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Archive 2015Zeiss Milvus are out: new range of DSLR lenses!
p.4 #1Zeiss Milvus are out: new range of DSLR lenses!
joakim wrote:
So the line up for DSLR will be
15/2.8 - Classic but quite new
18/3.5 - Classic
21/2.8 - Milvus
25/2.0 - Classic
25/2.8 - Classic
28/2.0 - Classic
35/1.4 - Classic
35/2.0 - Milvus
50/1.4 - Classic
50/1.4 - Milvus
50M/2.0 - Milvus
55/1.4 - Otus
85/1.4 - Classic
85/1.4 - Milvus
85/1.4 - Otus
100M/2.0 - Milvus
135/2.0 - Classic but quite new
What did I miss
Nice overview. I took the time to ask Zeiss what I considered obvious questions (why do other bloggers who generally have way more access than I do just copy the release without asking any questions?), but you're doing a nice roundup of all the offerings.
johnvanr wrote
With this move, Zeiss is retiring those lenses in its existing ZE/ZF lens lines that have focal lenghts similar to those in the new Milvus line, with the exception of the Zeiss Planar T* 50mm f/1.4 and the Zeiss Planar T* 85mm f/1.4, since their technical design differs substantially from the new Milvus editions, according to Zeiss.15/2.8 - Classic but quite new
18/3.5 - Classic
21/2.8 - Milvus
25/2.0 - Classic
25/2.8 - Classic
28/2.0 - Classic
35/1.4 - Classic
35/2.0 - Milvus
50/1.4 - Classic
50/1.4 - Milvus
50M/2.0 - Milvus
55/1.4 - Otus
85/1.4 - Classic
85/1.4 - Milvus
85/1.4 - Otus
100M/2.0 - Milvus
135/2.0 - Classic but quite new
What did I miss
Nice overview. I took the time to ask Zeiss what I considered obvious questions (why do other bloggers who generally have way more access than I do just copy the release without asking any questions?), but you're doing a nice roundup of all the offerings.
Sep 10, 2015 at 10:03 AM
p.4 #2Zeiss Milvus are out: new range of DSLR lenses!
Steve Spencer wrote:
The 21, 35, 50 MP, and 100 MP have an identical optical design in the brochure.
Yes, and identical MTF curves. I can't see me selling my 50/2 MP ZE to get a Milvus, but the 50/1.4 and 85/1.4 look interesting.
Overall, it's just six more lines that I have to shoe-horn into Lens$db.
The 21, 35, 50 MP, and 100 MP have an identical optical design in the brochure.
Yes, and identical MTF curves. I can't see me selling my 50/2 MP ZE to get a Milvus, but the 50/1.4 and 85/1.4 look interesting.
Overall, it's just six more lines that I have to shoe-horn into Lens$db.
Sep 10, 2015 at 10:07 AM
p.4 #3Zeiss Milvus are out: new range of DSLR lenses!
Where is the Otus announcement?
joakim wrote:
Otus 28/1.4?
joakim wrote:
philber wrote
There is also a new Loxia and a new Otus.Sep 10, 2015 at 10:07 AM
p.4 #4Zeiss Milvus are out: new range of DSLR lenses!
It has been postponed, with embargo until mid-October.
Sep 10, 2015 at 10:10 AM
p.4 #5Zeiss Milvus are out: new range of DSLR lenses!
philber wrote:
Steve, as ever, you make total sense. But the weight? Don't you think it will keep quite a few people buying less of a boat anchor? Right now, I have 2 heavy lenses in my bag, plus one middleweight, and a A7RII. That is already very heavy for an everyday bag. When the third heavy lens comes (I have no WA right now), I don't know if my bag and/or I can hold up. So Milvus weights are.... intense...
I totally agree Phillipe. They won't be for me either, but for people who pick a D800 or 5Ds over a A7r II they might just simply not care as much about weight, and these lenses are for the Nikon and Canon shooters. They are heavy even for DSLR shooters, but I think based on the designs that the 50 and 85 will be substantially better optically than anything Canon and Nikon has to offer and especially for Canon shooters the Milvus 85 f/1.4 is really no bigger than the 85L. The Milvus 50 f/1.4 is actually physically smaller than the Sigma 50 Art and only a bit heavier. So, in the DSLR world Zeiss is not uncompetitive in size, but those large sizes are part of the reason I have drifted to mirrorless.
For you personally, I do have some thoughts/potential advise. A package in which you get the new Loxia 21, keep your Zeiss ZM 35 f/1.4 and Otus 55 f/1.4 and maybe replace your ZE/ZF 135 APO with the much smaller Leica M 135 f/3.4 APO would allow you to have a more manageable kit. The Leica M 135 doesn't have the speed of the beautiful Zeiss 135 APO, but it is still a wonderful and often unappreciated lens and has wonderful colour correction that at least rivals the Zeiss. This new bag would actually be lighter than your current bag.
By the way that will be very close to the kit I am getting pretty sure I will put together. My only change will be swapping the Otus 55 with the much smaller Leica M 75 f/2 AA, but I am pretty sure you won't want to be without your Otus.
Steve, as ever, you make total sense. But the weight? Don't you think it will keep quite a few people buying less of a boat anchor? Right now, I have 2 heavy lenses in my bag, plus one middleweight, and a A7RII. That is already very heavy for an everyday bag. When the third heavy lens comes (I have no WA right now), I don't know if my bag and/or I can hold up. So Milvus weights are.... intense...
I totally agree Phillipe. They won't be for me either, but for people who pick a D800 or 5Ds over a A7r II they might just simply not care as much about weight, and these lenses are for the Nikon and Canon shooters. They are heavy even for DSLR shooters, but I think based on the designs that the 50 and 85 will be substantially better optically than anything Canon and Nikon has to offer and especially for Canon shooters the Milvus 85 f/1.4 is really no bigger than the 85L. The Milvus 50 f/1.4 is actually physically smaller than the Sigma 50 Art and only a bit heavier. So, in the DSLR world Zeiss is not uncompetitive in size, but those large sizes are part of the reason I have drifted to mirrorless.
For you personally, I do have some thoughts/potential advise. A package in which you get the new Loxia 21, keep your Zeiss ZM 35 f/1.4 and Otus 55 f/1.4 and maybe replace your ZE/ZF 135 APO with the much smaller Leica M 135 f/3.4 APO would allow you to have a more manageable kit. The Leica M 135 doesn't have the speed of the beautiful Zeiss 135 APO, but it is still a wonderful and often unappreciated lens and has wonderful colour correction that at least rivals the Zeiss. This new bag would actually be lighter than your current bag.
By the way that will be very close to the kit I am getting pretty sure I will put together. My only change will be swapping the Otus 55 with the much smaller Leica M 75 f/2 AA, but I am pretty sure you won't want to be without your Otus.
Sep 10, 2015 at 10:13 AM
p.4 #6Zeiss Milvus are out: new range of DSLR lenses!
I think this is a move due to the CP.2 line being severely undercut by everyone new. Those are the same designs as the ZE/ZF.2 lenses, except they'd take the best glass assemblies and stick them in a new all-metal lens shell in Germany, and give the elements better T* coatings. But at 5-7k USD, not worth the price.
So it makes sense to introduce this line of lenses. And also fix the 50 and 85 Planars, as their performance was abysmal comparatively-speaking.
Thankfully, the coatings can help with some of the aberrations. Realistically, these will sell like hotcakes. And cause the market to flood with cheaper "Classic" lenses.
This is also a super smooth way of discontinuing a pile of old lenses. They've taken a few pages out of the playbooks of a popular technology company. Go them.
So it makes sense to introduce this line of lenses. And also fix the 50 and 85 Planars, as their performance was abysmal comparatively-speaking.
Thankfully, the coatings can help with some of the aberrations. Realistically, these will sell like hotcakes. And cause the market to flood with cheaper "Classic" lenses.
This is also a super smooth way of discontinuing a pile of old lenses. They've taken a few pages out of the playbooks of a popular technology company. Go them.
Sep 10, 2015 at 10:15 AM
p.4 #7Zeiss Milvus are out: new range of DSLR lenses!
edwardkaraa wrote:
I kind of like the new packaging. I was never a fan of the Cosina housing with the chromed filter ring. They look more matching with the dslr cams they are made for.
I never liked the Cosina materials either. These new Fuji-built lenses look a lot nicer.
Too bad no one makes a DSLR with a decent focusing screen for manual focus any more, so that removes any temptation for me.
Edited on Sep 10, 2015 at 10:18 AM · View previous versions
I kind of like the new packaging. I was never a fan of the Cosina housing with the chromed filter ring. They look more matching with the dslr cams they are made for.
I never liked the Cosina materials either. These new Fuji-built lenses look a lot nicer.
Too bad no one makes a DSLR with a decent focusing screen for manual focus any more, so that removes any temptation for me.
Edited on Sep 10, 2015 at 10:18 AM · View previous versions
Sep 10, 2015 at 10:16 AM
p.4 #8Zeiss Milvus are out: new range of DSLR lenses!
I can't find the AF and IS switches! 
Sep 10, 2015 at 10:17 AM
p.4 #9Zeiss Milvus are out: new range of DSLR lenses!
Fred Miranda wrote:
Zeiss today announced Milvus, a new family of lenses for Canon and Nikon DSLRs. The lenses are optimized for the high-resolution stills and 4k video cameras. The line has 6 models for each mount at launch: a 21mm f/2.8, 35mm f/2, 50mm f/1.4, 85mm f/1.4, 50mm f/2, and 100mm f/2.
From ZEISS:
The Milvus lenses from ZEISS will impress you with their constantly excellent image performance across all focal lengths – regardless of whether they are used for portrait, landscape, event or other types of photography. They are optimized for high-resolution DSLR cameras.
All of the new lenses are available for preorder...Show more →
Awesome to see Zeiss updating their lens line but I see limited usability for these lenses on a Canon DSLR system since Manual Focus is pretty difficult on any Canon DSLR when looking through the OVF. On a tripod using live view the (purportedly) higher image quality of these lenses is attainable otherwise an AF lens is preferable. Had these lenses been AF I would be all over them specially the 100f2 and the 50 1.4.
Zeiss today announced Milvus, a new family of lenses for Canon and Nikon DSLRs. The lenses are optimized for the high-resolution stills and 4k video cameras. The line has 6 models for each mount at launch: a 21mm f/2.8, 35mm f/2, 50mm f/1.4, 85mm f/1.4, 50mm f/2, and 100mm f/2.
From ZEISS:
The Milvus lenses from ZEISS will impress you with their constantly excellent image performance across all focal lengths – regardless of whether they are used for portrait, landscape, event or other types of photography. They are optimized for high-resolution DSLR cameras.
All of the new lenses are available for preorder...Show more →
Awesome to see Zeiss updating their lens line but I see limited usability for these lenses on a Canon DSLR system since Manual Focus is pretty difficult on any Canon DSLR when looking through the OVF. On a tripod using live view the (purportedly) higher image quality of these lenses is attainable otherwise an AF lens is preferable. Had these lenses been AF I would be all over them specially the 100f2 and the 50 1.4.
Sep 10, 2015 at 10:20 AM
p.4 #10Zeiss Milvus are out: new range of DSLR lenses!
Most important, the Milvus lenses will have the better lens cap design of the Otus vs. the classic ZE/ZF right? They should have gone with Elanus instead of Milvus. They should have picked the Osprey due to new waterproof feature as the Osprey is the only Raptor (Bird of Prey) which can fly after diving completely into the water and getting its wings wet.
Wonder when they will EOL making the classic ones, especially the duplicate ones?
Wonder when they will EOL making the classic ones, especially the duplicate ones?Sep 10, 2015 at 10:28 AM
p.4 #11Zeiss Milvus are out: new range of DSLR lenses!
OTUS almost make you want bear the weight for its specialty, but what is going on here for 50 and 85. Weight more than OTUS?
I feel old 85 optics is fine. 50 at WO is a dog but great after f2.8. For a moment, I thought those are AF lens. (that can justify its gained weight) Yeh, it is a big question mark in my mind.
I might be interested in 21 myself. weather sealing is important I feel. especially for landscape photographer.
On the other hand, a set of 21, 35/50 and 85/100 seems a great set with D810 and 5DSR in field.
I feel old 85 optics is fine. 50 at WO is a dog but great after f2.8. For a moment, I thought those are AF lens. (that can justify its gained weight) Yeh, it is a big question mark in my mind.
I might be interested in 21 myself. weather sealing is important I feel. especially for landscape photographer.
On the other hand, a set of 21, 35/50 and 85/100 seems a great set with D810 and 5DSR in field.
Sep 10, 2015 at 10:30 AM
p.4 #12Zeiss Milvus are out: new range of DSLR lenses!
wayne seltzer wrote:
Where is the Otus announcement?
Otus 28/1.4?
soon, it seems
look at the new brochure for the Milvus lineup.
Page 28 and 29 shows the classic, Milvus and Otus series, BUT the otus has three lenses now, and they are not repeating focal lengths with others.
To me, it seem that Zeiss found a "sneaky" way to hint an upcoming Otus lens
http://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/Photography/new/pdf/brochures/milvus/milvus_leaflet_en.pdf
Where is the Otus announcement?
joakim wrote
philber wrote
There is also a new Loxia and a new Otus.soon, it seems
look at the new brochure for the Milvus lineup.
Page 28 and 29 shows the classic, Milvus and Otus series, BUT the otus has three lenses now, and they are not repeating focal lengths with others.
To me, it seem that Zeiss found a "sneaky" way to hint an upcoming Otus lens
http://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/Photography/new/pdf/brochures/milvus/milvus_leaflet_en.pdf
Sep 10, 2015 at 10:36 AM
p.4 #13Zeiss Milvus are out: new range of DSLR lenses!
wayne seltzer wrote:
Wonder when they will EOL making the classic ones, especially the duplicate ones?
They said that all duplicate lenses are EOL in the older version, except the 50 and 85 f:1.4, because they are so different.
Wonder when they will EOL making the classic ones, especially the duplicate ones?They said that all duplicate lenses are EOL in the older version, except the 50 and 85 f:1.4, because they are so different.
Sep 10, 2015 at 10:37 AM
p.4 #14Zeiss Milvus are out: new range of DSLR lenses!
When are they going to update the ZM line? ...and add an 85mm f/2. 
Sep 10, 2015 at 10:44 AM
p.4 #15Zeiss Milvus are out: new range of DSLR lenses!
Might be a nice time to pick up a zf distagon 21.
Sep 10, 2015 at 10:47 AM
p.4 #16Zeiss Milvus are out: new range of DSLR lenses!
These lenses will be nice for still life, landscape, video, product and architecture photography, but it's not for fashion or editorial photography. Most fashion guys would lose too many shots with these lenses... Pity.
Sep 10, 2015 at 10:54 AM
p.4 #17Zeiss Milvus are out: new range of DSLR lenses!
I'm wondering if, with this redesign of the housing, we'll see the 135mm APO rebadged as an Otus.
Sep 10, 2015 at 11:00 AM
p.4 #18Zeiss Milvus are out: new range of DSLR lenses!
Sorry if I miss it, but did Zeiss re-design their lens caps also?
Sep 10, 2015 at 11:02 AM
p.4 #19Zeiss Milvus are out: new range of DSLR lenses!
craigjohn wrote:
When are they going to update the ZM line? ...and add an 85mm f/2.
They had one and no one wanted to buy it
Sep 10, 2015 at 11:07 AM
p.4 #20Zeiss Milvus are out: new range of DSLR lenses!
MAubrey wrote:
I'm wondering if, with this redesign of the housing, we'll see the 135mm APO rebadged as an Otus.
That will be interesting. They certainly could, but they might want to have it available for videographers with the declick feature. We might see a MK II version of the Otus lenses with the declick feature when the third is announced anyway. I would think that is just going to be part of all their new lenses. I actually hope they make it a Milvus to keep the cost down. It would be a shame if the price went up and with the new housing there would be little advantage if any to having the Otus housing and of course a big advantage to having the Milvus price.
I'm wondering if, with this redesign of the housing, we'll see the 135mm APO rebadged as an Otus.
That will be interesting. They certainly could, but they might want to have it available for videographers with the declick feature. We might see a MK II version of the Otus lenses with the declick feature when the third is announced anyway. I would think that is just going to be part of all their new lenses. I actually hope they make it a Milvus to keep the cost down. It would be a shame if the price went up and with the new housing there would be little advantage if any to having the Otus housing and of course a big advantage to having the Milvus price.
Sep 10, 2015 at 11:25 AM