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Author Topic: Zeiss Otus 55  (Read 15602 times)

Niels_Patrick

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Zeiss Otus 55
« on: December 11, 2013, 06:40:43 am »

Aloha - my Zeiss just arrived. Really nice workmanship - super smooth and accurate manual focus. BUT - not sure if I will keep this lens. Really close to my cheap Nikon 50 mm 1,4. See my quick testing files attached.... If anyone wants to test it PN me. My studio ist located close to Frankfurt / Germany...

So far - Zeiss has more Micro contrast - but for 3499 Euros...  ::)

What do you guys think? Keep it?

« Last Edit: December 11, 2013, 06:45:12 am by Niels_Patrick »
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Niels_Patrick

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Re: Zeiss Otus 55
« Reply #1 on: December 11, 2013, 06:42:33 am »

Zeiss left side - Nikon right.
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BernardLanguillier

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Re: Zeiss Otus 55
« Reply #2 on: December 11, 2013, 06:58:12 am »

If your work is mostly based of such images, it seems like a clear no.

Now, the Zeiss may have a more significant advantage in more challenging light situations, its micro-contrast may be better,... and... you want to keep it, don't you?  ;)

Cheers,
Bernard

Niels_Patrick

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Re: Zeiss Otus 55
« Reply #3 on: December 11, 2013, 07:18:00 am »

Maybe also checking the new 58 Nikon 1,4 ....

During the waiting period I will give the Zeiss a second chance.
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geesbert

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Re: Zeiss Otus 55
« Reply #4 on: December 11, 2013, 07:49:26 am »

According to the first picture, the left lens seems to make cables in the background dissappear better than the right one, so for studio work 3499€ might be worth an investment.

I'd love to have less cables in my studio.
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henrikfoto

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Re: Zeiss Otus 55
« Reply #5 on: December 11, 2013, 09:11:03 am »

Did you focus these pics with live view or through the finder?
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allegretto

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Re: Zeiss Otus 55
« Reply #6 on: December 11, 2013, 09:46:50 am »

color more saturated in Zeiss

bokeh perfectly round vs. Nikon elliptical

quite a bit more "micro contrast" I guess. looks "sharper" to me…

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Rob C

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Re: Zeiss Otus 55
« Reply #7 on: December 11, 2013, 11:12:30 am »

color more saturated in Zeiss

bokeh perfectly round vs. Nikon elliptical

quite a bit more "micro contrast" I guess. looks "sharper" to me…




That's my reaction too; wouldn't at all mind having it just as long I didn't have to pay for it.

Never seen my Nikkors do that trick with highlights.

It's an unfair life!

Rob C

Niels_Patrick

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Re: Zeiss Otus 55
« Reply #8 on: December 11, 2013, 11:28:29 am »

Both pictures focused with no live-view or tripod - just handheld as a quick test...
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nazdravanul

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Re: Zeiss Otus 55
« Reply #9 on: December 11, 2013, 01:49:09 pm »

Zeiss left side - Nikon right.

Well, it depends on what you're shooting. For these kind of shots I would suggest returning the Ottus immediately, it's really not worth it.
But, a couple of things are immediately striking, in addition to those already mentioned:
-despite de difference in magnification, which should give a serious advantage to the Nikon lens (see how bigger the door handle appears to be in the right image vs. the one on the left), the Zeiss image appears quite a bit sharper
-again, despite the difference in magnification, the Zeiss image retains a lot more details and tonal gradations both in the highlights and the shadows (especially in the highlights, in this case)
If these plus the other differences mentioned, from these quite mundane images, can be translated into something more substantial into your kind of work, by all means do keep the Ottus - there are very few (if any ! ) lenses who can deliver what this lens can deliver. But the objective and subjective aesthetic requirements of  your own work have to provide the correct answers, not someone else on a photography forum.
For the type of images you have just shown, you can surely get by with smaller sensor formats and way cheaper lenses.
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Rob C

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Re: Zeiss Otus 55
« Reply #10 on: December 11, 2013, 02:47:23 pm »

Both pictures focused with no live-view or tripod - just handheld as a quick test...


Steaming dog-poop! That's no way to test anything! No tripod = close the thread right now.

Rob C

Christoph C. Feldhaim

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Re: Zeiss Otus 55
« Reply #11 on: December 11, 2013, 03:43:38 pm »

I don't think you gave the Otus the real stress test it deserves to show off.

Fine_Art

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Re: Zeiss Otus 55
« Reply #12 on: December 12, 2013, 01:00:55 am »

The OOF is much smoother.
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henrikfoto

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Re: Zeiss Otus 55
« Reply #13 on: December 12, 2013, 03:45:07 am »

Hi Niels!

Do you have the time to do another test with tripod and live focus?


Henrik
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JohnBrew

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Re: Zeiss Otus 55
« Reply #14 on: December 12, 2013, 07:57:56 am »

I'm testing one right now. So far I would say the lens is extra sensitive to correct focus. I have it on a D800 and LV on a tripod has demonstrated to me that hand-held focusing will result in less perfection than the lens is capable of. Tomorrow I'll be testing against the Zeiss 50 Makro and Nikon 85 1.4G. But I'm telling you that based on what I shot yesterday this lens is crazy sharp.

Niels_Patrick

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Re: Zeiss Otus 55
« Reply #15 on: December 12, 2013, 10:11:16 am »

@John.

Maybe you can post some results here. I am not the testing guy... Thanks
If anyone still wants to test my lense - come to Germany  8)
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henrikfoto

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Re: Zeiss Otus 55
« Reply #16 on: December 12, 2013, 06:01:17 pm »

I'm testing one right now. So far I would say the lens is extra sensitive to correct focus. I have it on a D800 and LV on a tripod has demonstrated to me that hand-held focusing will result in less perfection than the lens is capable of. Tomorrow I'll be testing against the Zeiss 50 Makro and Nikon 85 1.4G. But I'm telling you that based on what I shot yesterday this lens is crazy sharp.


Hi John!

I would love to see what you found in your tests.
Possible?😊

Henrik
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JohnBrew

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Re: Zeiss Otus 55
« Reply #17 on: December 12, 2013, 08:50:08 pm »

So, we finally had some bright sunshine today and I went out for testing. I decided the first test was garbage as it was landscape and we had a decent breeze interfering. I went into town and shot a large sign but because of tripod placement I used one of the left focus dots. I then discovered the new Zeiss was suffering from the left focus problem of some of the D800's. My own lenses were okay. Strange, that. So tomorrow I go to re-shoot the sequence using a center focus and I feel certain I will have the answers to which we all aspire regarding this lens. I was able to generate considerable red fringing shooting into the sun with reflections on the water. Maybe too harsh a test. I have my fingers crossed for tomorrow.

allegretto

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Re: Zeiss Otus 55
« Reply #18 on: December 12, 2013, 11:16:30 pm »

My Schneider PC-TS 50mm  arrived this morning. It is much easier to apply tilt and shift than the 90mm, rings much easier to turn. Whole different order of "sharp" vs. any Canon or Nikon 50mm. Also better saturation.

I have the Otus on order... hopefully will come soon..

When it does, I will do a battle of the giants. Will post examples of each. Should be good fun...!
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BernardLanguillier

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Re: Zeiss Otus 55
« Reply #19 on: December 13, 2013, 01:48:48 am »

So, we finally had some bright sunshine today and I went out for testing. I decided the first test was garbage as it was landscape and we had a decent breeze interfering. I went into town and shot a large sign but because of tripod placement I used one of the left focus dots. I then discovered the new Zeiss was suffering from the left focus problem of some of the D800's. My own lenses were okay. Strange, that.

John,

Did you focus with live view?

I am not sure to understand how the focus dots impact if you shoot using live view.

Cheers,
Bernard
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