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Archive 2016Comparison of Zeiss Otus 28 f/1.4 APO vs Leica M 28 f/1.4 ASPH
p.5 #1Comparison of Zeiss Otus 28 f/1.4 APO vs Leica M 28 f/1.4 ASPH
And finally here are the f/8 shots, again starting with the Lux.
Dec 01, 2016 at 07:25 AM
p.5 #2Comparison of Zeiss Otus 28 f/1.4 APO vs Leica M 28 f/1.4 ASPH
And here is the Otus at f/8 near the edge.
Dec 01, 2016 at 07:26 AM
p.5 #3Comparison of Zeiss Otus 28 f/1.4 APO vs Leica M 28 f/1.4 ASPH
After seeing all these shots, my take is that the Otus produces a bit more blur than the Lux. This creates a softer background at narrower apertures close up, but doesn't let the somewhat nervous mid distance bokeh of both lenses resolve as quickly when stopping down. Neither lens, IMO, is a great bokeh lens, nor a terrible one. Whichever lens you would use I think you will need to manage the bokeh for the shot to get the look you want. Personally, I would be happy with either lens, but I would prefer that they each have better bokeh.
Dec 01, 2016 at 07:29 AM
p.5 #4Comparison of Zeiss Otus 28 f/1.4 APO vs Leica M 28 f/1.4 ASPH
Perhaps the differences come because of A7RII's sensor especially in the edges and because of slow "speed" (1/6s) for the last tests. As far as I am concerned, I should not go for the Otus because of hese weight (1390g) and huge size (154mm) ! 
Dec 01, 2016 at 07:57 AM
p.5 #5Comparison of Zeiss Otus 28 f/1.4 APO vs Leica M 28 f/1.4 ASPH
teiki arii wrote:
Perhaps the differences come because of A7RII's sensor especially in the edges and because of slow "speed" (1/6s) for the last tests. As far as I am concerned, I should not go for the Otus because of hese weight (1390g) and huge size (154mm) !
I did the two tests in opposite ways. In the first one I used auto ISO and kept the shutter speed up. In the second I used a low ISO and let shutter speed vary. Both strategies have their strengths and weaknesses. By the way, both were also shot on a sturdy tripod (a Gitzo series 2 explorer with an Acratch GV2 ballhead which was pushed to the limits with the Otus) with delayed shutter release, so there shouldn't be any camera motion blur--the last set may have had a bit of blur from a mild breeze especially at slow shutter speeds.
I agree the Otus is huge, but it does have fantastic image quality. The Lux is much smaller, but although it can produce excellent images, it doesn't quite match the Otus in several ways. Depending on what people value most, I think there can be a good case for either lens. Personally, I would never use the Otus handheld, but on a tripod with the right support and if I don't have to lug it too far, I think it has a place. But those sorts of tradeoffs are very individual decisions.
I still hope to get some more portrait shots if the weather and my four year old son will cooperate. I also may try to do some night shots to look at coma. After that I will try to write up a summary of my impressions so far.
Perhaps the differences come because of A7RII's sensor especially in the edges and because of slow "speed" (1/6s) for the last tests. As far as I am concerned, I should not go for the Otus because of hese weight (1390g) and huge size (154mm) !
I did the two tests in opposite ways. In the first one I used auto ISO and kept the shutter speed up. In the second I used a low ISO and let shutter speed vary. Both strategies have their strengths and weaknesses. By the way, both were also shot on a sturdy tripod (a Gitzo series 2 explorer with an Acratch GV2 ballhead which was pushed to the limits with the Otus) with delayed shutter release, so there shouldn't be any camera motion blur--the last set may have had a bit of blur from a mild breeze especially at slow shutter speeds.
I agree the Otus is huge, but it does have fantastic image quality. The Lux is much smaller, but although it can produce excellent images, it doesn't quite match the Otus in several ways. Depending on what people value most, I think there can be a good case for either lens. Personally, I would never use the Otus handheld, but on a tripod with the right support and if I don't have to lug it too far, I think it has a place. But those sorts of tradeoffs are very individual decisions.
I still hope to get some more portrait shots if the weather and my four year old son will cooperate. I also may try to do some night shots to look at coma. After that I will try to write up a summary of my impressions so far.
Dec 01, 2016 at 08:39 AM
p.5 #6Comparison of Zeiss Otus 28 f/1.4 APO vs Leica M 28 f/1.4 ASPH
I am being lazy and could look this up, but what are the purchase prices for each lens?
Dec 01, 2016 at 10:28 AM
p.5 #7Comparison of Zeiss Otus 28 f/1.4 APO vs Leica M 28 f/1.4 ASPH
PhotoMaximum wrote:
I am being lazy and could look this up, but what are the purchase prices for each lens?
If you have to ask, well... you know how this ends.
I am being lazy and could look this up, but what are the purchase prices for each lens?
If you have to ask, well... you know how this ends.
Dec 01, 2016 at 10:42 AM
p.5 #8Comparison of Zeiss Otus 28 f/1.4 APO vs Leica M 28 f/1.4 ASPH
PhotoMaximum wrote:
I am being lazy and could look this up, but what are the purchase prices for each lens?
About $5,000 for the Otus and the Lux is listed right now at $6,200. Definitely not cheap.
I am being lazy and could look this up, but what are the purchase prices for each lens?
About $5,000 for the Otus and the Lux is listed right now at $6,200. Definitely not cheap.
Dec 01, 2016 at 10:58 AM
p.5 #9Comparison of Zeiss Otus 28 f/1.4 APO vs Leica M 28 f/1.4 ASPH
Wow!!!!!
I think that covers it...
I think that covers it...
Dec 01, 2016 at 11:08 AM
p.5 #10Comparison of Zeiss Otus 28 f/1.4 APO vs Leica M 28 f/1.4 ASPH
Steve Spencer wrote:
I agree the Otus is huge, but it does have fantastic image quality. The Lux is much smaller, but although it can produce excellent images, it doesn't quite match the Otus in several ways. Depending on what people value most, I think there can be a good case for either lens. Personally, I would never use the Otus handheld, but on a tripod with the right support and if I don't have to lug it too far, I think it has a place. But those sorts of tradeoffs are very individual decisions.
I still hope to get some more portrait...Show more →
Anyway, you know me, you know what I think about these lenses. One is too big, the other too expensive, I shall limit myself to my beloved Leica Elmarit-R 28/2.8 E55 ROM... and other out of fashion Leica-R lenses...
Thank you for the others.
I agree the Otus is huge, but it does have fantastic image quality. The Lux is much smaller, but although it can produce excellent images, it doesn't quite match the Otus in several ways. Depending on what people value most, I think there can be a good case for either lens. Personally, I would never use the Otus handheld, but on a tripod with the right support and if I don't have to lug it too far, I think it has a place. But those sorts of tradeoffs are very individual decisions.
I still hope to get some more portrait...Show more →
Anyway, you know me, you know what I think about these lenses. One is too big, the other too expensive, I shall limit myself to my beloved Leica Elmarit-R 28/2.8 E55 ROM... and other out of fashion Leica-R lenses...
Thank you for the others.
Dec 01, 2016 at 01:21 PM
p.5 #11Comparison of Zeiss Otus 28 f/1.4 APO vs Leica M 28 f/1.4 ASPH
Here are a couple of portraits with the 28 Lux ASPH that I took at a Christmas tree lighting at our local community centre. They are both shot wide open. The lens is definitely sharp wide open in a fairly large area in the centre. It does show some CA, and the setting was a bit of a torture test, but it cleaned up quite well in lightroom.
Dec 12, 2016 at 12:11 PM