The Touit 2.8/12, a wideangle lens and 1.8/32, a compact standard, are so named for their
respective minimum apertures and fixed focal lengths. Both have a maximum aperture of f/22.
In a statement, Zeiss said, ‘The lenses have an entirely new optical and mechanical design that
takes into account the special requirements of mirrorless CSC cameras.
The 2.8/12 features 11 elements in eight groups, and the 1.8/32 has eight in five. Both lenses feature Carl Zeiss T* anti-reflective coating and an electronically coupled focus ring. Zeiss says precise manual focusing will still be possible thanks to the large focus rotation angle.
Neither lens features image stabilisation. Zeiss said that the exclusion was for ‘quality reasons’, citing the short focal lengths of both lenses as rendering IS unnecessary and potentially even detrimental to image quality.
Zeiss said it has worked closely with both Sony and Fujifilm to ensure optimum compatibility. The firm recommends using the lenses with Sony NEX cameras with firmware version 1.02 or later, and Fujifilm X with firmware version 2.03 or later.
The Touit series was first announced at Photokina 2012. Its autofocus is something of a first
for Zeiss – as they are not licensed to develop autofocus for Canon or Nikon, their SLR lenses have featured only manual focus.
The next lens in the series will be the Touit 2.8/50 macro. Zeiss has said that more focal lengths will follow, but declined to offer details. It did say, however, that so far only fixed focal lengths are on the table – ‘Zoom lenses are an option that is currently being evaluated,’ the firm said.
The Touit 2.8/12 and 1.8/32 will be available from June 2013. For more information visit
www.zeiss.com/photo.
