Camera test 51
Photography News Issue 27 absolutephoto.com
Zeiss 35mmf/2 Milvus £829 This lens proved itself to be very capable throughout its aperture range. There were peaks and troughs, but they were not too significant and consistency is definitely a word that can be applied to this lens’s optical performance. Centre and edge quality were good at f/2 onwards. There should be no problem using this lens for critical purposes at its wider apertures although you get an improved showing with stopping down. Vignetting is evident wide open, but this goes by f/4. Quality reaches a peak at the optimum aperture of f/8 where the finest details are nicely resolved across the frame. Diffraction had an impact at f/16 and f/22 where the image softened noticeably.
Specs
Format 35mm and APS-C Mount ZE (Canon EOS) and ZF.2 (Nikon F) Construction 9 elements in 7 groups Special lens elements One anomalous partial dispersion Coatings Zeiss T* anti-reflective coating Filter size 58mm Aperture range F/2-22, ZF-2 (Nikon) lenses can be declicked Diaphragm 9 blades Internal focus No Manual focus Yes, no AF
Minimumfocus 30cm Focus limiter No Maximummagnification 1:5.3 Distance scale Yes Depth-of-field scale Yes Image stabiliser No Tripod collar No Lens hood Yes Weather-sealed Yes Dimensions (lxd) ZF.2 77x81.3mm, ZE 77x83mm Weight ZF.2 649g, ZE 702g
Format 35mm and APS-C Mount ZE (Canon EOS) and ZF.2 (Nikon F) Construction 10 elements in 8 groups Special lens elements 4 anomalous partial dispersion elements, 1 aspheric Coatings Zeiss T* anti-reflective coating Filter size 67mm Aperture range f/1.4-16, ZF-2 (Nikon) lenses can be de-clicked Diaphragm 9 blades Internal focus No Manual focus Yes, no AF Features A fine alternative as a standard lens Performance Very good, but less so at maximum andminimum apertures Handling Smooth focus and aperture barrels Value formoney Good rather than outstanding Overall A capable lens Pros : Handling, hood, consistent optical performance Cons : Vignetting at f/2 20/25 20/25 24/25 20/25 84/100 How it rates Specs
F/2
See the verdict on page 52
F/8
Zeiss 50mm f/1.4Milvus £949
Minimumfocus 45cm Focus limiter No Maximummagnification 1:6.7 Distance scale Yes Depth-of-field scale Yes Image stabiliser No Tripod collar No Lens hood Supplied Weather-sealed Yes Dimensions (lxd) ZF.2 77x81.3mm, ZE 77x83mm Weight ZF.2 875g, ZE 922g
Fast-aperture lenses are all very well and good, but they need to deliver a sound performance at those wide apertures. At f/1.4, this lens is good and it only really started to sing from f/4 and hit the high notes at f/5.6 where detail from centre across to the edges was really impressive. F/5.6 and f/8 were the best apertures for critical sharpness. Shoot at these apertures and you will be rewarded with sparkling, detail-packed pictures. F/11 maintained the lens’s high mid-aperture performance. By f/16 diffraction had an impact and resolution fell away.
How it rates
Features A fast-aperture standard Performance Good once stopped down Handling First-rate mechanically
20/25
21/25
F/2
24/25
21/25
Value formoney A respectable lens Overall
86/100
Very good, especially from f/4 Pros : Excellent quality when stopped down Cons : Could be better at f/1.4
See the verdict on page 52
F/8
Zeiss 50mmf/2 Makro-Planar Milvus £949 Fast maximum aperture or slower aperture and better close focusing, that‘s the choice Zeiss gives with its pair of identically priced 50mm lenses. On this evidence, having a less-ambitious specification has endowed this macro lens with a superior optical performance when open-aperture images are compared. Closing down does improve matters especially at the edges and by f/5.6 and f/8 pictures across the frame are critically sharp. The deeply recessed front element means it is well protected from physical harm and stray light even without the hood. The lens extends by 2.5cm at its minimum focusing distance.
Specs
Format 35mm and APS-C Mount ZE (Canon EOS) and ZF.2 (Nikon F) Construction 8 elements in 6 groups Special lens elements None Coatings Zeiss T* anti-reflective coating Filter size 67mm Aperture range f/2-22, ZF.2 (Nikon) lenses can be de-clicked Diaphragm 9 blades Internal focus No Manual focus Yes, no AF
Minimumfocus 24cm Focus limiter No Maximummagnification 1:2 Distance scale Yes Depth-of-field scale Yes Image stabiliser No Tripod collar No Lens hood Yes Weather-sealed Yes Dimensions (lxd) ZF.2 72.8x80.7mm, ZE 75.3x81mm Weight ZF.2 660g, ZE 730g
How it rates
20/25
Features A fast aperture standard Performance Impressive from f/2 onwards Handling Smooth in every respect Value formoney A fine standard lens with the ability to focus really close Overall A fine lens that delivers excellent- quality pictures Pros : Impressive fromopen aperture downwards, handling Cons : Fringing at wider apertures
23/25
24/25
F/2
22/25
89/100
See the verdict on page 52
F/8
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