Zeiss just announced a sort of Loxia lens line for Canon/Nikon DSLR. The lens line is called “Milvus”. There is no plan to make those for A-mount but of course you can use those lenses adapted on any E-mount camera. And Zeiss stressed to say that these lenses are made with 4K in mind (it means smooth and noiseless aperture and focus ring). A7s and A7rII owners may be interested in those!
Here are the detailed info and preorder links at BHphoto:
Zeiss Milvus 100mm f/2M ZE Lens for Canon EF at BHPhoto (Click here), Adorama (Click here).
Zeiss Milvus 100mm f/2M ZF.2 Lens for Nikon F at BHPhoto (Click here), Adorama (Click here).
Zeiss Milvus 21mm f/2.8 ZE Lens for Canon EF at BHPhoto (Click here), Adorama (Click here).
Zeiss Milvus 21mm f/2.8 ZE Lens for Nikon F at BHPhoto (Click here), Adorama (Click here).
Zeiss Milvus 35mm f/2 ZE Lens for Canon EF at BHPhoto (Click here), Adorama (Click here).
Zeiss Milvus 35mm f/2 ZE Lens for Nikon F at BHPhoto (Click here), Adorama (Click here).
Zeiss Milvus 50mm f/1.4 ZE Lens for Canon EF at BHPhoto (Click here), Adorama (Click here).
Zeiss Milvus 50mm f/1.4 ZF.2 Lens for Nikon F at BHPhoto (Click here), Adorama (Click here).
Zeiss Milvus 50mm f/2M ZE Lens for Canon EF at BHPhoto (Click here), Adorama (Click here).
Zeiss Milvus 50mm f/2M ZE Lens for Nikon F at BHPhoto (Click here), Adorama (Click here).
Zeiss Milvus 85mm f/1.4 ZE Lens for Canon EF at BHPhoto (Click here), Adorama (Click here).
Zeiss Milvus 85mm f/1.4 ZE Lens for Nikon F at BHPhoto (Click here), Adorama (Click here).
Why these news matter for Sony E-mount owners:
– The lenses are manual focus anyway. So with using an adapter you don’t lose anything
– Smooth precise manual focusing system ideal to use with Sony focus peaking
– All lenses of the range are color matched. Ideal for video post processing
– 4K ready (high resolution power edge to edge) and HDR ready (excellent ghost and flare resistance)
– No need of in camera lens correction. The lens are already
Here are two youtube videos introducing the lenses:
Carl Zeiss Lenses – NEW Milvus lens family for DSLR
William Heuberger about using ZEISS lenses
133 Responses
Boo.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=22&v=LlVcXAYIM28
Come on Zeiss, I’m sure you will find somebody speaking English… the whole clip looks like it was directed by an intern
Not big enough!
where are the aperture rings on the EF lenses?
There has never been any.
Damn nice!
OMG E Mount is dead!
read: fully manual lenses 🙂 do check their sizes too
prohibitively expensive 🙁 well, if zeiss feel that’s what it’s worth for them to consolidate their foothold in canikon dslrs, whatever. i’m camp sony anyway. too expensive here, too.
These will actually be rather useful on E-Mount bodies with focus magnification and focus peaking, especially for landscape/still-life photographers. Not much reason to expand the Loxia line now. Hopefully they drop it and focus on the autofocus Batis line now!
With which adapter?
Loxia with e-mount cameras are much smaller. So there *IS* a reason.
Not exactly because:
1) adapter means loss of weather sealing, a big plus for landscape shooters
2) dslr designs means the milvus are much bigger than the loxias
3) Loxia has the de click aperture + full communication (auto magnification, exif for those who care)
Will these lenses not pass exif to the E-Mount bodies via the better Metabones adapters?
I suppose metabones could, but not all.
Holt shit balls! amazing!
Are these Manual or AF ?
pure manual. Although IDK if they have electrical contacts for the other reasons.
Thanks !
im sure they do.
This is sensational. a whole set too. Thank you Zeiss you are listening.
So they rehoused the ZE/ZF lenses to give all of them the new Touit/Batis look, gave them a name and jacked up the prices. File this one under meh…
Note that the 135mm f/2 APO isn’t there. I bet they’re rehousing that as an Otus.
Still no 135 with AF- so the A mount 135 is STILL the champ. Although 100mm F2- now that is enticing, but not for 1300.00…unless the performance is something ground breaking.
….and where is the 200mm F2.
The 200mm never made it out of C/Y mount…
These look like different optical designs for the most part, for example the 50mm features 4 LD elements and an aspherical element, I would expect much improved performance over the previous line.
Hilarious…just hilarious. 1800 for the 100mm F2- it better be razor sharp. IDK- I”m starting to like the idea of F2.8’s and 1,8’s over the faster glass. I think the Batis is more appealing. We shall see.
So…basically they simply put their current SLR lenses in new shells?
Yep, except the 50mm f/1.4, that is the only one with a new optical design.
It’s a planar- how new can it be. As a planar, guaranteed it’s a bit soft wide open with CA until you stop it down to F2. Classic planar for sure.
Just check out the number of elements/groups and compare it with the “old” 50mm f/1.4.
Hmm…my bad…the F2 is a distagon. Oooo..that might be nice. It sounds like “55” territory here.
The 1.4 is distagon, the f2 is planar
Ok, I’m sorta interested now. I hope all those elements don’t hamburger the light Nothing is worse than a sharp corner to corner image that’s flat with nasty bokeh.
The 85 is a new design as well.
The new 85mm looks like it’s derived from the Otus design–though slightly different (perhaps no super expensive anomalous dispersion glass?).
http://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/Photography/new/pdf/en/downloadcenter/datasheets_milvus/milvus1485.pdf
http://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/Photography/new/pdf/en/downloadcenter/datasheets_otus/otus_1485.pdf
I don’t know about that… The Sony/Zeiss 50mm Planar F1.4 SSM ZA is mighty sharp wide open (in the centre anyways)
They datasheets are already up. And the MTF’s of the new f/1.4 is much better wide open compared to the old.
I find it a bit soft wide open which was it’s criticism when it came out. However, it surpasses most other 50’s stopped down a bit. I love the bokeh though. I did compare the 55mm 1.8- it is sharper at 1.8 in the center but not by much at all. I still prefer the 50’s overall look.
Me too. And for portraiture… It’s certainly sharp enough wide open. I know photographers who’ve bought the Sigma Art 50mm and returned it because it’s too sharp and required that they do more skin retouching work in their portraits!
900gr. !!! 2.5 x the weight of the classic version due to distagon.
This is sensational, the biggest f u c k off Sony E and A mount in history I guess. Admin was right, zeiss did indeed shock, very bad news for sony, very bad. No need to transfer to sony to have autofocus zeiss…
I already have the f mount 15mm and 135mm apo which are excellent Glad they didn’t remake those. might get the 50mm and 85mm as an alternative to the OTUS air that I already have here also
I have a feeling that the 135mm APO will be remade into an Otus and the classic ZE/ZF.2 discontinued.
Can the 135 apo even be improved?
Nope, they’d just put the glass in an Otus body and charge double 🙂
This is sensational, the biggest f * u * c *k off Sony E and A mount in history I guess. Admin was right, zeiss did indeed shock, very bad news for sony, very bad. No need to transfer to sony to have autofocus zeiss…
Wrong. These are all Manual Focus only.
He didn’t get the memo…..
Still.
You do have a point there. Now the question is simply- do you want AF. The prices on these guys aren’t exactly cheap either. Adapting over though may be a better option for some who want to have the option of using an OVF or a camera with DUAL FREAKING CARD SLOTS.
they are all manual focus 😀 canikon are not keen to share autofocus with zeiss LOL
I don’t know if it’s a matter of “sharing”… Sigma, Tamron, and Tokina are all doing AF lenses for the F-Mount and EF Mount and I’m sure Zeiss could reverse engineer the AF protocols as well as those companies are able to (if Zeiss wanted to). I almost wonder if Nikon and Canon pay Zeiss to not release AF lenses for their cameras?
Zeiss said that you have to be a Japanese company to make AF lenses for Canon and Nikon. I guess there must be something that has to be licensed from Nikon or Canon.
i was sharing a weblink but comment got deleted. but yes, do check the web by typing: why cant zeiss make autofocus lenses for canikon. you will find the answers.
Where exactly is the shock?
And yet they can barely keep up with demand on Batis line-up.
Now we know why Zeiss can’t deliver the Batis 85 mm, they’re too busy making lenses for Nikon and Canon. Sony is introducing new lenses on Friday that will be very interesting to say the least. I’ll probably just cancel my pre-order if there is a Sony alternative.
sony 85mm 1.4? nah, probably a 135 1.8
135 1.8 sounds sweet !!!!!!
i guess zeiss is trying to put as their eggs in as many big pockets as possible… we can always hope the sales of manual focus only milvus can’t compare to the autofocus batis lens (which is slightly slower, but smaller and also lower in price) so that zeiss reconsider their priorities…. 😡
I wish them luck but these lenses seem aimed at video. No autofocus is a definite no buy for me because of the Sony A7r2 great focus tracking and eye focus capabilities. Seems like Zeiss is way overextended in their manufacturing capabilities.
same for me! I tested a display a7r2 unit and i am mortally poisoned beyond hope… Well, we can always hope that 35mm, 50mm, even 135mm batis is on the pipeline due to recent success of batis and Zeiss produce the Milvus in limited quantities due to lukewarm reception 🙂 looking forward to replace my 35f/1.4 with a niftier batis 35mm f/1.8 or f/2
Sounds like a perfect match for Cannon and Nikon. Instead of releasing new & innovative products, all they have done is reboxed the same old thing.
There’s a new 50mm and a new 85mm. Check the datasheets.
http://www.zeiss.com/camera-lenses/en_de/service/download_center.html
I know, it was more of a generalization on how Cannon and Nikon seem to be just sitting back on their reputations, instead of fighting back with some new, innovative and exciting products.
So, this is what they plan with Loxia? 35/2 and 50/2 we already have, waiting for a 21/2,8. The 100mm with 1:2 Macro looks cool to.
But I still dream of a compact 85/2 and 135/2,8 with good close focus…. make them small and portable!
I just picked up a 50 1.4 ZF Planar. Love the character and buttery softness wide open. Not at all interested in paying $1200 bucks to have all that go away. $1200 dollars, Zeiss, really??
Quite a few optical efforts in the new 50, which seems to be a direct competitor to the Sigma 50mm Art. You have found the good 50mm for you, just enjoy it.
I don’t think you can ever really say that a manual focus lens is a direct competitor of an autofocus lens. Still, more high quality options are always welcome.
I don’t particularly need AF and I use both AF and MF lenses, so I would hesitate between those two if I was in the market for a 50mm. I guess other people would as well.
And the efforts from Zeiss to up their game for this 50mm just mirror what Sigma did.
Sounds like a good reading, I would agree. And I am fully LOVING my old 50 ZF. So easy to focus on an A7II, and all that great character. Hopefully this drives down the price of ZF and ZF.2 lenses because I’d love a set that includes the 35/2, 85/1.4 and 21/2.8
This is great – current Zeiss lenses will get cheaper!
I have to say, I love the new design language of the Batis and Milvus lenses.
What’s funny is- I prefer the chiseled design of the A mount Zeiss glass- but the newer A77 and A99 bodies have this bubble like look. Then you go over to FE mount and it’s the opposite. Zeiss must have gotten their design sketches mixed up.
This is the best looking Zeiss/Camera combination IMO that the universe has yet to bestow upon us.
I kinda like the newer designs – sleek and futuristic, yet kind of aggressive. Like the ergonomics of them, too. But yeah, there’s something to the old A900 design, too; kind of an analog, artisan’s feel to it (and built like a tank).
The rubber focus band on the otus lenses are all scratched up as well. I wish it was all metal
If only Batis and Loxia are launched as a set as well! But the rational part of me insists that Zeiss is wise to test the water of a7 family by releasing small number of pioneer lenses first… Hopefully the recent loxia/batis shortage would convince them to speed up their production and consolidate their commitment to the FE lens lines!
i keep refreshing hoping for an Otus as well though….
The 50 (like the original ZE 25) was a major disappointment – it needed an update.
Now the competition is up for Canikon to develop camera bodies with decent manual focusing capabilities!
I think it was more a case of Canikon making Manual Focus difficult on purpose…
I think this lenses will be compatible with focus trap on DSLRs no?
I think Manual focus is incredibly easy on the new Nikon bodies. I had great luck with the D750 and D810. They’ve got a handy little scale in the bottom left of the viewfinder that tells you to turn the lens left, right, or indicates that its in focus with a dot. In low light i find its much more accurate than sony with Focus Peaking. Canon on the other hand is not great, live view and magnification is the best option there
i used manual lenses a lot on my d600, using the dot indicator is slowing my operation especially when it’s dark. I found using live view is better than relying on the green dot.
I find all modern DSLRs to be crap for manual focus. Dim, small viewfinders, screens need replacement, but it’s hardly easy. Even older SLRs don’t compare to the combined convenience of magnification and focus peaking.
Otus, Batis, Milvus… who is inventing these names?
What comes next? A 300/2.8 telephoto prime called “Phallus”?
Zeiss has a website for the Milvus:
http://lenspire.zeiss.com/en/zeiss-milvus-manual-focus-slr-lenses-for-ze-and-zf-2-mounts/
Milvus sounds like that nerdy kid who got the crap beat out of him in high school only to turn into a billionaire later on.
It makes me think of Milhouse from the Simpsons.
Who wants to see how this 85mm f1.4 compares to Otus and Batis? 😀
i will pass, no autofocus = no go for events / weddings 😀
These are manual focus lenses, you twit.
It would be nice to see the performance of the Milvus 35 2 against the Tamron 35 SP 1.8 VC. I know, for the price it should kick it’s rear but I’m very curious.
Since the Milvus 35 f/2 seems to be the same optically as the Zeiss 35 f/2.0 Distagon, I would expect the Tamron to be far superior, at least in terms of sharpness.
I’ve tried the PK 35/2 Distagon and to be honest – I was never so much disappointed by a lens
Wait but aren’t these just the existing ZE and ZF lenses in a new jacket?
Definitely not. E.g. the 50/1.4 is a Distagon, not a Planar and the optics look clearly different. If they would advertise 4k capabilities for an unaltered optical design, they would seriously damaged their brand image.
The 50 and 85 1.4’s are new. The 21, 35, 50 mp and 100 mp are identical to the previous ZE/ZF lenses.
Are you sure? How can you tell?
It is mentioned on the Zeiss website:
The ZEISS Milvus 2.8/21
The ZEISS Milvus 2/35
The redesigned ZEISS Milvus 1.4/50
The redesigned ZEISS Milvus 1.4/85
the ZEISS Milvus 2/50M
The ZEISS Milvus 2/100M
Thanks for clarification. So, I’m not that impressed anymore. I thought they released a completely new lens lineup, like Batis,Loxia,Otus,Touit before. But Zeiss still rocks these days.
It is similar to Loxia in many ways. Loxia recycles the ZM lineup. No need to throw away good lens designs.
Absolutely true. I’m just impressed by the fact that Zeiss has born several new lens lineups recently. So, my astonishment is just a little damped now. But nevertheless, no one puts so much effort in innovating optics. Maybe Sigma is right on their heels.
Datasheets: http://www.zeiss.com/camera-lenses/en_us/service/download_center/milvus_lenses.html
This is marketing spin. 4K is 8 megapixels. Which older ZE or ZF lens cannot resolve 8 megapixels?
But you are right, some of the lenses are redesigned and it is actually mentioned on their website in the lens description. For example the 85/1.4 is redesigned but the 35/2 is not.
I’m impressed.
Zeiss is standing buy for your pre-order:)
Goddammit, my wallet is like an onion. When I look into it, I cry.
Looking at the brochure, the 50 and 85 are new, the 21, 35, 50mp and 100mp are identical – just new housings, weather sealing and so on.
So looking at the brochure, the 50 and 85 1.4’s are new. The 21, 35, 50 mp and 100 mp are identical to the previous ZE/ZF lenses.
lol I thought all of them were old, thx for the info
But why so heavy, heavier and larger than the classic line, the fast 50 and 80 are OTUS weight. Lets wait for the LOXIA…
Loxias are Rangefinder lenses.
They are bird names.
The Milvus 50/1.4 performs almost like Otus 55/1.4 while it has a little worse CA. While Otus price is more than 3 times the Milvus, we can call the Milvus 50/1.4 a … bargain. That’s definitely how Zeiss does business.
They just have to make you think it’s a “bargain.”
Why paying 3700$ for an OTUS if one gets the same weight for a 1200$ MILVUS???
It’s because of all that APO glass- worth it’s weight in gold. Actually, more expensive per ounce than gold.
So I’ll buy two onces of gold an one Milvus….where’s that Loxia??
Did Zeiss missed the memo about the high demand on Batis?
Misfocusing?
It’s the first time I see someone say they were disappointed by the 35/2 Distagon, that is best used on a full-frame camera by the way. Of course this is not possible (yet) with the PK version.
I had no idea that $/kg was a standard way of judging lenses. Maybe we should start building them from lead for better value.
Thats exactly the point. Zeiss is anachronistic: larger and heavier lenses while the trend is small and mirrorless. A lost chance for eg. a small 2/50mm non macro prime.
No E-mount version – no buy!
The Nikon versions get an aperture ring, which is a nice touch. why is there no aperture ring on canon versions ? is there a technical reason ?
Aperture rings should be on all lenses. it’s the best ergonomic feature on a lens, and the most underestimated since the digital age of photography.
No. E-mount =/ rangefinder
Notice the expected availability date of October 16th? Wonder if they’ll beat the Batis lenses.
“Milvus is a genus of medium-sized birds of prey. It is an Old World group consisting of three kites that form part of the subfamily Milvinae. Its systematics are under revision; it contains 3 or 4 species.”
Wiki wiki
Is Zeiss going to be able to meet the demand for all these different lens lines?
Is that it for Zeiss or is the next OTUS also going to be announced ?