Carl Zeiss Milvus 18 mm f/2.8 § 03 Head to head
Carl Zeiss Milvus 18 mm f/2.8 vs Nikon Nikkor AF 18 mm f/2.8D
Zeiss 18mm f/2.8 has a more aperture blades. Nikon 18mm f/2.8 is 341 g lighter.
The Carl Zeiss Milvus 18 mm f/2.8 is an 18mm f/2.8 prime, and the Nikon Nikkor AF 18 mm f/2.8D is an 18mm f/2.8 prime. On paper the Nikon Nikkor AF 18 mm f/2.8D comes out ahead, 3 advantages to 1, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Carl Zeiss Milvus 18 mm f/2.8 
Nikon Nikkor AF 18 mm f/2.8D 01
Key differences
Why is the Carl Zeiss Milvus 18 mm f/2.8 better than the Nikon Nikkor AF 18 mm f/2.8D?
- More aperture blades (9 vs 7)
Why is the Nikon Nikkor AF 18 mm f/2.8D better than the Carl Zeiss Milvus 18 mm f/2.8?
- 341 g lighter (380 g vs 721 g)
- 51 mm shorter (58 mm vs 109.4 mm long)
- Has a physical aperture ring
02
Which should you buy?
- landscape For landscape photography, the Nikon Nikkor AF 18 mm f/2.8D has the edge: it is 341 g lighter to carry.
- architecture For architecture, the Nikon Nikkor AF 18 mm f/2.8D has the edge: it is 341 g lighter to carry.
03
Specification
| Specification | Carl Zeiss Milvus 18 mm f/2.8 | Nikon Nikkor AF 18 mm f/2.8D |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 18mm | 18mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/22 |
| Lens type | Prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | Full frame | Full frame |
| Weight | 721 g (25.43 oz) | 380 g (13.40 oz) ◆ |
| Dimensions | 90 x 109.4 mm | 82 x 58 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.25 m (9.84 inches) | 0.25 m (9.84 inches) |
| Image stabilization | No | — |
| Weather sealing | Yes | — |
| Aperture ring | No | Yes |
| Aperture blades | 9 ◆ | 7 |
| Optical construction | 14 elements / 12 groups | 13 elements in 10 groups |
| Filter size | 77 mm | 77 mm |
| Lens mount | Canon EF, Nikon F | Nikon F |
| Released | 2016 | — |
| Price | $2,299 launch price | — |
04
Size
- A · Carl
- B · Nikon
- 109.4 × 90 mm
- 58 × 82 mm
The Carl Zeiss Milvus 18 mm f/2.8 is 51 mm longer and 341 g heavier than the Nikon Nikkor AF 18 mm f/2.8D.
05
Sample frames
Nikon Nikkor AF 18 mm f/2.8D
06
Video reviews
07
Questions
- Which is lighter, the Carl Zeiss Milvus 18 mm f/2.8 or the Nikon Nikkor AF 18 mm f/2.8D?
- The Nikon Nikkor AF 18 mm f/2.8D weighs 380 g, 341 g less than the Carl Zeiss Milvus 18 mm f/2.8 (721 g).
- Is the Carl Zeiss Milvus 18 mm f/2.8 or the Nikon Nikkor AF 18 mm f/2.8D better for landscape photography?
- For landscape photography, the Nikon Nikkor AF 18 mm f/2.8D has the edge: it is 341 g lighter to carry.
- Is the Carl Zeiss Milvus 18 mm f/2.8 or the Nikon Nikkor AF 18 mm f/2.8D better for architecture?
- For architecture, the Nikon Nikkor AF 18 mm f/2.8D has the edge: it is 341 g lighter to carry.