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 p.2 #3 · To Otus or not to Otus.. | |
So you will undoubtedly see a difference in contrast (micro and global) between the Otus and the classic 28/2 from wide open. You'll also see about the same distortion and vignetting, but the Otus has a much flatter field. The absence of relevant CA and nearly perfect balance of front and rear bokeh with the same gentle focus roll-off seen in the 55 are also big, notable improvements in the Otus. Flare resistance is typically good in Zeiss wides, but the Otus takes it a step further to astounding. It's also big, dense, expensive, takes expensive 95mm filters, and its 1.4kg may make you question your love for the focal length, but the results, at any distance and generally any aperture setting, won't.
The more modern competition is certainly worth a look based on price and weight alone. The Nikon's less than half the weight and money, but the even less expensive Sigma looks like a dainty little princess next to the Otus. How they compare in draw is very different. The Nikon's a superb event/street lens, at it's best at wide apertures mid-to-close and then stopped down for mid-to-infinity, where it's equally superb. The Sigma has fantastic resolution and global contrast from wide open, but it doesn't reach quite the same peaks as the Otus in higher frequency detail until its stopped down a bit, and it suffers in comparison to the Otus close-to-mid at any aperture. The Sigma also has much harsher focus transitions than the other two and, while the Sigma and Nikon are overall well corrected, the Nikon is the most likely to present evidence of spherochromatism (green fringing behind the plane of focus, magenta in front). Logically speaking, the Sigma wouldn't make you work very hard in post to get a mostly comparable image, and the Nikon has unique qualities that make it a real pleasure to use, but where the Otus is objectively better, it's by more than hair-splitting differences.
Subjectively, if you can work past the feeling of having a boat anchor mounted to your camera, the Otus should not disappoint. I've got access to all four Otus lenses at work and I think the 28 and 55 are truly something special. I say, if you can swing it now, do it now, because we all know you're going to eventually. Make as many pit-stops as you want along the way. Rent it, if you want, which is what I'd say to most people making this choice, but I think we both know a rental will be limited relief and only extended ownership will scratch that itch. It ultimately may not be for you. I certainly wouldn't add it to my daily carry, but you won't know until you try.
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