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ZEISS has announced the introduction of a new Otus ML family, a series of lenses designed specifically for professional photographers and ambitious visual story creators who require the highest optical performance and precision mechanics for full creative control.
For the start, the Otus ML is available in two focal lengths: a 1.4/50 lens suitable for versatile photography and a 1.4/85 lens optimized for portrait work. Inspired by the legendary ZEISS Otus family, these new lenses bring ZEISS’ renowned optical excellence to mirrorless cameras: Sony1 E, Canon2 RF- and Nikon3 Z-Mount.
Preorder Options
- B&H Photo: ZEISS Otus ML 50mm f/1.4 Lens (Canon RF) $2499
- B&H Photo: ZEISS Otus ML 85mm f/1.4 Lens (Canon RF) $2999
Continuing the Legacy of the First Otus Generation
The Otus ML lenses are engineered to provide exceptional optical performance, revealing details that may not be discernible to the naked eye. These lenses embody the well-regarded ZEISS Look, characterized by sharpness, accurate color reproduction, and a three-dimensional quality.
The apochromatic lens design ensures excellent color fidelity while minimizing chromatic aberrations. Additionally, the aspherical design contributes to virtually distortion-free images, enhancing overall image quality. The ZEISS T* anti-reflective coating further reduces reflections and flare, improving clarity and color accuracy.
From a mechanical standpoint, the Otus ML lenses offer precise manual focus, which enhance the creative and storytelling process. The lenses feature a smooth metal focus ring with a precision helicoid drive, facilitating accurate focusing.
Manual aperture control, equipped with a de-click function for video, allows for seamless adjustments, which can be advantageous in various shooting scenarios.
Manual focusing is more than a method — it's a way for photographers to connect deeply with their creative power and craftsman-ship, enabling both unparalleled control and artistic freedom. It allows for precise focusing on the center of the image, the story, and emphasizes the exact details that bring the visual idea to life.
Petra Visuri, Category Manager ZEISS Photography
We are pleased to announce the introduction of the Otus ML lens to the community of photographers. This lens reflects our ongoing commitment to quality and innovation. The Otus ML family combines classic features with modern advancements, showcasing our dedication to enhancing photographic technology while honoring traditional craftsmanship.
Sebastian Döntgen, Head of ZEISS Mobile Imaging and Photography
The all-metal construction of the Otus ML lenses is designed to endure the demands of professional photography. The compact and portable design is optimized for the latest mirrorless mounts: Sony E, Canon RF, and Nikon Z-Mount, with the 1.4/50 weighing 677g and the 1.4/85 weighing 1,040g.
Clear and precise scales on the lenses enable quick adjustments, ensuring that photographers maintain control over their settings.
The unparalleled excellence of the ZEISS Otus ML lens makes it nearly impossible to find any flaws in the images it captures. Its remarkable sharpness and true-to-life colors are exactly what I need as a professional photographer – to preserve the essence of moments, people, and things as they truly are.
Mo Xie, professional photographer and ZEISS ambassador
This new lens from ZEISS is simply stunning! Incredibly sharp and precise, with a wonderfully lightweight feel in hand. The fully metal focusing ring? An absolute tactile delight — it’s a joy to use!
Wolf-Peter Steinheisser, professional photographer and ZEISS ambassador
The Otus ML lenses are built to perform reliably in challenging conditions. A blue sealing ring protects the camera lens interface from dust and moisture, while additional seals provide protection against splashes.
The lenses are temperature resistant, functioning effectively in environments ranging from -20°C to +55°C. They have also undergone rigorous testing for mechanical, vibration, and shock resistance.
Continuing the legacy of the Otus family, which has been recognized for its low sample variation and outstanding imaging performance since its introduction in 2013, the new Otus ML combines premium optical performance with precise mechanical engineering, optimized for the latest mirrorless mounts.
This positions the Otus ML as a valuable tool for ambitious photographers seeking to combine full, precise control with creative freedom while focusing on the core of their imaging work.
Product Introduction Available on the Web
Preorder Options
- B&H Photo: ZEISS Otus ML 50mm f/1.4 Lens (Canon RF) $2499
- B&H Photo: ZEISS Otus ML 85mm f/1.4 Lens (Canon RF) $2999
The ZEISS Otus ML lens family will be presented on February 26, 2025, at 11 am CET on YouTube, @ZEISSCameraLenses, by ZEISS experts. The new ZEISS Otus ML will be available from specialist retailers: 1.4/50mm from Spring 2025 at the RRP of €2,499 (incl. german VAT 19%) / $2,500, and the 1.4/85 later in 2025 at the RRP of €2,799 (incl. german VAT 19%)/ $2,999.
My Zeiss Classic EF mount (15, 21 and 50mm) are all "read" even by the EOS R bodies. Including the focusing help...
And the Otus not?
See: https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Zeiss-Otus-85mm-f-1.4-Lens.aspx
I think Richard was referring to the Zeiss lenses in Contax/Yashica mount.
Anyway, it sure would be nice to see them in RF mount.
Now? Canon has really been hitting it out of the park with a lot (most? all?) of their RF lenses. Just compare the Otus 55 f/1.4 to the RF 50 f/1.2 or 50 1.4 VCM.
I like options, but the quality of the modern lenses is impressive and does not seem to be leaving Zeiss much room to differentiate themselves.
That said, I'll happily check out what they have to offer. It is not like they get to take my money automatically.
2 decades ago, they competed with far inferior lenses from Canon and Co. This has drastically changed, not only with RF, but also with the late EF lenses.
To be honest, if, as a beginner, I wanted the very best lenses, I'd get the Leica M APOs, Summiluxes and Summicrons or the RF 50 & 85 f/1,2, the RF 100 macro, the RF 135mm, the RF 70-200 etc... Provided I had the necessary $$$$$$$$$$$$$
Focusing quality and speed matter a lot to me.
But I'm nevertheless very curious as to what Zeiss will bring...
The EOS R Diary : RF 50mm f/1.2L USM – Laszlo Pusztai
I'm far from convinced...
Canon has done a much better job with the RF L lenses, but I'm not sure about the micro contrast that Zeiss is known for.
For the Leica M owners reading this post: The Zeiss ZM 25mm f/2,8 is absolutely fantastic, contrast, sharpness, colours, flare resistance. I'd go so far as to qualify it as a perfect lens. Alas, not all of them were mechanically on the same level as the optics. The mount has sometimes a tendency to get loose. So better check before buying...but it's worth it (provided you "6 bit code" it !!!!)
At least to me, the article almost perfectly surmises my point, even if one person's impressions are exactly correct, the Zeiss Otus 55 f/1.4 is better against 1) flare, 2) with vignetting, and 3) focus breathing. They also bring up color rendition, but that did not make the top 3 list for whatever reason. Seems to indicate resolution is a push. Yet, despite these, they still carry the EOS-R and RF 50 f/1.2 when they take a "second bag" with them for "easy" shooting when they do not feel inclined to use a "proper camera". Which I read that even to someone that previously owned and clearly prefers the Otus (with 5DRs), the RF 50 f/1.2 (with EOS-R) still meets their standards, at least part of the time.
There will always be people willing to pay extra for a specific feature.
I am making an assumption that whatever Zeiss does will have a similar 2x-3x higher price point, similar to the Otus vs "L" 10-15 years ago. Back then, the Otus was clearly better in a number of ways. Yet at that price point even back then with the advantages, I think only a small group of people actually made that investment. If Zeiss comes out with a $5-7k lens even with better flare, vignetting and focus breathing, I would not expect it to sell well. If they come out with a $2-3k lens that is better...then yes, I suspect it will have a reasonable, yet likely smallish (no-AF) market.
But I also photograph in cities, where you often have to focus real fast, if you don't want to get people or cars in your picture. No issue at all with the extremely quick focusing Leica M, much more with MF lenses on a MILF.
Additionally, wide open (f/1,2 or f/1,4) photography can be very demanding when shooting portraits wit MF lenses. As I wrote, I love Zeiss lenses, but there are some limitations to their use.