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Lens review

Carl Zeiss Batis 18 mm f/2.8

31 January 2017
Arkadiusz Olech

6. Distortion



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Fixed focal length, wide-angle lenses without correction might show a relatively high barrel distortion and their correction is a real challenge for the constructors. Still if you look at examples below you see nothing of that sort. The measurement for the APS-C sensor amounted to −1.75%, and for full frame it was −0.58%. Those values might look strange at first glance but it’s a result of moustache distortion of the tested lens. You register just the central part of the frame on the smaller sensor and you get barrel distortion. On full frame the lines bend in the opposite direction and the result is lower because for the whole image the values are averaged out. Compare that to the distortion result on full frame but measured only for the field within the 1:1 frame markings which is −2.08%. Mind you even that last value wouldn’t be anything to complain about, taking into account the huge angle of view provided by the lens.

Sony A7R II, APS-C, RAW
Carl Zeiss Batis 18 mm f/2.8 - Distortion
Sony A7R II, FF, RAW
Carl Zeiss Batis 18 mm f/2.8 - Distortion