Zeiss Otus 85mm 1.4 has arrived

[kers]

http://www.zeiss.co.uk/camera-lenses/en_gb/camera_lenses/otus/otus1485.html

Yet another optical benchmark for FF it seems.
Lloyd chambers has a 29 page test ready.
Thanks to Zeiss we have the mediumformat quality in a fullframe.

[BernardLanguillier]

Interesting lens indeed.

Cheers,
Bernard

[John Koerner]

Before anyone gets too excited, look at the price 

[John Koerner]

Image Samples

Almost 3D ...

[HarperPhotos]

Hello,

I will save my money and wait for Sigma to bring out there 85mm F1.4 Art version.

Cheers

Simon

[JohnBrew]

My 85 1.4G is quite adequate. Cannot justify the Zeiss for my use.

[kers]

I think Sigma offers more value for the money, but it is a good thing Zeiss makes it possible to buy the best optics if you want/need them.
If you consider the price it is in the medium format  territori were it belongs.
I can imagine a 1.4 35mm will be their next offering.
More extreme wideangles will become more interesting, but difficult to make and for sure more expensive.
Probably they stop the Otus 1.4 range at 35mm and start a new line.

[Telecaster]

I just wish it was available natively for cameras supporting high-precision manual focusing (via the viewfinder, that is). Anyway, Mr. Ming has posted his review:

http://blog.mingthein.com/2014/09/09/lens-review-zeiss-zf-2-1-4-85-otus-apo-planar/

-Dave-

[Some Guy]

I just wish it was available natively for cameras supporting high-precision manual focusing (via the viewfinder, that is). Anyway, Mr. Ming has posted his review:

http://blog.mingthein.com/2014/09/09/lens-review-zeiss-zf-2-1-4-85-otus-apo-planar/

-Dave-

Nice report by Mr. Ming.  Some of the 1/16 crops look very good too off the D800E/D810.

He could be right that this thing screams for even more pixels.  Even better focusing screens, rather than bracket focusing as he mentioned, in current DSLRs would be nice.  I'm not crazy about the rubber rings as those generally fail, loosen, turn to gum, crack, etc. and they should have done better for the price.  Leaking water and freezing up the focusing ring wasn't cool either.  I would expect it to be weather-sealed for the price.

If it were in the neighborhood of the OEM upper-tier prices they could sell a bunch even though it is manual focus.

Now to see what Sigma does to counter it.  Nikon and Canon really need to step up their lens game since the 3rd party manufacturers are putting out better gear than OEM now.

SG

[PhotoEcosse]

Does this herald an end to the age-old practice of smearing Vaseline over the front element for portrait photography?

Not sure I would want to risk it with a lens costing this much.

Maybe smearing the jelly over a UV filter in front of the lens would be a decent compromise.

 

[lelouarn]

Mister Zeiss, where are the Otus wide angles ? Pleeeeease !
In my opinion, normal and short telephoto are not the real problem in lenses. Give us a killer 24mm ! Or even an Über-21mm Distagon killer !

[Herbc]

Could not agree more.  I can't remember when I shot a lens as long as 85mm.  I went on a shoot Sunday and shot 15, 21 and 35mm focal lengths, that on full frame.

[Chairman Bill]

Looks good. Anyone want to buy a kidney?

[johnvr]

Posted my own review and a bunch of sample images: http://t.co/TAvjAdXXod

[Telecaster]

I imagine Zeiss will eventually make an ultra-wide Otus type lens if the interest is there.

I'm not an ultra-wide guy…the 55 & 85mm focal lengths are right in the sweet spot for me. Nor am I really interested in owning either Otus, but I certainly admire them from a design standpoint. My favorite 85mm is a 1930s uncoated Zeiss 85/2 Sonnar in Contax RF mount. The new Otus is a world away from that!   

-Dave-

[joneil]

I am in no rush to get rid of my ZF2 85mm Zeiss.  Not just the cost, but the weight.  I tested these lenses in other sizes, and yes, optically they are fantastic, but the idea of hiking around all day on trails, etc, with one of these lenses just doesn't appeal to me.

Also speaking of weight, I am heading on a trip, air travel, and at this moment, I am looking at only exactly what I need to save weight.  I am taking 3, ZF 2 lenses with me, but I could not see taking three of them in the Otus versions.  Even if I won the lottery, I would likely wimp out and wait for the carbon fibre body versions. 
 
But for those who do have and use them, good luck and go for it. 

[joneil]

Does this herald an end to the age-old practice of smearing Vaseline over the front element for portrait photography?

Not sure I would want to risk it with a lens costing this much.

Maybe smearing the jelly over a UV filter in front of the lens would be a decent compromise.

 

Well, if you want a compromise, do like me and get the new Lomo petzval lens in 85mm.   It is manual focus too, and built like a tank too, and amazingly sharp in the centre.  But in all other respects, the 85 mm petzval is , IMO, the "anti-Otus".  

[JohnBrew]

Could not agree more.  I can't remember when I shot a lens as long as 85mm.  I went on a shoot Sunday and shot 15, 21 and 35mm focal lengths, that on full frame.

Last year it was hinted the third lens in the Otus line would be a 28. I hope not. It needs to be wider than that. I really like my Zeiss 21 and it produces some pretty awesome images, but a 21 made to Otus specs would be really nice (although I'm afraid the price could be in the stratosphere for 35mm lenses). 

[BernardLanguillier]

Well, if you want a compromise, do like me and get the new Lomo petzval lens in 85mm.   It is manual focus too, and built like a tank too, and amazingly sharp in the centre.  But in all other respects, the 85 mm petzval is , IMO, the "anti-Otus".  

Yeah, right... my Lomo and Otus are almost indistinguishable in the center area... when I use a piece of wine glass bottle as a filter.

Cheers,
Bernard

[David Anderson]

I can't believe I'm saying this, being a sharpness junkie, but in the sample images (portraits) I've seen the lens looks a little took sharp..
Certainly looking forward to some brick walls and landscapes though.

What I would like to see is some side by side comparisons with the (now cheap  ) Nikon 85 1.4 ..