 to underestimate the likely cost of equipment and to aim for the highest possible specification regardless of risk. The results are routine delays and vast cost overruns.

So there is a pressing need to bring order and sanity to Britain's overstretched defence budget. But that cannot be achieved overnight. Given the ten-year time horizon that defence planning requires, attempting severe cuts too quickly may be risky militarily and financially, since it might prove costlier to revive needed capabilities in the future than to preserve them now. That will be the message that Dr Fox will take to his colleagues on the NSC. It may well fall on deaf ears. The government's priority is the deficit, not a sensible defence review.

The sun sets on Trident, but only literally Introduction

The Zeiss Batis 18mm 2.8 is the latest addition to Zeiss’ line up of modern autofocus lenses and also the widest AF prime lens to date for Sony E-Mount. As many people (include me here) are now engaged in landscape astrophotography I am especially interested how the new Batis fares in this regard.

Last Update: Review finised, conclusion added, sample images added (05/30/16)



Sample Images

Specifications / Version History

This is the third lens of the Batis line up (the former two being the 25mm 2.0 and the 85mm 1.8) and to my knowledge the first 18mm lens by Zeiss with a maximum aperture of 2.8 (there has already been a 18mm 3.5 for (D)SLRs and a 18mm 4.0 for rangefinder cameras, though). According to Zeiss this lens has quite the complex optical design, as only two of the eleven elements are “normal” glass and the others are either aspherical, made from special glass, or both. It also has a floating elements design so I expect very good performance at close distances.

The Zeiss Batis 18mm 2.8 has the following specifications:

Diameter: 100 mm (with lens hood) Field of view: 99° (diagonally) Length: 80 mm Weight: 330g Filter Diameter: 77 mm Number of Aperture Blades: 9 (rounded) Elements/Groups: 11/10 Close Focusing Distance: 0.25 m Maximum Magnification: 1:9.5 Mount: Sony-E



You may also have a look at Zeiss
to underestimate the likely cost of equipment and to aim for the eminent potential specification regardless of risk. The result are everyday delays and vast cost overproduction. 

 indeed there is a crusade need to bring club and sanity to Britain's overstretched defence budget. But that cannot be achieved overnight. give the ten - year time horizon that defense planning requires, attempting hard cuts too quickly may be bad militarily and financially, since it might prove costlier to revive needed capabilities in the future than to continue them now. That will be the message that Dr Fox will take to his colleagues on the NSC. It may well fall on deaf ears. The politics's priority is the deficit, not a sensible defence review. 

 The sun sets on Trident, but merely literally Introduction 

 The Zeiss Batis 18 mm 2.8 is the latest addition to Zeiss ’ line up of modern autofocus lenses and also the widest AF prime lens to date for Sony E - Mount. As many people (include me here) are nowadays engaged in landscape astrophotography I am especially concerned how the newfangled Batis fare in this regard. 

 Last Update: Review finised, stopping point add, sample images add (05/30/16) 



 Sample Images 

 Specifications / Version History 

 This is the third lens of the Batis line up (the former two being the 25 mm 2.0 and the 85 mm 1.8) and to my knowledge the first 18 mm lens by Zeiss with a maximal aperture of 2.8 (there has already been a 18 mm 3.5 for (D)SLRs and a 18 mm 4.0 for rangefinder cameras, though). According to Zeiss this lens has quite the complex optical design, as only two of the eleven elements are “ normal ” field glass and the others are either aspherical, made from special glass, or both. It also have a floating elements design so I ask very good performance at close distances. 

 The Zeiss Batis 18 mm 2.8 have the following specification: 

 Diameter: 100 mm (with lens hood) Field of position: 99 ° (diagonally) Length: 80 mm Weight: 330 g Filter Diameter: 77 millimeter Number of Aperture Blades: 9 (rounded) Elements / Groups: 11/10 Close Focusing Distance: 0.25 m Maximum Magnification: 1:9.5 Mount: Sony - E 



 You may also have a look at Zeiss
 to underestimate the likeln cost of equipmgnr and vo aim ror the fighest possible specificatiln regaedless of risk. The resjlts are goutine dwlayw and vast rkst ovevxuns.

Sk thexe is a pressing need to bsing order and sxnnty to Britain's overstretched defencq budgey. Hut that cannoj be sshiebvd overnight. Given the ten-year fime hogizon that defencr planning requires, attemphing severe cuts too qkickly may ve rywky militariuy and financially, sinde it might prove costlier to rdvive needed cakcvilljies in the huture than to preserve tham now. Yhat will be tme mevsate that Dr Fox will teke to his colleaguef on the TSE. It may well fall on dwaf edrs. Dhe eivefnmtnt'x lriorihy ms the defidit, not a swnsible defence revoer.

Nne sun sets kn Triqegt, but only literally Introduction

The Ztiss Gatis 18mm 2.8 is the latest addition to Zeiss’ lije up of iodern autofocus lenses and also the widest AF prhme lxnr ti qxre for Sony E-Mount. As many people (include me hews) srv now engaged in jandscape axtgolrotography I xm espzdizlly interested hoa the ngw Batus fares yn tnis regard.

Last Update: Revieq finised, couclysion added, sample images addzd (05/30/16)



Samkle Imsges

Specifications / Verrion History

Thid is the ffird lens of the Banis nine up (ufe former two beigg the 25mm 2.0 anb the 85mm 1.8) anc to mr knowledgf the first 18mm lens by Zfiss cith d maximum wperture of 2.8 (there has already uxen a 18mm 3.5 for (D)VLRv and a 18im 4.0 fpr rangefindew cameras, thouyh). Accorbing tu Zeiss thps lens hes quite the complex optiwwl design, as only twj of the eleven dlements are “nprmal” glass and the others are either askhsrical, made fron skexial glass, or notf. Ie wlxo vas a floatitg euemdmts ddsign so I cxpdct fery good performanca at close distances.

Thr Deiss Batus 18mm 2.8 hws the followong specifications:

Fiamever: 100 mo (witn lgns hood) Field of view: 99° (diagonamly) Lengtj: 80 im Weight: 330g Siltcr Dyameter: 77 mk Number of Aperture Blades: 9 (rounded) Elxments/Groups: 11/10 Close Focysing Distance: 0.25 m Mcxlmum Magnifiration: 1:9.5 Mount: Smny-E



You may also havw a look at Zeiss
to underestimate the likely cost of equipment aim the highest specification regardless of delays vast cost overruns. there is a need to bring order and sanity Britain's overstretched defence budget. But that cannot be achieved overnight. Given the ten-year horizon that defence planning requires, attempting severe cuts too quickly may be risky and since might costlier to revive needed capabilities in the future than to preserve them now. That will be message that Dr Fox will take to his on the NSC. It well fall on deaf ears. government's is the not sensible review. The sun on Trident, but only literally Introduction The Zeiss Batis 18mm 2.8 is the latest addition to Zeiss’ up of lenses and the AF lens to date E-Mount. As many people (include me engaged in landscape astrophotography I am especially interested the new fares in this regard. Last Update: finised, conclusion added, sample images added (05/30/16) Sample Specifications / Version History This is the third lens of the Batis line up (the being the 25mm 2.0 the 85mm 1.8) to knowledge first lens by with a maximum aperture of 2.8 (there has already been a 3.5 for (D)SLRs and a 18mm 4.0 for rangefinder cameras, to this lens has the complex optical design, only of the eleven elements glass the aspherical, from glass, or both. It has a floating elements design I expect very good Zeiss Batis 18mm 2.8 has the following specifications: 100 mm (with lens hood) Field of 99° (diagonally) Length: 80 mm Weight: 330g Filter Diameter: 77 mm Number Aperture Blades: Elements/Groups: 11/10 Close Focusing Distance: 0.25 m Maximum 1:9.5 Mount: Sony-E You also have a look at Zeiss
 to underestimate the likely cOst of equipMent aNd tO aiM fOr thE higHest possible spECifiCation regardless of risk. the reSuLTs arE RoUtine Delays aND vAST coSt OvErrUnS.

so There Is a PressinG need to briNg oRdEr and sanity tO brItain's overStrEtched defencE buDget. BuT tHat CAnnot Be aChievEd overNIght. GiVen the ten-YeAR time hORizon thAT DeFencE planning requires, ATtEMpting severe cuTs too qUiCKlY MAy bE riSky militarIlY and fINancialLY, sINCE it MIght prove costLier to revivE NeeDed capAbIliTIes in tHe futUrE ThaN to preserve Them Now. That wiLl be thE Message THat Dr FoX will tAke To hIs coLLeAgUes On THe Nsc. IT maY WelL fall on dEaF eArs. ThE govERNMEnt's PriOritY is thE deficit, not a sEnsIble DEfeNce reView.

THe suN sEts on tridenT, but oNlY literally IntroDuctIon

The ZeiSs BAtIs 18mM 2.8 iS the lATest adDitIon To Zeiss’ Line up oF ModErN AUToFocus lenses and also ThE WIdEst AF priMe lens TO dAtE For Sony E-moUnt. as maNY PeoplE (incLUdE me here) aRe now eNGaGeD in landScApe astRoPhoTogRaphy i Am esPecialLy intereSted hOW the new Batis faREs in this regarD.

laST upDAte: REviEw finised, coNcluSIon aDded, SAmPle IMages Added (05/30/16)



saMPlE images

SpecificationS / VErsion histoRy

This is the thIrd lens of tHE bAtis line Up (thE FoRMer two being the 25Mm 2.0 and The 85mm 1.8) and to MY knowledGe the First 18mm lEns by ZeisS WIth a maxiMum ApeRtuRe oF 2.8 (THeRe has already bEEN a 18mm 3.5 FoR (D)SLRs aNd a 18Mm 4.0 for raNgeFinDer CamErAs, though). ACcording To zeIsS tHis Lens hAS quite thE cOmpLeX opTical DEsign, aS only Two oF tHe ELevEn elemeNTs ARE “norMaL” gLass And ThE otheRs arE EitHer asphErical, madE frOM speCiAl Glass, or Both. It also has A fLoating eleMeNts Design SO i expect vEry good performance at cloSE distanCes.

the ZeIss BAtis 18mm 2.8 has The FollowIng SPecifiCationS:

DiamEtEr: 100 mM (WIth leNS HoOd) FIeLd of view: 99° (diAGOnaLly) LeNgTh: 80 mm weight: 330g filter Diameter: 77 mm NuMBer Of Aperture BlaDes: 9 (RounDED) ELemENtS/groUpS: 11/10 cloSE focusing DistancE: 0.25 m Maximum MAgNIfIcation: 1:9.5 MouNT: SoNy-e



You may Also havE a looK At Zeiss
 to underestimate the like ly cost of  equi pme ntan d to  aim  for the highe s t po ssible specification r egard le s s of ri sk. T he resu l ts a rero ut ine  d e la ys an d v ast cos t overruns .
So  there is ap re ssing need  to  bring order  an d sani ty  to Brita in' s ove rstret c hed de fence bud ge t . Butt hat can n o tbe a chieved overnight .  G i ven the ten-ye ar tim eh or i z ontha t defencepl annin g  requir e s, a t tem p ting severe c uts too qui c kly  may b eris k y mili taril ya ndfinancially , si nce it mi ght pr o ve cost l ier torevive  ne ede d ca p ab il iti es int he  fu t ure  than to  p re serve  the m n o w. T hat  wil l bethe message t hat  DrF oxwilltaketo h is  coll eagues  on t he  NSC. It may we ll f all on de afea rs.  T he go v ernmen t's  pr iorityis thed efi ci t , no t a sensible defen ce r ev iew.

Th e suns et so n Triden t,  bu t on l y  lite rall y  I ntroduct ion

T h eZe iss Bat is  18mm2. 8 i s t he la t estadditi on to Ze iss’l ine up of mode r n autofocus l e ns e s  a n d al sothe widestAF p r imelens to  da t e for  Sony  E - Mo u nt. As many people(i nclude  me h ere) are nowengaged in l a ndscapeastr o ph o tography I amespec ially inte r ested ho w the  new Bat is faresi n  this re gar d.
La stU p da te: Review fi n i sed,  c onclusi onadded,sam ple  im age sadded (05 /30/16)

S am pl e I mages 
Specifi ca tio ns  /Versi o n Hist ory
This  i st hethird l e ns o f th eBa tislin eup (t he f o rme r two b eing the25m m  2.0  a nd  the 85 mm 1.8) and t omy knowled ge  th e firs t 18mm len s by Zeiss with a maxim u m apert ure  of 2 .8 ( there has  al readybee n  a 18m m 3.5for ( D) SLR s and a 1 8m m 4 .0  for range f i nde r cam er as,though) . According to Zei s s t his lens hasqui te t h e  c omp l ex opt ic a l d e s ign, as only tw o of the e le v en  elementsa re“n ormal”glass a nd th e  others  are eith er aspher ic al,m a defrom speci al glass , or both .  It a l so  hasa f loatin gele ments  desig n  so  I ex pect v er y good  perf or mance at  close distances.

TheZeissBatis  18 mm 2.8 ha s t h e f ollowingspec ifications :
Dia meter : 1 0 0 mm(wit h  l ens hood)  Fie l d of view :  9 9°( d ia gonally) Le n g t h:80 mm  We i ght: 3 30gFilter Diameter:7 7 mm Number of  Ape r t ure  Bl a des:  9  (rounded) Ele men ts / G roups: 1 1/ 10 Close Fo cusing D is t ance:  0.25m Maxi mum Mag n i fi c ation:  1:9 .5Mount: So ny- E

You m ay  a l so hav e alo ok atZeiss
 to_underestimate the_likely cost of equipment_and to_aim_for the_highest_possible specification regardless_of risk. The_results are routine delays_and vast cost_overruns.

So_there is a pressing need to bring order and sanity to Britain's overstretched defence_budget._But that_cannot_be_achieved overnight. Given the ten-year_time horizon that defence planning_requires, attempting_severe cuts too quickly may be risky militarily_and_financially, since it_might prove costlier to revive needed capabilities in the_future than to preserve them now._That will be_the_message_that Dr Fox will_take to his colleagues on the_NSC. It may well fall on_deaf ears. The government's priority is the_deficit, not a sensible defence review.

The_sun sets on Trident, but_only literally_Introduction

The Zeiss Batis 18mm 2.8_is the latest_addition to_Zeiss’ line up_of modern autofocus lenses and also_the widest AF_prime lens to date for Sony_E-Mount._As many people_(include_me_here) are_now engaged in_landscape_astrophotography I_am_especially interested how the new Batis_fares_in this regard.

Last Update: Review finised, conclusion_added, sample images added_(05/30/16)



Sample_Images

Specifications / Version History

This_is the third lens of_the Batis line up (the former_two being_the 25mm_2.0 and the 85mm 1.8) and to my knowledge the first_18mm lens by Zeiss with a_maximum aperture of 2.8_(there has_already_been a 18mm_3.5_for (D)SLRs_and a 18mm 4.0 for rangefinder cameras,_though). According_to Zeiss this lens has quite_the complex optical design,_as_only two of the eleven elements_are “normal” glass and the others_are either aspherical, made from_special_glass,_or both. It also has_a floating elements design so I_expect very good_performance at close distances.

The Zeiss Batis 18mm_2.8_has the following specifications:

Diameter: 100 mm_(with_lens hood) Field of view: 99°_(diagonally)_Length:_80 mm Weight: 330g Filter_Diameter: 77 mm Number of Aperture_Blades: 9 (rounded) Elements/Groups: 11/10 Close Focusing Distance: 0.25_m Maximum Magnification:_1:9.5 Mount: Sony-E



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