Author Topic: Zeiss Otus APO 28mm f/1.4 ZF.2  (Read 8750 times)

Erik Lund

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Re: Zeiss Otus APO 28mm f/1.4 ZF.2
« Reply #15 on: February 10, 2016, 18:36:30 »
I can see only mild barrel distortion and I see some purple fringing upper left that I don't understand at f/16
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Michael Erlewine

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Re: Zeiss Otus APO 28mm f/1.4 ZF.2
« Reply #16 on: February 10, 2016, 21:17:09 »
I don't know how to take shots that will be useful to you in evaluating this lens. Here is one shot at f/1.4 and one at f/16 of a still life. I really have to wait for spring and get out side to see what I will with this lens. I do still life like flowers, but bottles and such I am not so familiar with. Anyway, for what its worth, here are a couple of shots taken with the D810 in natural light coming in from windows on the right. I had to process it some so that you could see it properly, have done the best I can, but not sure if shows much. I can tell that this is a very nice lens, but also very unforgiving as well.

Don't shoot the messenger. Just trying to be useful. Single shots, not stacked.
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Almass

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Re: Zeiss Otus APO 28mm f/1.4 ZF.2
« Reply #17 on: February 10, 2016, 21:56:56 »
Michael, a question: Are you mainly concerned with flat field and sharpness?

You do not mention the render qualities of this lens, come to think of it, you do not even mention the rendering quality of your other lenses as well.....and I am not talking about Bokeh.

I have two 28mm focals, one is the Leica R Elmarit 28/2.8 E55 and the other one is the Nikon 28/1.4 which I rarely use as I prefer the Leica one for the unique render and color drawing. Why don't you get or try either of these unless you have them already?

I am not too concerned about flat field and corners in my line of photography but would sure like to hear you as to why you need a 28/1.4 which weighs a ton (1.35kg) cost as much as the other two lenses and, from the samples I have seen, does not really shine in color render attributes vs the Leica and Nikon.


Michael Erlewine

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Re: Zeiss Otus APO 28mm f/1.4 ZF.2
« Reply #18 on: February 10, 2016, 22:03:01 »
I am not an expert lens tester. For this lens I have to wait to get outside in spring. I am sure there will be many reviews that cover what you are asking. Everyone has different interests. I have not decided exactly how I will use this lens yet. I got it because I love the other Otus lenses. I need to get out in the woods, etc. Right now, all is snow. I have to see if I can take photos I like with it. I believe I can, but I probably should not try to share anything here until spring. I suggest you check reviews by Ming Thein and others.
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Bjørn Rørslett

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Re: Zeiss Otus APO 28mm f/1.4 ZF.2
« Reply #19 on: February 10, 2016, 22:07:54 »
Its geometric distortion apparently is well controlled, and bokeh looks quite nice too. Like other Otus lenses, the overall impression is slightly 'dull' perhaps because the lens artefacts are so well under control?

Your kitchen and living room are much tidier than mine, by the way ....

Michael Erlewine

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Re: Zeiss Otus APO 28mm f/1.4 ZF.2
« Reply #20 on: February 10, 2016, 22:30:48 »
Its geometric distortion apparently is well controlled, and bokeh looks quite nice too. Like other Otus lenses, the overall impression is slightly 'dull' perhaps because the lens artefacts are so well under control?

Your kitchen and living room are much tidier than mine, by the way ....

Well, I purposely didn't show my office or my small studio which my wife allows me (sort of) to do what I want in. You can thank her for what you see.

I am not a tester like you are and you have caused me to spend a fortune, which my wife does not appreciate. I hear you about the "slightly dull," but to me that is more of a base from which I can then explore, rather than a liability. I have all kinds of lenses that ONLY have character and have not much of a level base, lenses I am sure you know well, like the CRT Nikkor, etc. I have no trouble with the Otus, and don't like the old "contrasty" Zeiss look.

I admit that I have to get outside to use this lens, shooting small diorama-type shots, etc. I am familiar with macro lenses and ultra-wide lenses and use them all the time, but seldom shoot at this focal length, so I have a LOT to learn, and I am clumsy at still life like these bottles, although I should discipline myself and learn. I would need more control of the lighting. The bottle in the most focus, Eden Organic Shoyu... I did the logo for that now well-known company back in the late 1960s. More than you want to know.
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stenrasmussen

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Re: Zeiss Otus APO 28mm f/1.4 ZF.2
« Reply #21 on: February 10, 2016, 22:54:26 »
Well, I like the OOF rendering this twenty-eight presents...more than the Otus/Milvus 50/55 and 85 show. Your stacking-style is not mine but it is very nice and you deserve credit for it. I am curious and eager to try out the 135/2 when my dealer gets a sample in store as I think I might really like it.

Erik Lund

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Re: Zeiss Otus APO 28mm f/1.4 ZF.2
« Reply #22 on: February 12, 2016, 09:02:25 »
Tests are starting to appear
http://www.lenscore.org/
Really a high score as predicted! ;)
Here in Denmark we can borrow these Otus lenses for free for two days, if anyone is tempted  ;)
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Michael Erlewine

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Re: Zeiss Otus APO 28mm f/1.4 ZF.2
« Reply #23 on: February 12, 2016, 11:03:07 »
Tests are starting to appear
http://www.lenscore.org/
Really a high score as predicted! ;)
Here in Denmark we can borrow these Otus lenses for free for two days, if anyone is tempted  ;)

Those results are better than I thought they would be. To beat out the Zeiss Otus 55mm in resolving power and in contrast, and to beat out all the other Zeiss APOs in color and LoCA is amazing.

I am just learning to use this lens. I think I have all the lenses now I need other than: I would like an Otus 15mm FF lens and an Otus macro lens. I am going to start selling some of my lenses that I don't use. I am an archivist by trade, but I really don't need a museum for lenses. 
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John Geerts

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Re: Zeiss Otus APO 28mm f/1.4 ZF.2
« Reply #24 on: February 12, 2016, 11:05:25 »
Strange that all the 'Voigtländer' lenses are missing at that lenscore.org site... (and a lot of (manual) Nikkors as well)

Fons Baerken

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Re: Zeiss Otus APO 28mm f/1.4 ZF.2
« Reply #25 on: February 12, 2016, 11:16:15 »
BTW  what lenscore mentions about the nikkor 20 f/1.8g i have to agree

Almass

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Re: Zeiss Otus APO 28mm f/1.4 ZF.2
« Reply #26 on: February 12, 2016, 11:25:59 »
BTW  what lenscore mentions about the nikkor 20 f/1.8g i have to agree

I could not find anywhere on their website as to how they do their testing?

Any clue?

Michael Erlewine

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Re: Zeiss Otus APO 28mm f/1.4 ZF.2
« Reply #27 on: February 12, 2016, 11:34:19 »
I could not find anywhere on their website as to how they do their testing?

Any clue?

No. I have looked also, but people seem to respect it, so take it for what it's worth. Having the lens in hand, it is (pardon the pun) a "handful" in all respects, but one I mean to master.
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Erik Lund

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Re: Zeiss Otus APO 28mm f/1.4 ZF.2
« Reply #28 on: February 12, 2016, 11:49:51 »
I could not find anywhere on their website as to how they do their testing?

Any clue?
Only thing I spotted right away was that they use the Nikkor 85mm AFS 1.4 G as a reference lens, they have given it a score of 1000 points,,,

To me they are also just numbers in a list nothing more nothing less, it is of course still the images that count,,, ;)
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Almass

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Re: Zeiss Otus APO 28mm f/1.4 ZF.2
« Reply #29 on: February 12, 2016, 12:09:11 »
Only thing I spotted right away was that they use the Nikkor 85mm AFS 1.4 G as a reference lens, they have given it a score of 1000 points,,,

To me they are also just numbers in a list nothing more nothing less, it is of course still the images that count,,, ;)

Definitely the images :)