Zeiss CP.2 85mm T2.1 Compact Prime Planar T* Manual Cine Lens with PL-Mount, Black with Metric Focus Scale Review

The Zeiss CP.2 85mm T2.1 is a manual cine lens built for professional film and video production. Part of the widely adopted CP.2 Compact Prime lineup, it features Zeiss' Planar T* optical design, a PL mount for cinema cameras, and standard cine-lens features including geared focus and iris rings, a metric focus scale, and a consistent 95mm front diameter that simplifies lens swaps and matte box setups. The T2.1 maximum aperture offers solid low-light performance and shallow depth of field control, while the 85mm focal length is a classic choice for portraiture and medium telephoto coverage.

This particular unit is a used example in Like New Minus condition from KEH, priced at $1,019. That positions it as an accessible entry point into Zeiss cine glass, especially for owner-operators or small production houses looking to build out a matched prime set without the cost of new CP.2 or CP.3 lenses. The CP.2 series remains a workhorse in indie filmmaking and documentary work, known for reliable build quality and consistent color rendition across focal lengths.