List of best ZEISS ZM lenses for the Nikon Z fc

The Nikon Z fc is one of the most popular cameras of 2021, and by far more important than the likes of Sony Alpha A1 which delivered some amazing specs, but is way too expensive for your average consumer. The Z fc with its affordable price of around 1000 USD is a camera for everybody, and offers an amazing digital and analog experience. Much better than Fuji, there's no doubt about it. But what is currently missing are some amazing native compact manual lenses that would complement the camera, however there is an alternative available: ZEISS ZM lenses (lenses that are made for Leica M mount). I decided to create a list of best lenses that could be adapted to Nikon Z fc, and I believe they need to be silver in order to complement it.

ZEISS Distagon T* 18mm f/4 ZM 

This lens is sadly discontinued and quite hard to find on eBay in a good condition and in the silver version. I feel a lot of really heavily used ones are overpriced, and I would stay away from those. This lens is said to be an amazing performer from wide open to f/8 and beyond. You won't really disappointed owning this lens with a Z fc. It will give you an equivalent full frame focal length of 27mm.

Launched: 2008 

Status: Discontinued (product page)

Weight: 320 g 

Length: 47mm 

Filter size: 58 mm 

Focusing: Manual 

Closest focus distance: 0.50 m 

Material: Metal 

Aperture range: f/4.0 - f/22 

Aperture blades: 10

Online shop: Link (Not available)

Price on eBay: 900 to 1300 USD (depending on condition, Sep 2021) 

ZEISS Biogon T* 21mm f/4.5 ZM

This lens is not in production anymore, and not easy to find on eBay, hence the used market is not very good here. It's a great performer, despite not being very fast, but it's also much smaller and lighter than the 2.8 version. On the Z fc this lens will give you an equivalent full frame focal length of 32.5 mm.

Launched: 2006 

Status: Discontinued

Weight: 190 g 

Length: 31 mm 

Filter size: 46 mm 

Focusing: Manual 

Closest focus distance: 0.50 m

Material: Metal 
Aperture range: f/4.5 - f/22 

Aperture blades: 10

Online shop: Link (1201 USD)

Price on eBay: 1000 to 1200 USD (depending on condition, Sep 2021)

ZEISS Biogon T* 21mm f/2.8 ZM

This lens is still in production and quite easy to find on eBay in a good condition and in the silver version. Our of all the ZM lenses listed here it's said to be the worst performer, and the 25mm is recommended over this one. On the Z fc this lens will give you an equivalent full frame focal length of 32.5 mm.

Launched: 2004 

Status: In production (product page)  

Weight: 300 g 

Length: 64 mm 

Filter size: 46 mm 

Focusing: Manual 

Closest focus distance: 0.50 m

Material: Metal 
Aperture range: f/2.8 - f/22 

Aperture blades: 10

Online shop: Link (1349 USD)

Price on eBay: 900 to 1300 USD (depending on condition, Sep 2021)

ZEISS Biogon T* 25mm f/2.8 ZM

This lens is still in production and quite easy to find on eBay in all both black and silver and all types of conditions. It's said to be an excellent performer, and I think it will definitely be awesome on the Z fc. It will give you an equivalent full frame focal length of 37.5 mm.

Launched: 2004

Status: In production (product page)

Weight: 260 g 

Length: 60 mm 

Filter size: 46 mm 

Focusing: Manual 

Closest focus distance: 0.5 m 

Material: Metal 

Aperture range: f/2.8 - f/22 

Aperture blades: 10

Online shop: Link (1261 USD)

Price on eBay: 700 to 1100 USD (depending on condition, Sep 2021) 

ZEISS Biogon T* 28mm f/2.8 ZM 

This lens is still in production and very available on eBay, especially the silver version, and the used prices are the most reasonable of all the lenses up until 28 mm. It's said to be an excellent performer, and I think it will fit on the Z fc perfectly. It will give you an equivalent full frame focal length of 42 mm.

Launched: 2004 

Status: In production (product page)

Weight: 300 g 

Length: 64 mm 

Filter size: 46 mm 

Focusing: Manual 

Closest focus distance: 0.50 m

Material: Metal 
Aperture range: f/2.8 - f/22 

Aperture blades: 10

Online shop: Link (1349 USD)

Price on eBay: 700 to 800 USD (depending on condition, Sep 2021)

ZEISS Distagon T* 35mm f/1.4 ZM 

This is still a current production lens, and the most expensive lens on the list. This is ZEISS's flagship ZM lens: The fastest and the best performing lens. It's also the longest and the heaviest on this list. If you want the best and are willing to pay the price, this is the lens for you. And it also gives you a really useful 52.5 mm focal length on the Z fc.

Launched: 2014

Status: In production (product page)

Weight: 381 g 

Length: 65 mm 

Filter size: 49 mm 

Focusing: Manual 

Closest focus distance: 0.7 m 

Material: Metal 

Aperture range: f/1.4 - f/22 

Aperture blades: 10

Online shop: Link (2290 USD)

Price on eBay: 1600 to 1800 USD (depending on condition, Sep 2021) 

ZEISS Biogon T* 35mm f/2 ZM 

This is the best 35mm lens when it comes to price and performance. It's a great value lens, quite fast with f/2.0, but also not too big and not too heavy. And it also gives you a really useful 52.5 mm focal length on the Z fc just like the f/1.4 version.

Launched: 2004

Status: In production (product page)

Weight: 240 g 

Length: 56 mm 

Filter size: 43 mm 

Focusing: Manual 

Closest focus distance: 0.7 m 

Material: Metal 

Aperture range: f/2.0 - f/22 

Aperture blades: 10

Online shop: Link (1141 USD)

Price on eBay: 700 to 950 USD (depending on condition, Sep 2021) 

ZEISS C Biogon T* 35mm f/2.8 ZM

This is the smallest and lightest 35mm lens by ZEISS that is in production today. It's a great value lens, quite fast with f/2.8, great image quality, but really tiny with a length of merely 3 cm. And it also gives you a really useful 52.5 mm focal length on the Z fc. This would be the best lens for the Z fc in my opinion, and a lens I plan to buy for myself.

Launched: 2008

Status: In production (product page) 

Weight: 178 g 

Length: 30 mm

Filter size: 43 mm 

Focusing: Manual 

Closest focus distance: 0.7 m 

Material: Metal 

Aperture range: f/2.8 - f/22 

Aperture blades: 10

Online shop: Link (903 USD)

Price on eBay: 600 to 800 USD (depending on condition, Sep 2021) 

ZEISS ZM to NIKON Z adapter

To pair your ZEISS ZM lens on the Nikon Z fc (or any other Nikon Z camera), I recommend the 7artisans Photoelectric Transfer Ring for Leica-M Mount Lens to Nikon Z-Mount Camera (Silver). I'm not associated with the company, I feel this is the best designed adapter and fits well with the silver theme of the Z fc and the lenses I listed. Here are some images from the product page on Amazon.

I will update this post further in the future.