OBERKOCHEN/Germany, 25.06.2008.

Distagon T* 3,5/18: the super wide angle lens for dramatic perspectives

Carl Zeiss expands its range of SLR lenses with the addition of the Distagon T* 3.5/18 super wide angle lens. With an impressive field of view of 99°, this new, rectilinear lens provides dramatic perspectives for architectural, landscape and close-range photography for photographers utilizing full-frame DSLRs or film-based cameras. The Distagon T* 3.5/18 is a derivative of the ZEISS designs for the Contax RTS series of cameras, but utilizing all modern materials and eco-friendly glass materials.

The Distagon T* 3.5/18 is designed with a floating lens element in the rear lens assembly, which results in impressive image quality from infinity to the closest focus range. Utilizing the superior ZEISS T* anti-reflective coating and critically designed interior elements, the lens is remarkably free from stray light artifacts and internal reflections. Images are brilliantly rendered, with extremely crisp resolution right to the edges – even at wide-open apertures under the most difficult lighting conditions. Like all Carl Zeiss SLR lenses, the Distagon T* 3.5/18 uses the ZEISS ‘color matching technology’, which provides homogeneous color rendition across all focal lengths in the product range. The front filter diameter of 82 mm allows for use of standard screw-in filters when combined with the included lens shade.

In addition to the outstanding optical qualities, the special hallmarks of all ZEISS lenses are designed into the Distagon T* 3.5/18. This includes...

This was the slug used in a Nikon D3 advertsing campaign in the UK in the lead up to the new full frame FX availability toward the end of last year. I found it vaguely amusing, but nonetheless, right on the nail. Thousands had been waiting patiently to get well on the new kit, so in theory at least, Nikon should do well on it.

Nikon's ad campaign, coming so close to the end of 2007, also reminded me that 2008 is a photokina year, not to mention a PMA year; it is likely we shall soon see mock-ups and prototypes of products much speculated and rumoured these past few weeks.

As Nikon is at the top of the conversation pile for the moment, what truth is in the rumour the company will shortly be showing off a new digital S rangefinder camera using the new FX sensor? They have the technology and if Epson and Cosina could make it work, why not Nikon?

Internet forum views have expressed doubts that an S(D) rangefinder model would appear with the original Contax type lens mount; rather, more likely if it does, with a Leica M mount. This would be a great pity, as one of the best features of the original Nikon S series was its serrated wheel operated focus system linked by a simple mechanism to the internal camera lens mount. In operation, sharp subject focus is rapidly obtained, leaving the left hand fingers free...

Press Release
OBERKOCHEN/Germany, 06.11.2007.

High-quality optics for precise technical solutions



Industrial version of the Distagon T* 2/28 ZF-I


What professional photographers feel enthusiastic about we at Carl Zeiss do not want to keep from other users of lenses for technical applications. With the new ZF-I series, Carl Zeiss has launched a line of high-quality lenses which are optimized for the challenging tasks in industrial applications.

The imaging properties of the ZF-I lenses are just as excellent as those of the high-end ZF lenses. The silver metal finish immediately identifies the industrial version. Furthermore, the ZF-I series is particularly suitable for rough technical applications. The lenses are protected against spray water and specially sealed against dust.

In addition to classical image capturing, the new lenses can also be used for machine vision, quality assurance and near-range photogrammetry. Both the aperture setting and focus can be locked for these tasks. For this purpose, the lenses are supplied with five locking screws which enable reliable locking of the adjustments once they have been set. Measuring inaccuracies and errors are thus reduced, and there is no need to waste time checking the settings.

The first lenses available in this new industrial line are the wide-angle Distagon T* 2,8/25 ZF-I, Distagon T* 2/28 ZF-I and the Distagon T* 2/35 ZF-I. All lenses offer the proverbial imaging performance and color fidelity associated with the ZEISS standard and...