-voigtlander-vm-15mm-4-5-ii-super-wide-heliar\/\">VM 15mm 4.5 II<\/a> is actually less than half the weight of this 18mm 4.0 and also much smaller.<br \/>\nCompared to these lenses the ZM 18mm 4.0 feels a bit out of place on an M-mount camera and in my lens cabinet it would probably suffer the same fate as the <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/rolling-review-zeiss-loxia-85mm-2-4\/\">Zeiss Loxia 85mm 2.4<\/a>: staying at home regularly because of being too big and too heavy compared to the alternatives.<\/p>\n<p>If you are less weight and size conscious this is a great ultra wide angle lens though. It has that edge acuity you would expect of a Zeiss lens, very nice build quality and also the distinct ZM sunstars. Only flare resistance and corner sharpness at wider apertures are not fully up to speed compared to the latest high quality ultra wide angle primes.<\/p>\n<p>If you consider getting one of these I would recommend to acquire one rather sooner than later. Being already discontinued this lens might become expensive as soon as the collector&#8217;s start completing their ZM sets or people figure out there are not that many 18mm options available to begin with.<\/p>\n<p><em>The Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 Distagon has already been discontinued and can therefore mainly be found on the used market, e.g. on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ebay.com\/sch\/i.html?_from=R40&amp;_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&amp;_nkw=zeiss+zm+18mm+4.0&amp;_sacat=0&amp;mkcid=1&amp;mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&amp;siteid=0&amp;campid=5337820268&amp;toolid=20008&amp;mkevt=1\">ebay.com<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ebay.de\/sch\/i.html?_from=R40&amp;_nkw=zeiss+zm+18mm+4.0&amp;_sacat=0&amp;rt=nc&amp;LH_PrefLoc=2&amp;mkcid=1&amp;mkrid=707-53477-19255-0&amp;siteid=77&amp;campid=5337820268&amp;toolid=20008&amp;mkevt=1\">ebay.de<\/a> (advertisememt\/affiliate links), for around <strong>$1000<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Further Sample Images<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_36371\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-36371\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-36371\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_4.0_Sample_18.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_4.0_Sample_18.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_4.0_Sample_18-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_4.0_Sample_18-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-36371\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Leica M10 | Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 | f\/4.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_35893\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-35893\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-35893\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_11_Sample_1.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"476\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_11_Sample_1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_11_Sample_1-300x179.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_11_Sample_1-768x457.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-35893\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Leica M10 | Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 | f\/11<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_35973\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-35973\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-35973\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_8.0_Sample_5.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_8.0_Sample_5.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_8.0_Sample_5-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_8.0_Sample_5-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-35973\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Leica M10 | Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 | f\/8.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_36018\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-36018\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-36018\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_4.0_Sample_8.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_4.0_Sample_8.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_4.0_Sample_8-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_4.0_Sample_8-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-36018\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Leica M10 | Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 | f\/4.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_36017\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-36017\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-36017\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_4.0_Sample_7.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_4.0_Sample_7.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_4.0_Sample_7-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_4.0_Sample_7-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-36017\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Leica M10 | Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 | f\/4.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_36016\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-36016\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-36016\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_4.0_Sample_6.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_4.0_Sample_6.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_4.0_Sample_6-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_4.0_Sample_6-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-36016\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Leica M10 | Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 | f\/4.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_36366\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-36366\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-36366\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_4.0_Sample_12.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_4.0_Sample_12.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_4.0_Sample_12-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_4.0_Sample_12-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-36366\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Leica M10 | Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 | f\/4.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_36368\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-36368\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-36368\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_4.0_Sample_15.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_4.0_Sample_15.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_4.0_Sample_15-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_4.0_Sample_15-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-36368\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Leica M10 | Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 | f\/4.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_36367\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-36367\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-36367\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_4.0_Sample_14.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_4.0_Sample_14.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_4.0_Sample_14-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_4.0_Sample_14-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-36367\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Leica M10 | Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 | f\/4.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_35889\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-35889\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-35889\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_8.0_Sample_2.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_8.0_Sample_2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_8.0_Sample_2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Zeiss_ZM_18mm_4.0_8.0_Sample_2-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-35889\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Leica M10 | Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 | f\/8.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_36284\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-36284\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-36284\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ZM18_4_5.6_Sample_7.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ZM18_4_5.6_Sample_7.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ZM18_4_5.6_Sample_7-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ZM18_4_5.6_Sample_7-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-36284\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Leica M10 | Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 | f\/5.6<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_36283\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-36283\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-36283\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ZM18_4_5.6_Sample_6.jpg\" alt=\"zeiss zm 18mm 4.0 distagon review leica m10 m11 42mp 24mp contrast sharpness vignetting colors coma\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ZM18_4_5.6_Sample_6.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ZM18_4_5.6_Sample_6-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ZM18_4_5.6_Sample_6-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-36283\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Leica M10 | Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 | f\/5.6<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>You can find most of the sample images in full resolution <a href=\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/s\/aHBqjCkm4i\">here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Further Reading<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/lenses\/leica-lenses\/\">Reviews of Leica M lenses<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/photography\/analogue-adventures\/\">Analogue Adventures Landing Page<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/manual-lenses\/\">Technical Knowledge<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/lens-aberrations-explained-part-1\/\">Lens aberrations explained<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Support Us<\/h2>\n<p>Did you find this article useful or just liked reading it? Treat us to a coffee!<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.paypal.com\/donate\/?hosted_button_id=3K9EJRRQVXT4J\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-40345 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/donate2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"103\" height=\"29\"><\/a><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.paypal.com\/en_SE\/i\/scr\/pixel.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\"> <span style=\"color: #999999;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.paypal.com\/en_SE\/i\/scr\/pixel.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\"><em>via Paypal<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>This site contains advertisememt\/affiliate links. If you make a purchase using any of the links marked as advertisememt\/affiliate links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support the creation of future content.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Introduction The Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 Distagon is the second widest lens of the ZM family and one of the few 18mm M-mount lenses. Is 18mm being an unpopular focal length among Leica users the reason this lens has already been discontinued or is it because of its optical qualities? Let&#8217;s find out in this &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-zeiss-zm-18mm-4-0-distagon\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Review: Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 Distagon<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4708,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[57,18,419,169],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-35825","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-leica-m","category-review","category-vintage","category-zeiss"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Review: Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 Distagon - phillipreeve.net<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 Distagon is the second wides lens in the ZM M-mount family. It has already been discontinued, but\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-zeiss-zm-18mm-4-0-distagon\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Review: Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 Distagon - phillipreeve.net\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Zeiss ZM 18mm 4.0 Distagon is the second wides lens in the ZM M-mount family. 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