p.27 #3 · ZEISS Otus ML line officially announced!
Not to start a war, but any thoughts to the lenses that are closest in rendering with this line, or simplest to get close-to in post-processing... but with autofocus?
burningheart wrote:
An Otus 85 ML You Tube short. Looks like available Oct 15.
Certainly did choose a look that benefits from high sharpness for the advert ... maybe the family won't be quite so keen
Though I guess that's the easiest thing to show quickly in a youtube short.
p.27 #5 · ZEISS Otus ML line officially announced!
I am really hoping the next ML lens is a 28mm or 25mm. Granted, a 35mm might be wide enough to tempt me.
I do wish we had more sample images to go off of by now, but it does appear that the ML lenses have the Zeiss look. IDK if it's the glass, the coatings, the design, or all of the above. But there is a certain rendering Zeiss has that no other company seems to have been able to fully mimic.
p.27 #6 · ZEISS Otus ML line officially announced!
They want to rush you off from the facial closeup, and jump cuts are the antithesis of stills photography. Either the poor fellow has bumpy skin or the lens is not so kind.
Zeiss spent a lot of the recent quiet still lens years (let's call them) developing and increasing the Supreme Primes and now they have the Nano Primes, and the comments by the review community echo what Zeiss themselves are saying about the ML pair.
It's doubtful other mainstream makers get near the Zeiss look, the others have a pro clientele to please. The Otus 85mm MTF shows it is a different kettle of fish wide open compared to the 50mm Otus - even the medium spatial frequency data is much higher wide open so ther is no fallback option. You will be looking at the sharpness, rather than the subject it is portraying.
We'd like to see comparisons between Otuses new and old - 50mm vs 55mm; the 85mm pair too. The differences will not be trivial, the older 85mm is one third less complex by design and will be much kinder to skin depiction at f1.4 via lower (more lifelike) micro-contrast.
It seems we are witnessing a wider split opening up the gulf between what stills photographers are searching for (uber-sharpness), and the (poorly named) 'vintage look' that intensified in light cinema recently with these MILC mount-friendly lens ranges. Plenty of supporters for both styles, and some variations as makers look for useful compromises.
YT to the rescue:
Should You Buy The Cooke SP3 or ZEISS Nano Prime?!
ZEISS Nano Primes Review – Supreme Look for the Rest of Us?
p.27 #7 · ZEISS Otus ML line officially announced!
Yogifi wrote:
Not to start a war, but any thoughts to the lenses that are closest in rendering with this line, or simplest to get close-to in post-processing... but with autofocus?
If you stick to the E mount, the Zeiss Batis lenses might be your best bet.
If you're willing to venture into other mounts, some Nikon lenses get you in the ballpark. Surprisingly, at least to me, I found that the Panasonic L-mount lenses reminded me a lot of the Zeiss look when looking at images from them online. I just can't bring myself to add a third mount to the mix, so I have avoided testing any of them personally.
p.27 #8 · ZEISS Otus ML line officially announced!
RustyRus wrote:
I may have snagged one-
Probably holding out to see whats coming next....Hopefully the 28 1.4!!!
I am hoping for a 25 or 35. I continue to use my 3 EF Oti (28,55,100) it would give me 6 different focal lengths to choose from. Mind you I would still be happy with a trinity of ML 28,50,85 if it is a 28.
I will be contacting my sales rep once Zeiss makes the 85 availability official. I sure hope the Oct 15 shown in the You Tube short is the release date.
p.27 #9 · ZEISS Otus ML line officially announced!
Cosina didn't yet announce official release date for Otus 85/1.4 (they announced "October" earlier but no specific date yet). They only handle the distribution in Japan market whereas Zeiss handles it in other markets, and Cosina's announcement will be about Japan market only. I think the October 15th release date that Zeiss is advertising in their social media is for some of the earliest markets (maybe Germany and U.S.?). Also Otus 50/1.4 for Sony E-mount got released a couple of weeks earlier in U.S. and Germany than in Japan.
Curious to see if the rumour about additional focal lengths being announced shortly is true or not. It might make sense for Zeiss to promote the launch of 85/1.4 with an announcement of some further development plans to extend the lineup. I don't see why they would want to announce a 100mm or something else that would directly compete with 85/1.4 at the time of 85mm launch though.
Personally I'd be interested in a 28mm or 35mm Otus ML in the future. I would not go for anything wider than 28mm as 28mm is a favorite FL and I'm not particularly fond of 24mm or 25mm. I have enough coverage of 24mm as it is, but for 28mm there is always room for more.
p.27 #10 · ZEISS Otus ML line officially announced!
burningheart wrote:
I am hoping for a 25 or 35. I continue to use my 3 EF Oti (28,55,100) it would give me 6 different focal lengths to choose from. Mind you I would still be happy with a trinity of ML 28,50,85 if it is a 28.
I will be contacting my sales rep once Zeiss makes the 85 availability official. I sure hope the Oct 15 shown in the You Tube short is the release date.
I would love a 28-
Would be open to a 25 but already own the Leica 24 Lux, which is really high on my list of all-time lenses.
Be super fun to have a 28/50 in Zeiss weather sealed optics for non Leica bodies where I want the fun photography approach-
A 25 1.4 I would probably just blindly buy as well though!!
p.27 #11 · ZEISS Otus ML line officially announced!
Juha Kannisto wrote:
Cosina didn't yet announce official release date for Otus 85/1.4 (they announced "October" earlier but no specific date yet). They only handle the distribution in Japan market whereas Zeiss handles it in other markets, and Cosina's announcement will be about Japan market only. I think the October 15th release date that Zeiss is advertising in their social media is for some of the earliest markets (maybe Germany and U.S.?). Also Otus 50/1.4 for Sony E-mount got released a couple of weeks earlier in U.S. and Germany than in Japan.
Curious to see if the rumour about additional focal lengths being announced shortly is true or not. It might make sense for Zeiss to promote the launch of 85/1.4 with an announcement of some further development plans to extent the lineup. I don't see why they would want to announce a 100mm or something else that would directly compete with 85/1.4 at the time of 85mm launch though.
Personally I'd be interested in a 28mm or 35mm Otus ML in the future. I would not go for anything wider than 28mm as 28mm is a favorite FL and I'm not particularly fond of 24mm or 25mm. I have enough coverage of 24mm as it is, but for 28mm there is always room for more....Show more →
It will be interesting tomorrow if that You Tube short date comes true for some markets. It was the 2nd date I have seen without an official announcement. The other is on B&H with the Canon RF version where they state Expected availability: Oct 28, 2025.
I agree when Zeiss officially announces the 85 they should announce the development plans at the same time to keep the buzz going. A wide makes most sense. It would be even better if they announced a couple of lenses.
p.27 #12 · ZEISS Otus ML line officially announced!
RustyRus wrote:
Be super fun to have a 28/50 in Zeiss weather sealed optics for non Leica bodies where I want the fun photography approach-
You have been rocking it with the 50 and the R5 MKII. Enjoying the images you posted. Gives me an idea what to expect on my R5 MKII. I'm also curious how it will perform on the Ra and if it has any hot spots for infrared.
I just wish my sales rep would tell me it is in. He said 7-10 days but if Zeiss shipped it via post office it will be delayed due to the Canada Post strike which is now changing to a rotating one.
Juha's shots gave us a great view of what can be obtained on the Sony A7CII.
p.27 #13 · ZEISS Otus ML line officially announced!
There was an official e-mail newsletter from Zeiss today which states that 85/1.4 is now available in all 3 mounts. Not sure which markets are covered already though, but since the price including German VAT is mentioned, I suppose it's available at least in some Germany stores already:
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Finally, our new ZEISS Otus ML 1.4/85 is available in the stores! 🥳
The new lens impresses with:
Highest optical quality for the finest details with the unmistakable ZEISS Look
Precise mechanics with this world-renowned ZEISS Manual Prime Lens
Premium craftsmanship with a durable metal build that reflects the highest level of precision and quality
The ZEISS Otus ML 1.4/85 for Sony1 E-, Canon2 RF- and Nikon3 Z-Mount is now available from retailers with a recommended retail price (RRP) of €2,799 (incl. German VAT; Prices may vary depending on the country or region).
Use our dealer locator to find a ZEISS retailer near to you. Get your hands on the Otus ML and portray your next story.
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p.27 #15 · ZEISS Otus ML line officially announced!
burningheart wrote:
You have been rocking it with the 50 and the R5 MKII. Enjoying the images you posted. Gives me an idea what to expect on my R5 MKII. I'm also curious how it will perform on the Ra and if it has any hot spots for infrared.
I just wish my sales rep would tell me it is in. He said 7-10 days but if Zeiss shipped it via post office it will be delayed due to the Canada Post strike which is now changing to a rotating one.
Juha's shots gave us a great view of what can be obtained on the Sony A7CII.
Its really been a fun lens to use. I am eyeing the 85 I just think the size/wieght of it would keep it on the shelf for me.
The thing that has really surprised me is how good Canon's MF aids are. I don't understand why this isn't marketed more. Its crazy good. I am good with my 50 LUX on the M11 body but I miss occasionally, I don't think I have missed with the Zeiss on the R5mk2. Its pretty much perfect.
p.27 #16 · ZEISS Otus ML line officially announced!
RustyRus wrote:
Thanks!
Its really been a fun lens to use. I am eyeing the 85 I just think the size/wieght of it would keep it on the shelf for me.
The thing that has really surprised me is how good Canon's MF aids are. I don't understand why this isn't marketed more. Its crazy good. I am good with my 50 LUX on the M11 body but I miss occasionally, I don't think I have missed with the Zeiss on the R5mk2. Its pretty much perfect.
Just Canon being Canon focusing on selling their lenses. I have found the focusing being a god send for all my ZE adapted Zeiss, Zeiss Otus and Voigtlander RF and ZE manual focus lenses. The Lux 50 my favourite Leica M lens though the version 2 with closer MFD has been tempting I continue to hold onto it.
p.27 #20 · ZEISS Otus ML line officially announced!
The 85mm has a fair degree of breathing, as the PetaPixel reviewer points out. And Ted Forbes discusses micro-contrast as a very good thing, something that can be reduced in post-processing if desired. Here is a snip from his video review (after YT compression):
