Offering a unique short-normal focal length with a close-focusing design, the ZEISS Batis 40mm f/2 CF Lens Sony Efrom ZEISS Batis 40mm f/2 CF Lens Sony Eis a Sony E-mount prime further characterized by its advanced optical layout. Based on the Distagon design, this lens uses a series of aspherical and anomalous partial dispersion elements to greatly reduce color fringing, distortion, and other aberrations to realize sharp, clear, and color-accurate imagery. A floating elements system, coupled with the Close Focusing designation, is also employed for consistent performance when working with both near and far subjects. Additionally, an enhanced ZEISS T* anti-reflective coating has been applied to reduce flare and ghosting for working in difficult lighting conditions.

Batis-series lenses are distinguished by their innovative use of an OLED display on the lens barrel, which highlights the focus distance and depth of field range for quickly recognizing your focusing parameters. As an autofocus lens, linear motors are used to deliver quick, quiet, and smooth focusing performance to suit both stills and video applications. Additionally, the lens body also sports a dust- and moisture-sealed design to permit its use in trying environments.

E-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format    Aperture Range: f/2 to f/22    Distagon Optical Design    Three Aspherical Elements    Four Low Dispersion Glass Elements    Floating Elements System    ZEISS T* Anti-Reflective Coating    OLED Display for Focus Distance and DoF    Linear Autofocus Motor    Dust and Moisture-Resistant Construction

Short normal-length prime is designed for full-frame Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras, however can also be used with APS-C models where it will provide a 60mm equivalent focal length

Bright f/2 maximum aperture suits working in low-light conditions and also offers increased control over depth of field for working with selective focus techniques.

Suitable for close-up shooting, this CF (Close Focusing) lens has a minimum focusing distance of 9.4", minimum working distance of 5.5", and a maximum magnification of 1:3.3.

Distagon optical concept affords high sharpness, well-corrected image quality from edge-to-edge, and very low field curvature.

Two aspherical elements, three elements made from anomalous partial dispersion glass, and one aspherical element also made from low dispersion glass are featured, and all contribute to significantly reducing chromatic and spherical aberrations, color fringing, and distortion for improved clarity, sharpness, and resolution.

ZEISS T* anti-reflective coating has been applied to each lens surface to help minimize reflections and provide greater contrast and color fidelity.

Floating elements system helps to maintain consistent image quality throughout the entire focusing range.

Integrated OLED display on the top of the lens shows the working focus distance as well as the depth of field range for quickly recognizing the parameters of focus in use, even when working in low-light conditions.

Linear motors benefit the autofocus performance of the lens and provide smooth, fast, and quiet operation. For manual focusing, a rubberized ring offers greater tactile control for precise placement of focus.

Dust and weather-sealed construction benefits using the lens in inclement shooting conditions.

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Hi ! AF noise it's normal for this lens ? My 25 Batis and 85 Batis no sound when autofocus

A: The AF on this lens is quiet.

Q: 2. At what distance does the Batis 40 stop down 1 stop?

A: One full f-stop aperture setting down from the wide open f/2 aperture setting on the ZEISS Batis 40mm f/2 CF Lens for Sony E would be f/2.8. The minimum focus distance for the ZEISS Batis 40mm f/2 CF Lens for Sony E at all aperture settings would be 9.45 inches (24 cm).

Q: 3. How would it do as a street lens, portraits, paired with A7R r.?

A: It’s a great all around lens. If I only could take one lens with me it would be the Zeiss Batis 40 mm.

Q: 4. Zeiss admitted an issue with the close focus aperture problem as well as with eye-AF, but as of February 2019 I haven’t heard their follow up response yet. Any word?

A: ZEISS is currently developing a software update that will allow the Batis 2/40 CF to work within a large focus range with a wide-open aperture. The update will be available to download free of charge as of April 2019 from the ZEISS website. We will notify all registered customers about the update via email. Once the update is installed, the ZEISS Batis 2/40 CF will only automatically stop down at preset aperture values between f/2 and f/2.5 at a focus distance of between 24 and 65 centimeters – in extreme cases (minimum object distance) to max. f/2.8. With an aperture value of f/2.8 and up, the aperture will remain unchanged across the entire focus range. What’s more, the update will enhance the focus accuracy when using the camera’s eye AF function.

Q: 5. How's the auto focus performance for video?

A: Havent tried it yet

Q: 6. Craig, I'm curious as to how you determined the aperture is not f2 when close focusing? Are you sure that when you move closer to your subject that the light seen by the sensor is not changing? Have you contacted Zeiss about this? You are inferring that Zeiss is pulling a VW Diesel trick! :-)

A: The Batis 2/40 CF focuses down to 9.45", half the typical 18". This creates a magnification ratio of 1:3.3. so not 1:1 life size. There is no mention by Zeiss in their information of an aperture ramp when close focusing.

Q: 7. Do you guys recommend getting the protection plan from SquareTrade? I heard that this lens is extremely solid as a tank so I don't know if the protection plan is worth it. Thoughts?

A: Zeiss provides a 2-year warranty against defects in materials or workmanship. This can be extended by 1 year by registering the lens on the Zeiss website within 6 weeks of purchase. Unless the other plan provides protection against user faults, such as impact, then the coverage may not add any additional value.

Q: 8. Eye af was solved with Firmware V2. PhillipReeves reviewrs claim it was not, to many miss shot. Can any day to day user confirm or deny that? Thanks

A: Eye AF was improved, but still noticeably misfocused after the firmware. I sold the lens as a result.

Q: 9. Is the lens hood included and will the lens hood reverse mount on the lens for storage?

A: The lens shades are included with all ZEISS Batis lenses and they are reversible for storage.

Q: 10. Zeiss color, microcontrast are there?:). There are a smallest lens hood for this lens?

A: Yes, the characteristics of the ZEISS Batis 2/40 CF are what you would expect from a ZEISS camera lens and consistent with the other lenses in the Batis family. The lens shade is included with the lens and is designed specifically for the 40mm FOV. It is reversible for storage.