Zeiss Touit 12mm versus SEL1018

[starmite]

I will be traveling later this summer and will have many opportunities to use a wide angle lens. I''ve narrowed my choice down to the Zeiss Touit and the Sony lens, but am wondering if anyone has shot with both and can offer some pros / cons based on actual experience with the lenses.

There seems to be a flood of very reasonably priced new Zeiss lenses out there now after folks apparently took advantage of the recent special on the purchase of the 12mm and 32mm Touits, so I'm leaning towards the Zeiss. My only concern is that the prices of both Zeiss lenses has dropped so dramatically from when they were introduced, you have to wonder if they're just not being accepted in the marketplace.

 

[Poki]

I shoot with the 12mm Touit since it launched more than a year ago, and honestly I've only made good experiences. When looking at the few sample images I posted below, it's pretty clear why I chose the Touit - because it's a full stop faster than the Sony one. That, of course, doesn't matter during daylight for wide angle lenses.

I love the way the Zeiss lens renders colors - and the bokeh is quite good, which is something that's often overlooked at ultra wide angle lenses. I am happy with it's resolution and contrast characteristics, and the weight and feel is superb.

Unfortunately I didn't use the Sony 10-18 for a longer period of time, so I can't compare them apart from the obvious - the Zeiss is a stop faster and features a better build quality.

Also, don't forget that one is a prime and one is a zoom. Usually, most photogs prefer either primes or zooms, so this might be a big factor in your decision process.

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/48126456@N05/13270552154" title="Zeiss Touit 2.8/12 by Hannes Brecher, on Flickr">

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"800" height="534" alt="Zeiss Touit 2.8/12"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/48126456@N05/11106971076" title="Zeiss Touit 2.8/12 by Hannes Brecher, on Flickr">

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"800" height="534" alt="Zeiss Touit 2.8/12"></a>


<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/48126456@N05/9338360123" title="Veil Of Oblivion by Hannes Brecher, on Flickr">

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"532" height="800" alt="Veil Of Oblivion"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/48126456@N05/9180660156" title="Prevalence by Hannes Brecher, on Flickr">

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"800" height="533" alt="Prevalence"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/48126456@N05/13973460491" title="A Wonderful Life by Hannes Brecher, on Flickr">

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"800" height="534" alt="A Wonderful Life"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/48126456@N05/14027248522" title="Alone in the dark by Hannes Brecher, on Flickr">

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"800" height="450" alt="Alone in the dark"></a>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/48126456@N05/11027402715" title="TimeBonded Poststadl 3 by Hannes Brecher, on Flickr"> View attachment 45728 "800" height="532" alt="TimeBonded Poststadl 3"></a>

 

[Bill]

I only have the 10-18mm. It's a great lens — and another point in its favour is that it's stabilised. If the Zeiss had been available at the current prices, however, I probably would have gone with that. (20-20 hindsight.)

As for the current Zeiss price drop: I think Zeiss wants a bit more traction with the Fuji users, but the lens selection there was already very good. So, if they've reduced the prices for that market, they couldn't leave the NEX prices high. But, in addition, I think they may fear that many of the NEX users looking for high quality lenses are moving to the Sony's new full-frame line.

Good luck.

Additional note: If you don't need a super-wide, the Sigma 19mm is a very fine lens.

 

[Edward Neal]

I wouldn't worry about whats "accepted" if a lens gives you what you want and produces images you love - who cares if others like it? I am one of the people that took advantage of the recent price drop - I got the tout 32mm for 520. all I can say is that I love it - the build quality is exceptional, (actually comes with a signed inspection sheet) the sharpness and contrast are amazing, no off center bs like some lenses, and more importantly the coatings zeiss uses seem to give the images that extra punch, that most other lenses lack

I have been doing this "photography thing" for over 45 years and in that time very few lenses have made me smile like the tout has - and most of them had the word "leica" on them

 

[Poki]

I wouldn't worry about whats "accepted" if a lens gives you what you want and produces images you love - who cares if others like it? I am one of the people that took advantage of the recent price drop - I got the tout 32mm for 520. all I can say is that I love it - the build quality is exceptional, (actually comes with a signed inspection sheet) the sharpness and contrast are amazing, no off center bs like some lenses,

Zeiss claims more than 70 steps of quality control for every single produced lens. Not like most mass produced lenses where only spot samples are individually tested.

and more importantly the coatings zeiss uses seem to give the images that extra punch, that most other lenses lack

The T* coating (or whatever coating they use under this branding nowadays) really is exceptional. I'm impressed time and time again just how flare resistant it is while still maintaining a good transmission value.

I have been doing this "photography thing" for over 45 years and in that time very few lenses have made me smile like the tout has - and most of them had the word "leica" on them

Also here, I have to agree. I'm only into photography for a little shy of five years (heck, I'm not even half 45 years old), but I can value good products. Actually, I earned good money for reviewing high-end tech products for some years and I can assure you that the Touits are just as well made as you can get for a consumer-oriented prize point. I paid the full prize of the 12mm Touit back when it launched (€1.100), and nope, I didn't regret it a single minute.