Zeiss Milvus 18mm f/2.8 review

The full-frame, manual-focus Zeiss Milvus 18mm f/2.8 is an ultra-wide prime designed for Canon and Nikon DSLRs

Zeiss Milvus 18mm f/2.8
(Image: © Future)

Digital Camera World Verdict

Although hugely expensive to buy, this ultra-wide-angle prime from the Zeiss Milvus range is typically immaculately engineered, has wonderfully refined handling characteristics and delivers beautiful image quality. The lack of autofocus won’t be to everyone’s liking but manual focusing with this lens is particularly smooth and precise. The Nikon-mount edition also features a de-click facility for the aperture ring, enhancing its usefulness for movie capture as well as stills.

Pros

  • +

    Outstanding build quality

  • +

    Impeccable handling

  • +

    Luscious image quality

Cons

  • -

    No autofocus

  • -

    No de-click facility for Canon

  • -

    Very expensive to buy

Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.

The Zeiss Milvus 18mm f/2.8 is based on the company’s classic Distagon (retrofocus) design, aiming for consistent correction across the entire image frame, along with very low field curvature. It’s one of a number of Milvus wide-angle, full-frame compatible lenses available in ZE (Canon EF) and ZF.2 (Nikon F) mount options, also including 15mm f/2.8, 21mm f/2.8, 25mm f/1.4 and 35mm lenses in both f/1.4 and f/2 options.

Specifications

Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Matthew Richards

Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer – and has tested more primes and zooms than most people have had hot dinners! 

His expertise with equipment doesn’t end there, though. He is also an encyclopedia  when it comes to all manner of cameras, camera holsters and bags, flashguns, tripods and heads, printers, papers and inks, and just about anything imaging-related. 

In an earlier life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC, as well as a former editor of PC Guide.