And then there were four: Zeiss expands full-frame Loxia lens line for Sony E-mount with 85mm f/2.4

posted Friday, September 16, 2016 at 1:47 PM EDT

Two years ago, famed lens maker Zeiss launched its new Loxia lens line for full-frame Sony E-mount cameras with a pair of bright prime lenses, a 35mm f/2 and a 50mm f/2 respectively. A year later, it added a little something to the wide end of the range with a third Loxia optic, the 21mm f/2.8, and now the company has followed on by expanding the range at the telephoto end.

The fourth lens to be announced for the series is the Zeiss Loxia 2.4/85, an 85mm optic with an f/2.4 maximum aperture. Based around a seven-element, seven-group optical formula including three anomalous partial dispersion elements, the Zeiss 2.4/85 is said to have near-zero distortion, and can focus to as close as 2.6 feet for a maximum magnification ratio of 1:7.2.

At the front of its durable fully-metal housing, which boasts dust and splash-resistance, the Loxia 85mm f/2.4 lens sports 52mm filter threads. It also caters to video shooters specifically with both a de-click function that is controlled with a screw in the bayonet mount, optionally making the lens' aperture stepless. The manual-focus optic also has a generous 220-degree focus throw. Weighing in at 1.3 pounds, the Zeiss Loxia 85mm f/2.4 has a 2.4-inch diameter and a length of 4.25 inches with lens caps.