Zeiss and ExoLens today launched a telephoto lens and a macro-zoom lens for the iPhone 6 family on the market. The Mutar 2.0x Asph T* offers a short telephoto frame of view equivalent to that of a 56mm lens on a full frame camera. The Zeiss Vario-Proxar 40-80 T* is a macro-zoom lens that allows users to capture objects as close as three centimeters away from the lens. The recommended price of the telephoto lens is US$ 199.99, and US$ 149.99 for the macro-zoom. These two new lenses will be available in Mid-September, 2016. You can check price & availability at Amazon US.
Aspherical element ensures high image quality
As was already the case with the ZEISS Mutar 0.6x Asph T* wide-angle lens, corresponding to the angle of view of an 18 millimeters lens on a full frame camera, the new ZEISS Mutar 2.0x Asph T* telephoto lens is equipped with an aspherical element. It is therefore virtually distortion-free and offers uniform contrast and definition across the entire image field. The telephoto lens – offering the same angle of view like a 56 millimeter short telephoto lens on a full frame camera – can be used, for example, as a portrait lens.
The ZEISS Vario-Proxar 40-80 T* macro-zoom lens has a focal length of 40 to 80 millimeters. “In combination with the optics of the smartphone camera, turning the ring does not result in an increase or reduction of the field of view,” Product Developer Vladan Blahnik from ZEISS explains. “Instead, the ring functions much like a manual focus with which different planes can be set. If photographers want to shoot objects that are three to five centimeters away, they turn the ring to the right as far as it will go, and to the left for objects that are five to eight centimeters away.” This allows to capture objects measuring three to twelve centimeters filling the complete field of view.
In all three lenses the T* antireflective coating prevents undesired lens flares. Protection against dust and spray water makes the lenses perfect for the challenges of outdoor use.
Perfect fit thanks to aluminum bracket
The aluminum bracket used to attach the lenses to the smartphone is available in two versions: one for the iPhone models 6 and 6s, and one for the iPhone 6 Plus and 6s Plus, no word about if these lenses will fit iPhone 7. The soft device-specific liner included in the kit guarantees a perfect fit without scratching. The bracket also features an integrated standard tripod thread (1/4”–20) and cold shoe mount, allowing for compatibility with additional accessories such as a microphone or an external video light.
Flexibility for more creativity
“The joint goal of ExoLens® and ZEISS is to bring never-before-seen quality and versatility to the rapidly growing market of mobile photographers and videographers,” says John E. Fellowes, Chief Executive Officer of Fellowes Brands, which owns ExoLens. “The collaboration with ZEISS represents a truly pivotal step in the development of accessory lenses for mobile phones.”
“The quality of an image is decisively influenced by the lens and its technical properties,” says Winfried Scherle, Head of the ZEISS Consumer Optics business group. “The ExoLens with optics by ZEISS series has achieved the best possible balance between small size, light weight and high image quality to provide ambitious smartphone photographers with tools to support their creativity.”