Carl Zeiss has again applied its expertise in lens manufacturing to enable photographers to create wonderfully expressive images. With two new macro lenses, the Makro-Planar T* 2/50 and the Makro-Planar T* 2/100, both now also available with EF bayonet, Carl Zeiss expands its existing ZE line of lenses. Owners of EOS camera models can now create detail-rich macro images that allow sharpness and unsharpness to be deployed as creative elements as they choose. These highly light-sensitive, versatile lenses are also perfect as standard focal lengths for portraits or still life photography.

Even in tricky situations such as dusk, the Makro-Planer T* 2/50 and T* 2/100 ZE create distortion-free images thanks to their extraordinary light intensity of 1:2. Whether capturing an insect resting on a flower or the dampness on a piece of fruit, these lenses allow a degree of sharpness that was hitherto impossible. Even with a maximum aperture opening and a low focal depth, the desired image can be easily isolated from its disruptive surroundings.

Both macro lenses render objects in close-up on a scale of 1:2. To enable such detail, these lenses include Carl Zeiss’s acclaimed “floating elements” design. This special lens alignment enables high optical performance across the entire focusing range, from 0.24 m to infinity. The Makro-Planar T* 2/50 and Makro-Planar T* 2/100 are already available with F bayonet (ZF) and K bayonet (ZK). The Makro-Planar T* 2/50 is also available as a ZF.2 version. Both lens systems are optimized for analog and full-format digital SLR cameras.

OBERKOCHEN/Germany, 16.11.2009.
Optics specialist Carl Zeiss today announced its introduction of a new series of lenses for the semi-professional market: the ZF.2 with F bayonet for digital SLRs. Thanks to its electronic interface (CPU), these new ZEISS lenses support all- important operations such as the automatic mechanisms for time, aperture setting and program. The CPU also supports manual exposure settings, including those for camera casings that are not AI-compatible. Since the lens now transmits the EXIF data such as manufacturer, date, metering system and exposure to the camera, photographers no longer need to set the parameters manually. These quicker and faster handling capabilities of the ZF.2 lenses are especially useful under hectic shooting conditions.

ZEISS lenses truly come into their own in situations that demand extreme photographic creativity and maximum image quality. Carl Zeiss’ established fixed focal length lenses are known for their high light sensitivity and precise manual handling, leaving the photographer in full control. The new ZF.2 series will be especially interesting for photo enthusiasts who value creative, high-quality images combined with the comfort of automatic settings.

Martin Klottig, Marketing Manager of the Camera Lens Division at Carl Zeiss AG: “The ZF.2 lenses are ideal tools for photographers who want to concentrate more on the subject than on their camera equipment. Whether at a wedding, a toddler’s first steps or impressions from faraway countries, these lenses are perfect for photographers who want to capture once-only moments quickly and accurately. These situations demand first-class technology that captures spontaneous actions without too much effort and delivers fantastic images each time.”

A squirrel nimbly scampers along a moss-covered tree trunk. It has made a promising discovery amongst the fallen leaves of an oak tree. A deer emerges from the half darkness of the woods. A photographer documents the winter preparations of various woodland creatures. This requires a versatile, high-speed, easy to configure lens that produces razor-sharp images of the details and the entire scenery.

Optical expert Carl Zeiss has now added an EF bayonet to its proven lens for photographic reporting: the Distagon T* 2/35 ZE. The high-speed, moderate wide-angle Distagon T* 2/35 ZE fits all analog and digital EOS cameras. Its classic 35 mm focal length is particularly well-suited for advertising, travel and nature photography as it captures dynamic perspectives with high depth of focus and few distortions. With a moderate wide angle of 53 degrees (horizontal), the Distagon T* 2/35 ZE can easily capture wide scenery without forcing photographers to consider perspective effects as design elements as they would have to with shorter focal lengths. The relatively short angle of rotation of the precision focusing mechanism enables fast but precise focusing when required.

The Distagon T* 2/35 ZE features high image quality for the entire aperture and focusing range. Thanks to its sophisticated optical design, in which nine lens elements are perfectly aligned, it permits particularly high imaging performance across the entire image field.

A tripod is not always available, when traveling for example. With an initial aperture of 1:2, the Distagon T* 2/35 easily handles low light , making perfect pictures possible even under difficult lighting conditions. When quick action is required, or when there is not enough room for a tripod, this ZEISS lens delivers crisp handheld images even in the twilight or inside. And thanks to its special optical design and the Zeiss T* anti-reflection coating, this lens captures bright light sources without artifacts. The Distagon T* 2/35 is also perfect on-the-go thanks to its all-metal and extremely durable precision mechanics for which Carl Zeiss lenses are well-known.

This is ZEISS’ fourth wide-angle lens with an EF bayonet (ZE mount). It follows the recent introduction of the two ultra-wide-angle Distagon T* 3,5/18 ZE and Distagon T* 2,8/21 ZE lenses, as well as the moderate wide-angle Distagon T* 2/28 ZE.

The Distagon T* 2/35 ZE will be available from October 2009 at a recommended retail price of € 755,50 (excluding VAT)*.

http://www.zeiss.com/

Technical specifications

Focal length:	35 mm
Aperture range:	f/2 – f/22
Number of elements/groups:	9/7
Focusing range:	0.3 m – infinity
Angular field** (diag./horiz./vert.):	62/53/37 °
Object field:	19 x 13 cm (close-up)
Image ratio:	1:5.3 (close-up)
Filter thread:	M 58 x 0.75
Dimensions (with caps):	ø 72 mm, length 99 mm
Weight:	570 g
Mounts:	ZE (EF bayonet) ZF (F bayonet) ZK (K bayonet) ZS (M42 screw thread)
Delivery package:	Lens hood included

With an initial aperture opening of 1:2, it is among the most light-intense of its kind in its focal length. From landscape photography at dawn to interior shots with weak lighting and close-up portraits, the Distagon T* 2/28 ZE offers photographers plenty of room for creativity when a tripod is not used. Following the recent introduction of its two ultra-wide-angle lenses, the Distagon T* 3,5/18 ZE and the T* 2,8/21, the new Distagon T* 2/28 ZE is Carl Zeiss’ first moderate wide-angle lens with EF bayonet.

Despite its high light intensity and complex retro-focus construction, the Distagon T* 2/28 ZE has a compact build. These characteristics make the lens a highly versatile and performance-driven tool for all types of photographers. Even with its wide angle, the lens enables photographers to play fully with an image’s depth of focus. With a wide aperture opening, for example, one can effectively separate the motif from its background. With a small aperture opening, photographers can use the sharpness of the lens system for the entire image range. The floating elements design guarantees high imaging performance each time, from close-ups to infinity, enabling the photo- grapher to make razor-sharp close-up images of even the tiniest objects. Thanks to the Carl ZeissT* anti-reflective coating and meticulously crafted lenses, the new Distagon T* 2/28 ZE deals effortlessly with reflections and stray light. Brilliant pictures work every time, even under tough lighting conditions such as a breaking dawn.

The Distagon T* 2/28 ZE will be available starting autumn for a suggested retail price of EUR 965.55 (excluding VAT)*.

http://www.zeiss.com/

Technical specifications:

Focal length:	28 mm
Aperture range:	f/2 – f/22
No. of elements/groups:	10/8
Focusing range:	0.24 m – infinity
Angular field** (diag./horiz./vert.):	74/64/45°
Coverage at close range:	18 x 12 cm (close-up)
Image ratio at close range:	1:4.7 (close-up)
Filter thread:	M 58 x 0.75
Dimensions (with caps):	ø 72.4 mm, length 96 mm
Weight:	580 g
Mounts:	ZF (F bayonet) ZK (K bayonet) ZE (EF bayonet)
Accessories:	Lens hood included