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ZEISS Planar T* 85mm f/1.4 ZE Lens for Canon EF

BH #ZE8514ZEC • MFR #1677-838
ZEISS Planar T* 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
  • ZEISS T* Anti-Reflective Coating
  • Manual Focus Design
A classic portrait-length prime, the Canon EF-mount Planar T* 85mm f/1.4 ZE from ZEISS is a short telephoto lens, ideal for producing shallow depth of field effects and isolating focus on subject matter. Beyond offering increased control over depth of field, the bright f/1.4 maximum aperture also excels in difficult lighting conditions and suits handheld shooting in low-light situations. The Planar-type optical concept is a tried-and-true design that yields consistently high sharpness throughout the focusing range with even illumination throughout the aperture range. Also, a T* anti-reflective coating has been applied to individual elements to control lens flare and ghosting for improved contrast and color accuracy.
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ZEISS Planar T* 85mm f/1.4 Overview

A classic portrait-length prime, the Canon EF-mount Planar T* 85mm f/1.4 ZE from ZEISS is a short telephoto lens, ideal for producing shallow depth of field effects and isolating focus on subject matter. Beyond offering increased control over depth of field, the bright f/1.4 maximum aperture also excels in difficult lighting conditions and suits handheld shooting in low-light situations. The Planar-type optical concept is a tried-and-true design that yields consistently high sharpness throughout the focusing range with even illumination throughout the aperture range. Also, a T* anti-reflective coating has been applied to individual elements to control lens flare and ghosting for improved contrast and color accuracy.

Prime portrait-length lens is designed for full-frame Canon EF-mount cameras, however can also be used with APS-C models where it provides a 136mm equivalent focal length.
Fast f/1.4 maximum aperture affords extensive control over depth of field for achieving selective focus effects and also benefits working in low-light conditions.
Planar optical design affords high sharpness and consistent performance throughout the focusing range to suit photographing at a wide range of imaging scales.
ZEISS T* anti-reflective coating has been applied to each lens surface to help minimize reflections and provide greater contrast and color fidelity.
Manual focus design enables a minimum focusing distance of 3.3'.
All-metal lens barrel and mount offers high durability and rigidity.
A nine-blade diaphragm contributes to a pleasing bokeh quality when working with selective focus techniques.

ZEISS Planar T* 85mm f/1.4 Specs

Focal Length85mm
Maximum Aperturef/1.4
Minimum Aperturef/16
Lens MountCanon EF
Lens Format CoverageFull-Frame
Angle of View29°
Minimum Focus Distance3.28' / 1 m
Maximum Magnification0.1x
Optical Design6 Elements in 5 Groups
Diaphragm Blades9
Focus TypeManual Focus
Image StabilizationNo
Filter Size72 mm (Front)
Dimensions (ø x L)3.07 x 2.56" / 78 x 65 mm
Weight1.47 lb / 670 g
Packaging Info
Package Weight1.96 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)7.9 x 4.5 x 4.3"

ZEISS Planar T* 85mm f/1.4 Reviews

Zeiss Planar T* 85mm f/1.4

By Stephen
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2021-10-15

Incredibly sharp lens with amazing depth of field control. Solidly built, all around superb lens for portrait work or any selective focus pictures you may want to explore with it. Stephen Ross

German technology at its finest!

By Eric
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2018-05-13

Made in Japan but the German technology is there! This is my first Carl Zeiss lens that i purchased, and i dont regret it. As my late father told me, Carl Zeiss lenses are the best! I used this lens primarily for portraits in schools. Even though manual focus only, you can still feel the touch of its softness and clarity when focusing. Even though expensive i do not regret buying it especially i was able to get a discounted price of $150 from BNH. Thank you BNH for the great services you have given me for the past years.

You will love it!

By Erick
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2018-02-19

This has to be one of the best 85mm lenses from any brand. It envies nothing to the other 85mm f1.4's; be it Sigma or Sony. Super solid construction, balances great on FF bodies. It will last several lifetimes. I can't understand the reviewers that state that this lens is not sharp at f/1.4. I've been always more than satisfied with the lens wide open. They must have gotten a lemon. Highly recommended!

Very Nice Lens

By Zong
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2017-11-10

I got this lens (85mm/F1.4) today, and I took some pictures at 1.4 wide open. At first the pictures are very soft. However when I used live view, I got very sharp pictures from edge to edge! The lens is not soft at all when it is wide open!!! The problem is the people who use it. To me, the only negative is the lens cap. The build quality, IQ and color are all incredible. If you are patient and try to figure out how to handle it, practice and the reward is big. I give this lens a 5-Star rating.

Not a versatile lens. I'm disappointed.

By Cameron
Rated 2 out of 5
Date: 2017-07-27

I have been a working professional photographer for fifteen years. I own several other zeiss lenses and I have loved them all. No so with this one. My first complaint is that it does not focus close at all. I'm not talking about macro, I mean regular objects on a table, food, flowers, even people. My Canon 90 TS is far far more versatile. It does have nice bokeh and the color quality of the other zeiss lenses, so it makes a fair portrait lens, but that is really all I can figure out to use it for. It is also not nearly as sharp as either my other ZE lenses or my 90 TS. I might have gotten a poor copy, but it's still a limiting design. I don't have room in my bag for a one trick pony.

Zeus 85mm

By Anonymous
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2017-01-06

This is a beautiful lens. Image and color quality excellent. I find that it is betwr to stop down about a half stop to prevent blow out. I am still trying to get the hang of the manual focus. Definitely takes some practice

Both A Beauty And A Beast

By Wayne
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2019-09-10

The Carl Zeiss Planar 85mm f/1.4 ZF.2 is bigger and heavier that I expect. It is also a wonderful lens.

nice lens

By Afzal
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2018-12-04

nice working and nice lens

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What is the diameter of the circumference of the ...

What is the diameter of the circumference of the focus ring to put a ring to focus? I would like to know that information, for example, the Zeiss Distagon 25 mm has a diameter of 71.6 mm and I already put its ring focus on it. I would like to know that information about this Zeiss 85 mm Planar lens please
Asked by: bamk
The focusing ring on the ZEISS Planar T* 85mm f/1.4 ZE Lens for Canon EF has a diameter of 78mm (3.08").
Answered by: Yaakov
Date published: 2022-04-25

question

Made in Japan or Germany?
Asked by: Anonymous
The Zeiss Telephoto 85mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* Manual Focus Lens for Canon EOS is manufactured in Japan.
Answered by: Heather S.
Date published: 2018-08-27

question

Is this lens weather sealed?
Asked by: Greg B.
Yes, this lens is weather sealed.
Answered by: Heather S.
Date published: 2018-08-27

Is the aperture manual ?

Is the aperture manual ?
Asked by: Thomas
All of the ZEISS ZE lenses, whether from the Classic, Milvus or Otus families utilize electronic apertures controlled via the camera body.
Answered by: ZEISS Camera Lenses
Date published: 2022-07-08

question

Can this lens be used on the canon 1d series camera? D1 & DIII?
Asked by: Alfonso H.
Yes, you can use this lens on Canon ID series cameras.
Answered by: Heather S.
Date published: 2018-08-27

question

Is this Lens compatible with a Nikon D7000 ?
Asked by: Anonymous
Yes, it is a fully compatible manual focus lens.
Answered by: Matthew C.
Date published: 2018-08-28

question

Help. I can't seem to find in any discussion whether the Zeiss Planar T*85mm f/1.4 ZF (not the ZF.2) will work on a Nikon d810. May I know the difference between the ZF and th ZF.2?
Asked by: Dino Q.
ZF lenses act as any AI lens would on the D810 you have to enter it in the non-cpu lens data on the setup menu you then have access to the aperture priority and manual modes only on the camera you also gain ttl flash and center weighted and matrix metering... if you don't enter the lens data you only get manual and center weighted metering with the lens of course you have to set the aperture ring like the good old days bu you get a display in the viewfinder ... my 35mm ZF works great and I only ever use manual anyway (sometimes A mode)
Answered by: Tony E.
Date published: 2018-08-28

Is this compatible with Nikon D750

Is this compatible with Nikon D750
Asked by: Francis
Yes, the ZEISS Planar 1.4/85 ZF.2 is compatible with this camera. For a listing of the compatible features, please visit: https://www.zeiss.com/camera-lenses/int/photography/content/camera-mounts.html
Answered by: ZEISS Camera Lenses
Date published: 2018-11-13
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