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ZEISS CP.3 XD 28mm T2.1 Cinema Lens

The Zeiss 28mm T2.1 is a 28mm f/2.1 cinema lens designed for PL Mount mount cameras. Check GearFocus for current availability, with buyer protection on every purchase.

ZEISS CP.3 XD 28mm T2.1 Cinema Lens

ZEISS CP.3 XD 28mm T2.1 Cinema Lens

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Lens Overview — Zeiss 28mm T2.1

The ZEISS CP.3 XD 28mm T2.1 is a wide-angle prime cinema lens built for full-frame coverage and designed around professional cine production workflows. Mounted in PL, this lens is aimed squarely at cinema and video camera systems where manual focus control is standard practice. At T2.1, it offers a solid maximum aperture for a wide-angle prime, giving cinematographers meaningful light-gathering capability in demanding shooting conditions.

The lens weighs 880g and accepts 95mm front filters, making it compatible with a wide range of matte boxes and filter systems commonly used on set. As a prime lens covering full-frame, it delivers a fixed 28mm focal length — a versatile wide-angle perspective frequently used for environmental shots, interiors, and dynamic handheld work. The CP.3 XD designation indicates this lens carries eXtended Data capability, which is a notable feature for digital cinema productions.

The manual-only focus design is fully intentional for cinema use, where focus pullers rely on precise, repeatable manual control. With no image stabilization — as expected for a lens of this type — the CP.3 XD 28mm is a focused, capable tool for controlled cine environments.

Key Features — Zeiss 28mm T2.1

ZEISS eXtended Data (XD): Transmits real-time lens metadata including distortion and shading information, enabling automated correction in post-production workflows.

T2.1 Maximum Aperture: Provides strong light-gathering capability for a wide-angle prime, useful for interior and low-light cinematography.

28mm Wide-Angle Prime: Fixed focal length delivers a versatile wide-angle perspective commonly used for environmental establishing shots, interiors, and handheld sequences.

Full-Frame Coverage: Covers full-frame sensors, making it compatible with large-format cinema cameras such as the ARRI ALEXA LF and Sony VENICE.

PL Mount: Industry-standard cinema lens mount ensures broad compatibility with professional camera systems from ARRI, RED, and Sony.

Manual Focus Design: Smooth, precise focus ring engineered for repeatable focus pulls by dedicated focus pullers on set.

Lens Specifications — Zeiss 28mm T2.1

Zeiss 28mm T2.1 full specifications
SpecDetail
Use CasesVideo / Cinematography
Lens TypeCine
FormatFull Frame
Zoom/PrimePrime
Focal Length28mm
Maximum Aperturef/2.1
Camera SystemCinema / Video
Lens MountPL Mount
AutofocusNo
Focus TypeManual Focus
Image StabilizationNone
Filter Thread95mm

Description — Zeiss 28mm T2.1

The ZEISS CP.3 XD 28mm T2.1 is a prime cinema lens with a 28mm focal length and a maximum aperture of T2.1, built for full-frame coverage. Designed for cinema and video camera systems, it uses a PL mount — the professional standard for high-end cine production. The lens is strictly manual focus, with no autofocus or image stabilization, placing full creative and operational control in the hands of the camera team.

Weighing 880g, it provides a substantial but manageable build for rigged cinema setups. The 95mm front filter thread is compatible with a range of professional matte boxes and filter systems used in production environments. As a wide-angle prime, the 28mm focal length covers a broad field of view well-suited to interiors, environmental storytelling, and dynamic compositions.

The CP.3 XD designation reflects extended data functionality built into the lens. This is a purposeful, specification-driven tool for cinematographers working within structured production environments where manual precision is the standard.

Pros — Zeiss 28mm T2.1

  • ✓T2.1 maximum aperture provides strong light-gathering for a wide-angle prime
  • ✓Full-frame lens format ensures compatibility with larger sensor cinema cameras
  • ✓PL mount is the industry-standard cinema mount for professional productions

Cons — Zeiss 28mm T2.1

  • ✗Manual focus only — no autofocus for run-and-gun or solo operator scenarios
  • ✗No image stabilization, requiring gimbal or rig support for smooth handheld work
  • ✗Single PL mount configuration limits use to PL-compatible cinema camera bodies

Videos — Zeiss 28mm T2.1

Zeiss CP.3 Primes 18, 25, 35, 50, 85, 135 - Lens Tests — LensProToGo

Resources & Downloads — Zeiss 28mm T2.1

Manuals & Guides

Frequently Asked Questions — Zeiss 28mm T2.1

What camera mount does this lens use?+
The ZEISS CP.3 XD 28mm T2.1 uses a PL mount, the standard mount found on professional cinema cameras. It is designed for cinema and video camera systems.
Does this lens cover full-frame sensors?+
Yes, the lens format is specified as full frame, making it suitable for cameras with full-frame or larger cinema sensors.
What is the maximum aperture of this lens?+
The maximum aperture is T2.1. This is a T-stop rating, which measures actual light transmission — the standard measurement used for cinema lenses.
Does this lens have autofocus or image stabilization?+
No. The CP.3 XD 28mm is a manual focus lens with no autofocus capability and no image stabilization. This is consistent with its design as a professional cinema prime intended for use with dedicated focus pullers.
What filter size does this lens accept?+
The lens has a 95mm filter thread. This is a larger diameter, so verify compatibility with your existing filter system or matte box before purchase.
How heavy is this lens?+
The ZEISS CP.3 XD 28mm T2.1 weighs 880g, which is relevant for rigging, gimbal load calculations, and overall camera build planning.

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