The latest member joining the beautiful Zeiss Loxia line of manual focus lenses is the 85mm f/2.4. Much like the other lenses in the Loxia family, the new 85mm is suited for both stills and video users of the Sony E-mount cameras. Shipping in early December, the telephoto lens will be priced at $1,399.
The Loxia lenses are created specifically for the Sony E-mount system and gracefully take advantage of the mirrorless system’s focus peaking and focus assist. This manual focus lens has 220-degrees of rotation in its focus ring which enables very precise and smooth operation. The Loxia 85mm has a minimum focusing distance of 0.80 meters, and combined with the f/2.4 aperture, having such fine control over the focus point is going to prove helpful.
The aperture can be mechanically de-clicked for video use. It’s as easy as turning a screw in the back.
The lens features seven elements in seven groups arranged in a Sonnar design. One thing I have to point out and give credit to Zeiss for is that the Loxia lenses — the 21mm, 35mm, 50mm, and the 85mm — all have the same external diameter and use 52mm filter threads. Zeiss claims this “simplifies film shoots,” but I just really like it from a design and overall usability perspective.
Sony a7R II, Zeiss Loxia 2.4/85, f/2.4, 1/100 s, ISO 640. Photo by Björn Pados.
Sony a7R II, Zeiss Loxia 2.4/85, f/2.4, 1/125 s, ISO 200. Photo by Christian Dandyk.
The Zeiss Loxia 35mm f/2 is one of my favorite lenses I’ve ever used on my Sony a7R, so I’m excited to see the company continue to expand this line. The Loxia 85mm f/2.4 costs $1,399 and is available for pre-order now. Shipping is scheduled to begin early December 2016.
Off topic here but how much can I get of for a kidney?
Very nice
85mm is to long focal length for manual focusing on high pixel-pitch sensor. It will be impossible to hand held and shoot wide open, maintaining focus on point.