Historic lens maker Carl Zeiss has announced a new super wide angle lens for Canon EF and Nikon F mount cameras, which includes the video-capable DSLRs from both companies. The Distagon T* 2.8/15 lens offers an extremely wide 110º angle of view on full frame cameras, ideal for exaggerated views, landscape work and architectural or city shooting. There is an integrated lens hood, important with wide-angle lenses, and the lens incorporates the standard chemical cocktails and lens elements for reducing aberration and distortion. Minimum advertised price is set at $2950. You can see images taken with the new lens (and other Zeiss glass) here, and an early photographer-centric review of the Canon mount version can be found here at thephoblographer.com. He notes that the lens “feels a lot like Zeiss’s cinema primes”. We have a unit in the office right now, so keep your eyes peeled for a hands-on look coming soon. In the meantime, here is more info and specs from the press release:
OBERKOCHEN, GERMANY – March 16, 2012 Carl Zeiss brings out a new super wide angle lens in May 2012.
The super wide angle Distagon T* 2,8/15 will be available with an EF (ZE) or F bayonet (ZF.2). With an extra-large angle of view of 110 degrees in combination with a fast f/2.8 aperture, the lens enables the features for dramatic perspectives and performance demanded by the most ambitious landscape and architectural photographers. With a unique ability to capture events in a natural and extraordinary manner, it is also an ideal companion for advertising, journalism and commercial photography.
Thanks to the extreme angle of view of the lens, the fore and background can be creatively emphasized in landscape and architecture photography. These applications will also benefit from the large depth-of-field, which provides a wide range of image sharpness from close-up up to infinity. With a close focus of 0.25m (10”) – combined with a wide angle view, photographers can work in tight spaces, while also allowing focus on close-up details. Distortion is extremely well controlled, producing naturally proportioned photographs which are not typical of many other super wide angle lenses. “With the Distagon T* 2,8/15, Carl Zeiss sets the standard in super wide angle photography,” says Dr. Michael Pollmann, Consumer Lenses Program Manager in the Camera Lens Division of Carl Zeiss AG. “Even at full aperture it achieves outstanding detail rendition and opens up room for extremely imaginative design.”
The Distagon T* 2,8/15 incorporates two aspheric lenses and special types of glass material with abnormal partial dispersion to provide an extraordinary correction of chromatic aberration. A floating elements design guarantees high image quality from close-focus through infinity. Like the other SLR lenses in the ZE and ZF.2 series, stray light and reflections are well controlled by the Carl Zeiss T* anti-reflective coating and the sophisticated treatment of the lens element edges with special light absorbing paint.
The robust all-metal barrel of the Distagon T* 2,8/15 is designed for decades of reliable service. A long focus rotation and buttery-smooth action is perfect for photographers who want to take control of their picture making, as well as for filmmakers looking for superior focus control. A nine blade aperture provides a nearly circular opening, producing natural looking out of focus details.
The lens shade is integrated into the design and helps to protect the lens surface from unintentional damage. The 95mm filter thread accepts all standard filters, including the recently released Carl Zeiss T* UV and POL filters.
The lens will begin shipping in May 2012 at a recommended retail price of $2,950 USD.
Technical data
Focal length 15 mm
Aperture range f/2.8 -22
Number of lens elements/groups 15/12
Focusing range: 0.25m – infinity
Angular field** (diag./horiz./vert.) 110°/ 100°/ 76°
Coverage at close range** 340 x 221 mm (close-up)
Image ratio at close range 1:9 (close-up)
Filter thread M95 x 1.0
Length with caps 132 mm (ZF.2)
135 mm (ZE)
Diameter 103 mm (ZF.2)
103 mm (ZE)
Weight 730 g (ZF.2)
820 g (ZE)
Mounts ZF.2 (F bayonet)
ZE (EF bayonet)
* Status: 16 March 2012
** Based on 35 mm format