photoxelsThe following video (in English; with a title in French) presents ExoLens by ZEISS…
This is an update to these previous blogs:
ZEISS and ExoLens recently announced the following two new accessory Lenses for the Apple iPhone 6 family:
- 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.
- ZEISS Vario-Proxar 40-80 T* macro-zoom lens has a focal length of 40 to 80 millimeters.
PRESS RELEASE
Now Available: Two New Accessory Lenses for iPhones
ZEISS and ExoLens® launch a telephoto and macro-zoom lens for the iPhone®1) 6 family on the market.
OBERKOCHEN/Germany, 12/09/2016.
ZEISS and ExoLens have developed a telephoto and a macro-zoom lens for the Apple iPhone 6 family. This now provides smartphone photographers and videographers with three accessory lenses from the product family ExoLens with Optics by ZEISS that expand the range of application of the integrated cameras – a wide-angle lens was already introduced in June 2016. The new optics that can be mounted on the iPhone using an aluminum bracket will be available on the market from September.
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. 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.”
Prices and availability
The recommended price of the telephoto lens is US$ 199.99, and US$ 149.99 for the macro-zoom. The lenses come with a lens hood, lens caps and a microfiber pouch. The two versions of the aluminum bracket can be purchased – with the soft device-specific liners and a microfiber pouch – at a recommended price of US$ 59.99 each. The wide-angle lens is available as a kit together with the bracket, also in two versions for the different iPhone 6 models. The kit comes with soft device-specific liners, a lens hood, a lens cap and two microfiber pouches. Cost factor: US$ 199.99 (recommended price).
The lenses and the kit can be purchased from selected camera dealers and on the ExoLens website www.exolens.com from mid-September 2016. The aluminum brackets will be available separately from October 2016. Apple will also distribute the wide-angle kits via its online store and Apple retail stores.
1) iPhone® is a trademark of Apple Inc.
About ZEISS
ZEISS is an internationally leading technology enterprise operating in the optics and optoelectronics industries. The ZEISS Group develops and distributes semiconductor manufacturing equipment, measuring technology, microscopes, medical technology, eyeglass lenses, camera and cine lenses, binoculars and planetarium technology. With its solutions, the company constantly advances the world of optics and helps shape technological progress. ZEISS is divided up into the four segments Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology, Research & Quality Technology, Medical Technology, and Vision Care/Consumer Optics. ZEISS is represented in over 40 countries and operates more than 30 production sites, over 50 sales and service locations and about 25 research and development facilities.
In fiscal year 2014/15 the company generated revenue approximating €4.5 billion with around 25,000 employees. Founded in 1846 in Jena, the company is headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany. Carl Zeiss AG is the strategic management holding company that manages the ZEISS Group. The company is wholly owned by the Carl Zeiss Stiftung (Carl Zeiss Foundation).
Further information at www.zeiss.com
Consumer Optics
The Consumer Optics business group combines the company’s business with camera and movie lenses, binoculars, spotting scopes, hunting optics and planetarium technology. It is represented at the Oberkochen, Wetzlar and Jena sites. The business group is allocated to the Vision Care/Consumer Optics segment. In fiscal year 2014/15 the segment generated revenue of €1.007 billion with around 9,100 employees
