Zeiss has launched its new line of full frame primes for Canon and Nikon DSLRs, called Milvus, with no less than six new lenses being announced today.
Using an adapter, the Milvus lenses can also be used with Sony’s α7 mirrorless system.
The lenses’ high contrast rendition, uniform color characteristics and low level of stray light are said to make them ideal for HDR videos and resolutions of 6K and above.
Ranging in focal length from 21mm to 100mm, including two macro lenses, all the Milvus lenses are manually focused.
Promising “superior optical performance”, the Milvus lenses will be available in two mounts – ZE for Canon and ZF.2 for Nikon:
- Zeiss Milvus 21mm f/2.8 ZE / ZF.2 – $1,843
- Zeiss Milvus 35mm f/2 ZE / ZF.2 – $1,117
- Zeiss Milvus 50mm f/1.4 ZE / ZF.2 – $1,199
- Zeiss Milvus 50mm f/2M ZE / ZF.2 (macro) – $1,283
- Zeiss Milvus 85mm f/1.4 ZE / ZF.2 – $1,799
- Zeiss Milvus 100mm f/2M ZE / ZF.2 (macro) – $1,843
Other than marketing fluff, Zeiss mentions precise manual focusing, weather sealing (dust and spray water, all-metal barrel, metal lens shade and anti-reflective coating.
The entire line of lenses contains a Floating Elements Design which is said to combat aberrations and different distances. The Zeiss website explains how this design works:
This is achieved by varying the axial distance between individual lens elements or groups. The adjustment of the distance between elements is coupled to the distance setting so that this always results in the right correction.
Designed with video in mind, the Nikon-mount lenses include an optional ‘de-click’ function that allows smooth and continuous aperture adjustments.
All six of the lenses are expected to start shipping on October 16th and can already be pre-ordered via the links above.
