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Zeiss names and defines new lenses for Sony NEX and Fujifilm X cameras

Apr 30, 2013 at 21:18:09 GMT

LENS NEWS E-MOUNT FUJIFILM LENSES SONY X-MOUNT ZEISS

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Zeiss has announced more detail on two forthcoming lenses for Sony NEX and Fujifilm X-mount APS-C cameras - the 12mm F2.8 and 32mm F1.8 lenses it unveiled at Photokina last year. The announcement came via the Zeiss blog, which details on how the company came to the name for the new series, 'Touit.' Pronounced like the English 'do it,' the new lenses are named after a Latin American band-tailed parrot, which Zeiss describes as 'small and agile,' much like mirrorless cameras are meant to be.

Though carrying the same name, the two lenses are noticeably different for the two platforms. On the Sony E-mount, both have a large focus ring and a straight collar back toward the mount, while the Fujifilm X-mount's focus ring is shorter, presumably to make room for the aperture ring.

Pricing for the two new lenses was not mentioned; their original estimate was around €1000 / $1300 each. Zeiss has also posted data sheets and a brochure for the two new lenses.

Click here to read the blog post

Equivalent to an 18mm lens on either of these APS-C mounts, the Zeiss Touit 2.8/12 is described as having a 99-degree angle of view and a T* anti-reflective coating.

The Zeiss Touit 1.8/32 is equivalent to 48mm, described as a normal lens, offering 'the same angle of view as the human eye,' according to the company.

Comments

Total comments: 108

Do these lenses have optical stabilization?

0 upvotes

Ignore the question. I read in posts below that they don't.

0 upvotes

I love my Fujis' (sensors and glass) ...and I DO LOVE my Zeiss 15mm in my Canon Dx...so I think I'll not resist buying a Zeiss for my X1-Pro
...but still I wouldn't part with my new 100S (or the older 100) for nothing in this world!!!

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 54 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

No support for Samsung NX eh?

0 upvotes

If the price is right then it may be a shot in the arm for Sony users but the existing Fuji glass is exceptional... at ridiculously low prices. Either way it is great for the continued progression of the mirrorless market...

Comment edited 1 minute after posting

1 upvote

I always said I'd get a round touit sooner or later.

Comment edited 19 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

Lol... you should start a separate thread on this line of jokes. Go-on I dare you to touit...

1 upvote

My Zeiss 24 f/1.8 OSS ZA is too good for my NEX-6.
I think the Touit lenses will be the same.

... waiting for a much better body.

0 upvotes

Zeiss lenses prices are lower only than Leica's... ridiculous.

1 upvote

I don't see them selling many in the fuji mount as the available fuji glass is exceptional & at a lower price.
But Sony NEX needs this, as Sony has left NEX owners somewhat high & dry in the glass dept.

Regardless- good job Zeiss!

1 upvote

"Sony NEX needs this"

Only 12/2.8 is useful (although at $1250, just too expensive, more expensive than NEX-7, so I would not expect many sales). $900 32/1.8 has little chance against $450 Sony E 35/1.8 OSS.

Both are only for real brand fans.

0 upvotes

lenses for NEX, XF, and EF-M are virtually the same and all of the three mounts need good glasses as well as good bodies.

in general a lens becomes very expensive when the focal length passes (shorter than) half of the flange-back, which is 9mm for these three mounts. so this is a good place for makers to sell cheap lenses at high prices.

Comment edited 1 minute after posting

0 upvotes

Flange has little to do with it, diagonal of the sensor a lot, and how much can you protrude rear elements inside of the mount (mirror mirror).

0 upvotes

agree the image circle is a big factor but at least it's the same for these three mounts.

0 upvotes

From my fuji oriented perspective - the key is going to be how it performs against the fuji 14mm lens. I don't own this (see my posts today for various 14mm vs <put your own lens her> topics). I was just about to pull the trigger on buying it...now I have to wait...

1 upvote

Think the Sony NEX line NEEDS decent glass, less so the Fuji X range which already has some excellent lenses. Still a good move for Zeiss me thinks. Leica to do the same next > ? Only joking Leica fans !!

1 upvote

This gives new depth to the Sony and Fuji systems. I may look at the f/1.8 32mm.
But the wide, have the f/2.8 14mm Fuji. Zeiss is going to hard pressed to beat that lens, even if it does it will be by small amounts. I wish the 14mm more of 16mm so it would be like a 24mm in full frame. I am just in love with the 14mm and can live without the 2mms, 12mm, just tto wide for me. The 35mm f1.4 Fuji lens is faster and is a fine lens. I moe than likely the the next lens I get for X-pro. If not the Fuji f/1.4 23mm.
I am so glad I went mirrorless with Fuji!

2 upvotes

32/1.8 is a very cheap and taste flat lens on APS-C and
it's way easier to make a 14/2.8 for mirrorless than SLR mounts.

Comment edited 1 minute after posting

0 upvotes

If Zeiss do a x2 teleconvertor for these, do you think they'll call it the touit touoo?

4 upvotes

Touit is about the dumbest name I’ve ever heard for a lens line. Why not tweet or trout ... wtf ??!!

6 upvotes

That is because you don't know what it means. Your name has a meaning and can be distorted as well.

4 upvotes

they can call it sh!t and I'll be interested if the cost-performance is good. Leica, Zeiss, Canon, or Nikon mean no difference to me though Leica and Zeiss may mean "stupid user." I'll always cover them with tape, the standard process before I use any camera/lens.

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 3 minutes after posting

1 upvote

Eh... do you cover the lens or your face with tape? It works the same.

If you cover the lens with tape it really signifies a "stupid user"...

1 upvote

Petka, actually not covering the lens/camera with tape (better physically remove the emblem/brand name for good if possible) mean stupid.

it could even risk your life. this is happening in Syria where camera men are considered high value target.

Comment edited 3 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

The human eye comment is interesting. I've seen 40mm and 42mm referred to as the "same AOV as the human eye", but never an AOV as narrow as 48mm. This proves that marketing is worth exactly nil.

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 52 seconds after posting

7 upvotes

The angle of view of the average human eye is more like 180 degrees, as is obvious if you just test it: see how far you can move your hands back before you can no longer see them when looking straight ahead.

The 40–50mm range is, I guess, the AoV of the foveal part of our vision, which of course is much narrower.

2 upvotes

The human fovea has an angle of view of about 2 degrees: much less than a 50 mm-e lens. And as you note, our peripheral vision encompasses vastly more than a 50 mm-e lens.

A 50 mm-e lens in no way has a similar angle of view to human vision. See micahmedia’s comment below – and my reply to his point about distortion – for the real reason a 50 mm-e lens is often said to have similarities to human vision.

5 upvotes

Back in the mists of time when I was using a Ricoh KR5 Super film SLR, I had a 55mm prime that Ricoh said was the same FOV as eyesight.
When I looked through the viewfinder and kept both eyes open it pretty much matched in magnification.
Of course OVF magnification had a big part to play in that but that's how I came to regard the 50mm range as 'normal'

1 upvote

the angle of view of our eyes is narrower than super telephoto lenses. you can test this by looking at a newspaper and see how wide you can read the text without moving your eyes.

0 upvotes

I dont get the size - zeiss website says 86 /81 (with caps?) , but when pictured with the camera it looks smaller to me.

full frame Zeiss 18/3,5 designed around bigger sensor and much longer flange distance has about the same lenght - I think these should be much smaller to go with compact camera concept

Comment edited 26 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

no aperture rings in the E-mount versions.

Comment edited 16 seconds after posting

1 upvote

Why should there be? Alternatively, why shouldnt all lenses have aperture rings?

2 upvotes

It's a delight to see that Fuji has chosen to finally bring back the aperture ring on lenses.

I've never really gotten along well with digital system cameras for they usually chose to forego implementing aperture selection with the ring. Canon in particular. Nikon being a notable exception, and Pentax to some extent.

If I ever get an EVIL, I'll definitely go with a Fuji.

1 upvote

Are 12/2.8 with AF or not?

0 upvotes

they all go for 1500$, 32/1.8, 12/2.8, and 50/2.8. A lot of money for 2 diaphragm faster than Sigma 30 that sells 199$. It is not pocketable, so better run a Tokina 11/16 2.8 with adapter and a Sigma 30 1.4 beside. You get the 2 lenses and the adapter for the price of one Zeiss lens. Now, just answer AF, with EA2 adapter on NEX they do that as well. Zeiss is good, but their prices suck.

Comment edited 7 minutes after posting

5 upvotes

Why would you pay $199 for a Sigma 30mm F2.8 EX DN lens??

Here in Europe it sells for 90 euros (less than $120).

0 upvotes

The old 30 DN is $99 in the US. The new variant (old DN is discontinued), the 30 DN Art is $199. I think that is where your disconnect is.

2 upvotes

The main competitor of the Zeiss 32mm is not the Sigma 30mm f2.8.

People who need a f1.8 lens isn't going to compromise on a f2.8 lens.

The Sigma is no doubt a good lens but Zeiss lenses are legendary for their IQ. They would have would up a long ago in the DSLR lens market if they weren't good considering they were all manual focus lenses with little to no electronics.

For E mount and XF mount they are fully electronic with AF, camera aperture control and metering.

Plus Zeiss lenses generally have stellar build quality.

That said the main competitor is going to be the Sony 35mm f1.8 OSS which is a sharp lens, as fast as the Zeiss, has OSS as well and costs around $1000 less.

For the Fuji system Zeiss will have a far tougher time as the very capable 35mm f1.4 lens is available for half the price of the Zeiss and is 2/3rds of a stop faster to boot.

However those who want every last bit of quality will pay the extra premium that the Zeiss lens commands.

1 upvote

Fuji 35 f/1.4 is so damn sharp that Zeiss has to pull a miracle from their hat to beat it. I think they have made a mistake. They should design lenses Fuji does not have in their lineup.

2 upvotes

Funny the esoteric naming details in your front-page news. Who cares? Better would be to mention if they are stabilized and if they autofocus and if a release date is known.

3 upvotes

You need a fancy name to sell it to fools with lots of expendable cash.

8 upvotes

Touit like a touiger? :D

3 upvotes

Zeiss will sell a ton, nothing touit.

10 upvotes

lol. Classic

0 upvotes

So no stabilization on either?

1 upvote

wide angle you don't really need it. maybe if you can't hold a camera.

Comment edited 7 seconds after posting

2 upvotes

Yes, on wide-angle you never need stabilization, especially NOT indoors or after sunset.

9 upvotes

.. and how many stabilized w/a prime lenses are there from other manufacturers?

Optical stabilization also comes at a cost - extra elements, design constraints to accommodate those elements, and some loss of IQ.

2 upvotes

Sony has a 10-18mm OSS lens and a 35mm f1.8 OSS lens for E mount. There isn't always a loss of IQ else Canon wouldn't have launched lenses with IS/VR.

3 upvotes

"wide angle you don't really need it. "

Good luck shooting hand-held video.

And even for stills, with just f/2.8, shutter speed will fall below 1/20s very quickly in low light, where are those 16-24 mpix are going to end up?
The same with 32/1.8, below 1/50 very quickly. Are you lugging a tripod with that small and light mirrorless cam?
With modern sensor resolutions and video in every cam NOT having stabilization does not make any sense. If you are OK with bright-daylight-only usage or lower final resolution after noise reduction, you always can use a P&S for 1/15 of the price of that lens. And its video will be stabilized.

Comment edited 37 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

1/20s is possible under very low, indoor light. But then, with only 12mm for focal length, that isn't an issue at all.

0 upvotes

Nope ! This is old school classic engineering with all the benefits and issues that brings...

0 upvotes

Bzzz^2 on not needing stabilisation on NEX camera's....

Hint: there is a reason why the Sony 16/2.8 has no appeal at all for the (in-camera auto-) pano-stitchers among us....neither bare nor with its wide-angle converter....it simply won't work, as in blocked electronically....
(NB: the A-series SLR's don't suffer from this problem, by having a sensor-based stabilisation....)

0 upvotes

the 55mm f/1.0 wil be called the "Tuoit Tuowoo"

5 upvotes

55/1.0 should be a lot cheaper than 85/1.4 for 35mm format.

Comment edited 25 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

No aperture ring and dof scale on the e-mount version. AF simply isn't necessary for something with an 18mm FOV, you can zone focus wide open and after f5.6 it's just point and shoot.

5 upvotes

This is true if your idea of acceptable dof is based on an 8x10 print. Otherwise you'll need to focus accurately.

2 upvotes

But, zone focusing isn't about accurate focus either, it is about acceptable focus. Far more accurate focusing can be achieved via Focus Peaking (and since Sony E-mount system allows Live DOF, you will see "the zone" highlighted).

0 upvotes

That is precisely my point. It depends on what is acceptable focus to you and that may also be related to the size of the image and way it will be viewed. What once was acceptable to me no longer is because I study every image at 100% now.

Comment edited 33 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

I did not read anywhere that the new lens are AF, are they?

0 upvotes

This was covered before during phorokina. They are AF lenses

0 upvotes

Yes.
http://lenses.zeiss.com/camera-lenses/carl-zeiss-camera-lenses/camera_lenses/touit/touit1832.html

Smooth and reliable AF action
The design of the autofocus system demands an extremely precise movement of certain lens elements. As the mass of the elements or groups to be moved within the optical system differs, various motor types may be installed. The focusing system of the Touit lenses is designed to guarantee robust and smooth autofocusing without any need for compromises or limitations in their optical design.

Information: To reach the best compatibility on Sony NEX Cameras (AF in video mode) we highly recommend to use the latest Sony NEX firmware.

0 upvotes

What about 12/2.8? 32/1.8 is with AF, but no info about 12 mm

0 upvotes

They aren't going to make only one lens MF. If they have the capability to make one AF lens they won't stop with another lens in the same series launched at the same time.

Sony and Fuji have shared their lens mount specifications so third party manufacturers are free to make AF lenses for the system. Tamron, Sigma and now Zeiss also makes AF lenses for Sony and AF works as good as Sony lenses.

On DSLRs, none of the major manufacturers except Olympus have given out the specs of their mounts so most third party manufacturers reverse engineer to have AF lenses.

In E mount and XF mount Zeiss has all info required to make AF lenses. Samsung and Canon EOS M have propriety mounts and so Zeiss isn't making lenses for them.

1 upvote

Is it a coincidence that they are 'round?

0 upvotes

"...described as a normal lens, offering 'the same angle of view as the human eye,' according to the company."

Bah! Not the "same angle of view", but similar amount of distortion. Angle of view for a single human eye is wider than a 14mm. Maybe as much as a 10mm in some people. In any case, it's wider than either of these lenses, and the description is incorrect.

It's a common mistake, but a mistake nonetheless.

8 upvotes

that's for the 32mm lens

0 upvotes

I agree the human eye in no way has a similar angle of view to a 50 mm-e lens (how could anyone who’s ever considered the matter think that?). But nor does it have a similar amount of distortion as you claim.

First, what do you mean by distortion? Probably not rectilinear distortion but perspective ‘distortion’. But perspective depends on the distance between the camera and the various objects in the scene, not the angle of view of the lens.

A photograph only appears to have wide-angle or telephoto distortion because it’s viewed at a distance other than its centre of perspective. If viewed at a distance such that the angle subtended at the eye by the print equals the angle of view of the lens, then the perspective shown in the photo appears natural – whether taken with a 14 mm-e or 300 mm-e lens.

The reason a 50 mm-e photo often appears natural is that its angle of view is roughly equal to the angle subtended at the eye by a photo at a typical viewing distance.

Comment edited 2 minutes after posting

7 upvotes

Absurd. It's just marketing myth.

0 upvotes

Well, you've basically traded manual focus, better build and support for FF of the normal Cosina-made Zeiss lenses for AF. Imagine if you could get all three characteristics in one lens. The speed of these, given their FF focal length equivalents, is not "blistering" but adequate.

0 upvotes

Well with theses lenses, they communicate with camera bodies, it's not as if one can put say a 50mm Zeiss Cosina on a Nikon F to Sony E mount adapter then mount that lens and adapter on a Sony Nex 7 and shoot in auto.

At least when one does exactly that with a Samsung NX body a better manual focus assist is available.

0 upvotes

And I doubt that their performance will hold up to the 50mm Zeiss Planar M and the 18mm Distagon. The 25 biogon is quite a bit better than the Zeiss 24mm e-mount.

2 upvotes

The focus have a nice ring touit.

5 upvotes

I like the idea of the 12mm. But why a 32mm 1.8 lens? I'm sure it will be a great quality lens hopefully with the great Zeiss microcontrast. But the Fuji 35mm 1.4 is a one of the best lenses on any system and it's half the price of the Zeiss 32mm. Why not release something different, like an 85mm prime?

Comment edited 1 minute after posting

8 upvotes

Sony has a decent 35mm f1.8 prime too. Can't see the point of a much more expensive f2.8 alternative.

2 upvotes

And of course the Sigma 30mm f2.8 for NEX as well - a tad slower, plastic shell but great IQ and ridiculously cheap.

I guess choice is good though as all 3 are great to fab lenses (i'm giving the zeiss the benefit of the doubt - I expect it to be stunning).. dirt cheap, mid range with OSS or ultimate IQ at a price.

I too would have liked to see something different but then a fast 85mm in a small, NEX friendly size would be a lot trickier to design.

3 upvotes

http://www.photozone.de/fuji_x/746-fuji35f14?start=1
I am not impressed.

3 upvotes

The 32mm will be a great alternative to the Fuji lens if the AF is fast.

1 upvote

Scott Nicol:

That fast very high image 85mm quality lens you want, not small, is made by Samsung for the NX system. Not real likely to be made in a Sony E mount. Optically it's better than Fuji X lenses.

1 upvote

rjx--

One issue is that hypothetical fast (say F1.4) 85mm Zeiss for these APSC bodies would be big and expensive--like more than 2000usd.

You can always go with the Samsung NX system, they already have an 85mm 1.4 that's optically better than Fujis and basically equals Zeiss--has a different look, the way Leica looks different than Zeiss. Samsung just needs to improve the buffering, and no nonstandard bayerlike filter to work with when extracting raws.

0 upvotes

Andrew Booth:

Why would anyone take Sony native Nex system lenses seriously (except the 1.8 24mm Zeiss).

The Nex system lenses are so poor; they're reason to avoid that system, and avoid the interchangeable video camera that also uses them.

Sony should be embarrassed for shipping so many bad lenses. The one you claim is good, maybe good, but it's no where near Zeiss and Sony did shot itself in the foot with the Nex lenses. Sony should thank its stars that Zeiss has announced these lenses.

0 upvotes

> That fast very high image 85mm quality lens you want, not small, is made by Samsung for the NX system. Not real likely to be made in a Sony E mount. Optically it's better than Fuji X lenses.

No, it's not. According to photozone 85mm on 20mp sensor resolves less detail than Fuji's 60mm on 16mp sensor.

Comment edited 17 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

Fuji XF 35/1.4 is a very low quality and cheap lens sold at ripping-off price.

0 upvotes

No DOF scale for zone focusing? The first ever in a prime lens in this price bracket?

7 upvotes

On a mirrorless camera? You're doinitwrong. That's what stopped down live view is for--no math or guessing.

1 upvote

No, he is NOT doing it wrong. He is doing it differently. Look up zone focusing. It may not be useful to you when doing landscapes, but it IS useful.

8 upvotes

Use Focus Peaking for the purpose.

2 upvotes

But the X series cameras don't support focus peaking ... no?

5 upvotes

PS: see:
http://www.mikekobal.com/blog/?p=6880
and for technically minded throrough explanation how important it is in serious photography - from... Carl Zeiss Camera Lens Division:
http://www.zeiss.com.au/C12567A8003B8B6F/EmbedTitelIntern/CLN_35_Bokeh_EN/$File/CLN35_Bokeh_en.pdf

Comment edited 6 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

Regarding the photo zone review of the fuji 35mm I think they must have had a dud lens. Look at the golden temple photo - not good at all. I was there in February and this photo is straight out of the camera jpg. http://pr28893.zenfolio.com/p678286187/h5d9dbc9c#h5d9dbc9c

0 upvotes

Aperture ring? Nice touch. :)

1 upvote

You cannot use an X-system lens without it.

1 upvote

You would be a half-touit to buy at those prices.

7 upvotes

Hey Zeiss, while you are at it, could you please get Cosina to make E-Mount and X-Mount Voigtlander 50mm F1.1.

0 upvotes

Dunno, but theres already 50/1.1 with M-mounts which can be used on both E-mounts and X-mounts? Simple adapter and it works..

3 upvotes

Zack Lee. There's no electronic coupling to be gained, so just use an adapter.

0 upvotes

Camerapro guessing price is about $1499
http://www.camerapro.com.au/camera-lenses.html#cat=fujifilm-x-mount-lenses&manufacturer=zeiss&gan_data=true

0 upvotes

Nice to see that Zeiss finally got around Touit.

12 upvotes

Nice name. Nice focal lengths. Nice lenses. Not so sure about the projected prices, but I haven't yet handled these lenses. Do they feel like premium lenses?

0 upvotes

Looks like Sigma Art Series.

4 upvotes

I expext they will do a Micro four thirds version also
when they get "Around touit" ;)

17 upvotes

and I wait for lower pricit ;)

5 upvotes

I knew I could count on one of you.

7 upvotes

A 12/2.8 for $1300 when there is already a great 12/2 for around half? A 32/1.8... an odd focal length on m43... when there is a 25/1.4 going for about a third? Touit, no reason to bother (which is why they didn't)

3 upvotes

Chez Wimpy:

Are these lenses meant for the M4/3s system?

3 upvotes

For Sony NEX and Fujifilm X APS-C cameras.
Also no iPhone attachment.

2 upvotes

Exactly. It seems like a weird omission, since they'd just have to offer a different mount.

0 upvotes

Any manufacturer out there making portrait lense for Fujifilm X system?? Like 85mm to 135mm prime, I am sure there is demand for it, please. Sigma perhap. :)

0 upvotes

Total comments: 108


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