The Zeiss Makro-Planar T* 100mm f/2 ZF.2 Lens has superior quality optics, combining sharp macro performance and a very fast maximum aperture. ZF.2 lenses have CPU coupling which provides aperture, program AE priority, aperture priority, shutter priority or manual exposure settings on camera models equipped with an electronic interface.

A 'floating element' optical system enables the Makro-Planar T* to deliver superior quality images even at f/2, from infinity to the close-focus (1.4', 0.44 m) distance. Users can employ selective focusing on important details with the clarity required for technical photography, effectively isolating the subject from distracting surroundings. This lens is ideal for use in a wide variety of industrial, scientific, aerospace, robotics, instrumentation, documentation and surveillance applications.

On camera models without an electronic interface, the aperture is manually set on the lens aperture ring. With some camera models, it is possible to set in the menu whether the lens should be selected using the setting dial on the camera or the aperture ring on the lens. The focused distance is not transmitted to the camera body.