p.3 #1 · Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus: The absolute best SLR lens
It is apparently much easier to design a "perfect" 135 mm f/2 lens than a ~50 mm f/1.4 lens. The Otus needs to be elevated to another class because of that, not necessarily because it would perform better than the 135 APO-Sonnar.
Lenstip gets a new record for center resolution with the Otus, 50 lp/mm at f/4. The previous record was the 135 APO-Sonnar at 49 lp/mm.
Interestingly, Lenstip also get markedly higher center performance with the Otos at f/4, and f/2.8 about equal to f/5.6, while Roger gets f/4 and f/5.6 about equal. Focus and DoF definitely is super critical with these tests.
p.3 #2 · Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus: The absolute best SLR lens
Incredible lens. I am on my knees though thanking my maker that I don't need one! I am trying to imagine my wife's face if I asked for for a $4000 standard lens!
I am sure the billionaires will be queuing up to buy one, goes nicely with the Veyron, Non? More seriously I wonder how long it will take for mass production techniques to evolve to the state that mere mortals can afford this kind of optical quality?
But in the meantime, well done Zeiss, its always interesting to know what the state of the art is.
p.3 #3 · Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus: The absolute best SLR lens
David Baldwin wrote:
More seriously I wonder how long it will take for mass production techniques to evolve to the state that mere mortals can afford this kind of optical quality?
I'm pretty sure sensors resolution evolve even quicker so on a pixel peeping level there will always be the next hugely expensive lens at the forefront trying to keep up with the resolution. Otoh, if you spend some time composing and don't crop wildly or print house sized billboards chances are you'll do great with a used Otus by then.
p.3 #4 · Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus: The absolute best SLR lens
$4k for a normal lens. Dare we ask what the wide angle and portrait Otus will cost?
Seeing the performance of this lens, I can't wait to see how the more interesting Otus lenses will perform. Zeiss, please announce the focal lengths soon!
Nov 19, 2013 at 05:18 AM
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p.3 #5 · Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus: The absolute best SLR lens
alundeb wrote:
It is apparently much easier to design a "perfect" 135 mm f/2 lens than a ~50 mm f/1.4 lens. The Otus needs to be elevated to another class because of that, not necessarily because it would perform better than the 135 APO-Sonnar.
Oh, sure. That's why I added "discounting the spec difference". Most 135s are great, but this one is even better than most. On the other hand, a 5*/1.4 lens that good wide open is pretty remarkable, maybe even $4000 remarkable. Might be interesting how it compares with the recently released ZA 50/1.4 (even though this interest is purely academic for me, as I need neither).
p.3 #6 · Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus: The absolute best SLR lens
sflxn wrote:
$4k for a normal lens. Dare we ask what the wide angle and portrait Otus will cost?
Seeing the performance of this lens, I can't wait to see how the more interesting Otus lenses will perform. Zeiss, please announce the focal lengths soon!
There's really not that many to chose from if you think about it. It won't be ultra wide as the superlative 15mm and 21mm cover that, it won't be near 135 or even 100 as the APO135 and MP100 got that covered. And they won't do MF lenses longer than 135mm, so what you're left with is
85mm
25-35mm
You can take that to the bank and plan accordingly. I can't really think of a less exciting FL than 55mm (well, that would perhaps be 58mm).
p.3 #7 · Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus: The absolute best SLR lens
It's great that they're making this as far as upping the ante on lenses, but seriously, who isn't going to buy an old Leica or Hass lens + t/s adapter instead?
p.3 #8 · Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus: The absolute best SLR lens
Stavsf wrote:
It's great that they're making this as far as upping the ante on lenses, but seriously, who isn't going to buy an old Leica or Hass lens + t/s adapter instead?
Not sure what you actually suggest as an alternative here:
p.3 #11 · Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus: The absolute best SLR lens
Tariq Gibran wrote:
Don't forget to add the gym membership to that price! I know I would need one to haul this thing around.
Imagine carrying around 4 or 5 lenses based upon the Otus weight and size. You would need a fork lift to lift them and a Llama to carry them out in the field.
p.3 #12 · Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus: The absolute best SLR lens
naturephoto1 wrote:
Imagine carrying around 4 or 5 lenses based upon the Otus weight and size. You would need a fork lift to lift them and a Llama to carry them out in the field.
Rich
Even just a simple three lens kit with body would be a nightmare. Hopefully, if you can afford such a kit, you can also afford the assistant to carry it around for you.
p.3 #14 · Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus: The absolute best SLR lens
Tariq Gibran wrote:
Don't forget to add the gym membership to that price! I know I would need one to haul this thing around.
That's part of the genius of the Otus. You don't need a separate gym membership; it's all built right into the lens. It is part awesome lens and part portable free-weight fitness machine. Just imagine the shape you'll be in lugging it around. For your health's sake, you can't afford not to buy an Otus.
p.3 #15 · Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus: The absolute best SLR lens
Tariq Gibran wrote:
Even just a simple three lens kit with body would be a nightmare. Hopefully, if you can afford such a kit, you can also afford the assistant to carry it around for you.
I can see some people buying one of these for that occasional special shot. I'm actually interested. I sold my heavier medium format system, anticipating higher resolution FF cameras and lenses like the Otus. I'm going to wait and see what the portrait lens is like before buying one. I don't use tele photos very often, but when you want to take a portrait, you really want that extra something.
I bet the wide angle Otus will be hugely popular... If the price is not too outrageous.
p.3 #16 · Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus: The absolute best SLR lens
darbo wrote:
That's part of the genius of the Otus. You don't need a separate gym membership; it's all built right into the lens. It is part awesome lens and part portable free-weight fitness machine. Just imagine the shape you'll be in lugging it around. For your health's sake, you can't afford not to buy an ...
That was my justification for buying an EF 500/4L IS. You get a good workout from two or three hours of handheld shooting.
p.3 #17 · Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus: The absolute best SLR lens
I'm not sure what all the MF concern is all about. If you have difficulty manual focussing in low light etc, just hold the shutter to confirm focus. It Blinks as focus is achieved and micro adjustment of that focus works as well. It works exceptionally well with the Zeiss 50 f/2 MP at MA of +2. Live view MF works even better.
p.3 #19 · Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus: The absolute best SLR lens
The Otus and 135 APO are heavy, but they are the same weight as the Nikkor 24-70 and 14-24. Yes, it's heavy, but it's manageable handheld. Now, the future wide-angle Otus might be much more monstrous.
p.3 #20 · Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus: The absolute best SLR lens
Vancouver47 wrote:
and micro adjustment of that focus works as well.
Are you sure about this? I have not been able to confirm or achieve confirmation dot adjustments for ZF.2 lenses.
Regardless of that, I'm highly skeptical that any AF system could keep up with the pace set optically by these lenses anyway. The CoC by only a slight miss-focus will thwart any advantage they had @ 1.4.
So what we have is yet another limitation, add that to the diffraction coming into play with extremely high resolution bodies already at larger apertures, requirements for very high shutterspeed and/or tripod and the size, weight and cost and you end up with a more restricted set of circumstances where you will benefit from having one.
Might be interesting how it compares with the recently released ZA 50/1.4 (even though this interest is purely academic for me, as I need neither).