Zeiss Add to their Full Frame E mount AF Line Up with the Batis 18mm f/2.8

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by Tim FokApril 14^th, 2016

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Zeiss has announced the next instalment to their autofocus Batis line. Building on the immense popularity of the previous two, the Batis 18mm f/2.8 comes in as the third and widest most full frame E-mount lens.

Introducing the Batis 18mm

The Batis line by Zeiss was their first ever venture into auto focus lenses. Sure, many Sony Zeiss lenses are knocking about, but these are all Sony made under Zeiss specification; Batis were a first from pure Zeiss.

They were cautious, we only saw a 25mm f/2 and an 85mm f/1.8 to start, but popularity for them has far exceeded expectations, and it’s frankly been a pain getting hold of them anywhere!

Speaking with Zeiss at BVE, we knew that there were going to be a few new additions to this line-up in time. Enter the 18mm f/2.8.

Like the previous two, the Zeiss Batis 18mm f/2.8 is an E-mount full frame lens with auto focus. The smooth rubber focus barrel continuously rotates (no hard stops) and an OLED screen on top gives focus distance readings in manual focus mode.

The Batis 18mm f/2.8 naturally provides a very wide angle of view, while maintaining a fast aperture for out of focus detail.

Here are the specs:

Focal Length: 18mm
Aperture Max/Min: f/2.8-22
Lens Mount: Sony E (Full-Frame)
Angle of View 99°
Minimum Focus Distance 9.84″ (25 cm)
Maximum Reproduction Ratio 1:9.5
Elements/Groups 11/10
Filter Thread Front: 77 mm
Dimensions (DxL) Approx. 3.94 x 3.15″ (100 x 80 mm)
Weight 11.64 oz (330 g)

Our partners B&H got an exclusive hands-on with the lens, you can check this out here and some images below.

It took me around four months to get hold of my Batis 25mm f/2.0. Being an avid user of the Sony A7RII for photography, I was looking for a high-quality autofocus lens – the wait was absolutely worthwhile; I expect good things from the 18mm f/2.8.

$200 separates all three Batis lenses, creeping up in price the wider you go. Click on the below link to pre-order the Batis 18mm f/2.8.