New Zeiss FE

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ZEISS Batis 1.8/85
Zeiss

Zeiss adds another couple of fast Sony full-frame E-mount lenses for the A7 series, its first FE-mount models with autofocus designed and produced by Zeiss. Launching the new Batis line, the two weather-sealed fixed focal-length lenses also sport a novel OLED display on their barrels.

The $1,300 ZEISS Batis 2/25 is a 25mm f2 based on the company’s Distagon optical design, can focus up to 7.9 in/0.2m. It’s 3.2 in/81mm around by 3.1 in/78mm long and weighs about 11.8 oz/335g.

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Zeiss Batis 2/25
Zeiss

The $1,200 Batis 1.8/85, an 85mm f1.8 model, uses the older Sonnar optical design but incorporates image stabilization. It’s roughly the same size, though weighs about a pound/475g. I bet this one will be a lovely portrait lens.

As far as I can tell there isn’t official UK or Australia pricing, though the prices in euro, €1,092 and €1,008 for the 25mm and 85mm lenses, respectively, are a lot less than the directly converted equivalents of £863/AU$1,671 and £797/AU$1,543.

The display is used as a settings readout, showing the distance to subject and a calculated depth of field. That seems a nice perk when you’re working in low light and can’t see the text on the lens barrel, though I hope it automatically dims. Both lenses take 67mm filters.

They’re already available for preorder in US outlets, though they won’t start shipping until July.

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