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ZEISS Otus 85mm f/1.4 ZE Lens for Canon EF

BH #ZE8514OZEC • MFR #2040-292
ZEISS Otus 85mm f/1.4 ZE Lens for Canon EF
Key Features
  • EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/1.4 to f/16
  • One Aspherical Element
  • Six Low Dispersion Elements
Designed without restrictions, the Canon EF-mount Otus 85mm f/1.4 ZE from ZEISS is a portrait-length prime distinguished by its apochromatic optical design and refined construction to excel in a variety of shooting situations. The short telephoto focal length pairs with the bright f/1.4 maximum aperture to afford extensive control over depth of field for working with selective focus techniques, and it also benefits shooting handheld in low-light conditions. Suiting shooting at a variety of working distances, a Planar optical concept is employed, along with a floating elements system, to retain consistent sharpness and image quality throughout the focusing range. Additionally, a series of aspherical and low dispersion glass elements are also used to reduce distortion, color fringing, and aberrations for a well-corrected image quality. 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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$4,490.00
$375/mo. suggested payments for 12 Mos.
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ZEISS Otus 85mm f/1.4 Overview

Designed without restrictions, the Canon EF-mount Otus 85mm f/1.4 ZE from ZEISS is a portrait-length prime distinguished by its apochromatic optical design and refined construction to excel in a variety of shooting situations. The short telephoto focal length pairs with the bright f/1.4 maximum aperture to afford extensive control over depth of field for working with selective focus techniques, and it also benefits shooting handheld in low-light conditions. Suiting shooting at a variety of working distances, a Planar optical concept is employed, along with a floating elements system, to retain consistent sharpness and image quality throughout the focusing range. Additionally, a series of aspherical and low dispersion glass elements are also used to reduce distortion, color fringing, and aberrations for a well-corrected image quality. 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.

Portrait-length prime lens is designed for full-frame Canon EF-mount cameras, however can also be used with APS-C models where it provides an 136mm 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.
Planar optical design affords high sharpness and consistent performance throughout the focusing range to suit photographing at a wide range of imaging scales.
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 2.6' 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 85mm f/1.4 Specs

Focal Length
85mm
Maximum Aperture
f/1.4
Minimum Aperture
f/16
Lens Mount
Canon EF
Lens Format Coverage
Full-Frame
Angle of View
28°
Minimum Focus Distance
2.62' / 80 cm
Maximum Magnification
0.13x
Optical Design
11 Elements in 9 Groups
Focus Type
Manual Focus
Image Stabilization
No
Filter Size
86 mm (Front)
Dimensions (ø x L)
3.98 x 4.88" / 101 x 124 mm
Weight
2.65 lb / 1.2 kg
Packaging Info
Package Weight
4.915 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
11.45 x 6.9 x 5.7"

ZEISS Otus 85mm f/1.4 Reviews

So sharp it could replace my 200 mm L-series

By Jacy
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-06-07

After getting this lens I decided to really put it to the test, I photographed a mountain side with a 200 mm L series Canon lens then I photographed the same mountain side with the Zeiss Otus 85mm. I then cropped and enlarged it to match the frame composition of the 200mm and the zeiss image was still a little sharper and had better color! Now I'm a believer!

The Great Secret Advantage of the Otus

By Louis
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2019-05-24

Every review of this lens touts its magnificent sharpness and resolution. But thats not why I felt justified in buying this outrageously expensive lens. I rented it for a week prior to my purchase to test it. The pictures below make clear the factor that made my purchase a necessity: its astounding resistance to flare. As you see, this first image of the man by the windowwas taken with the Canon 85 mm f1.2 which I owned at the time. The window behind the subject was open on a white surface reflecting direct sunlight and probably eight stops brighter than the interior. The image is flared out exactly as I expected. That is why I did not ever take pictures with very bright areas behind the subject. I knew the results would be hopeless. Why bother even trying? I then put the Zeiss 85 Otus on my camera and took a picture of the exact same situation. I cannot tell you shocked I was at this result! What happened to the flare? How could the subject hold its blacks with this much back lighting? I was amazed beyond words. It was at this moment I realized that I had to buy the Otus for the simple reason that scenes with intense backlighting are actually very common in everyday shooting. Generally we photographers either dont bother taking those pictures or, if the situation is more mild, put up with the flare problems figuring we can improve things in Photoshop. And it is true that we can reduce the effects of flare but never to the degree that I saw in this picture on the back of my camera without any Photoshop adjustment. This is the primary reason for my buying the lens. As it happens, the lens is also insanely sharp. But I regard that as a bonus. Its nice to have a phenomenally sharp lens but most of my lenses are already quite sharp and the improvement in sharpness would not have been enough to make me fork over the big bucks for the Otus. I include one more comparison of flare reduction with the Otus of a table set with glassware. This, too, is a commonly encountered situation. Though the difference may be more subtle; it is still quite significant. With the Otus I no longer have any concerns about flare when shooting into harsh backlit situations. My results are crisp and contrasty and perfectly sharp. It doesnt get much better than that.

Makes you a better photographer

By Joseph
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2018-08-28

I bought a used version of this lens in used, but mint, condition. It is a "big chunk of glass" as my adult son pointed out. This lens allows you to shoot subjects that you wouldn't normally shoot. It turns the mundane into exciting! When I edit images from this beast and zoom in, it's like I found a new photo! I use it with a Canon 5DS r, on a tripod, at ISO 50. I'll capture several frames of the same subject but refocus each time, to hopefully get the focus correct. I've also just started exploring focus stacking and this lens is perfect for that. I come from the 4x5 world and this lens compares optically to my Schneider Kreuznach lenses. I just wish that I could tilt the Otus!

Stellar

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

I've reviewed the Otus 55 and the 85mm is that same quality with a tighter field of view. But because the focal length is longer the out of focus rendering and 3-D pop is extraordinary. This is one of the highest quality pieces of glass ever manufactured. Solid and clean in every way and in every detail. Is it flary, vintage and milky - NO - it is clean, sharp, contrasty and distortion-free. It is an excellent choice for video and stills. I highly recommend it.

Real sharp, but a little bit difficult to use

By Eric
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2018-06-24

There is no need for me to emphasize how sharp the photo can be by using this lens. Let me talk about the cons so you can make a smarter decision if you really want to spend so much money to invest this staff. Cons 1: Manually focus only, this makes the lens is really difficult to capture moving objects. 85mm is a great lens for portrait, but I almost never use it to shoot moving people. Cons 2: Sometimes too sharp which I need to manually focus very preciously. When I check the view window or screen, I feel the focus is done, but when I load the image to my computer, maybe it is not. Cons 3: Too heavy to carry. Generally, I feel this one will be a wonderful for studio or for shooting professional models.

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!

Incredible Optics

By Baron
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-01-22

I've rented this lens and done a bunch of pixel peeping, shooting all the usual test shots, as well as just a lot of photography. It is absolutely peerless optically. There is zero detectable flaw in distortion, fringing, bokeh (shape, onion ring, etc), -- anything. I have never used a lens I couldn't find fault with, which is not to say I don't love my flawed lenses, but I've never used one without flaws before this. A couple of notes: this lens has absolutely zero character. What you point it at will be projected faithfully onto your film/sensor. It has incredible color rendition; colors are more saturated than I've ever seen. I've even had to dial down saturation of blues in a portrait because due to the lighting, the eye color looked absolutely fake. I've never seen that before! Also, as others have noted, it is physically a beast: very heavy, very large. Be careful if you're tripod-mounting it, because it's borderline too heavy for my camera's tripod mount (can't tilt it sideways without care, or it'll start twisting floorwards; I had to crank the mount screw tighter than I felt comfortable with). You might need to tripod-mount it though, because it has no stabilization. Finally, the lens focus throw is very very long, so you'll be twisting and twisting to move the focus.

The best you can get

By Patrick
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2019-08-21

The Otus Series is the best you can get. Sure, you have to focus manually, but you get used to it quite fast. The quality is simply outstanding and the best glass I ever held in my hands.

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Is there any warranty included by B&H for this lens? If not, is there an aftermarket warranty I can purchase to protect my investment (ie. Squaretrade)?
Asked by: Jimmy
This product has a two year, limited manufacturer's warranty.
Answered by: Heather S.
Date published: 2018-08-25

Sony?

Sony?
Asked by: David
Yes. the following unit will mount but an adapter must be set in its place. Please review the following items. https://bhpho.to/3vUanM0
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Which adaptor does B & H recommend for the F Mount Lens/FX format if I intend to use the lens on a Sony A7R camera?
Asked by: Robert C.
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