p.3 #1 · Zeiss "Batis" AF lens line to be released for FF E-mount
Beni wrote:
Not sure I get the 67mm filter size on the 85mm, that's quite large for an f1.8 nevermind one designed for mirrorless.
Zeiss wants you to buy both so they kept the filter size the same. Same thing with the Loxia line up. It will be interesting to see which focal lengths fall under Loxia vs Batis in the future. I suspect with the larger filter size we'll see either a 18mm or 135mm Batis next.
p.3 #2 · Zeiss "Batis" AF lens line to be released for FF E-mount
I know some have had water issues, but after several excursions in rain unprotected and splashes of saltwater, I still haven't had any. I feel bad for those that have, but the video is in line with my experience.
ReneMurea wrote:
That soaked A7R from the clip must be a weatherproof special edition. Only one was made to test the Zeiss lens
p.3 #3 · Zeiss "Batis" AF lens line to be released for FF E-mount
TheEmrys wrote:
I know some have had water issues, but after several excursions in rain unprotected and splashes of saltwater, I still haven't had any. I feel bad for those that have, but the video is in line with my experience.
p.3 #4 · Zeiss "Batis" AF lens line to be released for FF E-mount
The question is now - are the new AF-based Zeiss lenses also bigger? Not sure, but my impression is that the last few developments went to (a) bigger/more bulky A7 II camera and (b) DSLR-size like AF-based E-mount lenses.
Would be great if Zeiss found a way to keep the small size of a MF lens and add AF in it, so it would still be smaller in size compared to a DSLR lens....
p.3 #5 · Zeiss "Batis" AF lens line to be released for FF E-mount
dancook wrote:
This has made me lean towards investing in Sony not Canon for weddings..
25mm f2, 35mm 1.4, 55mm 1.8, 85mm 1.8 - this will do me fine! well I'll probably mainly just use 35mm and 85mm.
my thoughts exactly. just the 35 and 85 would be enough for me as main wedding lens. Currently only using Sigma 35 and Canon 85 with my 6D for weddings at the moment.
p.3 #6 · Zeiss "Batis" AF lens line to be released for FF E-mount
67mm filter threads are very encouraging, even if it is f/1.8. 72mm is most common among high end Sony's (24-70/2.8, 85/1.4, 70-400g, etc.) with the 77mm being for biggest (135/1.8, 70-200/2.8 G). 67mm seems doenright dainty. The lens may come in at the same size as the 24-70/4, which seems pretty nice to me.
p.3 #8 · Zeiss "Batis" AF lens line to be released for FF E-mount
TheEmrys wrote:
67mm filter threads are very encouraging, even if it is f/1.8. 72mm is most common among high end Sony's (24-70/2.8, 85/1.4, 70-400g, etc.) with the 77mm being for biggest (135/1.8, 70-200/2.8 G). 67mm seems doenright dainty. The lens may come in at the same size as the 24-70/4, which seems pretty nice to me.
The Canon 85/1.8 EF lens has a filter thread of 58 mm...and is of course a DSLR lens. So I wouldn't consider 67 mm filter diameter size small.
p.3 #9 · Zeiss "Batis" AF lens line to be released for FF E-mount
philip_pj wrote:
"The full-frame autofocus Batis lenses have built-in OLED screens that can display information like depth of field or the distance of the focal plane from the camera. Zeiss calls the displays an "absolute highlight — an innovation that is currently unparalleled in camera lenses."
My Metabones v4 in advanced mode shows distance of focal plane, not sure how accurate is is though
p.3 #10 · Zeiss "Batis" AF lens line to be released for FF E-mount
If memory serves, Sony announced the A7 only a few months after the Touit was released. Based on this sample size of one, I expect Sony to announce an alpha-0.7 with a 30x45mm sensor in the fall.
More seriously, I am curious to see how well the OLED display works. Does it mimic a little lens window with scrolling numbers or is it more like the top display on SLRs with precise numbers? How fine are its gradations? How well does it work in bright light or at night? I prefer working in manual focus, and I could conceivably see this being a convincing way to use MF on an AF lens...or it could be an utterly horrible experience. It'll probably be between those extremes, but with the long product cycle of lenses and Zeiss' obvious experience with manual lenses, I'm optimistic.
Anyway, Zeiss marketing gets points for timing. We've been in a bit of a desert of interesting product announcements. It'll also be interesting to see the blogs fighting over viewership for this one.
p.3 #11 · Zeiss "Batis" AF lens line to be released for FF E-mount
retrofocus wrote:
The Canon 85/1.8 EF lens has a filter thread of 58 mm...and is of course a DSLR lens. So I wouldn't consider 67 mm filter diameter size small.
Then I would expect better CA control and overall performance (e.g. sensor reflection control, ghosting, coma) than the Canon lens (which is a great lens, but no Otus).
p.3 #12 · Zeiss "Batis" AF lens line to be released for FF E-mount
Its also not great. Its very good, but has far more CA than I find acceptable. I can take a step up in size if it means acceptable or, dare I hope, non-existent CA. Its worth a 7mm increase. Now, if Sony could do it with the Minolta 100/2 in a 62mm filter thread, I may be swayed from an 85mm....
retrofocus wrote:
The Canon 85/1.8 EF lens has a filter thread of 58 mm...and is of course a DSLR lens. So I wouldn't consider 67 mm filter diameter size small.
p.3 #13 · Zeiss "Batis" AF lens line to be released for FF E-mount
Looking forward to forum members' takes on the optical performance and AF on these lenses. These are just about spot on in terms of focal length, speed, and size for my needs, especially the 25/2.0. I may have missed it, what is the expected release date?
p.3 #14 · Zeiss "Batis" AF lens line to be released for FF E-mount
Good questions. I bet it relies on the old Minolta Distance encoder. It is in Sony lenses, too. Should be able to test it easily enough. I found the -D lenses were highly accurate, as it was the lynchpin for the wonderful ADI flash system. For a flash, it should be pretty accurate, ir it wouldn't work. But I have never seen it tested. Would be a great test for someone.
JonPB wrote:
If memory serves, Sony announced the A7 only a few months after the Touit was released. Based on this sample size of one, I expect Sony to announce an alpha-0.7 with a 30x45mm sensor in the fall.
More seriously, I am curious to see how well the OLED display works. Does it mimic a little lens window with scrolling numbers or is it more like the top display on SLRs with precise numbers? How fine are its gradations? How well does it work in bright light or at night? I prefer working in manual focus, and I could conceivably see this being a convincing way to use MF on an AF lens...or it could be an utterly horrible experience. It'll probably be between those extremes, but with the long product cycle of lenses and Zeiss' obvious experience with manual lenses, I'm optimistic.
Anyway, Zeiss marketing gets points for timing. We've been in a bit of a desert of interesting product announcements. It'll also be interesting to see the blogs fighting over viewership for this one.
p.3 #15 · Zeiss "Batis" AF lens line to be released for FF E-mount
TheEmrys wrote:
67mm filter threads are very encouraging, even if it is f/1.8. 72mm is most common among high end Sony's (24-70/2.8, 85/1.4, 70-400g, etc.) with the 77mm being for biggest (135/1.8, 70-200/2.8 G). 67mm seems doenright dainty.
A 135/1.8 or 200/2.8 really need 77mm filters with entrance pupils of 75mm and 71mm respectively. The new 85/1.8 shouldn't need anywhere near 67mm - the Olympus OM 85/2 took 49mm filters!
johnahill wrote:
It will indeed do, however you forget that $1199 probably means £1199 for us poor suckers in the UK/EU
I hadn't forgotten... but the situation does seem to have improved of late with the strong pound.
JonPB wrote:
More seriously, I am curious to see how well the OLED display works. Does it mimic a little lens window with scrolling numbers or is it more like the top display on SLRs with precise numbers? How fine are its gradations?
Given the linear focus motor used in these lenses the potential is there to make it extremely precise (at least compared to the numbers on regular lenses that go something like 50cm - 2m - edge of the universe). There's also the potential to give people the option of a classic scale or digital readout (though I can't see any buttons on the lens to control it).
TheEmrys wrote:
Good questions. I bet it relies on the old Minolta Distance encoder.
There's no distance encoder on a focus-by-wire lens, just a sensor that detects the focus ring turning and a linear motor which can feed back its position to the camera. It's a much better setup for accurately measuring the focus distance than a regular ultrasonic DSLR lens.
p.3 #18 · Zeiss "Batis" AF lens line to be released for FF E-mount
Matt Grum wrote:
There's no distance encoder on a focus-by-wire lens, just a sensor that detects the focus ring turning and a linear motor which can feed back its position to the camera. It's a much better setup for accurately measuring the focus distance than a regular ultrasonic DSLR lens.
You sure it doesn't use D encoding? I get a distance number in feet for my D lenses when I MF.
p.3 #19 · Zeiss "Batis" AF lens line to be released for FF E-mount
TheEmrys wrote:
Its also not great. Its very good, but has far more CA than I find acceptable. I can take a step up in size if it means acceptable or, dare I hope, non-existent CA. Its worth a 7mm increase. Now, if Sony could do it with the Minolta 100/2 in a 62mm filter thread, I may be swayed from an 85mm....
True - I sold mine part for this reason. Still I liked the fairly compact size of the lens. Maybe I am too spoiled now with my rangefinder lenses which I am using on the A7R....all my DSLR lenses look clunky to me now and are similar in quality.
p.3 #20 · Zeiss "Batis" AF lens line to be released for FF E-mount
I wonder about the quality of the lens motor...Sony in the 35 f1.4 has a new motor with extremely fast, silent focusing, past Zeiss AF motors have been less than satisfying.
