The Unloved and the Unrivalled

Canon 24mm f1.4 L v Zeiss Contax 21mm f2.8 Distagon

Performance at f4 (Zone A)

Canon 24mm f1.4 L at f4 (centre)	Zeiss Contax 21mm f4 (centre)
4 points	5 points

The Zeiss is very close to its maximum performance at f4 centre frame, meriting maximum marks. Though naturally sharper one stop down, the Canon still lags behind thanks to its centre frame gremlin.

Performance at f4 (Zone B: Left Side)

Canon 24mm f1.4 L at f4 (mid-frame)	Zeiss Contax 21mm f4 (mid-frame)
4.5 points	4 points

I recall my last Zeiss 21mm being better than this, but perhaps it's just that the Canon 24mm is so good in this area the Distagon looks imperfect by comparison.

Performance at f4 (Zone C)

Canon 24mm f1.4 L at f4 (extreme corner)	Zeiss Contax 21mm f4 (extreme corner)
4.25 points	4 points

Fading only in the last few pixels of this extreme corner crop, the Canon 24mm L nonetheless is entirely vignette-free, contrasty and resolving more strongly than even the all-conquering Distagon. At f4, you'd struggle to place the Zeiss ahead of the Canon.