Press Releases

Zeiss: New, Compact, Lightweight Loxia 2.8/21 is a Super Wide-Angle Lens for Compact E-mount Full-frame Cameras for Travel & Street Photography and Video

ZEISS Loxia 2.8/21: The new ZEISS Loxia 2.8/21 super wide-angle for full-frame cameras with Sony E-mount.

ZEISS Loxia 2.8/21: The new ZEISS Loxia 2.8/21 super wide-angle for full-frame cameras with Sony E-mount.

The following video presents Carl Zeiss Lenses – NEW Loxia 2.8/21:

Compact, wide-angle and powerful – these are the properties that make the super wide-angle Loxia 2.8/21 so special. The optical design has been specially developed for high-resolution, full-frame sensors of the mirrorless Sony α series. A system expansion through the new ZEISS Loxia – in a focal length range that has a long tradition at ZEISS.

PRESS RELEASE

ZEISS Loxia 2.8/21

ZEISS broadens lens horizon for E-mount full-frame cameras

With the new ZEISS Loxia 2.8/21 the company is expanding its family of compact lenses for compact Sony full-frame cameras with E-mount with a super wide angle.

OBERKOCHEN/Germany, 12/10/2015.

The latest member of the ZEISS Loxia family is called ZEISS Loxia 2.8/21. It is a super wide angle, developed for compact full-frame cameras with E-mount and with a new optical design based on the ZEISS Distagon. The ZEISS Loxia 2.8/21 supplements the ZEISS Loxia 2/35 and ZEISS Loxia 2/50 lenses, which were presented last year at photokina. Especially practical for cinematographers, the ZEISS Loxia 2.8/21 has the mechanical aperture setting and the de-activation of the aperture click stop, both found on all ZEISS Loxia lenses.

The latest ZEISS Loxia family of lenses, consisting of the ZEISS Loxia 2.8/21, ZEISS Loxia 2/35 and ZEISS Loxia 2/50.

The latest ZEISS Loxia family of lenses, consisting of the ZEISS Loxia 2.8/21, ZEISS Loxia 2/35 and ZEISS Loxia 2/50.

“Since the Sony α7 series came out, the market has been waiting for a powerful super wide-angle lens for compact full-frame cameras. For many photographers such a lens was the missing tool in their gear. ZEISS is now meeting that demand with the ZEISS Loxia 2.8/21,” said Christophe Casenave, Product Manager at ZEISS Camera Lenses.

As the latest member in the compact, light-weight family of ZEISS Loxia lenses, the ZEISS Loxia 2.8/21 offers trusted features that combine traditional photography and modern technology. The electronic interface transmits lens data (EXIF) as well as the focus movements and – if desired by the photographer – activates the magnifying function of the camera. For the sophisticated photographer who does not want to leave all the work to the camera, there are many opportunities to compose thanks to the lens’s precise manual focusing with end stop and the mechanical setting of the aperture (aperture priority mode for the working aperture). As a result, photographers can take advantage of all the possibilities offered by modern compact system cameras with an electronic viewfinder.

Optimal for different types of use

With an angular field exceeding 91 degrees (diagonal) on a full-frame camera, the ZEISS Loxia 2.8/21 is well suited for nature, landscape and architectural photography. In landscape photography in particular, an exact infinity setting is a critical factor. Here, the precise manual focusing of the ZEISS Loxia 2.8/21 supports the user enormously. Furthermore, the lens enables creative, naturally proportioned images with a low minimum object distance of just 0.25 meters (9.84”). The ZEISS Loxia 2.8/21 is extremely compact and light, making it the perfect choice for travel and street photography.

ZEISS Loxia lenses for video

Ambitious videographers will also discover once again that the ZEISS Loxia 2.8/21 is a tool that offers optimum creative potential. The mechanical deactivation of the aperture click stop for infinite aperture settings (de-click), which already came with the ZEISS Loxia 2/35 and ZEISS Loxia 2/50, is also found in the new ZEISS Loxia super wide angle. The smooth focus operation with a rotation angle of 90 degrees of the ZEISS Loxia 2.8/21 allows for the finest variations when focusing video cameras with E-mount, such as the Sony PXW-FS7 or PXW-FS5. “In addition, the identical external diameter of the ZEISS Loxia lenses across all focal lengths simplifies the changing of lenses during shoots, so accessories like a follow focus don’t need to be readjusted,” added Casenave.

Newest optical design with robust construction

The ZEISS Loxia 2.8/21 has been specially developed for digital sensors. The newly calculated lenses consist of 11 lens elements in nine groups. The underlying optical design is a ZEISS Distagon. High resolution along the entire image field, low distortion and color fringing, and an appealing bokeh – especially at the maximum aperture of f/2.8 – round out the exceptional features of this lens. “It’s a small jewel offering outstanding optical performance,” said Casenave, summarizing the optical qualities of the ZEISS Loxia 2.8/21. Other qualities include its impressive mechanical quality and robust barrel. Made entirely of metal, the barrel protects the lens and can withstand the rugged everyday situations that professional photographers face, thereby ensuring a long product life. Like the other ZEISS Loxia lenses, the filter diameter is 52 mm. Finally, a special weather protection on the lens mount protects the lens from spray getting between the camera and lens.

Price and availability

The ZEISS Loxia 2.8/21 will be available worldwide starting December 2015. The lens shade is included with delivery. The recommended retail price is USD 1,499 (excl. VAT) or EUR 1,259.66 (excl. VAT).*

Technical data ZEISS Loxia 2.8/21

Focal length 21 mm
Aperture range f/2.8 – f/22
Lens elements/groups 11 / 9
Focusing range 0.25 m (9.84”) – infinity
Working distance 0.16 m (6.30”) – infinity
Image field** (diag. / horiz. / vert.) 91° / 81° / 59°
Object field at minimum working distance** 281 mm x 187 mm (11.06 x 7.36“)
Image ratio at MOD 1 : 7.81
Rotation angle of focus ring (inf – MOD) 90°
Filter thread M52 x 0.75
Diameter (max.) 62.1 mm (2.44“)
Diameter of the focusing ring 62.1 mm (2.44“)
Length (without lens caps) 72.0 mm (2.83“)
Length (with lens caps) 85 mm (3.35“)
Weight 394 g (13.54 oz)
Camera mounts E-mount

*Status 12.10.2015

**refers to 24x36mm format

Tobias Brandstetter
Camera and Cine Lenses
Carl Zeiss AG
Phone: +49 7364 20-4694
Fax: +49 7364 20-4045
tobias.brandstetter@zeiss.com

ZEISS

ZEISS is an internationally leading technology enterprise operating in the optics and optoelectronics industries. ZEISS develops and distributes lithography optics, measuring technology, microscopes, medical technology, eyeglass lenses, camera and cine lenses, binoculars and planetarium technology. With its solutions, the company constantly advances the world of optics and helps shape technological progress. The company is divided up into the six business groups Industrial Metrology, Microscopy, Medical Technology, Vision Care, Consumer Optics and Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology. ZEISS is represented in over 40 countries – with around 30 production sites, over 50 sales and service locations and about 25 research and development facilities.

In fiscal year 2013/14 the company generated revenue approximating 4.3 billion euros with just under 25,000 employees. Founded in 1846 in Jena, the company is headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany. Carl Zeiss AG is the strategic management holding company that manages the ZEISS Group. The company is wholly owned by the Carl Zeiss Stiftung (Carl Zeiss Foundation).

Further information at www.zeiss.com

Consumer Optics

The Consumer Optics business group combines the company’s business with camera and movie lenses, binoculars, spotting scopes, hunting optics and planetarium technology. It is represented at the Oberkochen, Wetzlar and Jena sites. A total of around 750 employees work for the business group which generated revenue of 185 million euros in fiscal year 2013/14.