More of The Same?
When I first heard of another family of lenses from Zeiss, my immediate reaction was a dramatic eye-roll. I feel like every week there are new lens announcements from Zeiss like Otus, Loxia, Batis, Heli, Modix, and Todai (okay, I made some up, but you get the point). Now there are the Milvus lenses, but are they any different?
New Milvus Lens Family for DSLR
- ZEISS Milvus 21mm f/2.8 Lens: $1843.00
- ZEISS Milvus 35mm f/2 Lens: $1117.00
- ZEISS Milvus 50mm f/2 Lens: $1283.00
- ZEISS Milvus 50mm f/1.4 Lens: $1199.00
- ZEISS Milvus 85mm f1.4 Lens: $1799.00
- ZEISS Milvus 100mm f/2 Lens: $1843.00
Camera Lenses That Deliver
The first thing any still photographer will notice on these lenses (besides the price) is that there is no auto-focus, but that’s probably the only con. Videographers will love the length of the focus throw and the option to de-click the aperture ring. Traveling and landscape photographers will utilize the weather sealing, and those who have invested in the new ultra-high-megapixel cameras will undoubtedly appreciate the glass quality. This is basically a lens for those who want Otus quality, but don’t want to pay the Otus price.
These lenses are available for pre-order on B&H (click any of the links above). What’s your opinion on these lenses? Are you excited for these lenses or do you think they’re Milvuseless? Let us know in the comments!
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Frankly, apart from the packaging, there is no difference to speak of between the existing Zeiss line up for DSLR’s and the new line, so yes, I think it may be good marketing, but there is nothing new in substance.
I’m a newcomer to this autofocus DSLR world, but I love the autofocus of the Canon 5D III and 24-105 f4L. But I’ve found situations where autofocus fails, such as large conference rooms (not quite auditoriums) or shooting at dusk and twilight.
I’ve been using manual focus since 1980, so it wouldn’t be a big deal for me to go manual. Autofocus is very handy for sports and action.
More quality lenses is always nice. Competition to help drive down prices.
Only really works when the new model is better and cheaper. This is newer and more expensive so.. even if Zeiss competed with themselves they still wouldn’t be driving prices down. :O
Cool new lineup, love Zeiss glass.. find it a little weird they could update so many lenses but couldn’t figure a way to put AF in them for the Sony line.
And the word Milvus is retarded. Love Zeiss .. but .. Milvus…
This is awesome. I have the zeiss 50 f2 Makro now and it is a joy to use. I wish they would of made the 25 f2 instead of the 21 f2.8, but oh well.
These are ‘Otuses for the rest of us’, they seem to be a fairly straightforward update of the FF SLR ZE / ZF.2 lenses. Great manual glass for $1-2k, now with fancy new svelte outer housings.
Go nuts if that’s your thing, but no AF (due to the classic ‘not built in Japan’ licensing nonsense) = no sale for me.