DXOMark: Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4

[Canon Rumors]

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<strong>Shocking news….


</strong>….. The Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4 is the best lens ever mounted to a Canon DSLR! DXOMark has completed their testing of the new king of the primes.</p>
<p><strong>Says DXOMark

</strong><em>“Without doubt Zeiss has achieved their goal of producing the finest fast standard prime available on the market today for full-frame DSLRs, but at a shade under $4000, image quality like that doesn’t come cheap.</em></p>
<p><em>There are a couple of other concessions to consider as well. The Zeiss lacks autofocus and being slightly larger and heavier than the firm’s <a href="http://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Carl-Zeiss/Zeiss-Carl-Zeiss-Apo-Sonnar-T-Star-F2-135-ZE-Canon" target="_blank">Apo Sonnar T* 2,0/135</a> it’s not particularly discrete.</em></p>
<p><em>Despite that the <a href="http://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Carl-Zeiss/Zeiss-Carl-Zeiss-Distagon-T-STAR-Otus-55mm-F14-ZE-Canon" target="_blank">Zeiss Otus T* 1,4/55</a> is a breathtaking example of what’s possible, and will likely go down in history as one of the classic fast standard designs of our time.”</em></p>
<div id="attachment_14951" style="width: 585px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://www.canonrumors.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/dxootus1.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-14951 " alt="Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4 Results on the EOS 5D Mark III" src="http://www.canonrumors.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/dxootus1.jpg" width="575" height="293" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4 Results on the EOS 5D Mark III</p></div>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.dxomark.com/Reviews/Carl-Zeiss-Distagon-T-Otus-1-4-55-ZE-Canon-mount-lens-review-Peerless-Prime" target="_blank">Read the full review</a> | <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1007599-REG/zeiss_2010_056_55mm_f_1_4_otus_lens.html/bi/2466/kbid/3296" target="_blank">Preorder the Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4 at B&H Photo</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">c</span>r</strong></p>

 

[duydaniel]

The future of facebook is here

Though I don't like Zeiss, I'd admit they impressed me with this

 

[Loswr]

Though I don't like Zeiss

What's wrong with Zeiss?

 

[Sporgon]

So the Otus is about $105 per dxo 'point' and the Canon 35 f2 IS is about $14 per point.

Hmmmmm.........

 

[dryanparker]

So the Otus is about $105 per dxo 'point' and the Canon 35 f2 IS is about $14 per point.

Hmmmmm.........

??

Seems to me one of Zeiss' finest optics should be about 10x more expensive than a Canon non-L lens. Ha!

 

[Artifex]

So the Otus is about $105 per dxo 'point' and the Canon 35 f2 IS is about $14 per point.

Hmmmmm.........

By this logic, I assume you use a 50mm f/1.8 II at $4 per point!

 

[duydaniel]

Though I don't like Zeiss

What's wrong with Zeiss?

I always group them with Leica who produces inferior cameras with over priced policy.
But I hope Canon should respond to this like Nikon with their 58mm (and lost unfortunately)

 

[dryanparker]

Though I don't like Zeiss

What's wrong with Zeiss?

I always group them with Leica who produces inferior cameras with over priced policy.
But I hope Canon should respond to this like Nikon with their 58mm (and lost unfortunately)

Leica is inferior? News to me.

 

[Viggo]

Sweet! And very expected.

I'm seriously happy with the Zeiss 50 f2 also, I use a 50 a lot up close, and it destroys any other 50 for IQ up close (and I can go VERY close) and color contrast and bokeh is really nice, quite unique look with 50mm f2 and super tight framing. And the build makes the 50 L seem a bit, well, not so great. MF is not a big issue. At 1.4 and with the heavier 55, it can be tricky I presume.

Do I see a a 55 in my future? ;D

 

[duydaniel]

Though I don't like Zeiss

What's wrong with Zeiss?

I always group them with Leica who produces inferior cameras with over priced policy.
But I hope Canon should respond to this like Nikon with their 58mm (and lost unfortunately)

Leica is inferior? News to me.

Their cameras in my opinion yes

 

[Sporgon]

So the Otus is about $105 per dxo 'point' and the Canon 35 f2 IS is about $14 per point.

Hmmmmm.........

By this logic, I assume you use a 50mm f/1.8 II at $4 per point!

;D

Very close ! The 40mm @ $5 per point

 

[Loswr]

Though I don't like Zeiss

What's wrong with Zeiss?

I always group them with Leica who produces inferior cameras with over priced policy.

Zeiss products aren't cheap, but they are optically excellent. I've got 6 of their cameras and >40 lenses (microscopy), great stuff...

 

[BruinBear]

I know DXO scores are pretty arbitrary, but how is the zeiss 6 points higher than the 300/2.8 even though its worse in 4/5 of their "categories"

 

[Sporgon]

I know DXO scores are pretty arbitrary, but how is the zeiss 6 points higher than the 300/2.8 even though its worse in 4/5 of their "categories"

Because of the difference in speed of the two lenses. Dxo seem to load the 'transmission' score more heavily.

But is a 1.4 lens better than a 2.8 lens per se ?

 

[Loswr]

I know DXO scores are pretty arbitrary, but how is the zeiss 6 points higher than the 300/2.8 even though its worse in 4/5 of their "categories"

Because of the difference in speed of the two lenses. Dxo seem to load the 'transmission' score more heavily.

But is a 1.4 lens better than a 2.8 lens per se ?

Well, you see a Score, and you see a bunch of Measurements under it. Logically, you assume the Score represents some sort of summary or synthesis of those Measurememts. But, no...that's DxOMark's Biased Scores for you - BS.

The Lens Score is actually based on 'performance in 150 lux illumination' - the light level of a dimly lit warehouse. So, the Lens Score is determined mainly by the T-stop of the lens...and by the camera on which the lens is tested. Like I said...BS.

 

[RomainF]

[EDITED]
Nothing.....we're not gonna start a debate about Leica....

 

[ME]

I was already impressed with this lens based on reviews from some other review sites that I usually go to instead of DXOMark. I would definitely get this lens if I could afford it. But I am still happy with my 50L and Zeiss f/1.4 ZE Planar T.

 

[RGomezPhotos]

I was already impressed with this lens based on reviews from some other review sites that I usually go to instead of DXOMark. I would definitely get this lens if I could afford it. But I am still happy with my 50L and Zeiss f/1.4 ZE Planar T.

Yes,

I love my Zeiss 50mm f1.4 too. I think it's a good thing I can't even afford the rental price of the Otis!

 

[ME]

I was already impressed with this lens based on reviews from some other review sites that I usually go to instead of DXOMark. I would definitely get this lens if I could afford it. But I am still happy with my 50L and Zeiss f/1.4 ZE Planar T.

Yes,

I love my Zeiss 50mm f1.4 too. I think it's a good thing I can't even afford the rental price of the Otis!

Meaning that you might be tempted to buy it anyway if you used it? I have struggled to find a way of buying this lens, and finally sighed in resignation. :'( There are couple of other Zeiss lenses I am dreaming of also, that I have real hopes of getting, though not inexpensive either.

 

[M.ST]

I have some Zeiss lenses too. But not every Zeiss lens is usefull und worth to buy.

I like the comparison with the EF 300 2.8 II IS L lens.

But remember that the EF 300 2.8 II IS L lens is the best big white lens and the belongs to the best lenses that Canon produce.

If you see the price difference between the two lenses I highly recommend to add the fantastic EF 300 2.8 II IS L to your gear. You never regret it.