The Reputation of the Zeiss Otus 85mm

[Michael Erlewine]

Just exploring this lens, said to be the sharpest of its kind. I don’t know about that, but it is an amazing lens IMO. This is a shot with the Nikon D810, lightly stacked, which means limited stacking of areas I want to see in striking focus, in this case five layers. For my work, the lens delivers.

[Frank Fremerey]

Did not see this thread. Rather precise and technical feel to it. Love it anyway.

[PeterN]

Beautiful. How would you rate the 85mm otus compared to the zeiss 135mm apo sonnar lens? Sharpness, micro-contrast, color rendering? (I assume CA is absent)

[Michael Erlewine]

Beautiful. How would you rate the 85mm otus compared to the zeiss 135mm apo sonnar lens? Sharpness, micro-contrast, color rendering? (I assume CA is absent)

The Otus 85 is very sharp, but so is the 135 APO. As far as I am concerned, all of the Otus lenses (and the 135mm) are the top of the line. The differences are more in focal length and what we can expect from any lens in the focal length. Right now I am getting used to the Otus 28mm WA APO, which is another really great Otus lens.

[PeterN]

The Otus 85 is very sharp, but so is the 135 APO. As far as I am concerned, all of the Otus lenses (and the 135mm) are the top of the line. The differences are more in focal length and what we can expect from any lens in the focal length. Right now I am getting used to the Otus 28mm WA APO, which is another really great Otus lens.

Thank you. I guess The 135mm is a steal given the price difference!

[Michael Erlewine]

Thank you. I guess The 135mm is a steal given the price difference!

That is true. The 135mm APO Zeiss was the first I purchased and I like it very much, although if you want close-up work, you will find yourself cropping. It does not take extension well. Perhaps it will take the K-1 Ring of 5.8mm. The most useful IMO is the Otus 55mm, and I am just getting to know the Otus 28mm, so I can't say much about it yet.