Zeiss Otus 55mm F1.4 ,the pinnacle of Optical Performance?

Quick Facts

MRP : INR 224,900

Retail  : INR 220,000

Date introduced : 2014

Maximum format size : 35mm full frame

Focal length : 55 mm

35mm equivalent focal length  (APS-C) : 88 mm

 i have had this lens for about a year now  now and have been using it  to shoot a variety of subjects including environmental portraits . A regular companion on my portrait shoots It gives that wider perspective from the additional angle of view that my other favourite portrait lens the 85mm f1.8 cannot.

Focusing Performance  NA (MF ONLY)

This a strictly manual focus only lens. No AF.  But like on any lens with a wide aperture good eyesight and good focusing technique are needed to consistently get proper focus while shooting wide open on canon DSLRs  

Sharpness  9/10

This lens produces sharp images from wide open till about f11 after which sharpness drops a tad. But for all practical purposes it is super sharp. Leica lenses are the benchmark for sharpness in my opinion.

Bokeh 9/10

 The wide f1.4 Aperture allows one to create smooth background blur(BOKEH) on a full frame camera. The Bokeh on this lens is buttery smooth as is expected from such an expensive Lens with wide aperture.

Build Quality 10/10

It's well built with a metal lens mount and high quality plastic barrel unlike the Canon 50mm f1.8 lens which is mostly a cheaper plastic construction. 

Slightly lower build quality that the 85mm f1.8 EF lens.

Value for Money  8/10

I believe this lens represents good value for money. At it's street price of INR 220,000 this is a Rolls Royce of Normal Lenses. It is a high end lens designed to meet the needs of medium format photographers moving to digital 35mm on high resolution sensor cameras. The price might seem stratospheric when compared to other 35mm lenses but in reality when compared to medium format lenses it is actually a bargain.

A fantastic Normal to Short Telephoto lens ideal for a variety of subjects including portraiture, fine art work, and landscape photography. strong Contrast, Highest image quality, supreme sharpness, beautiful colour rendition all make this a great lens for the professional photographer for whom nothing but the best will do. A great pairing for modern high resolution DSLRs and Mirrorless Cameras.

Sample Images