At Photokina in September Zeiss announced that it was working on a new range of lenses for Sony NEX and Fujifilm X mirrorless cameras. Now, it's been revealed that the first two lenses, which will come under the sub-brand Touit, will begin shipping later this month.
The debut lenses are an extreme wide angle 12mm f2.8 (Touit 2.8/12) and a standard 32mm f1.8 (Touit 1.8/32). A portrait telephoto 50mm f2.8 (Touit 2.8/50) lens is expected to be available at the end of the year.
Fujifilm X and Sony NEX cameras both use APS-C size sensors with a crop factor of 1.5x, meaning the three lenses will have equivalent focal lengths of 18mm, 48mm and 75mm respectively.
“We are addressing this market because it offers interesting application possibilities for sophisticated photographers and because the segment promises very interesting growth,” says Michael Schiehlen, Director of Sales at Zeiss Camera Lenses.
“High imaging quality and light weight are the most important advantages of Touit and are especially interesting for ambitious users of compact system cameras. The angular view is identical to DSLR lenses for APS-C cameras, but the lens is significantly smaller and lighter.”
The lenses use nine aperture blades for an almost circular bokeh and, according to Zeiss, offer excellent stray-light absorption thanks to Zeiss' T* coating. The Fujifilm X version of the lens includes a manual aperture ring with clearly defined 1/3-step detents.
Each of the lenses is expected to retail for between $1400 and $1800 in Australia.
