Zeiss' Milvus line is a mix of cosmetic updates and total redesigns of its longstanding manual focus lens family, now dubbed Classic. In contrast to the Milvus 1.4/50 ($1,079.00 at Amazon) , which received a ground-up redesign, the Milvus 2/50M ($1,283) is a purely upgrade of the excellent Makro-Planar T* 2/50 ($995.00 at Amazon) . It maintains the compact design, crisp optics, and 1:2 life-size magnification of its predecessor, while adding resistance to dust and splashes and a sexy, modern look. It's not quite as good as our favorite manual focus macro, the Editors' Choice Milvus 2/100M ($1,658.00 at Amazon) , but it's a solid choice if you prefer the wider field of view captured by a 50mm prime. DesignThe 2/50M ($1,283.00 at Amazon) is the smallest Milvus lens, measuring 2.9 by 3.2 inches (HD) without a hood. It's heavy for its size, at 1.5 pounds, and supports 67mm front filters. The barrel is finished in matte black metal, with a rubberized manual focus ring. The closer you f...
The Zeiss Milvus 2/50M is a fast, compact macro lens with exceptional sharpness and a purely mechanical, manual focus design.
Very sharp, even at f/2; Superb all-metal build; Protected from dust and splashes; 1:2 macro magnification; Available for Canon and Nikon SLRs
Shows some barrel distortion; Edges lag behind center in crispness; Dim corners at wide apertures; Manual focus isn't for everyone; Pricey