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The three new lenses ZEISS Milvus 2.8/15, Milvus 2.8/18 and Milvus 2/135 expand the Milvus family that was introduced last September, bringing the total number of focal lengths to nine. By this, the lens family is complemented in the super wideangle and tele range.

With the three new focal lengths, the ZEISS Milvus family now comprises nine members

For high-end DSLR cameras

“The ZEISS Milvus lenses have been designed in particular to fulfill the requirements of today’s powerful digital cameras and those of the future thanks to their high imaging performance, even in difficult lighting situations,” says Casenave. The new lenses are characterized by a harmonious bokeh and – due to the T*® anti-reflective coating from ZEISS – a very high degree of flare control. Because the lens coating has been further optimized, there is also less likelihood than ever of ghosting, flare or shading effects, even in critical lighting situations. On top, all ZEISS Milvus lenses come with a floating elements design. This compensates imaging errors at different distance settings.

Due to the well-known T*® anti-reflective coating, all ZEISS Milvus lenses have a very high degree of flare control

ZEISS Milvus for video

Creating high-quality film shoots with a pleasing cinematic bokeh is also no problem for the new ZEISS Milvus lenses. “Due to their extremely high contrast rendition, the lenses fulfill the most modern video standards, and have uniform color characteristics,” said Casenave. The focus ring with a very large rotation angle enables precise focusing. And the focus ring’s comfortable rubber to ensures a good grip. To set the aperture in a soft, noiseless and infinitely variable way, the lenses with ZF.2 mount feature the de-click function. In that way, professional work in changing lighting conditions is no problem at all.

All ZEISS Milvus lenses feature the de-click function

The ZEISS Milvus lenses’ robust full-metal barrel ensures long and reliable usage. Protection against dust and spray water (weather sealing) is also included. The robust metal lens shade is an integral part of the overall product design and included with all ZEISS Milvus lenses. The new focal lengths of the ZEISS Milvus family are also compatible with the ZEISS Lens Gears. A clear additional value-add for filmmakers: a follow focus system can be used hassle-free. The ZEISS Lens Gears are made of high-quality aluminum and feature a hardened surface coating. Mounting is a no-brainer: they can be slid onto the respective lens and are attached to the focus ring by turning two counter-rotating rings.

The robust and detachable metal lens shade is included with all ZEISS Milvus lenses

ZEISS Milvus 2.8/15:

This super wide-angle lens with a field of view of 110 degrees allows every photographer to consciously compose using extreme perspectives. The lens has excellent imaging performance – even with an open aperture – thanks to the correction of color errors. Color fringing and distortion are minimal. This is all thanks to a ZEISS Distagon® lens design with 15 lens elements in 12 groups, including two aspheric lenses, special glass with anomalous partial dispersion, and the floating elements design. A removable lens shade and the 95-millimeter filter thread also make this lens the ideal companion for special applications with additional slide-in filter holders.

ZEISS Milvus 2.8/15 with ZF.2 and ZE mount

ZEISS Milvus 2.8/15 application sample by Timm Allrich (5D III, ZEISS Milvus 2.8/15, f/11, 0.6 sec, ISO 50)

ZEISS Milvus 2.8/18:

This compact super-wide angle lens with a newly calculated ZEISS Distagon optical design has 14 lens elements in 12 groups, including two aspheric elements. The ZEISS Milvus 2.8/18 has a short close-up distance of 0.25 meters and internal focusing. With an angular field of 99.9 degrees, this lens is the ideal companion for landscape and architectural photography, as it allows creative shots to be taken using unusual perspectives. The filter thread has a diameter of 77 millimeters. The ZEISS Milvus 2.8/18 delivers outstanding imaging performance and very good distortion correction.

ZEISS Milvus 2.8/18 with ZF.2 and ZE mount

ZEISS Milvus 2.8/18 application sample by Benjamin Völker (6D, ZEISS Milvus 2.8/18, f/6.3, 1/800 sec, ISO 400)

ZEISS Milvus 2/135:

This fast telephoto lens delivers excellent correction of all color errors. Thanks to a large aperture and pleasing bokeh, it is the perfect lens for portrait photography from a medium distance. The angular field is 18.7 degrees. The short minimum object distance of 0.80 meters makes this lens even more versatile. It has an optical design with 11 lens elements in eight groups and, like the ZEISS Milvus 2.8/18, a filter diameter of 77 millimeters.

ZEISS Milvus 2/135 with ZF.2 and ZE mount

ZEISS Milvus 2/135 application sample by David Clifford (D800, ZEISS Milvus 2/135, f/2.5, 1/800 sec, ISO 320)

Price and availability

The delivery worldwide of the three new lenses will begin at the end of October 2016. The lens shade is included with the corresponding lens. Sales prices are $2,699 for the ZEISS Milvus 2.8/15. $2,299 for the ZEISS Milvus 2.8/18 and $2,199 for the ZEISS Milvus 2/135.

[Zeiss]