Zeiss Releases Two EF Mount Lenses

Thornwood, NY, September 2008: Carl Zeiss is expanding its successful line of SLR lenses with the introduction of the Zeiss ZE Lenses with EF bayonet for all analog and digital EOS camera models.

As with all EF compatible lenses, the new ZE lenses from Carl Zeiss transfer all information exclusively via electronic contacts. This means that all exposure modes such as programmed auto exposure, shutter priority, aperture priority and manual setting are supported. The aperture setting is controlled from the camera body and the automatic focus confirmation remains available to an unlimited extent with these manual focus lenses. With digital SLRs, the lens data and all exposure data can also be accessed via the camera’s EXIF file. Even E-TTL flash metering is supported.

The first lenses to be available will be the Planar T* 1,4/50 ZE and the Planar T* 1,4/85 ZE in the last quarter of this year. Further focal lengths will be added to the line within the next few months.

Focal length: 50mm, 85mm
Aperture scale: f/1.4 – f/16 (1/2 stop clicks)
Focusing range: 1.5’ (0.45m) - infinity, 3.3 ‘ (1 m) – infinity Angular field, diag./horiz 45.4 / 38.4, 28.6 / 24
Coverage at close range: 6.3 x 9.4” (16 x 24 cm), 9.4 x 14” (24 x 36 cm)
Image ratio at close range: 1:6.7, 1:10
Number of elements/groups: 7 / 6, 6 / 5
Filter thread: M 58 x 0.75, M 72 x 0.75
Weight: 12 oz. (350 g), 21 oz (600 g)
Dimensions (with caps): 2.6” (66mm) diameter, 2.7 “ (69mm) length, 3” (77mm) diameter, 3.3 “ (85mm) length
List price: $660, $1,170

About Carl Zeiss
Carl Zeiss is a leading international group of companies operating worldwide in the optical and opto-electronic industry. Carl Zeiss AG is headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany. The business groups are generally ranked first or second in the strategic markets of medical and research solutions, industrial solutions und lifestyle products. They offer products and services for biomedical research and medical technology, as well as system solutions for the semiconductor, automotive and mechanical engineering industries. Planetariums and high-quality consumer goods such as camera lenses and binoculars carry the ZEISS name to millions of people around the world.

In fiscal year 2006/07 (ended 30 September), the Carl Zeiss Group, which is wholly owned by the Carl Zeiss Foundation, generated revenues totaling EUR 2,604 million. The Carl Zeiss Group has approximately 12,300 employees, including about 4,300 outside Germany. It is directly represented in more than 30 countries and operates production facilities in Europe, America and Asia. The eyeglass business operates as Carl Zeiss Vision International GmbH and is the number two eyeglass provider in the world. This company is owned equally by Carl Zeiss AG and a private equity company. Further information is available at www.zeiss.de.