Carl Zeiss Batis 2.8/18

The ZEISS Batis series for SONY’s full frame E-mount is now joined by the new Batis 2.8/18 following the Batis 1.8/85 and the Batis 2/25. Unlike the Loxia series, which also works with the full frame E-mount, is MF, the Batis series is AF and you can use it just like SONY’s genuine lenses. The focal length is 7mm shorter than the 25mm and the diagonal angle of view is 99 degrees, which almost covers the entire field of view for both eyes. Just like other Batis lenses, the barrel with the integrated hood looks futuristic and it has an organic EL digital display showing the range as well as the depth of field. It employs Distagon-type lens design with 11 elements in 10 groups including 5 elements made from special glass, two aspherical elements, and a pair of aspherical elements made from special glass. The distortion, which becomes more significant in near distance with wide angle, is well corrected by the floating mechanism. Now, let’s check the image quality.

( Photography & Text : Naz )

Even though the distance to the subject was around the minimum, the bokeh of the background is very large and smooth thanks to the F2.8 max aperture which is considerably large for an ultra wide-angle lens. The focal peak is sharp to the corners wide open. From the 18mm focal length, I expected some loss of image quality and extensive falloff around corners. In other words, I expected to feel like "I’m using a special lens." But, I didn’t feel so with this lens. Just like the lenses of general focal length, images are clear to the corners and I never feel the strangeness I feel when I roll my eyes with other ultra wide-angle lenses.

The wide angle of view comes in handy when working distance is limited. I stopped it down to F4, and voila, the resolution is extremely high throughout the frame. The brick texture looks very realistic as well.

Clarity is pleasingly high despite the backlight. It’s easy for this lens to include the sun within the frame, but you can do so with confidence. Excellent tonal reproduction of the blue sky and fresh green.

This is a great lens for street photography, let alone indoor and architectural photography. You can enjoy the benefit of the quiet and quick AF, while you can also pan-focus or measure the distance with the eye taking advantage of the thick depth of field. Because of the extreme angle of view, you may wonder what you can shoot. My advice is to just look into the viewfinder before thinking too much. As mentioned, the viewfinder image looks so natural that you can focus on shooting without feeling the extremeness.

Despite the big luminance gap between the sky and the floor, it maximizes on the wide dynamic range of the α7S II. The rich tonal data of the shadow isn’t lost even when the tone curve is raised.

When I shot the rainbow bridge with vertical position, I could almost include the part just above my head. Because the image quality is uniform throughout the frame, definition is high from the center to the corners. For an ultra wide-angle lens wider than 20mm, this is simply stunning. I have a few words to say, though. You may want to use a tripod when you need to keep vertical and horizontal lines straight because the slight tilting becomes distinct with this wide angle.

This lens is good at capturing urban scenes dynamically and sterically. Look up, look down, and get close! You’ll love it.

Taking advantage of the high sensitivity performance of the camera, you can shoot night scenes handheld. The location was so dark that I could only see the outline of my hands, but I could achieve this shot using the practical sensitivity and image stabilization of the camera.

Ultimate ultra wide-angle lens for full frame E-mount cameras

Even though it uses big 72mm filters, the balance with the Alpha7/ Alpha7 II bodies is excellent thanks to the barrel shape which becomes thinner toward the mount. Unlike all-metal Milvus series, the partly metal barrel weighs just about 350g. Because it weighs only 980g together with the Alpha7 II body (which weighs about 630g), it never affects the agility of the system. Just like the genuine SONY lenses, it supports manual focusing with the MF/DMF mode. And, dust/moisture-proof construction expands shooting field. You can also take snapshots or portraits of people taking advantage of the extensive field of view, sharp focus, and beautiful bokeh. It’s an expensive lens, but I was fascinated by the high performance and usability that represents ZEISS quality. Without a doubt, this is the ultimate ultra wide-angle lens for the full frame E-mount and I urge you to try it.

( 10.06.2016 )