p.6 #5 · Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus: The absolute best SLR lens
Nice review. I just shot it over the weekend on my D800E and the combo is so sweet. The lens is so well controlled into the sun and in harsh light. You missed one key improvement over other zeiss lenses, the center pinch lens cap. The focus ring has the best tension and smooth feel of any of my zeiss lenses. Like the rubber on the focus ring. Big, heavy lens but felt nice on D800E and was not bad to walk around with. Lens is super sharp wide open and not bad to mf using D800E view finder in good light. I could have used focus peaking of my RX1 if my D800E had it. Easily the best IQ combo of all my zeiss glass wide open and I am in love with it. Ming has already ordered one without even shooting one yet but based on images he has seen so far. Now I need to buy one, renting one first right now to see its magic.
p.6 #6 · Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus: The absolute best SLR lens
wayne seltzer wrote:
Like the rubber on the focus ring. Big,
How do you figure the rubber ring will hold up in comparison to the rest of the design? To me it feels counter intuitive putting something so prone to aging and wear on an otherwise tank-like design.
p.6 #7 · Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus: The absolute best SLR lens
I think it will hold up over time but time will tell.
I know some here were critical of it. It was nice to touch on a very cold day here in SF. In the 40's F. Rather than cold metal. Lens IQ is so gorgeous I would buy it even if it only came in a special Leica -like promo color of pink with purple poka dots.
p.6 #8 · Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus: The absolute best SLR lens
Bright OOF highlights are rendered so well controlled.
Will process and post some images soon. This forum can have its A7 buzz, I 'll take the Otus on my D800E , thank you very much.None of that wimpy RF/ mirrorless lens stuff.
p.6 #9 · Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus: The absolute best SLR lens
I'm guessing the next Otus, if not a wide, will possibly then be a thorough rehash of the Contax 85mm 1.2...that will put a cat among the pidgeons...it's about time for this, and Zeiss will have to (like to) do something like this to keep their cutting edge momentum rolling...
p.6 #10 · Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus: The absolute best SLR lens
wayne seltzer wrote:
I think it will hold up over time but time will tell.
I know some here were critical of it. It was nice to touch on a very cold day here in SF. In the 40's F. Rather than cold metal. Lens IQ is so gorgeous I would buy it even if it only came in a special Leica -like promo color of pink with purple poka dots.
I just wonder how it will hold up when faced with the cold those of us up north face where temps can drop to the -20 to -40 range. No worry about touching metal/rubber you have gloves on, but will the rubber still be fine. Look forward to seeing some of your images.
p.6 #11 · Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus: The absolute best SLR lens
arionelli wrote:
I'm guessing the next Otus, if not a wide, will possibly then be a thorough rehash of the Contax 85mm 1.2...that will put a cat among the pidgeons...it's about time for this, and Zeiss will have to (like to) do something like this to keep their cutting edge momentum rolling...
Given that Zeiss supports Canon and Nikon, and that the Nikon has an older-style narrow mount, I doubt that the f/1.2 rear element would fit with the required contacts. Perhaps a revival of the Contax N 85/1.4?
p.6 #12 · Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus: The absolute best SLR lens
I'am looking at this Otus to complete my holy trinity : 25/2 - 50 or 55 - 135/2 of focal domination
The 25/2 was quite a shocker since it raised the bar to maximum in my Zeiss lineup and put the 21/2.8 to some kind of garage ...
I bought recently the 135/2 that seems so far like the long twin of the 25/2 then there's the 50 MP that doesn't deliver in my " grin amount in all lights battlefield chart "
I'am also quite concerned about he rubber ring, since I don't have the money I have some time to wait for reviews on wear
p.6 #13 · Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus: The absolute best SLR lens
wayne seltzer wrote:
Nice review. I just shot it over the weekend on my D800E and the combo is so sweet. The lens is so well controlled into the sun and in harsh light. You missed one key improvement over other zeiss lenses, the center pinch lens cap. The focus ring has the best tension and smooth feel of any of my zeiss lenses. Like the rubber on the focus ring. Big, heavy lens but felt nice on D800E and was not bad to walk around with. Lens is super sharp wide open and not bad to mf using D800E view finder in good light. I could have used focus peaking of my RX1 if my D800E had it. Easily the best IQ combo of all my zeiss glass wide open and I am in love with it. Ming has already ordered one without even shooting one yet but based on images he has seen so far. Now I need to buy one, renting one first right now to see its magic....Show more →
Yes the lens cap is an improvement indeed. Although in my defense, I am not a professional reviewer and it wasn't a full review. I'll leave that to the professionals....like you guys :-)
p.6 #14 · Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus: The absolute best SLR lens
Hexonxonx wrote:
I'am looking at this Otus to complete my holy trinity : 25/2 - 50 or 55 - 135/2 of focal domination
The 25/2 was quite a shocker since it raised the bar to maximum in my Zeiss lineup and put the 21/2.8 to some kind of garage ...
I bought recently the 135/2 that seems so far like the long twin of the 25/2 then there's the 50 MP that doesn't deliver in my " grin amount in all lights battlefield chart "
I'am also quite concerned about he rubber ring, since I don't have the money I have some time to wait for reviews on wear ...Show more →
Yeah the 25/2 is a gorgeous lens. It's lack of distortion is great because you can get pretty close to people without it going crazy like many 24mm lenses. It's also an amazing lens overall with beautiful bokeh and crisp definition. I wish I still owned mine.
p.6 #15 · Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus: The absolute best SLR lens
Anyone have the Canon-mount version (ZE) yet? I'm still waiting for mine to ship and wonder how long I'm going to have to wait.
Regarding the 2/135mm, the Otus seems to have similar rendering qualities from what I have seen; they would make a fantastic pair. As for a trinity - wonderful as the 2/25mm is - I want to see an f/1.4 Otus in the 24-35mm range to complete a trinity.
p.6 #17 · Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus: The absolute best SLR lens
arionelli wrote:
I'm guessing the next Otus, if not a wide, will possibly then be a thorough rehash of the Contax 85mm 1.2...that will put a cat among the pidgeons...it's about time for this, and Zeiss will have to (like to) do something like this to keep their cutting edge momentum rolling...
It's already official that the next otus-like Zeiss lens will be an 85 and then a wide (FL is not official as far as I know, but many assume 24-28 where there's a natural gap anyway).
p.6 #19 · Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus: The absolute best SLR lens
Rodluvan wrote:
It's already official that the next otus-like Zeiss lens will be an 85 and then a wide (FL is not official as far as I know, but many assume 24-28 where there's a natural gap anyway).
Excitingly expensive (or expensively exciting) times for us Zeissianados in any case...
to Carsten: with no disrespect, as I understand what you mean, but I'm still holding on to the f/1.2 notion...there's a lot of know-how behind these lenses.
p.6 #20 · Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus: The absolute best SLR lens
Hexonxonx wrote:
I'am looking at this Otus to complete my holy trinity : 25/2 - 50 or 55 - 135/2 of focal domination
The 25/2 was quite a shocker since it raised the bar to maximum in my Zeiss lineup and put the 21/2.8 to some kind of garage ...
I'm in the same boat - trying to build my lens collection all the way down to these three. I haven't found the 25/2 stellar yet. Mainly the field curvature. I have found better 21 2.8s than my c/y version but they always have one bad corner for CA.
Willing to wait for the OTUS wide if they can pull it off.
