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ZEISS Milvus 18mm f/2.8 ZF.2 Lens for Nikon F

BH #ZE1828MZF2 • MFR #2096-516
11 reviews
ZEISS Milvus 18mm f/2.8 ZF.2 Lens for Nikon F
Key Features
  • F-Mount Lens/FX Format
  • Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/22
  • Four Low Dispersion Elements
  • Two Aspherical Elements
Versatile, bright, and wide, the Nikon F-mount ZEISS Milvus 18mm f/2.8 ZF.2 utilizes a Distagon optical concept, with a pair of aspherical elements and four anomalous partial dispersion elements, to control distortion, spherical and chromatic aberrations, and color fringing in order to produce sharp, clear, and color-neutral imagery with a broad perspective. A floating elements system is also employed for consistent performance throughout the focusing range, and an enhanced ZEISS T* anti-reflective coating has been applied to reduce flare and ghosting for working in difficult lighting conditions.
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Nikon F
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ZEISS Milvus 18mm f/2.8 Overview

Versatile, bright, and wide, the Nikon F-mount ZEISS Milvus 18mm f/2.8 ZF.2 utilizes a Distagon optical concept, with a pair of aspherical elements and four anomalous partial dispersion elements, to control distortion, spherical and chromatic aberrations, and color fringing in order to produce sharp, clear, and color-neutral imagery with a broad perspective. A floating elements system is also employed for consistent performance throughout the focusing range, and an enhanced ZEISS T* anti-reflective coating has been applied to reduce flare and ghosting for working in difficult lighting conditions.

The manual focus design is complemented by a rubberized focus ring for fine-tuned, precise control over your focus position. Additionally, Milvus-series lenses also feature an equally aesthetic and durable frosted, anodized metal lens-barrel surface along with a weather-sealed construction to protect against dust and moisture.

Wide-angle prime is designed for FX-format Nikon F-mount cameras, however can also be used with DX models where it will provide a 27mm equivalent focal length
Bright f/2.8 maximum aperture suits working in available-light conditions and is also well-suited for astrophotography use.
Distagon optical concept affords high sharpness, well-corrected image quality from edge-to-edge, and very low field curvature.
Four anomalous partial dispersion elements are used to significantly reduce color fringing and chromatic aberrations for increased clarity and color fidelity.
Two aspherical elements control distortion and spherical aberrations in order to produce greater sharpness and more accurate rendering.
ZEISS T* anti-reflective coating has been applied to each lens surface to help minimize reflections and provide greater contrast and color fidelity.
Floating elements system helps to maintain consistent image quality throughout the entire focusing range, from 9.8" to infinity.
Manual focus design is benefitted by focusing and depth of field scales along with hard stops at both infinity and minimum focusing positions.
The manual aperture ring has clicked indicators throughout aperture range. Using the included De-Click Tool, this ring can be mechanically 'de-clicked' for smooth, silent rotation throughout the aperture range; making it ideal for video applications.
Weather-resistant construction includes internal seals to guard against dust and moisture as well as a blue sealing ring at the lens mount to protect the lens-camera interface.
All-metal lens barrel has a frosted, anodized surface along with a rubberized focusing ring for both durability and improved tactile control.

ZEISS Milvus 18mm f/2.8 Specs

Focal Length18mm
Maximum Aperturef/2.8
Minimum Aperturef/22
Lens MountNikon F
Lens Format CoverageFull-Frame
Angle of View100°
Minimum Focus Distance9.84" / 25 cm
Maximum Magnification0.14x
Optical Design14 Elements in 12 Groups
Focus TypeManual Focus
Image StabilizationNo
Filter Size77 mm (Front)
Dimensions (ø x L)3.54 x 3.62" / 90 x 92 mm
Weight1.49 lb / 675 g
Packaging Info
Package Weight2.905 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)11.55 x 6.75 x 5.55"

ZEISS Milvus 18mm f/2.8 Reviews

Not well sealed

By Dave
Rated 1 out of 5
Date: 2021-03-09

I’ve had this lens for almost 2 years. It had developed a fungus on the inner lens element. I sent back to Zeiss for service and received a nasty email saying not to send lens with fungus to them. I expected this to be a quality lens but turns out to be less than my Rokinon. Don’t buy it.

quality

By Neal
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2019-12-15

I'm a fan of stitching images but when this feels unlikely I want a lens capable of resolving a large image sensor. I have always trusted the quality of Ziess and have been happy with other Z. Milvus lenses that I use.

Outstanding

By Tony
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2019-08-20

An outstanding lens paired with the Nikon D850.

Superb Lens

By Greg
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2019-05-15

I bought this lens after accidentally leaving my Milvus 25 on a trailside in the dark. I changed focal length for three reasons: 1, I already have the Otus 28, and though the 25 is smaller, its not smaller/wider enough generally to leave the 28 behind; and 2, I wanted a lens in between the Otus 28 and the Milvus 15 that could be a multi-purpose lens when cutting wight mattered; and 3, the 18 cut the weight and filter size more than the 21. It helped that Lloyd Chambers really liked this lens on the Z7. And he is right about its ergonomics. it is exceptionally well-balanced on the Z7 and a pleasure to use. And for me, it can handle night shooting of the stars, and also be a fairly wide landscape shooter. Excellent clarity, micro contrast, and close to flat field, it is well corrected in Capture One. A real joy.

New design, outstanding lens

By Clark
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2017-10-02

I purchased this lens to replace a Nikon 14-24, which I tended to stop carrying due to its bulk and difficult issues of focus shift and narrow DOF when used on high-resolution bodies. 18mm seemed a good compromise, and the Milvus 18mm is an updated optic design. Reviews online were scant, but I decided it was worth a try. The final copy I kept is a very impressive lens at f/2.8 across the field (center, DX circle, corners). But, surprisingly, it took three samples to get there. The first sample had softness on the left side in the DX circle, and the second copy had softness on the right side of the DX circle. This was determined with shots at infinity, as well as a carefully squared set of Zeiss modified Siemens Star Charts, and both approaches gave consistent results. Using defocus tests described by Roger Cicala on the lensrentals blog (May 20, 2012) suggested decentering in different directions for the first two samples. A bit discouraged, I called B&H Customer Service, and the rep suggested trying a third sample (I was feeling a bit bad buying and returning), no problem. This third sample showed no asymmetries and is truly a remarkable lens. One curious thing is that the field of focus seems quite flat at f/2.8 both close and at infinity (some field curvature toward the camera in extreme corners at close distances), but stopping down to f/8 moves the field of focus toward the camera on the edges, quite noticeably if using the DOF scales. On Lloyd Chambers Zeiss web site (subscription), he hints of something odd with this lens, but I am not sure if this is what he noted (I do not have a subscription). This is not a deal killer, but something to be aware of. High resolution bodies are so unforgiving.... Bottom line is I am very happy with this lens. The mechanics are superb, and manual focusing is easy. It is fairly small and takes 77m filters. Win-win. Only downside is vignetting wide open, but that can be accommodated in ACR.

Amazing

By C. Pena
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2017-09-17

Hands down the sharpest lens I have used. No lens flare,distortion or CA. Only complaint is now I need them all!!

What beautiful glass!

By Margaret
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2020-11-28

I'm getting superb shots with this lens - naturally when the person behind the camera does their job. LOL

Big improvement over the old Classic Zeiss 18mm/3.5

By Keith
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2020-06-25

Shooting on a D800/E, this 18/2.8 is a big improvement over the previous Zeiss 18mm f/3.5. Gone is the pronounced astigmatism outside the central area, which wasn't terrible at infinity, but became severe in the close up range. This lens' performance seems to be maintained almost all the way out to the edge of the 24x36 frame, with a slight but visible decline only in the last few millimeters. The 21mm/2.8 Distagon gives a better impression of 'full sharpness' all the way to the edges of frame, but this one is still the best 18mm prime available, now or ever. Also: The distance markings on this MIlvus lens are much more readable than on the old Zeiss Classic lenses. Zone focusing is now fully viable, something that cannot be said for the Classic Zeiss primes. I bought a used copy, and after several hundred test shots, I'm satisfied that any defects that might be present are too small to matter in my use.

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What Zeiss Lens gear do you use with this lens? ...

What Zeiss Lens gear do you use with this lens? Small, mini or medium?
Asked by: Winslow
This will require the "large" Zeiss lens gear.
Answered by: Bruno
Date published: 2021-06-07

Is this a non-CPU lens?

Is this a non-CPU lens?
Asked by: David
All ZEISS Milvus lenses are equipped with a CPU for metering, manual focus assistance, and the recording of EXIF metadata.
Answered by: ZEISS Camera Lenses
Date published: 2021-02-09

Does this lens work fully with Nikon film cameras ...

Does this lens work fully with Nikon film cameras such as the FM3a? Meaning, does it only work in stop-down mode or does it allow full operation wide open and then close down to the set aperture at the moment of exposure?
Asked by: Ronald
The following lens will adapt to all Nikon F-Mount Lens/FX Format As well the manual aperture ring can be de-clicked.
Answered by: hectorm
Date published: 2022-01-20

how is the coma?

how is the coma?
Asked by: John
The coma in the ZEISS Milvus 18mm F/2.8 is visible in wide aperture corners and significantly resolves when the lens is stopped down.
Answered by: Dan
Date published: 2021-07-20

Apertura of the lenses manual?

Apertura of the lenses manual?
Asked by: Akjol
If you are inquiring if the aperture is manually set on the lens body, as opposed to being set through the camera it depends on the mount. For the Canon EF, it is set on the camera. I believe for the Nikon Zf mount, it can be "de-clicked" and set manually on the lens body aperture ring. Hope this helps.
Answered by: Craig
Date published: 2020-03-12

What is the diameter of the focus ring? I would ...

What is the diameter of the focus ring? I would like to put a gear ring to use a follow focus, but I need to know the diameter to buy an exact ring.
Asked by: bamk
According to Zeiss, the focus ring diameter is 73mm.
Answered by: Rob
Date published: 2020-01-10

question

Hows the IR performance of this lens?
Asked by: Ali Mousa Abdulkareem
The ZEISS Milvus lens family are designed for use in the visible spectrum and feature anti-reflection coatings that limits the amount of UV and IR transmission. While the lens can be used for IR applications and includes an IR focusing mark, the light transmission will be below 50% in the NIR range and less over 1,000nm. Our recommendation is to rent the lens and test to see if it meets your particular needs.
Answered by: ZEISS Zeiss Expert
Date published: 2018-08-23

question

is this lens has internal focus system compatible for matte box?
Asked by: ziya b.
This is correct, there is no external movement of the lens barrel when focusing the Milvus 2.8/18 lens.
Answered by: ZEISS Zeiss Expert
Date published: 2018-08-23
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