Often, the most diffi cult to please segments of photographers happen to be those who specialise and opt for gear meant for certain types of photography. The introduction of the Milvus line of six lenses came as a shot in the arm for these technical practitioners. Of the six, two are Makro-Planar, one of them reviewed here.
The specialised nature of this lens is emphasised by the fact that the lineup also includes a 50mm f/1.4, with a minimum working focus distance of12.1 inches.
Features
The 2/50M focuses down to 3.93 inches in front of the fi lter thread, without the lens hood, to deliver a magnifi cation of 1:2 or 0.5x. It is impractical for short macros to move closer than this as the shorter working distance inevitably makes lighting impossibly diffi cult. In this category of lenses, none offer more than 1:2.
The aperture ring has a range of f/2 to f/22, in half stop clicks. This is a stop wider than competing lenses, and a stop less than equivalent Canons and Nikons, at the minimum end. While minimum apertures usually remain unused because of diffraction related softness, smaller apertures allow greater working DOFs, and can prove useful in certain situations.
The all metal lens is weathersealed and splash resistant, and comes with a reversible metal lens hood for easy storage.
Handling
There is no other way to say this... it is just such a joy to use an exceptionally well crafted lens. The art of design so that form minutely follows function, so that there is not a wasted line or curve, and yet to make it look and feel fantastic, and to make it durable, is something that Zeiss has mastered with the Milvus lineup. For instance, the distance scale, logos and lettering on the lens barrel is not painted on, but engraved. I could write another 2000 words on the design of this lens alone, but take my word for it, it is quite brilliant.
A few points to mention... 2/50M is compactly built, somewhat heavier than other short macro primes, and perfectly at home on the Nikon D810 which I used to test it. Manual focus is beautifully silky, with just the right resistance and a 303o rotation for perfect control. For video, the aperture ring can be declicked, and the extended focus rotation is a big advantage.
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| Flare is superbly controlled and the microcontrast allows wonderfully sharp details directly against the light. Exposure: 1/100sec at f/8 (ISO 64) |
Performance
Wide open, centre sharpness is quite good on the Nikon D810, but the extreme corners suffer, along with some coma (most visible in the elliptical shape of pointillistic bokeh, against darker backgrounds). There is also two stops of vignetting. For portraiture, f/2 is a perfectly usable. From f/4, vignetting and coma both disappear. Centre to corner sharpness is nothing short of excellent at both f/5.6 and f/8.
The best performance of this lens occurs at f/11 and f/16, with f/22 very marginally losing contrast to diffraction. For a macro shooter, these happen to be the most important f stops because they afford the best working depths at close distances.
Bokeh is nicely soft-edged and creamy at the larger apertures. This, along with excellent overall control over flare and fringing, make the sharpness pop right out. In short, the lens is a Zeiss and shows it.
Conclusion
A reasonably good price for Zeiss glass, what you get is a highly refined, beautifully designed, detailed macro lens. Of course, you could consider using the superb Sigma 50mm Art with an extension tube and careful adjustments. Or, for that matter, any 50mm lens will manage an acceptable job, especially with lower resolution sensors. For a more involved macro photographer, there are options from Nikon and Canon at slightly less than half the price. However, all of these options eventually lack the optical breadth or the handling finesse of the Milvus 2/50M.
Perhaps, the only other lens unique enough to offer a competitive choice would be the PC-E Micro Nikkor 45mm f/2.8D ED. This is a perspective control lens with tilt/shift, introduced in 2008, which is quite a different sort of lens altogether. Besides, optics have moved on since then.
Adding AF to the 2/50M would have extended its usability to other situations, but it would also have reduced its functionality for the photographers it is targeted at, especially in its construction, form factor and handling. Rarely, if ever, do exacting macro photographers use AF at extremely close focusing distances.
For studio still life, products, extreme closeups or for portraits... for technically adept photographers who need a short macro, the Milvus 2/50M is an ideal choice. With its one f stop of advantage and stellar performanc e at narrow apertures, what you have is a rather unique, versatile lens.
Critical Depth
This is the DOF available at the min. focus distance, measured at 100% on the 36MP sensor of the Nikon D810.
- f/2 - 1.2mm
- f/2.8 - 1.7mm
- f/4 - 2.4mm
- f/5.6 - 3.4mm
- f/8 - 4.8mm
- f/11 - 6.6mm
- f/16 - 9.6mm
- f/22 - 13.2mm
FINAL RATINGS
Features
1:2, f/2, dust and splash resistant, no AF. 18/20
1:2, f/2, dust and splash resistant, no AF. 18/20
Performance
Very good centre sharpness but extreme corners soft below f/4, f/8 onwards is brilliant. 30/35
Build Quality
All metal including lens hood, will last decades. 24/25
Ergonomics
Best design and craftsmanship in a macro yet. Silky smooth detailed manual focus. 13/15
Warranty & Support
Two-year warranty. 3/5
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