bla bla bla, everyone is complaining about the Auto F, and the price. Well, one thing you have to understand, this lens is not for every one and not meant to use it for your family or kids or your dogs that you photograph them in a daily basis. This is a high end lens that is designed for photographers that want high end images. So stop complaining and get for yourself a canon or nikon 85 1.8.

Thanks guys. I'm a new amateur photographer which should immediately exclude me from this discussion (and lens consideration). However, I had the opportunity to shoot with it briefly after I convinced the guys down at the local photography store to make my dream come true and let me shoot it around the store. (unboxing it and holding it was half the fun). I also have some experience with the Sony AR III (neighbor owns one) and it's wonderful focus peaking as well as the focus peaking available on the Nikon D850 in Live View. In general, I have to agree with Pye. If you own a Sony then you might be less frustrated focusing this lens, but using it wide open on Nikon D850 live view with focus peaking was still frustrating. Even if you pose a subject, it's hard to believe they won't move a bit while you are trying to focus. It is certainly challenging for action, moving critters, young children, moving environments etc. Price clearly puts this lens in a place where you either have a forgiving spouse or lots of disposable income or need it for your work. I really wish that someone knowledgeable in physics and lens construction can explain to me how light can pass through so many elements of glass and still demonstrate contrast, rendition, and dynamic range while correcting for flare, edge to edge sharpness, and chromatic aberration. My experience in the store was not enough to give a thumbs up. The weight, difficulty pulling focus, lack of autofocus, lack of weather sealing, odd filter size, and cost were enough to put it down without reservation. The look, feel, and smoothness of operation will provide enough temptation as is. I'll be watching FLICKR for those unbelievable images that might change my mind if I win the lottery.

got the 55mm and wow man the colors are just so unbelievable - loooove it !

I luv this lens, used my copy just this morning and I can focus without any issues on a D810. It can be done easily if you know the Nikon focus confirmation system with the dot and arrows in the lower left corner. Still subject only of course.

what was the balance like hanging a lens like this (plus the adapter) on a small body like the a7r?

Can I ask what kind of the adaptor do you use on the A72 for the otus lens? Thanks.

You make the point that it's hard to fokus on Canon 5D III.. However, you could mention that you can change the focusing screen on the 6D, and make it a lot easier to manual focus.. Apart from that, a nice review!

The bit about sharpness and being "too perfect" is a good point. I love the quality of the bokeh and feeling of the transition between lights and darks from my 85mm f/1.2. I also have a more recent and more sharper lens. The quality of light to dark is more crisp and contrasty. Another reviewer said of the Sigma 50mm that it had sharpness but it's bokeh was less than desirable - so it's great for catalog work or stuff you need to be completely in focus, but not for stuff where you want out of focus stuff. What I'm trying to say is that so far it seems that lenses that go for outstanding sharpness seem to sacrifice a desirable sort of softness where such might be desired.

Hey Pye, I thought you weren't going keep your Sony A7r. What changed your mind?

You both make pretty good points. I believe Pye wins, however, as the price and the necessity of manual focus are two strikes against it. With the future Sigma coming out at some point, there will be a rival, and even if it falls slightly short, it will also be manual focus and much cheaper. Unless you are shooting subjects that don't move at all, and you have a tripod, the Sigma will probably be sharper in most real life situations, because it can use autofocus to lock on to a degree that is nearly impossible for any human to do for a moving subject. But for that very specific group of rich people who feel that they don't need autofocus, Joe's comments are helpful. By the way, that's a pretty rad opening theme.

The OTUS line is peerless

Where do you get your intro music from?

Amateurs and professionals can both shoot great photos. The difference with professionals is that they have to be consistent with quality and fast. That's why the 24-70mm and 70-200mm is the most favorable lenses among professionals. At f/1.4 50mm the manual focus is very hard. When you can't foot zoom, by cropping even the photo from a Zeiss Otus you deliver equal results with a premium zoom lens. So the Zeiss Otus is great for very special situations when time is plenty and no zoom is needed.

I can not WAIT until sigma releases their ART 85mm 1.4! I might have to get the Nikon until then and I will probably rent this Otus to see this monster!

Nice hit on pye at 06:44 :)

Here's my 2c worth. I have just sold my Canon EF85mm f1.2L II AND also my Canon 50mm f1.2L in order to put myself in position to buy the Zeiss Otus 85mm f1.4......but all of a sudden another monster just revealed itself. No, it's not a new lens that's about to be released. It's the Canon EF200mm f2.0 L which can give any lens a run for it's money in the portrait dept. Except, just as the Zeiss Otus is crippled in the autofocus area, with the Canon 200mm f2.0 one has to back off quite a bit, and it's cumbersome as hell. So now I'm not sure which one I should get ha ha. That Zeiss Otus is one gorgeous lens!!!

@thisisreallyverysilly

8 жыл бұрын

+davidjewels Uh 200mm is not a portrait lens.

That's why you should take a Canon 6D with Eg-s focusing screen instead 5D3 for manual lens like otus's and practice a litle. You will be able to use manual lenses with any kind of fotography styles. Is not very complicated.

@WilliamPayneNZ

7 жыл бұрын

Patrick Martins you can get the focusing screens designed for manual focusing from canon for the 5d's they use a changeable focusing screen.

@paatras

7 жыл бұрын

William Payne Only 5D and 5D2. 5D3 and 5D4 it is impossible as they have it fixed

A lens having "no character" is actually the whole point of this kind of optic. It's supposed to be transparent, and maintain color fidelity and tonality. With it you can represent the world in a more direct or straightforward manner. Manual focus is simply a skill to be learned. Not for everyone but for those who can use it's strengths maximally.

Who shoots panning video at 1.4 This lens is amazing and meant for portraits and sharp images not video

is it not autofocus lens?

I forgot that Sony had an "A-mount" with a Sony Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 and a 135mm f/1.8.

From the comments you read and hear about it not being autofocus you would think taking pictures isn't possible if the camera doesn't do it for you.. Manual focus realy isn't difficult, we did it for years for every kind of photography, including action. As for price just get over it.

What is the character of lens? It's digital photography era...

I disagree the Otus images have character, the 50mm art is "dull" but perfect. Don't get me wrong I love the art series and it's the best alternative for people like me that can't afford the Otuses but the colors of the otus have a mark. What I will do, this side of the money divide, is spend a little time more with the art files, or use capture pro and one of the "film" presets. Very good review.

Unequalled Zeiss, at best lens in all senses!!!

@dontgetmadgetwise4271

6 жыл бұрын

Not in the price sense.

@dontgetmadgetwise4271

6 жыл бұрын

Or the weight sense.

@dontgetmadgetwise4271

6 жыл бұрын

Or the filter size sense.

@dontgetmadgetwise4271

6 жыл бұрын

I guess you were wrong.

Well.....For me, I'll stick with my Canon 85 1.2. I agree with Pye all the way on this one.

Nikon cameras have great manual focus assist... Also the 85mm 1.4 from Nikon is one of the best from the brand. Just....ignoring half the entire market for the Zeiss? ......really?

I don't see how anyone can legitimately justify the purchase of this lens. Which viewers are going to know upon viewing it's images? And even if they were able to tell, which I doubt, the image would look overwhelming similar if shot with a different 85mm lens. I guess I just don't "get" it.

The construction isn't perfect (easily destructible matte rubber ring?) , so unfortunately you can't class it as a perfect lens. It has perfect optics meh maybe it's thats debatable the absence of color fringing at faster apertures actually speaks volumes but the construction leaves a lot to be desired ( taking it's price into consideration and yes I understand that the internals are suppose to be uber-expensive). Again this is still an awesome lens I agree with that.

The big one is unreasonable. And I am not talking about the lenses. Yeah, the Otus is a fantastic lens, but as far as value goes? Ha.

the guy on the left just sounds like someone whos angry because he cant afford it

@dontgetmadgetwise4271

6 жыл бұрын

That's the idea.

Your claim that you can not focus a maneul lens on a DSLR unless it has focus peaking is unfounded. Not being a Cannon owner I can not speak to Cannon but with my Nikon I can testify that I own several manuel focus lenses and am very successful with the Nikon focus aid. Give a try.

@dontgetmadgetwise4271

6 жыл бұрын

Indeed. I normally wear reading glasses but with the diopter adjustment I manually focus very successfully through the view finder. It just requires a little attention and patience. Perhaps lacking in some youngsters.

@girliedog

6 жыл бұрын

I also wear glasses so I put a magnifying eye piece on my view finder very helpful.

Zeiss lenses are like Bentleys, you hate the rich guy who owns one but you'd like to have one too one day. Also, way too fkng expensive, even for the quality. Im very curious how much these three lenses cost to make vs how much you pay for the name/market/shipping etc. Thank for making these videos, i cant wait to see you fight for real, we want to see blood. Just kidding. Or am i?

"...name one still lens that's more perfect than the Zeiss Otus..." Easy.... Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH and even sharper the Leica Summicon-M 50mm f/2 APO. Both in comparison to the Zeiss Otus 55 f/1.4 of course.

You cannot but think the manufacturers are very unkind to their customers. Yes, I'm sure it would be delightful to have the very best of gear but unless you have won a ship load of cash in some Lotto most of the very high end stuff isn't something to aspire but somethings to profoundly annoy. If every time you pick up a camera & lense combo and are wishing you had Zeiss you'll not alone drive yourself mad but you'll never learn the tools you are holding in you hand. Of course there are utterly crap gear out there. I had a Nikon D3000 before my D7000 so I know what's what in that department. But it's limitations forces you into work-a-rounds. Still, you have to wonder a bit about the lack of capacity to auto-focus. What is it about the Zeiss that's preventing them from putting in a gear or two and a drive shaft. You have to say the notions of purity were soundly debunked in the Euthyphro 2400 years ago, if that's their argument.

Can anyone tell me why Zeiss refuses to add autofocus to their overpriced lenses?

@alex0589

9 жыл бұрын

photographylife.com/zeiss-make-autofocus-dslr-lenses

@joshuassonjs

9 жыл бұрын

If they add autofocus they would have to program electronics for every mount the thing is made for. That would cost them alot. They do it to save money

@thisistimmy

9 жыл бұрын

The Otus lenses are already ginormous as they are, adding AF would probably make it uncomfortable to use or at the very least not as ergonomic to use.

@thisistimmy

9 жыл бұрын

The Zeiss ZA lenses use AF btw, not Otus though.

get a precision matte focus screen! your lame excuse of being unable to focus will be gone. Yes with the MK3 you do need to get a third party one but still it makes the 1.4 focus-able.

The Otus piccers look flat.

Sounds like a great lens, but waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay to expensive.

Trying to please everyone :(

M sorry, m new to this channel, and in fact this is the 1st review ive seen on this channel. But who the hell is the white shirt guy? Autofocus is a subjective preference. If this lens were a "giant fail" like he sed then he wudnt have ben working for this company, he wudve owned it. Y do you give Sophisticated gear to imbeciles to review. Get a life.

@slrlounge

8 жыл бұрын

+Amanat Shah .. thanks buddy.

@thisisreallyverysilly

8 жыл бұрын

+Amanat Shah When did he say it was a "giant fail"? What vid did you watch? He said it is very hard to focus on a Nikon or Canon platform and that limits utility. Which is valid. PS - Learn to spell. Any argument you make online is largely invalidated when you you spell every third word wrong.