Zeiss presents Batis 18mm f/2.8 lens for Sony A7 cameras

Zeiss comes with an ultra-wide-angle lens for the Sony A7 cameras with a full-frame sensor. The 18 mm f/2.8 lens has autofocus and is equipped with an OLED screen on which information about the focus distance can be read.

Zeiss uses its Distagon lens design for the Batis 18mm f/2.8. The optical construction consists of eleven elements in ten groups. Four lens elements are aspherical and the minimum focus distance is 25cm. The lens weighs 330 grams and is sealed against dust and moisture. Filters with threads from 77mm on the 18mm can be used.

The 18mm f/2.8 is the third lens in the Batis series. Zeiss previously released a 25mm f/2.0 and 85mm f/1.8. Just like those lenses, the new wide-angle lens has an OLED screen on which information about the focus distance and the set aperture is displayed. The lens also has autofocus and an electronic diaphragm, unlike most other Zeiss lenses that are manual.

The lens is suitable for cameras with Sony E-lens mount. Zeiss is mainly targeting users of high-end full-frame cameras such as the A7R II, which has a 42.2-megapixel sensor. The Batis 18 mm f/2.8 is for sale from May for a suggested retail price of 1509 euros.