New ZEISS Batis f2.8 18mm lens

[Paulo Bizarro]

Details here:

http://lenspire.zeiss.com/en/batis-2-8-18/

Faster, smaller, and lighter than the ZE/ZF equivalent.

[pluton]

Looks like the 18mm to get, if you've got a Sony A7.  I like the 18mm field of view a lot, but I'm also not excited by auto-focus, focus-by-wire...or the A7 series itself.  The OLED display I saw last year on the Batis 25/2 lens was barely visible in bright sunlight.

[Telecaster]

I really like EVFs in general, but will concede that Sony's implementation—while very crisp res-wise—is downright mediocre in terms of handling bright & contrasty scenes. The EVFs in my m43 cameras are notably superior in this respect.

As for the lens: glad to see it; too wide for my particular needs; waiting/hoping for a 45mm to split the 25–85mm gap.

-Dave-

[Paulo Bizarro]

Personally, I was never a big fan of 18mm lenses, but this one seems to be a cracker:

http://www.zeiss.com/content/dam/Photography/new/pdf/en/downloadcenter/datasheets_batis/batis_2818.pdf

Zeiss are really putting their efforts behind some new wide angles for Sony Alpha 7; it seems that the research and design work from the Otus line is trickling down into the Batis 18 and 25, plus the Loxia 21. Especially the Batis 25, where top performance wide open is maintained into the corners of the frame.

@Dave - why not look into the new 50 f1.8, or the older 55 f1.8 as gap fillers between 25 and 85?

[Telecaster]

@Dave - why not look into the new 50 f1.8, or the older 55 f1.8 as gap fillers between 25 and 85?

I have the 55mm…it's fine but IMO would work better with the 25/85mm Batis pair if it were a little wider. 45mm is a focal length Zeiss has plenty of experience with too. And…the 25/45/85mm trio (all compact f/2.8s) is my fav when using a Contax Aria.

-Dave-