The Zeiss 12mm provides an amazing panorama effect to landscape photography. Fujifilm XE-1, Zeiss Touit 12mm, ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/60.
I'm renting two prime lenses for a shoot next week - a Fuji 60mm f/2.4 and a Zeiss 12mm f/2.8. BorrowLenses sent them out a bit early and I wanted to get a feel for how they compare to my own lenses, the Fuji 35mm f/1.4 prime and Fuji 18-55mm zoom. I shared my thoughts on the 60mm in the previous post.
I will be using the Zeiss 12mm in a tight factory setting next week. But this weekend I lucked out with a rare Oregon sunset and am absolutely amazed by the perspective the Zeiss 12mm brings to clouds and landscapes! I wish I could own a copy of this lens, I would be pulling it out for nearly every scenic and weather related shot I came across.
Compare the cover photo above with the widest perspective available on my 18-55mm zoom shown below, also an incredible lens, but lacking the wide perspective which brings life and movement to the clouds.
The widest perspective from the Fujifilm 18-55mm zoom shown here also captures a lovely shot, but lacks the drama provided by the 12mm perspective from the Zeiss shown above. Fujifilm XE-1, Fuji XF18-55mm @ 18mm, ISO 400, f/8, 1/60.
When not in front of a lovely vista, this lens provides some fun and goofy perspectives, adding a little humor to any shoot.
Fujifilm XE-1, Zeiss Touit 12mm, ISO 400, f/2.8, 1/125.
What big feet you have! Fujifilm XE-1, Zeiss Touit 12mm, ISO 400, f/2.8, 1/125.
Beagle power. Fujifilm XE-1, Zeiss Touit 12mm, ISO 1600, f/2.8, 1/50.
The Zeiss 12mm is similar in size to the Fuji 18-55mm zoom, though there is a flare at the top of the lens to a much wider front element.
The Zeiss Touit 12mm f/2.8 (Fuji X Mount) in the background compared to the Fuji XF18-55mm zoom in the foreground. About the same length, but features a Zeiss style flare to a significantly wider front element.
Fujifilm XE-1, Zeiss Touit 12mm, ISO 1600, f/5.6, 1/8.
The Zeiss 12mm is most definitely on my wish list for permanent placement in my kit! Especially for landscape photography.
Update: I somehow missed Fuji's announcement in December on the upcoming Fuji 10-24mm f/4 zoom. Optical image stabilizer, nearly 20% wider field of view than the Zeiss, ability to crop in camera with zoom, f/4 throughout the zoom range, at the same street price as the Zeiss. Sounds like a great lens, looking forward to giving it a go!