p.14 #1 · Zeiss "Batis" AF lens line to be released for FF E-mount
Thanks for your kind words, they ar emuch appreciated. Just a couple of comments: the 35 f:2.8 is a Sony-Zeiss, meaning, basically a Sony. My experience with Sony Zeiss started with the APS-C 24 f:1.8 for NEX, then the ones for A7: 35, 55, 24-40, 16-35. Quite different from Zeiss IMHO, where the latest releases are ZM 35 f:1.4, Loxia, before that Touit, Otus, Z* 135 APO f:2.0, etc... Not exactly weak releases IMHO.
p.14 #2 · Zeiss "Batis" AF lens line to be released for FF E-mount
Jman13 wrote:
I just hope if they do this, they put a focus limiter on the darn thing. When I reviewed the Touit 50, I found it to be a really exceptional lens. It's utterly brilliant optically. Unfortunately, the IF meant that working distance at 1:1 is very small, and the lack of a focus limiter made AF virtually impossible when shooting close up.
That's not really a fault of the IF, it's the focal length. The S-Plannar 60 doesn't give you much more working distance. Ditto the Leica 60 with the life-sized adapter. If I remember correctly, Fuji manages to squeeze out a few more MM out of their macro, but, at that point, you really are splitting hairs. Anything shot with this short a lens at 1:1 is going to be tough to light.
p.14 #3 · Zeiss "Batis" AF lens line to be released for FF E-mount
freaklikeme wrote:
That's not really a fault of the IF, it's the focal length. The S-Plannar 60 doesn't give you much more working distance. Ditto the Leica 60 with the life-sized adapter. If I remember correctly, Fuji manages to squeeze out a few more MM out of their macro, but, at that point, you really are splitting hairs. Anything shot with this short a lens at 1:1 is going to be tough to light.
Well, the focal length shortens with an IF design, such that you're not dealing with a 50mm anymore at 1:1. I know with the Fuji 60mm, the working distance when both lenses are at 1:2 was double what I had with the Zeiss.
Based on the magnification and the actual MFD of the Touit 50mm, the lens is actually a 38mm lens at 1:1.
p.14 #4 · Zeiss "Batis" AF lens line to be released for FF E-mount
hmmmmm..... this is gonna be a hard decision if now =( Buy the 90mm macro or this 85mm 1.8. I really do love using macro for portraits closeups, but the 85mm is a lot faster =/... barnicles.
p.14 #5 · Zeiss "Batis" AF lens line to be released for FF E-mount
Jman13 wrote:
I just hope if they do this, they put a focus limiter on the darn thing. When I reviewed the Touit 50, I found it to be a really exceptional lens. It's utterly brilliant optically. Unfortunately, the IF meant that working distance at 1:1 is very small, and the lack of a focus limiter made AF virtually impossible when shooting close up.
p.14 #6 · Zeiss "Batis" AF lens line to be released for FF E-mount
FE 90 is a strongly featured lens, it has got a focus limiter, is significantly longer (40mm), and is 600 grams vs 475 grams, which is more Leica 90mm territory, and ~same as Zeiss's 85/2 Sonnar for M (450 grams).
If the Batis 85 has MTF as good as the 85/2, it'll go really well. They don't want us to see the MTF until June apparently, lol, all this sensitivity...seems to be a trend now to talk up your new product 2-3 months early.
It's touted as a dedicated portrait lens aimed at working pros among others, and Zeiss being where they are in Hollywood, having just made a state of the art 85mm lens, it's the finest lens in the format...these are reasons many are very interested.
I want a well made, middle weight Sonnar portrait lens that is stylish, high clarity, excellent out of focus but with Zeiss low contrast outline retention, low LoCa, an upbeat cinematic look that works in all light conditions. Should be easy, lol. See one word missing in that list? I really don't rate sharpness once you are at a certain threshold, and all good lenses at 85mm are good enough for any sharpness crack addict.
The macro might be very..precise, corrected. I'd like this Batis 85 to double for open scenery and buildings, most such lenses do a far job at such second tier uses.
p.14 #7 · Zeiss "Batis" AF lens line to be released for FF E-mount
I am pretty much in the same boat, regarding the Batis 86 Vs. FE 90. I'd hate to have to buy both, and the early images of the FE 90 have been mouthwatering.
p.14 #8 · Zeiss "Batis" AF lens line to be released for FF E-mount
philber wrote:
I am pretty much in the same boat, regarding the Batis 86 Vs. FE 90. I'd hate to have to buy both, and the early images of the FE 90 have been mouthwatering.
When I've traveled with the Canon 85mm f/1.2L and 100mm f/2.8L IS macro I used the macro far more, the IS being more useful than the speed of the 85L, as I would generally shoot landscape / architecture shots at f/4 - f/5.6. So much so I began to leave the 85L at home.
Since I've now moved to the A7ʀ, selling the 100L and buying the Sony 90mm f/2.8 seemed like the obvious choice for a long stabilised lens for travel, gaining me AF over the Canon lens.
However now the option of a stabilised 85mm f/1.8 with AF has appeared I must admit that's a very tempting option, especially as it's smaller and lighter. I very rarely actually shoot at macro distances when traveling.
That still leaves me needing a macro lens for when I actually need to shoot 1:1. I don't use AF at these magnifications so I could chose from a plethora of affordable MF options. But then again the MTF charts for the Sony 90mm
p.14 #9 · Zeiss "Batis" AF lens line to be released for FF E-mount
I can see why you would want the 85/1.2 around, a 'heart over head' issue too, maybe. A lot of experienced shooters feel disposed towards macros, I think; most are just fabulous lenses, and make for great all rounders. I was pretty much ready for the Sony 90mm - begrudging in a way because of the earlier reports of an FE 85/1.8, but reconciled that the added bulk was counterbalanced by adding the near true macro capability, and what looks like a no holds barred effort by the maker.
Brian Smith got some early chat re the 85/1.8 lens but no one guessed it would be made by Zeiss! You'd have to think they are doing PR now knowing the decision process of many users in this FL area.
But it doesn't make it any easier, and if I can say so this is the new problem with the a7 series - it's forced users to really think through what they need/want and do the research needed to get there, due to so many choices and trade offs - and there is an urgency to the process somehow, as S/Z keep releasing lenses to confuse us further. ;-)
Apr 28, 2015 at 05:51 PM
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p.14 #10 · Zeiss "Batis" AF lens line to be released for FF E-mount
Matt Grum wrote:
When I've traveled with the Canon 85mm f/1.2L and 100mm f/2.8L IS macro I used the macro far more, the IS being more useful than the speed of the 85L, as I would generally shoot landscape / architecture shots at f/4 - f/5.6. So much so I began to leave the 85L at home.
Since I've now moved to the A7ʀ, selling the 100L and buying the Sony 90mm f/2.8 seemed like the obvious choice for a long stabilised lens for travel, gaining me AF over the Canon lens.
However now the option of a stabilised 85mm f/1.8 with AF has appeared I must admit that's a very tempting option, especially as it's smaller and lighter. I very rarely actually shoot at macro distances when traveling.
That still leaves me needing a macro lens for when I actually need to shoot 1:1. I don't use AF at these magnifications so I could chose from a plethora of affordable MF options. But then again the MTF charts for the Sony 90mm ...Show more →
I hope they will release a longer macro at some point, so that you (and the others of the like mindset) won't have to get two lenses of very similar focal length.
Thank you for these. The 25/2 is impressive. The night WO shot, looking past the mushiness due to noise and poor exposure on the tog part, it's sharp at least up to the edges. The 85/1.8 is impressive as well, though I expect as much. They should do a day-light WO infinity shot for that 25/2.
p.14 #14 · Zeiss "Batis" AF lens line to be released for FF E-mount
hiepphotog wrote:
Thank you for these. The 25/2 is impressive. The night WO shot, looking past the mushiness due to noise and poor exposure on the tog part, it's sharp at least up to the edges. The 85/1.8 is impressive as well, though I expect as much. They should do a day-light WO infinity shot for that 25/2.
+1
Damn i hate to sell my zm 25 to make room for the batis lens..tough times
Wow, not going to break any record in the center, but this lens is almost as sharp as the Elmar 24 (the sharpest wide) at f/4 even though it's a whole 2-stop faster.... Now I want to see that distortion graph.
p.14 #17 · Zeiss "Batis" AF lens line to be released for FF E-mount
hiepphotog wrote:
Wow, not going to break any record in the center, but this lens is almost as sharp as the Elmar 24 (the sharpest wide) at f/4 even though it's a whole 2-stop faster.... Now I want to see that distortion graph.
Sorry, didn't realize that he didn't put the distortion graph on the article page - it's on his blog's main page at this link: http://diglloyd.com/index.html
To quote Lloyd re: the 25/2:
"Distortion is typical for most wide angle designs in the 24/24mm range—about 1.5% with a mostly barrel distortion transitioning to pincushion at the edges and into the corners (“wave type distortion”)."
p.14 #18 · Zeiss "Batis" AF lens line to be released for FF E-mount
ecarlino wrote:
Sorry, didn't realize that he didn't put the distortion graph on the article page - it's on his blog's main page at this link: http://diglloyd.com/index.html
To quote Lloyd re: the 25/2:
"Distortion is typical for most wide angle designs in the 24/24mm range—about 1.5% with a mostly barrel distortion transitioning to pincushion at the edges and into the corners (“wave type distortion”)."
, you're quick. He just added that. I wouldn't call that distortion wave type since the difference between the highest point and the corner is negligible; that is, no one is going to see that mustache distortion. Overall, impressive lens. I think they have made the right set of compromises with this lens: moderate micro contrast WO with high enough global contrast so it will not look too soft, very very even sharpness stopping down. LCA is the problem as astigmatism would lessen as stopping down, but it's only a click away in LR. Bokeh seems to be good (high convergence between sagittal and tangential lines).
p.14 #20 · Zeiss "Batis" AF lens line to be released for FF E-mount
Thanks, I noticed that too. Initially, the "wave-type distortion" did catch me by surprise. But I have the 21/2.8D and I have been able to manage with it just fine,so this is no biggie for me.
Interestingly, I pulled up the datasheet of the larger Z* sibling (25/2) and the shape of the distortion curve is similar. But, the Batis 25/2 is marginally better (in the peak value) by ~0.5%. I am impressed, not bad at all !
When I first looked at the 40lp/mm curve in the MTF graph, I must admit that I was a little disappointed that is started out "only" at 50% in the center. Part of the joy of Zeiss glass to me has been the High Frequency performance (detail). But then, wide-open at f/2, for its size and weight, I don't think it is too bad at all ! it indeed looks like they have traded off peak performance for a more uniform curve from center to corner. Some of its older and bigger, heavier siblings start at ~60% WO in the center (40lp/mm), so this is quite a good trade-off !
From the samples posted, it is hard to tell much about the 25/2 samples but I like the 85 1.8 samples posted so far!!
I wish to see some WO "far" shots as well. This is one aspect of the 100MP and 100P (both of which I own) rendering which I have come to love so much!.
Decisions, decisions!
, you're quick. He just added that. I wouldn't call that distortion wave type since the difference between the highest point and the corner is negligible; that is, no one is going to see that mustache distortion. Overall, impressive lens. I think they have made the right set of compromises with this lens: moderate micro contrast WO with high enough global contrast so it will not look too soft, very very even sharpness stopping down. LCA is the problem as astigmatism would lessen as stopping down, but it's only a click away in LR. Bokeh seems to be good (high convergence between sagittal and tangential lines).
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