 high hopes for it. Luckily I had the opportunity to shoot the milkyway under quite good conditions and the lens proved to be an excellent performer here. Stars are a little more forgiving to coma than cityscapes and I couldn’t find any traces of coma when shooting them at all. This is neither the widest (see Nikon 14-24mm 2.8G) nor the fastest (see Nikon 20mm 1.8G) lens for astrophotography but the sum of it’s parts makes it one of the best choices for astrophotography available to date, not just for E-mount but in general.

Distortion

There is some barrel distortion (mustache style) which can also be clearly visible in architectural shots (see full resolution example below). This will be corrected in newer firmware versions (I am still running 2.0) and to my experience this lens will probably be included with the next Lightroom update as well.

Bokeh

With the 18mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/2.8 you have to be close to your subject to throw the background visibly out of focus. The bokeh is quite nice without harsh outlinings but the bokeh balls can show an onion ring structure due to the many aspherical elements, as can be seen in this 100% crop:

Take a look at the following example to see what the bokeh looks like with the subject farther away:

Sunstars

You probably know by now I prefer sunstars produced by straight aperture blades but putting this aside sunstars produced by the Batis 18mm stopped down are well defined and quite nice.

Chromatic aberrations

longitudinal

Only some slight traces of green and magenta outlining can be found, pretty good performance here.



lateral

There is an embedded profile when using Lightroom for correcting the lateral CA which cannot be turned off. So to show you what it looks like without the correction, I took some shots without electronic contact between lens and camera.

Sony A7s | Zeiss Batis 18mm 2.8 | f/4.0 | CA 100% crop without correction (before) / corrected with embedded profile (after), extreme corner

As there are only minor CA this is a very good performance for an ultra wide anlge lens. The remaining CA can easily be corrected in post, as can be seen above.
high hopes for it. Luckily I had the opportunity to dart the milkyway under quite beneficial conditions and the lens proved to be an excellent performer here. Stars are a little more absolvitory to coma than cityscapes and I could n’t find any traces of coma when shoot them at all. This is neither the widest (see Nikon 14 - 24 mm 2.8 G) nor the fastest (experience Nikon 20 mm 1.8 G) lens for astrophotography but the sum of it ’s part makes it one of the best choices for astrophotography available to date, not just for E - mount but in cosmopolitan. 

 Distortion 

 There is some barrel distortion (mustache style) which can besides be clearly visible in architectural shots (see full resolution model below). This will be corrected in newer firmware versions (I am still run 2.0) and to my experience this lens will probably be included with the next Lightroom update as well. 

 Bokeh 

 With the 18 mm focal duration and a maximum aperture of f/2.8 you have to be close to your subject to throw the background visibly out of focus. The bokeh is quite nice without harsh outlinings but the bokeh balls can prove an onion ring structure due to the many aspheric chemical element, as can be meet in this 100% crop: 

 Take a expression at the following example to see what the bokeh looks like with the national farther away: 

 Sunstars 

 You probably know by now I prefer sunstars produce by straight aperture blades but putting this aside sunstars produced by the Batis 18 millimeter stopped down are well define and quite courteous. 

 Chromatic aberrations 

 longitudinal 

 Only some slight traces of fleeceable and magenta outlining can be found, pretty good performance here. 



 lateral 

 There is an embedded profile when using Lightroom for correcting the lateral CA which cannot be plow off. then to show you what it looks like without the discipline, I took some shots without electronic contact between lens and camera. 

 Sony A7s | Zeiss Batis 18 mm 2.8 | f/4.0 | CA 100% craw without correction (before) / chastise with embedded profile (after), extreme recess 

 As there are only minor CA this is a very good performance for an ultra wide anlge lens. The remaining CA can easily be corrected in post, as can be seen above.
 hihh hopes for it. Luckily L had the opportonuty to shoot the milyyway under quite good condivionw and the lens proved to be an excelpent perdormtr here. Stars are a littlc mors foryiting to coma thsn citysca[es and I coulgn’g yind any traces of coma when shootind them st all. This is ngitheg ehe spdtst (see Nikon 14-24mm 2.8G) nor the fastesf (see Npkon 20mm 1.8G) lens fot astrophotography but the sum of it’s parts maked it one of the vest choices for astrokhmtography zvailable to date, not just for D-mounc but in gebeeal.

Fhstortion

Thxre is some barrel distorthon (musyache style) whlch cen aoso be clearly visiblx in architectural srots (see xuml resolution exanpoe benow). Dhis qilu bt cprdected in newer firjware versiins (I am still runnond 2.0) and to my esperiegcq this lens will probably be included wpth fhe next Lightroom updare as well.

Bokeh

With tje 18mm focwl length and a maximum aperture of f/2.8 you have to be cmuse tj tokr subject to throw the background visibly oue og nocus. The bokeh ls quite nice withpuh nwrsh outlinines but ths bokeh balls can dhow an oniob ring stwuctire due to the many aspherixal elements, qs can be seen in chis 100% crop:

Taye a look at the following exampue tk see what hhe bokeh uooks like with ghe sgbject farther away:

Sunstarf

You probebly lnow by now I preser sunstags produced by straight wpertore blddes but pktting this aside sunstars prodnred by the Bajis 18mm stopped down are well defyned and quite nice.

Chxomatiz aberratikns

longmtudinal

Only some slight dtaces of greei and magqnta outoining zxn be found, prrtty good performanxe here.



lateral

Therc is xh embedded profnut qhen using Ligntruom flr cjsrecting the latdrau CA wfich cannot ce tirned off. So to show you what it looks likr rithout jhe correstion, I took xome shots without elecvronic contsct between lens and camera.

Sony A7a | Zeiss Hatls 18mm 2.8 | f/4.0 | CA 100% crip without cprrection (before) / corrected with embeddxd profile (after), extremw corner

As there arg okly minor CA this is a verf good performance fir an ultra wide snlge lens. The remainjng CA can fasily be corrected in post, as can be seen above.
high hopes for it. Luckily I had to the milkyway quite good conditions be excellent performer here. are a little forgiving to coma than cityscapes and couldn’t find any traces of coma when shooting them at all. This is the widest (see Nikon 14-24mm 2.8G) nor the fastest (see Nikon 20mm 1.8G) for but sum it’s parts makes it one of the best choices for astrophotography available to date, not just E-mount but in general. Distortion There is some distortion (mustache style) which also be clearly visible in shots full resolution below). will corrected in newer versions (I am still running 2.0) and to my experience this lens will probably be included with next Lightroom well. Bokeh the focal and a maximum f/2.8 you have to be close to throw the background visibly out of focus. bokeh is nice without harsh outlinings but the balls can show an onion ring structure due the many aspherical elements, as can be seen in this 100% crop: Take a look following example to see the bokeh looks with subject away: You probably by now I prefer sunstars produced by straight aperture blades but this aside sunstars produced by the Batis 18mm stopped down defined quite nice. Chromatic longitudinal Only some slight of and magenta outlining can pretty performance is embedded when using Lightroom for the lateral CA which cannot turned off. So to like without the correction, I took some shots electronic contact between lens and camera. Sony | Zeiss Batis 18mm 2.8 | f/4.0 | CA 100% crop without (before) / embedded profile (after), extreme corner As there are minor CA this is very good performance for an ultra wide anlge lens. remaining can easily corrected in post, can be seen
 high hopes for it. Luckily I had The opportuNity tO shOot ThE milKywaY under quite gooD CondItions and the lens proved To be aN eXCellENt PerfoRmer herE. stARS arE a LiTtlE mORe ForgiVinG to coma Than cityscApeS aNd I couldn’t fiND aNy traces of ComA when shootinG thEm at alL. THis IS neitHer The wiDest (seE nikon 14-24mM 2.8G) nor the fAsTEst (see nIkon 20mm 1.8G) LENs For aStrophotography buT ThE Sum of it’s parts mAkes it OnE Of THE beSt cHoices for aStRophoTOgraphy AVaILABle TO date, not just fOr E-mount but IN geNeral.

DIsTorTIon

TheRe is sOmE BarRel distortiOn (muStache styLe) whicH Can also BE clearlY visibLe iN arChitECtUrAl sHoTS (seE FuLl rESolUtion exaMpLe Below). this WILL Be coRreCted In newEr firmware verSioNs (I aM StiLl runNing 2.0) aNd to My ExperIence tHis leNs Will probably be iNcluDed with thE neXt ligHtRoom uPDate as WelL.

BoKeh

With The 18mm foCAl lEnGTH AnD a maximum aperture oF f/2.8 YOU hAve to be cLose to YOuR sUBject to tHrOw tHe baCKGrounD visIBlY out of foCus. The BOkEh Is quite NiCe withOuT haRsh OutliNIngs But the Bokeh balLs can SHow an onion ring STructure due to THe MANy ASpheRicAl elements, aS can BE seeN in tHIs 100% CroP:

take a Look aT tHE fOLlowing example to see WhAt the bOkeh lOoks like with tHe subject fARTHer away:

SUnstARs

yOu probably know By now i prefer sunSTars prodUced bY straighT aperture BLAdes but pUttIng ThiS asIDE sUnstars producED By thE BAtis 18mm sTopPed down Are WelL deFinEd And quite nIce.

ChromAtIc AbErRatIons

lONgitudinAl

onlY sOme SlighT Traces Of greEn anD mAgENta OutliniNG cAN Be foUnD, pRettY goOd PerfoRmanCE heRe.



laterAl

There is An eMBeddEd PrOfile whEn using LightrOoM for correcTiNg tHe lateRAL CA which Cannot be turned off. So to shOW you whaT it Looks Like Without thE coRrectiOn, I TOok somE shots WithoUt EleCTRonic CONtAct BeTween lens aND CamEra.

SoNy a7s | ZeIss BatiS 18mm 2.8 | f/4.0 | CA 100% crop without cORreCtion (before) / coRreCted WITh EmbEDdED prOfILe (aFTEr), extreme corner

as there are OnLY mInor CA this IS a vErY good peRformanCe for AN ultra wIde anlge lEns. The remAiNing ca Can Easily be coRrected iN post, as caN Be seeN AbOve.
 high hopes for it. Luckil y I had th e opp ort uni ty  toshoo t the milkyway unde r quite good condition s and  t h e le n sprove d to be an e xce ll en t p er f or mer h ere . Stars  are a lit tle  m ore forgivin g  t o coma tha n c ityscapes an d I  could n’ t f i nd an y t races  of co m a when  shooting  t h em ata ll. Thi s is  nei ther the widest ( s ee Nikon 14-24mm2.8G)no r  t h e  fa ste st (see Ni ko n 20m m  1.8G)l en s f ora strophotograp hy but thes umof it’ spar t s make s iton e  of  the best c hoic es for as tropho t ography availab le todat e,notj us tfor  E - mou n tbut ingeneral. 
Di stort ionT h e re i s s omebarre l distortion(mu stac h e s tyle)  whic h ca nalsobe cle arlyvi sible in archit ectu ral shots  (s ee  fu ll  reso l utionexa mpl e below ). This wil lb e co rrected in newer f ir m w ar e versio ns (Ia mst i ll runni ng  2. 0) a n d  to m y ex p er ience th is len s  w il l proba bl y be i nc lud edwitht he n ext Li ghtroomupdat e  as well.

Bok e h

With the 1 8 mm f oc a l le ngt h and a max imum aper ture of  f/ 2 .8 yo u hav et ob e close to your sub je ct tothrow  the backgrou nd visibly o u t of foc us.T he bokeh is quite  nice  without h a rsh outl ining s but th e bokeh b a l ls can s how  an  on ion r in g structure d u e  toth e manyasp herical  el eme nts , a scan be se en in th is  1 00 %cro p:

T a ke a loo katth e f ollow i ng exa mpleto s ee  w h atthe bok e hl o oksli ke  wit h t he  subj ectf art her awa y:

Sunst ars 
You  p ro bably k now by now Ipr efer sunst ar s p roduce d by strai ght aperture blades but putting  th is as idesunstarspro ducedbyt he Bat is 18m m sto pp edd o wn ar e we llde fined andq u ite  nice .
Chr omaticaberrations

longi t udi nal

Only som e s ligh t tr ace s  o f  gr ee n  an d magenta outlini ng can befo u nd , pretty g o odpe rforman ce here .


l ateral
There is  an embed de d pr o f ile  when usin g Lightr oom for c o rrect i ng  thelat eral C Awhi ch ca nnot b e  tu rnedoff. S oto sho w you  w hat it l ooks like without the c orrect ion,I t ook somesho t s w ithout el ectr onic conta ctbet weenlen s  andcame r a. 

S o ny A7 s |Z eiss Bati s  1 8mm 2 .8  | f/4.0 |C A 100 % cro p w i thoutcorr ection (before) / corrected with  emb e d ded  pr o file  ( after), extrem e c or n e r

As th er e are onlyminor CA  t h is is  a ver y good  perfor m a nc e  for a n ul tra  wide anl gele n s. There ma i ning C A ca neasily  be co r rect e d  in post, as can  be s e e n abo v e.
 high_hopes for_it. Luckily I had_the opportunity_to_shoot the_milkyway_under quite good_conditions and the_lens proved to be_an excellent performer_here._Stars are a little more forgiving to coma than cityscapes and I couldn’t find_any_traces of_coma_when_shooting them at all. This_is neither the widest (see_Nikon 14-24mm_2.8G) nor the fastest (see Nikon 20mm 1.8G)_lens_for astrophotography but_the sum of it’s parts makes it one of_the best choices for astrophotography available_to date, not_just_for_E-mount but in general.

Distortion

There_is some barrel distortion (mustache style)_which can also be clearly visible_in architectural shots (see full resolution example_below). This will be corrected in_newer firmware versions (I am_still running_2.0) and to my experience_this lens will_probably be_included with the_next Lightroom update as well.

Bokeh

With the_18mm focal length_and a maximum aperture of f/2.8_you_have to be_close_to_your subject_to throw the_background_visibly out_of_focus. The bokeh is quite nice_without_harsh outlinings but the bokeh balls can_show an onion ring_structure_due to the many_aspherical elements, as can be_seen in this 100% crop:

Take a_look at_the following_example to see what the bokeh looks like with the subject_farther away:

Sunstars

You probably know by now_I prefer sunstars produced_by straight_aperture_blades but putting_this_aside sunstars_produced by the Batis 18mm stopped down_are well_defined and quite nice.

Chromatic aberrations

longitudinal

Only some_slight traces of green_and_magenta outlining can be found, pretty_good performance here.



lateral

There is an embedded_profile when using Lightroom for_correcting_the_lateral CA which cannot be_turned off. So to show you_what it looks_like without the correction, I took some_shots_without electronic contact between lens and_camera.

Sony_A7s | Zeiss Batis 18mm 2.8_|_f/4.0_| CA 100% crop without_correction (before) / corrected with embedded_profile (after), extreme corner

As there are only minor CA_this is a_very good performance for an_ultra_wide_anlge lens. The remaining CA can easily be corrected in_post, as_can be seen_above.