In a bit of a surprised announcement, Carl Zeiss released a new lineup of six lenses sporting the new “Milvus” moniker that replace many of their current ZE (Canon) and ZF (Nikon) offerings. They are designed to work in conjunction with both manufacturer’s latest high-resolution cameras. The lenses are: 21mm F2.8, 35mm F2, 50mm F1.4, 85mm F1.4, 50mm F2 and 100mm F2.
Each lens features a 9-blade rounded aperture, anti-reflective coatings, all-metal construction, and weather-sealing. One thing they don’t do is auto-focus so they feature long-throw, extra precise manual focusing.
Zeiss product manager Christophe Casenave describes the new lineup in this video overview:
ZEISS Presents ZEISS Milvus Lens Family and Matching Lens Case at the IBC Show 2015
Manual focus lenses with ZF.2 mount and de-click feature meet 6K standards and more
OBERKOCHEN/Germany, 11/09/2015.
From 11 to 15 September at booth 11.F50 during the IBC Show 2015, the most important European exhibition for the movie and TV industries in Amsterdam, ZEISS will be premiering the ZEISS Milvus SLR lens family: a total of six different lenses (ZE and ZF.2 mounts) for high-resolution DSLR cameras, compact professional video cameras and mirrorless E-mount cameras via an adapter solution. With their attractive cost-benefit ratio, the ZEISS Milvus lenses open up the field of professional videography to ambitious users. A case specially designed for the lenses will also be presented. The ZEISS Milvus Lens Case Set contains dedicated inlays with openings for up to six lenses. Deliveries of the ZEISS Milvus lenses to dealers will commence in October 2015.
High-quality filming with ZEISS Milvus lenses
As full-frame camera lenses, ZEISS Milvus lenses also enable high-quality film recordings with soft and cinematic bokeh. “With their high contrast rendition and low level of stray light, the lenses meet the latest video standards such as HDR (High Dynamic Range) and resolutions of 6K and more. In other words, they are a future-proof investment. They also display uniform color characteristics across all focal lengths,” says Christophe Casenave, Product Manager for ZEISS Camera Lenses. All six ZEISS Milvus lenses have exceptionally long rotation angles of the focus ring for precise focusing. The practical, rubber-covered focus ring features outstanding grip properties for optimal focusing. The ‘de-click’ function in the ZF.2 mount lenses allows filmmakers to adjust the aperture freely and smoothly, enabling professional results even in changing light conditions.
The ZEISS Milvus lens family will initially consist of the following six focal lengths: ZEISS Milvus 2.8/21, ZEISS Milvus 2/35, ZEISS Milvus 1.4/50, ZEISS Milvus 1.4/85 as well as the two macro lenses ZEISS Milvus 2/50M and ZEISS Milvus 2/100M. Further focal lengths will be added to the ZEISS Milvus lens family over the next few years.
ZEISS Milvus Lens Case Set
The ZEISS Milvus Lens Case Set ensures that the ZEISS lenses can also be safely and reliably transported in remote and humid regions. “Made of a durable plastic material, the case is waterproof and is designed for up to six lenses,” Casenave continues. The case accommodates both the ZEISS Milvus lenses and the ZEISS Classic lenses using the appropriate inlays.
Additional highlights at the IBC 2015
ZEISS will also be presenting other well-known lenses at the IBC Show: the ZEISS Otus SLR lenses, the E-mount full-frame ZEISS Loxia and ZEISS Batis lenses, and the ZEISS Compact Prime CP.2 and ZEISS Compact Zoom CZ.2 lenses. In addition, the products ARRI/ZEISS Ultra Prime, ARRI/ZEISS Master Prime and ARRI/ZEISS Master Anamorphic for high-end movie productions can be tested at the booth.
ZEISS cine lenses for 4K and more
The ZEISS Compact Zoom CZ.2 lenses are the world’s only cine-style lenses with full-frame coverage. All lenses of the ZEISS Compact Zoom family meet the 4K production standards and, like the ZEISS Compact Prime CP.2 lenses, they are perfect for cameras featuring sensors with surfaces measuring up to 36×24 mm. The zooms also operate with the latest 8K sensors such as the RED WEAPON® with an image circle diameter of around 46 mm and are therefore the ideal partner with minor limitations. The ZEISS Compact Prime CP.2 and ZEISS Compact Zoom CZ.2 lenses offer currently the largest selection of focal lengths for the RED WEAPON® sensor, also in the 8K mode. Visitors to the ZEISS booth 11.F50 at this year’s IBC will be impressed by these outstanding qualities. The ZEISS booth will feature one of the few RED WEAPON® 8K cameras available and can be tested with ZEISS Compact Zoom CZ.2 and ZEISS Compact Prime CP.2 lenses. This will impressively demonstrate to visitors that no lens vignetting occurs with this sensor. Visitors are welcome to ask questions to the ZEISS experts at the booth and exchange their experiences with them.
More information on ZEISS Milvus lenses.