Zeiss announces Touit 2.8/50M lens, and we’re reminded why Zeiss lenses are worth the cost
posted Thursday, January 30, 2014 at 3:19 PM EDT
Zeiss has added another offering to its line of high-end primes designed specifically for APS-C ILCs. The new Touit 2.8/50M will bring a high quality (and high price) macro to Sony E-mount and Fuji X-mount shooters, with a 50mm focal length and 1:1 magnification.
As with most of Zeiss' lenses, the 50mm Touit won't be cheap—it's pegged to go for $999 when it launches in March. The lens will feature 14 elements in 11 groups, including two aspherical and two low dispersion elements. It will have nine aperture blades, with a minimum f-stop of f/22. It will be able to focus down to 6 inches (15cm), and will weigh 10.2oz (290g).
Zeiss has put up a number of images from the lens on its Flickr page, and with an equivalent focal length of 75mm, the new Touit will doubtless be able to work as a portrait lens as well in a pinch.
One of the reason we're so excited about this lens is because Zeiss has a well-deserved reputation as one of the best glass manufacturers out there. Even with a stiff $999 pricetag, you know that this lens will doubtless be fantastic. For instance, DxOMark just reviewed the Zeiss Sonnar T* FE 55mm f1.8 ZA which debuted alongside the Sony A7 and A7r. It too has a $999 pricetag, but DxOMark's testing rated it the highest ever score for an AF lens, just slightly behind the Zeiss Distagon T* Otus 1.4/55, which will set you back nearly $4000.
So while this might seem a a high price (and, in fact, it is) for photographers who want to get the very best lenses they can, you'll get quality to match the price.