Zeiss Milvus Distagon 18mm f/2.8 Final Review + IQ
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- Опубліковано 2 жов 2016
- Zeiss Milvus Distagon T* 18mm f/2.8 Final Review + Image Quality Examination | Photographer Dustin Abbott delivers his long term review of the newest lens from the Carl Zeiss company. In this review he breaks down the performance and market position of the lens, while comparing it to the Tamron 15-30 VC and even briefly to the inexpensive Rokinon 12mm f/2 APS-C lens. To read the full written review: bit.ly/2d8mqKJ | To View the Image Gallery: bit.ly/2csoGhc | To Purchase the Lens: bhpho.to/2clQGWD |
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Great review Dustin. Loved your test shots with this lens, especially the Astro shots! Also, digging the wide angle HDR review using the 5D. You're putting this camera to good use! :)
Thanks!
Dustin, as usual a great set of reviews - thanks for doing these. While the Zeiss lens definitely wins my vote for one of the most beautiful looking lenses available, I'm continually impressed with the performance of the Tamron SP's lenses.
True on both counts. Tamron has really stepped up their game, and, as a result, I have more of their lenses in my own kit than any other third party.
Another great in depth review. Nice to see you outside! Production quality has it another gear :)
Thanks! A little easier to do this time of year than in a few months!
I have to agree. I'm testing a Tokina 17-35mm F4 Pro FX V right now (thanks to Tokina!) and you've helped me think about what I need to be looking for in its performance. Obviously I don't expect it to match the Zeiss, but I have additional things to test - so thanks!
Great review! The color rendering on this lens is amazing. I love how on those sample pictures, the colors really seem to pop.
That's certainly a Zeiss strength.
Definitely. Maybe someday I'll muster up the money and the will to get one :)
thank you for an honest review
Unequalled,the best in all senses only Zeiss!!!
+Nat Images I'm a Zeiss fan, too.
the production quality on these videos are getting so much better
I'm trying :)
As a guy who's done several reviews, I know just how hard these are (and how much work!) so I have to tip my hat to Dustin Abbott as well
Mitch Aunger
Thank you, Mitch.
Got the 18mm Milvus yesterday. It is everything I hoped it would be.
It's a sweet lens.
Hey Dustin appreciate your reviews I find them to be some of the most thorough reviews on youtube. I was wondering if you had enough information to make a comparison between the 18mm 2.8 milvus and the 18mm 3.5 classic. I intend to use the lens for cinematography. Thanks!
I haven't used the Classic lens, though my experience is that Zeiss is doing new optical designs for the lenses they think need them.
Great review, I'm also very interested to see how the Sigma Art 12-24 f4 performs & compares to the Tamron 15-30 f2.8 ,Canon 11-24 & Zeiss that you've been covering.
Me, too. I'm less than thrilled with another lens that can't take screw on filters, but the Sigma will certainly be able to use my Fotodiox WonderPana system with the right adapter.
Hey Dustin:
What is the difference between this Distagon Milvus 18 mm and the Distagon T* ZM 18mm?
I can only afford 2 photo lenses (I already have my canon 5D mark iv and a CP2 zeiss cinema lens.) I was thinking about the 18mm and the 85 mm Distagon, not the milvus. But maybe canon is more affordable. Which glass would you go for: Canon or Zeiss?
Thanks for your responses!
The Classic 18mm Distagon had a maximum aperture of f/3.5, not 2.8. It didn't have weather sealing. Different optical formula. Quite a lot of difference, actually.
Nice review
+Doug Benet Thank you
Honest review. Thanks
For the wide end, I like to shoot with zooms, like a 16-35 2.8. There's much more value in wide zoom.
I should hopefully have the new 16-35L III in hand in a week.
I wish you could do a review Milvus 15mm. Your reviews are excellent and very informative. Thanks
I have reviewed the Distagon 15mm, which delivers a similar optical performance.
Dustin Abbott thank you for your quick reply. I am sure there is some differences in performance but strange enough not a single video about that lens in UA-cam.
It's the same optical formula, actually. Slightly improved coatings on the Milvus version, but mostly an improved build.
thank you so much. I Always learn and enjoy your videos
It seems that a curved front element is a must for those wide angle lenses with large apartures. Also it really kinda sucks that a zoom lens outperforms a prime...especially Zeiss! Awesome video btw!
It does seem to be a pretty common challenge. It's part of what might make the new 16-35L III so attractive, particularly if it delivers in the optical department.
Dustin, I love your reviews. But since I am a Nikon shooter, I wish that you would also do some reviews for Nikon cameras and lenses. That's a compliment from me for how great your reviews are in my opinion.
I appreciate the vote of confidence, but that's not in the cards for me.
Mr +Abbott, good morning from Italy. About hyperfocal and using distance marks to get things in focus, I'd like to know how accurate are these marks, because I heard that with high MP count cameras (and also DX factor coming into play) actually the theoretical CoC is no longer 0,0033 rather something else (meaning the photosites are much littler than such size) and you should stop down one or two stops more to get perfect focus on a certain point marked for example 3 meters away. That is, such marks worked with film because a well known medium was used but they are basically useless with high mp count cameras. Is this true and how much this affects critical sharpness ?
I find that I often get better results these days by basically just focusing about 2/3rds of the way into the scene. Some lenses seem to produce the best results by just focusing near infinity. I think you have to spend time with a MF lens and learn how to get the best results out of it.
Hi Dustin. I want to buy a Zeiss Milvus wide angle for my Nikon D810. I am not sure which to go for the 21mm or the 18mm. it's not about the cost, it's all about performance. I want the best performing lens from these 2. The 18mm review you did here you seem not to excited ? and can't find review you carried out on the 21mm
can you advise please . thanks.
I did a review of the Distagon version of the 21mm bit.ly/1DpXzNN. I think the 18mm is the better option. It's a bit sharper (and has a more modern optical design) and is a better performer for astro.
I don't have the 21, but I own the 18. I cannot see the 21 being better on any parameter you want to compare it to. I also have the 25/1.4 which is outstanding. You cannot go wrong, but I use the 18 for most of my sunsets/sunrise shots.
Thank you I have the Zeiss Planar 18mm F3.5 but I will not get the Milvus. But I'm thinking about the Milvus 15mm.
It's a nice lens, for sure.
@@DustinAbbottTWII decided not to get the Zeiss Milvus 15mmF2.8 due to the distortion at the edges when using FF so now I have difficulties to make up my mind on what to do. I have decided to get the AFS 19mm F4 PC to my new Nikon D850 and old D800E/D700 but I need an another wide angle lens for free hand use. Do you recommend me to upgrade to a Zeiss Milvus 18mmF2.8 from my old Zeiss Distragon 18mmF3.5? I will use it for woodland. I'm currently saving for a 2nd hand AFS400mmF2.8 E FL VR to use in low light and just got a AFS 200-500mmF5.6 E VR for use during the day for local wild life and corvid. I'm living in Scandinavia and that is as living on the coast of Canada or at the great lakes. I retire in 3 year and have to upgrade my camera system until then to use for the next 10 year. After that I may upgrade only the camera to a 55-60 Mpix Nikon Z8x when one of my old cameras breaks down and use FTZ adapters for my F-lenses.
This is a very honest review, it mirrors similar findings with the ZE 2/35mm....
I love Zeiss, and have a great relationship with them, but I've also got to call it as I see it.
When i first used my ZE 2/35mm i shot all day at f2, and when i reviewed everything, I was a bit disappointed that it needed LR to sort to the chromatic aberration and vignetting..
I now use it at f5.6 - f8, and I'm now in love with the lens, with beautiful colours and contrast.
But like so many - I thought buying a top notch lens would be perfect in every way. But as you point out in this video, there are many ways to judge a lens.... Thanks again for your video... and best regards from the UK... :)
john wheatley
Thanks for the feedback. I'll probably take a look at the Milvus version of the 2/35mm at some point.
I've looked at the Milvus 35 f2 and it does have a lot of purple fringing in the corners :(
A huge thank you for just saving me $2000! I'll wait for the 150MP P1 XF and pair it with Rodenstock HR Digaron glass.
Then I don’t expect you will be saving any money after all ;)
Dustin Abbott
Not saving money no, but when paying well above the normal for any lens it's reasonable to expect significantly better performance relative to a less expensive lens. Having just paid over $12,000 for the new Nikon 400FL I've no issues in paying for a lens that offers superb performance but I saw nothing in your review that made the Zeiss stand out head and shoulders above even the Tamron which was quite surprising. Especially so where the price point of the zeiss is almost double that of the Tamron! That said it's reviews such as your own which really helps people to make informed decisions so many thanks for sharing.
John
Nice review! But: as I notice that You do not include the Canon wide-angle zoom in comparison: if I compare the image quality between the Canon EF 16-35 f4 and the Milvus 18 ZE, the Milvus beats the EF 6-0. Sharpness, detail, color, CA..everything. I hope I do not sound like a Zeiss-fanboy, but specially with the video the result is obvious.
Would be nice to test a Tamron if it really is that good!
There's no question that the color in particular from Zeiss lenses is always special. Zeiss has been quiet in the past year or so in terms of production.
Great review Dustin. really you are great. i m nikon shooter please tell me
Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 Distagon T* ZF.2 is sharper lens or new one ZEISS Milvus 2.8/21 is sharper ?and suggest me new one ZEISS Milvus 2.8/18. which one is best for landscape?
The two 21mm Distagon lenses are the same optical formula, so one isn't really sharper than the other (the Milvus has weathersealing and improved coatings). Which focal length do you like better, and will you shoot astrophotography? I would say the Milvus 21mm is a bit sharper in the corners but isn't as good for the stars (more coma).
okey thanku. yes i will do astrophotography. sorry i forget another option Milvus 15mm f2.8?
if Milvus 21mm sharper. i will buy this
vikk g
While I don't believe the difference is significant, I do think the 21mm is slightly sharper.
thank you dustin. will buy 21mm
I'm giving up my nikon 14-24. I own most of the milvus line. Just because of the quality and outstanding resolution. Which one would you pick up, the new Milvus 15 or the 18mm?
That's a tough question. The 15mm focal length is more dramatic, but this lens is more accessible. I guess it comes down to your focal length preference.
Dustin Abbott thanks for the quick response. I hardly ever took the 14-24 off of 14mm. I was wondering which one was the better over all performer. I don't see any reviews of the 15 mm.
Just look for reviews (I've done one) of the Distagon 15mm. The Milvus adds weather sealing and a removable lens hood, but is optically essentially the same.
Dustin Abbott will do and thank you
Although you don’t seem completely satisfied, your images with this lens still speak for themselves:o)
True enough, though I hold an expensive lens to a higher standard. You charge the price, you need to deliver the goods, so I am more critical in those situations (and I am a Zeiss fan...)
Thank you always for your honest reviews! What really wonders me is how these „cheap“ lenses are now dominating the market?
Either Zeiss is charging 1000€ extra for their brand name (Zeiss tax) or Computer Technology and Automatism‘s can make up for cheaper materials.
It wasn’t that long ago, where Sigma was at the lowest low of optics. I mean how are Sigma and Tamron earning money, where are they cutting costs what just happened?
I don't entirely have the answer to that. Sigma and Tamron have become much, much more competitive in the past five years. I do think that Zeiss optics are special, and have certain qualities hard to quantify, but they are certainly priced at a premium.
Is the Milvus 18mm f/2.8 sharper than the earlier model 18 f3.5?
It definitely is.
yes, or at least it should, I've seen a comparison over another site that the 18 f/3.5 @f/8 isn't as sharp as the newer one @ f/2.8, mtf curves have improved dramatically over the previous model, not by chance the price basically doubled
dino brusco Zeiss has only been changing the optical formula on the lenses that needed it - so far the 50mm f/1.4. 85mm f/1.4, and 18mm
Thanks for the replies. I appreciate your time.
Please review the 15mm milvus
I do plan to do that, but it will be a while now. I was supposed to do it last December, and now I don't have an opening for a bit in my review schedule.
A very late comment, but Dustin, do you figure value for money as these lens are very, very expensive.
This one I would personally have a hard time defending. I own some Zeiss glass, so I'm willing to pay for excellence, but I didn't find this one deserving of its very high price tag.
This lens sucks Obviously you're friends with Zeiss.
It is true that I have some friends in the Zeiss organization, but while the lens is not perfect (as I point out in this review), it is far from "sucking".
It's so distorted, vignettes, no AF, overpriced, and comma. Most beautiful lens I've ever seen? Would you bet your life on that statement? LOL Yeah it sucks.