Zeiss Adds a Wide-Angle 21mm f2.8 Compact Lens to the LOXIA Family

The ZEISS Loxia 21mm f2.8 is the youngest addition to the Loxia family of compact full-frame lenses for Sony E mount cameras such as the Sony A7s, A7s II and A7R II. Videographers can benefit from the fluid manual aperture option and the solid metal construction. And of course, outstanding world-class image quality from none other than legendary optics-maker Zeiss. The super wide angle 21mm 2.8 Loxia, was specifically developed for compact full-frame cameras with E-mount in the Sony Alpha range and features a new optical design based on the legendary Distagon. The 21mm FOV is a sweet spot in wide angle especially for video users and nicely supplements the Loxia 2/35 and Loxia 2/50, which debuted at the last Photokina Show in Germany.

“Since the Sony α7 series has been stirring up the photography market, the calls for a powerful super wide-angle lens were growing ever louder. For many photographers such a lens is the missing tool in their gear. ZEISS is now meeting that demand with the Loxia 2.8/21,” said Christophe Casenave, Product Manager at ZEISS Camera Lenses.

Of course, the Loxia being a Zeiss product, it is not meant strictly for video users. The Loxia range carry familiar features that combine traditional photography and modern technology. Lens data (EXIF) and focus movements are transmitted by the electronic interface. If desired by the photographer, this activates the magnifying function of the camera. For advanced photographers who do not want to leave all the work to the camera, there are many opportunities to compose thanks to the lens’s precise manual focusing with end stop and the mechanical setting of the aperture (aperture priority mode for the working aperture). As a result, photographers can take advantage of all the possibilities offered by modern compact system cameras with an electronic viewfinder. Architecture and landscape photographers will appreciate the 91 degree field of view, which will enable them to capture breathtaking nature shots and epic interiors. The precise manual focus will aid nature and landscape photographers with precise infinity focus, a key factor in this type of photography for crisp and sharp images. For video users, there are a couple of more neat features. The Loxia 21mm and the other 2 Loxia lenses - the 35mm 2.0 and the 50mm 2.0 come with a little key which is used to switch between a click-less and normal aperture ring operation. A fluid aperture movement is key for digital cinematographer, hence why videographers and DP's would love this feature. The compact size also enables the lens to be used in combination with the popular Sony A7s II for example and the rest of the Alpha series lineup (and now the PXW-FS5 Super35 4K camcorder) on handheld gimbal stabilisers like the DJI Ronin M or Movi M5. Last, but definitely not least, the tiny blue rubberised ring around the back of the lens helps to seal the optics when mounted onto a camera, thus shielding the lens from the elements with used in the field. The Loxia 21/2.8 is available to order from Visual Impact. Click here for the latest pricing and availability.