Zeiss is quickly making sure all its classic, manual focus ZE and ZF.2 lenses get a modern facelift with a second wave of Milvus optics, which include the ultra-wide 15mm f/2.8 and 18mm f/2.8 lenses and a medium telephoto 135mm f/2 lens. Each is available in either Nikon F or Canon EF mounts and has been further optimized to deliver outstanding image quality for high-performance full-frame DSLRs. These three releases expand the full-frame Milvus line to a total of nine primes, which cover an excellent range from 15mm to 135mm.
Starting off with the now-widest optic in the Milvus line, we have the 15mm f/2.8 and its impressive 110-degree angle of view. By using a renowned Distagon optical design with 15 elements in 12 groups, including two aspherical elements, anomalous partial dispersion glass, and a floating elements design, chromatic aberrations and distortion are kept to an absolute minimum. Furthermore, the lens features a removable lens shade and a 95mm filter thread, allowing photographers to attach filters more easily.
Moving just a bit upward in the line, we hit the 18mm f/2.8, with its newly calculated Distagon design. This optic incorporates two aspherical elements in its 14-element, 12-group design and features a broad 99.9-degree angle of view. Relatively compact for a lens of this caliber, it is a great option for landscape and architectural work while a minimum focus distance of 9.8" allows for some creative compositions. This optic minimizes distortion and features a front filter thread of 77mm.
Jumping to the other end of the Milvus spectrum is the 135mm f/2, which offers a flattering telephoto perspective and fast maximum aperture that combine to make it one of the best portrait lenses around. It corrects for nearly all color fringing and chromatic aberrations, and has a minimum focus distance of 2.6' for versatility. It also has an optical design of 11 elements in 8 groups, as well as a filter diameter of 77mm.
As a part of a single cohesive family, these lenses share a variety of features and characteristics, such as Zeiss’s T* anti-reflective coating that reduces the impact of flare and ghosting in your images. Also, they are designed to deliver high-contrast rendition with uniform color characteristics across the line, making them suitable for working with both high-resolution stills cameras as well as video standards of 6K and higher. In addition to just resolution, the Milvus line is a great option for video, thanks to large rubberized focusing rings with large rotation angles that provide great feel and high precision, and they are also compatible with Zeiss Lens Gears for working with an optional follow focus. Additionally, the Nikon ZF.2 models are equipped with a physical aperture ring that can be de-clicked for smooth aperture pulls during shooting.
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