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ZEISS Otus 55mm f/1.4 ZF.2 Lens for Nikon F

BH #ZE5514ZF2N • MFR #2010-055
ZEISS Otus 55mm f/1.4 ZF.2 Lens for Nikon F
Key Features
  • F-Mount Lens/FX Format
  • Aperture Range: f/1.4 to f/16
  • One Aspherical Element
  • Six Low Dispersion Elements
Employing a no-holds-barred design, the Nikon F-mount ZEISS Otus 55mm f/1.4 ZF.2 is an optically refined normal-length prime characterized by its bright maximum aperture and advanced optics for high sharpness and color accuracy. The fast f/1.4 design excels in difficult lighting conditions and is also suitable for adjusting depth of field to isolate subject matter using selective focus. A Distagon optical concept is used to promote edge-to-edge sharpness and low field curvature, and, through the use of low dispersion and aspherical elements, this lens also achieves a well-corrected image quality void of aberrations, color fringing, and distortion. A floating elements system is also used, for consistent performance throughout the focusing and aperture ranges, in order to achieve even sharpness and clarity. An enhanced ZEISS T* anti-reflective coating has also been applied to significantly reduce ghosting and lens flare for improved contrast and color fidelity when working in strong lighting conditions.
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$3,990.00
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ZEISS Otus 55mm f/1.4 Overview

Employing a no-holds-barred design, the Nikon F-mount ZEISS Otus 55mm f/1.4 ZF.2 is an optically refined normal-length prime characterized by its bright maximum aperture and advanced optics for high sharpness and color accuracy. The fast f/1.4 design excels in difficult lighting conditions and is also suitable for adjusting depth of field to isolate subject matter using selective focus. A Distagon optical concept is used to promote edge-to-edge sharpness and low field curvature, and, through the use of low dispersion and aspherical elements, this lens also achieves a well-corrected image quality void of aberrations, color fringing, and distortion. A floating elements system is also used, for consistent performance throughout the focusing and aperture ranges, in order to achieve even sharpness and clarity. An enhanced ZEISS T* anti-reflective coating has also been applied to significantly reduce ghosting and lens flare for improved contrast and color fidelity when working in strong lighting conditions.

Its manual focus design is complemented by a rubberized focus ring for fine-tuned, precise control over your focus position. Additionally, Otus-series lenses also feature an equally aesthetic and durable anodized metal lens barrel surface along with engraved focusing scales and distinctive high-visibility yellow paint.

Normal-length prime lens is designed for FX-format Nikon F-mount cameras, however can also be used with DX models where it provides an 82.5mm equivalent focal length.
Impressively bright f/1.4 maximum aperture is well-suited for working in low-light conditions and also provides greater control over the focus position when using shallow depth of field techniques.
Distagon optical concept affords high sharpness, well-corrected image quality from edge-to-edge, and very low field curvature.
Apochromatic optical design utilizes six anomalous partial dispersion elements to significantly reduce color fringing and chromatic aberrations for increased clarity and color fidelity.
One aspherical element controls distortion and spherical aberrations in order to produce greater sharpness and more accurate rendering.
ZEISS T* anti-reflective coating has been applied to each lens surface to help minimize reflections and provide greater contrast and color fidelity.
Floating elements system helps to maintain consistent image quality throughout the entire focusing range, from 1.6' to infinity.
Manual focus design is benefitted by focusing and depth of field scales, which are filled with a high-visibility yellow paint, along with hard stops at both infinity and minimum focusing positions.
All-metal lens barrel has a frosted, anodized surface along with a rubberized focusing ring for both durability and improved tactile control.

ZEISS Otus 55mm f/1.4 Specs

Focal Length
55mm
Maximum Aperture
f/1.4
Minimum Aperture
f/16
Lens Mount
Nikon F
Lens Format Coverage
Full-Frame
Angle of View
44°
Minimum Focus Distance
1.64' / 50 cm
Maximum Magnification
0.15x
Optical Design
12 Elements in 10 Groups
Focus Type
Manual Focus
Image Stabilization
No
Filter Size
77 mm (Front)
Dimensions (ø x L)
3.64 x 4.93" / 92.4 x 125.3 mm
Weight
2.13 lb / 970 g
Packaging Info
Package Weight
4.23 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
11.8 x 6.8 x 5.7"

ZEISS Otus 55mm f/1.4 Reviews

Late birds get the worm!

By Jef_1_f
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2023-04-25

I am one of those guys that HAD to have this lens upon release and paid the full launch price. I don't regret it at all because I have had the pleasure of using this lens almost 10 years now and many great photos as a result. One of my fondest memories of what a difference a lens like this could make was in the PNW. We came up on this beautiful lake and mountain vista one morning with the sun coming up behind the mountains. Another photographer was there with his wife and he was screaming his head off at her to hold a piece of cardboard above his lens while he tried to stop lake reflections from below with his hat. He was very frustrated. I stepped out the car, pointed the Otus directly at the shot and snapped off 4 or 5 shots of varying DOF without any optical issues. None at all. I can't recall what I paid for this lens (and the 85 and 28 that followed) but of the three, this is my favorite. The 85mm is unforgiving when it comes to how much post work needs to be done when doing portraits. It will catch every tiny hair and skin defect. The 28mm is also a specialty lens that I honestly haven't figured out good uses for that I can't do with the Nikon 14-24mm (this is about what I can carry and take traveling. My kit, a D850, Nikon 2.8 14-24, Sigma 1.4 35mm and the Otus 55mm. At the current price, this lens is a no brainer. You won't regret it.

Best, almost perfect lens.

By Robert
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2019-07-11

Best on the planet in terms of optical quality and correction. Manual focus.

$4,000 ZEISS Otus 1.4/55 / misaligned aperture blades

By UFUK
Rated 1 out of 5
Date: 2019-02-18

I bought an $4,000 ZEISS Otus 1.4/55 in last month. Yesterday I just aware I my copy have an alignment problem in aperture blades in f16 and immediately contact to Zeiss customer services for a replacement in Germany. After see a lot of perfect or near perfect aligned lenses on the net, mine $4,000 Otus annoyed a lot and it increased after the reply from ZEISS. Zeiss promotion these Otus lenses as Uncompromising image quality and I just started to understand not uncompromising in mechanical quality.

Top Quality

By John
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2018-06-30

The Otus 55 is without a doubt one of the most flawless lenses created. However, you have to know that that is what you're looking for in an image. So much work, these days, is leaning toward a distressed/vintage look. The Otus line of glass is NOT that! It is clean, distortion free, perfect bokeh, sharp as a tac and contrasty. So if that type of clean look is your bag, the Otus will deliver that, and then some!

The real thang'

By AS
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2018-05-17

I have had the lens for three weeks now, used it on my Canon 5DIV, and SonyA7RIII with MetaboneIV, this sure is a real thang. Have the Otus85 for the past three years, so naturally G.A.S. thing was at work and prevailed again. Great color(specially on Canon, sony a little flat and clinically sharp but cold RAW) no comparison with Canon50,1.2 which one of the few lens that I got rid of, a bit closer to Canon35,1.4II color rendition. This lens is much more versatile than my Otus85mm, but again a bit more clinical than 85MM which is my fav. focal length and lens. The more you use it the more you understand the hype, color, contrast, and overall feel of the pictures..oh so deliciously rich in nature. Most all my lenses are L glass, and G-master(24-70, 2.8, Zeiss/sony 35, 1.4) including the 85,1.4LS�and 85,1.2II, 24-70,2.8, and 70-200, 2.8II�which are convenient with AF, but again,..I keep coming back to Zeiss boys. 55MM can stay on either of my camera's all day long, even though 35MM would have more keeper with walking around and having more content in the picture. in short, If you can take your time, compose and expose correctly, a bit of manual focus practice for added flavor, you will be forever bitten and in. My (casual shooter) 2-cents worth.Good luck.

Otus

By CARLOS
Rated 1 out of 5
Date: 2018-04-02

Photographers from Brazil and the world, I want to share my experience with the technical assistance for Zeiss lenses, my Otus 85mm f / 1.4 ZF2 (with less than 50 clicks) stopped working (factory default, recurring, just search the net) and Zeiss recommends that I send the concert lens in the USA (8 thousand kilometers away from my house) so, I think I'll be at a loss, I recommend that before investing your money in Carl Zeiss equipment, think twice, when your lens present problems, you will have no manufacturer support!

Zee Best

By Grzegorz
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-12-19

Really don't know what words to use...never seen f1.4 image like the ones coming out of this lens?...10++++?....awesome?...magical?....

Works very well for video

By jorge
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2019-08-19

This 55mm is still one of the best 50s I’ve ever used. The Zeiss 55mm otus and Leica 50mm APO are in a league of their own.

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YOUR RECENTLY VIEWED ITEMS

question

Does this lens have CPU coupling which provides aperture, program AE priority, aperture priority, shutter priority or manual exposure settings on camera models equipped with an electronic interface as my D800E ? Thank you.
Asked by: Anonymous
Yes, this lens has CPU coupling, and will communicate the distance and metering. However, it will only focus manually.
Answered by: Heather S.
Date published: 2018-08-25

question

What adapter would I use for this lens on my SONY NEX FS 700?Would a sony LA-EA2 mount work?
Asked by: Anonymous
The Sony NEX-FS700R Super 35 Camcorder body uses Sony's E-mount that gives you the flexibility to use a wide variety of E-mount NEX or Sony A-mount Alpha} lens via the optional LA-EA1/ LAEA3 mount adapters. You can also use 35mm SLR and DSLR lenses or professional cinema lenses with the use of optional third party adapters. The Nikon F Mount 55mm f/1.4 Otus Distagon T Lens from Zeiss would require a Nikon to E mount adapter and would not be compatible with the Sony LA-EA1 or LA-EA3 adapters. The MTF Services Ltd Nikon G to Sony E Mount Adapter allows you to attach any Nikon-mounted lens to the Sony NEX-3, NEX-5, NEX-VG10, NEX-VG20, and the Sony NEX FS-100/700 cameras. It is compatible with DX and 35mm format lenses and also supports lenses with or without aperture rings. http://bhpho.to/1pe97dmThe Sony 50mm f/1.4 Carl Zeiss Planar T* ZA Lens is a normal-length prime lens that is compatible with both full-frame and APS-C-sized image sensors. This lens' construction integrates two glass-molded aspherical elements within its design to provide high image quality while reducing distortions and aberrations. This lens is compatible with a LA-EA1 adapter. http://bhpho.to/1nNMc7p
Answered by: Chuck C.
Date published: 2018-08-25

Does this lens have auto-focus capability?

Does this lens have auto-focus capability?
Asked by: Zach
No, the Zeiss Otus line of lenses are strictly manual focus lenses, as would be the Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4 ZF.2 Lens for Nikon F.
Answered by: ericsc
Date published: 2023-03-12

Is this lens made in Germany?

Is this lens made in Germany?
Asked by: Evan
The Otus lens series is designed by ZEISS in Oberkochen, Germany and manufactured in Japan.
Answered by: ZEISS Camera Lenses
Date published: 2022-11-19

What lens adapter do I need to use for Sony FX6 ...

What lens adapter do I need to use for Sony FX6 camera?
Asked by: Renat
The ZEISS Otus 55mm f/1.4 ZF.2 Lens for Nikon F is a manual lens. So a good Manual adapter that works with E mount cameras would be this one, https://bhpho.to/3GAsMTX .
Answered by: Robert
Date published: 2022-11-22

question

Does the lens have an aperture ring or is that controlled from the camera body?
Asked by: Anonymous
While you can control the aperture of the Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus Distagon T* Lens for Nikon F Mount on the camera body, the lens does feature an manual aperture ring which allows you to manually control the aperture on older SLR and DSLR cameras.
Answered by: Manzell L.
Date published: 2018-08-25

question

Hi.Is the lens hood integrated or separate?Thanks.
Asked by: Anonymous
The lens hood is separate and is included with the lens.
Answered by: Chuck C.
Date published: 2018-08-25

Any body out there has used it with a Nikon Z7 ?

Any body out there has used it with a Nikon Z7 ?
Asked by: Carlos
This lens would work very well when attached to the Z7 via the FTZ adapter.
Answered by: Kirk
Date published: 2020-03-18
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