Zeiss Batis 40mm f/2 CF lens

Zeiss Batis 40mm f/2 CF lens (Sony FE compatible)

The Zeiss Batis series is designed for Sony's full-frame camera bodies. The latest lens in the series, the 40mm f/2 CF, combines Zeiss' traditional expertise with cutting-edge design: the lens is based on the Distagon structure, uses a T* coating, and the clean-lined lens body features an OLED display that shows the focus distance and depth of field.

The f/2 aperture keeps the lens compact and according to measurements this Zeiss Batis is very sharp even at full aperture, with very low distortion (only -0.13%). The 40mm focal length behaves similarly to a normal lens, with good aperture and low distortion, so you can easily shoot portraits. But the lens also gives you more framing and composition freedom than a 50mm focal length.

In addition to the focus distance, the display shows where the depth of field begins and ends with an accuracy of 10cm . The lens calculates the sharpness information based on the aperture and focus distance in use. This feature is very handy when taking group photos, for example, as you can immediately see the readings on the lens display and assess whether all the people in the picture are within the depth of field.

Another good use is in landscape photography, where you can already judge based on the numbers whether an object in the foreground is sharp or whether the depth of field should possibly be expanded by reducing the aperture or whether the focus distance can be changed so that the depth of field moves to cover all objects.

The focus ring is implemented electronically, but the manual focus feel is very good. The focus ring is wide and coated with a grippy rubber compound, the ring's damping and feel are reminiscent of Zeiss manual focus lenses. The lens' autofocus is fast and practically silent. Camera Shop got to see the lens right at its launch event, and the focus worked quickly on the a7 series bodies and the focus locked accurately even in low light.

There is a control on the lens body for autofocus limitation, you can choose to use the entire focus range, distances 0.4m - infinity or close focus 24-50cm. The closest focusing distance is a convenient 24cm, the lens is not exactly a macro lens but focuses closer than usual. This is also where the lens' model designation CF (Close Focusing) comes from.

The lens structure consists of 9 elements in 8 groups, some of these elements move with the focus, thanks to which the lens's image quality is top-notch even when taking close-ups. More than half of the elements are special lenses such as aspherical or other lenses that reduce chromatic aberrations and improve sharpness. The lens's image circle is clearly larger than the cine-format sensor, which keeps vignetting under control and the image quality is sharp even at the edges of the image field. The lens elements are treated with Zeiss' T* coating, which reduces reflections and thus improves image contrast.

The lens is weather and dust protected . The sales package includes a lens hood.

Specifications:

• Focal length: 40mm (cinema equivalent focal length is 60mm on APS-C sensor size cameras like the a6500)
• Compatibility: Sony FE and E
• Aperture: f/2 (minimum aperture f/22)
• Shortest focusing distance: 24cm (magnification 0.3x)
• Filter thread: 67mm
• Size: 91x93mm
• Weight: 361g