Hands-on Review of Zeiss Milvus Lens Lineup

* * *  Read the review of the Zeiss Milvus 50mm and 100mm Macro lens as well  * * *

In an attempt to fend off challenge from other lens manufacturers, especially the Sigma Art series of lens, Zeiss has decided to offer a 'lower priced' line called Milvus. It is still not cheap but only time will tell whether this is a winning strategy. The current Zeiss Otus line is so over-priced and does not present a compelling reason for many photographers to own them.

The new Milvus line will be primarily fast prime lens, from 21mm to 100mm, with speed of f/1.4 to f/2.8. Avove is the DigitalRev video review of the Milvus lens lineup. Below is the official announcement from Zeiss.

I have just returned from my South Africa Wildlife Photo Tour. It was quite a successful trip and there are many close encounters with the Big Five plus other animals and birds. Once I get back to my normal routine and gone through some of the images, I will post them on this blog, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Keep checking back for the latest photos and you can see my works on MichaelDanielHo.com. By the way, I did not bring any Zeiss lens with me either.


OBERKOCHEN/Germany, 10/09/2015

The new ZEISS Milvus SLR lens family contains six focal lengths with ZE or ZF.2 mounts for DSLR cameras from Canon and Nikon1. The ZEISS Milvus lens family with precise manual focus offers high and consistent image performance across all focal lengths. The new lenses are the ZEISS answer to the current trend toward sensors with increasingly high resolution which, in turn, require higher and higher image quality. They are therefore ideal for current DSLR cameras and also for mirrorless system cameras of the Sony ?7 series via an adapter solution and offer the customer excellent value for the money for professional applications. An equally important benefit: their high contrast rendition and low level of stray light ensure that the lenses meet the latest video standards such as HDR (High Dynamic Range) and resolutions of 6K and more. For the user, they open up the field of professional video and cine applications. The ZEISS Milvus lenses will be delivered to dealers in October 2015.

Diversity of focal lengths for wide spectrum of applications

With its diversity of focal lengths, the ZEISS Milvus lens family covers many of the photographer’s important fields of application where the benefits of manual focus lenses can be optimally utilized. “We want to provide users with the freedom to use the focus position as an artistic tool because it is one of the most important creative possibilities available to photographers,” Christophe Casenave, Product Manager for ZEISS Camera Lenses, emphasizes. The ZEISS Milvus lenses are therefore targeted at all owners of a high-resolution DSLR camera, offering them considerable added value. They are also suitable for photographers who have specialized in applications which the six focal lengths optimally support, e.g. portrait, landscape and macro photography.

The ZEISS Milvus lens family will initially consist of the following six focal lengths: ZEISS Milvus 2.8/21, ZEISS Milvus 2/35, ZEISS Milvus 1.4/50, ZEISS Milvus 1.4/85 as well as the two macro lenses ZEISS Milvus 2/50M and ZEISS Milvus 2/100M. Further focal lengths will be added to the ZEISS Milvus lens family over the next few years. “With this diversity of extremely high-quality SLR lenses, we are underscoring that, with our Milvus lenses, we can supply the right focal length for almost any application or personal preference,” Casenave says.

Modern product design

The ZEISS Milvus lenses continue the award-winning ZEISS product design already featured in the ZEISS Otus lenses. The advanced design ensures excellent image performance and outstanding ergonomic convenience. The easy-grip focus ring enables precise manual focusing for highly precise photography. The robust all-metal barrel of the ZEISS Milvus lenses guarantees many years of reliable use. They are protected against dust and spray water. The robust metal lens shade is an integral part of the overall product design and is a standard feature of all ZEISS Milvus lenses on delivery.

Fully compatible with DSLR cameras

The ZEISS Milvus lenses support all important operating modes of DSLR cameras (e.g. aperture priority, shutter priority and program modes, as well as manual time and exposure settings) The ZEISS Milvus lenses feature an interface that transmits the lens data to the camera (e.g. focal length, set aperture etc.). This information is saved to the photo’s EXIF data.

Features for demanding users

“The excellent image performance of the ZEISS Milvus lenses, also in difficult light conditions, is sharply focused on the requirements of current and future high-performance digital cameras,” says Casenave. The lenses offer a harmonious bokeh and excellent reflection reduction thanks to T*® anti-reflective coating from ZEISS. The further optimization of the lens coating reduces ghosting, flare and shading effects in critical light situations. All ZEISS Milvus lenses have a Floating Elements Design which compensates for aberrations at different distance settings. This is achieved by varying the axial distance between individual lens elements or groups. The adjustment of the distance between elements is coupled to the distance setting so that this always results in the right correction.

ZEISS Milvus lenses for video

The new ZEISS Milvus lenses enable high-quality film recordings with soft and cinematic bokeh. “With their extremely high contrast rendition, the lenses meet the latest 6K video standards and display uniform color characteristics,” Casenave continues. All six ZEISS Milvus lenses have an exceptionally long rotation angles of the focus ring for precise focusing. The practical, rubber-covered focus ring features outstanding grip properties for optimal focusing. The ‘de-click’ function in the ZF.2 mount lenses allows filmmakers to adjust the aperture freely and smoothly, enabling professional results even in changing light conditions.

ZEISS Milvus 1.4/50

The newly designed ZEISS Milvus 1.4/50 lens has ten elements in eight groups. The new 50 mm lens features one aspherical optical surface and four elements made of special glass materials, and uses the ZEISS Distagon optical design. This makes it the second standard lens after the ZEISS Otus 1.4/55 to incorporate this high-performance optical design. The advanced ZEISS Distagon optical design enables very good image performance across the entire image field, even at full aperture, despite the high speed. The ZEISS Milvus 1.4/50 on a full-frame camera corresponds to the perspective of the human eye and can therefore be used for many different purposes.

ZEISS Milvus 1.4/85

The newly designed ZEISS Milvus 1.4/85 short tele lens has eleven elements in nine groups and features the ZEISS Planar optical design. The ZEISS Milvus 1.4/85 is suitable, above all, for portrait photography. This lens is an absolute must for compositions where the main subject is to be isolated and emphasized against a beautiful bokeh background. The purely spherical optical design generates a harmonious bokeh, and the use of special glass materials ensures extremely low chromatic aberration.

Availability

Advance orders can now be placed for the ZEISS Milvus lenses. Global delivery to dealers will commence in October 2015.

Zeiss Announced New MILVUS Lens Lineup

Zeiss new Milvus line of lenses

 

In an attempt to fend off challenge from other lens manufacturers, especially the Sigma Art series of lens, Zeiss has decided to offer a 'lower priced' line called Milvus. It is still not cheap but only time will tell whether this is a winning strategy. The current Zeiss Otus line is so over-priced and does not present a compelling reason for many photographers to own them.

The new Milvus line will be primarily fast prime lens, from 21mm to 100mm, with speed of f/1.4 to f/2.8. Below is the official announcement from Zeiss.


OBERKOCHEN/Germany, 10/09/2015

The new ZEISS Milvus SLR lens family contains six focal lengths with ZE or ZF.2 mounts for DSLR cameras from Canon and Nikon1. The ZEISS Milvus lens family with precise manual focus offers high and consistent image performance across all focal lengths. The new lenses are the ZEISS answer to the current trend toward sensors with increasingly high resolution which, in turn, require higher and higher image quality. They are therefore ideal for current DSLR cameras and also for mirrorless system cameras of the Sony ?7 series via an adapter solution and offer the customer excellent value for the money for professional applications. An equally important benefit: their high contrast rendition and low level of stray light ensure that the lenses meet the latest video standards such as HDR (High Dynamic Range) and resolutions of 6K and more. For the user, they open up the field of professional video and cine applications. The ZEISS Milvus lenses will be delivered to dealers in October 2015.

Diversity of focal lengths for wide spectrum of applications

With its diversity of focal lengths, the ZEISS Milvus lens family covers many of the photographer’s important fields of application where the benefits of manual focus lenses can be optimally utilized. “We want to provide users with the freedom to use the focus position as an artistic tool because it is one of the most important creative possibilities available to photographers,” Christophe Casenave, Product Manager for ZEISS Camera Lenses, emphasizes. The ZEISS Milvus lenses are therefore targeted at all owners of a high-resolution DSLR camera, offering them considerable added value. They are also suitable for photographers who have specialized in applications which the six focal lengths optimally support, e.g. portrait, landscape and macro photography.

The ZEISS Milvus lens family will initially consist of the following six focal lengths: ZEISS Milvus 2.8/21, ZEISS Milvus 2/35, ZEISS Milvus 1.4/50, ZEISS Milvus 1.4/85 as well as the two macro lenses ZEISS Milvus 2/50M and ZEISS Milvus 2/100M. Further focal lengths will be added to the ZEISS Milvus lens family over the next few years. “With this diversity of extremely high-quality SLR lenses, we are underscoring that, with our Milvus lenses, we can supply the right focal length for almost any application or personal preference,” Casenave says.

Modern product design

The ZEISS Milvus lenses continue the award-winning ZEISS product design already featured in the ZEISS Otus lenses. The advanced design ensures excellent image performance and outstanding ergonomic convenience. The easy-grip focus ring enables precise manual focusing for highly precise photography. The robust all-metal barrel of the ZEISS Milvus lenses guarantees many years of reliable use. They are protected against dust and spray water. The robust metal lens shade is an integral part of the overall product design and is a standard feature of all ZEISS Milvus lenses on delivery.

Fully compatible with DSLR cameras

The ZEISS Milvus lenses support all important operating modes of DSLR cameras (e.g. aperture priority, shutter priority and program modes, as well as manual time and exposure settings) The ZEISS Milvus lenses feature an interface that transmits the lens data to the camera (e.g. focal length, set aperture etc.). This information is saved to the photo’s EXIF data.

Features for demanding users

“The excellent image performance of the ZEISS Milvus lenses, also in difficult light conditions, is sharply focused on the requirements of current and future high-performance digital cameras,” says Casenave. The lenses offer a harmonious bokeh and excellent reflection reduction thanks to T*® anti-reflective coating from ZEISS. The further optimization of the lens coating reduces ghosting, flare and shading effects in critical light situations. All ZEISS Milvus lenses have a Floating Elements Design which compensates for aberrations at different distance settings. This is achieved by varying the axial distance between individual lens elements or groups. The adjustment of the distance between elements is coupled to the distance setting so that this always results in the right correction.

ZEISS Milvus lenses for video

The new ZEISS Milvus lenses enable high-quality film recordings with soft and cinematic bokeh. “With their extremely high contrast rendition, the lenses meet the latest 6K video standards and display uniform color characteristics,” Casenave continues. All six ZEISS Milvus lenses have an exceptionally long rotation angles of the focus ring for precise focusing. The practical, rubber-covered focus ring features outstanding grip properties for optimal focusing. The ‘de-click’ function in the ZF.2 mount lenses allows filmmakers to adjust the aperture freely and smoothly, enabling professional results even in changing light conditions.

ZEISS Milvus 1.4/50

The newly designed ZEISS Milvus 1.4/50 lens has ten elements in eight groups. The new 50 mm lens features one aspherical optical surface and four elements made of special glass materials, and uses the ZEISS Distagon optical design. This makes it the second standard lens after the ZEISS Otus 1.4/55 to incorporate this high-performance optical design. The advanced ZEISS Distagon optical design enables very good image performance across the entire image field, even at full aperture, despite the high speed. The ZEISS Milvus 1.4/50 on a full-frame camera corresponds to the perspective of the human eye and can therefore be used for many different purposes.

ZEISS Milvus 1.4/85

The newly designed ZEISS Milvus 1.4/85 short tele lens has eleven elements in nine groups and features the ZEISS Planar optical design. The ZEISS Milvus 1.4/85 is suitable, above all, for portrait photography. This lens is an absolute must for compositions where the main subject is to be isolated and emphasized against a beautiful bokeh background. The purely spherical optical design generates a harmonious bokeh, and the use of special glass materials ensures extremely low chromatic aberration.

Availability

Advance orders can now be placed for the ZEISS Milvus lenses. Global delivery to dealers will commence in October 2015.

DxOMark Reviews Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4 Lens

Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4 lens

Zeiss announced their Otus 85mm f/1.4 lens a few days ago. It is a very good performer but one has to decide whether it is worth the money when compared to other lenses, statistics not withstanding. Sigma is expected to come out with their new 85mm f/1.4 lens some time late this year.

DxOMark recently tested the Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4 lens and below is the excerpt from their report :

Launched a little over 2-years ago, the first Zeiss Otus model was a triumph in optical and mechanical perfection, and now Zeiss has added a second model to the range, and high speed 85mm with a heady mix of six anomalous dispersion glass elements, one asphere and a floating system to reduce aberrations at close range.  Read on to see how well this new exotic model performs.

The original high-speed 55mm Zeiss Otus model garnered worldwide acclaim for its outstanding optical performance and impressive mechanical construction, but at a buck short of $4,000, perfection came at a price. Today, Zeiss has announced the second model in the range, a high-speed 85mm lens with similarly hefty price tag ($4,490) and equally promising performance. It has an unusually complex optical construction for a moderate telephoto comprising of 11 elements in total with no less than six of those made from anomalous dispersion glass (with characteristics similar to fluorite) for chromatic aberration suppression, one asphere to reduce distortion and a floating optical system to lessen spherical aberration at close range. Like the earlier model the new manual focus 85mm Otus adopts an equally uncompromising mechanical construction using an all-metal outer and a large rubberized focus ring with a long throw for precise focus and large high-visibility distance markings. Both Canon ZE and Nikon ZF.2 mount versions feature an electronic interface for full-aperture metering and exposure control.

Minimum focus is an inch shorter than most rivals at 2.62’ (0.8m) but with a 86mm filter thread and measuring 3.98 x 4.88" (101 x 124 mm) and weighing 2.65 lb (1.2 kg) it’s as big and heavy lens.

The Zeiss Otus 85mm f1.4 Apo Planar T* is available for pre-order now now at $4,490.

Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4 Lens Officially Announced

Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4 lens

* * *  DxOMark reviewed Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4 lens  * * *

Zeiss officially announced the Otus 85mm f/1.4 lens in time for Photokina 2014. It is an expensive lens and will have to desperately fend off expected challenge from Simga, offering very similar performance for a fraction of the price.

With the Otus 1.4/85mm, ZEISS is expanding its high-end lens family. The Otus 1.4/55mm, an SLR standard lens, already set new global standards in what is means to achieve perfection. The expectations for the 85-mm focal length are just as high. This new member of the Otus family is an outstanding and fast all-around lens that accepts no compromises. ZEISS will present this new world-class lens for the first time to the public at photokina in Cologne from September 16 to 21.

The Otus 1.4/85 offers peerless image quality, even with an open aperture. As a short telephoto lens with an 85-millimeter focal length, this new member of the Otus family shows its strengths especially when people are center stage. Thanks to the longer focal length of this lens, photographers can keep a decent distance from the subject. At the same time, the lens is highly versatile: it excels in general studio work, as well as for fashion, advertising, product and architectural photography. Even photographers who are looking for a powerful companion for nature photography will find it in the Otus 1.4/85 – the edges of the picture can be used for compositional purposes at all f-stops. Photographers who had a chance to test exclusively this new flagship from Germany’s leading optics specialist were enthusiastic. Using the Otus 1.4/85 in combination with a full-frame SLR lets a photographer master all shooting situations and achieve effects that until now have only been known from the medium-format range: unusually high contrast, unusually high depth of field, impressive three-dimensional effects and sensational quality.

Is there little ambient light? That is no problem for the Otus 1.4/85. When the light fades, ZEISS’s newest high-end lens ‘sees’ just as well as the owl species from which this lens family gets its name. There is no trace of correction deficits, which are typical in such situations.

Just like its older ‘brother’, the Otus 1.4/55, the new Otus has been designed to meet professional photographers’ most rigorous demands. Internal focusing, the dial window, and the dials‘ clearly recognizable yellow labeling, familiar from professional cine lenses like ARRI/ZEISS Master Prime, are just a few of the characteristics of the Otus 1.4/85. The smooth manual focus operation with the large angle of rotation of 261 degrees combined with the easy-to-grip focus ring enables the finest variations in focusing. The freedom to focus — one of the most important creative elements in photography — has literally been put into the hands of the photographer as an artistic tool. Both the extra-fine haptics and the precision of the focusing mechanism can only be achieved with the metal design of the Otus range. The robust all-metal barrel is also well equipped to deal with the rough daily work of a professional photographer, ensuring a long product life. And for all photographers who in addition to the actual optics also rely on screw-on filters in their work, matching T* UV and POL filters with a diameter of 86 millimeters will be available from ZEISS for the Otus 1.4/85.

Optically, the Otus 1.4/85 stands out for its high image quality, even with an open aperture — as is true for the entire Otus range. Specifically, that means a neutral bokeh in the background, highly detailed images without any bothersome optical artifacts, consistently high resolution power across the entire image field, no color fringing or distortion, and an extremely high image contrast all the way into the edges. The imaging performance remains entirely consistent for all shooting distances. High apertures can be used even for close-ups right down to a working distance of 0.65 meters. This freedom offers the photographer new opportunities to compose his or her subjects, without having to waste time thinking about a possible loss of quality This is one of the reasons why the photographers who tested the new Otus 1.4/85 lens exclusively beforehand returned it only reluctantly.

“After we launched the Otus 1.4/55, our customers immediately understood the enormous benefits they can get from such a lens. Photographers are in the position to take full advantage of their high-end full-frame cameras and shoot pictures with a quality and look that they were previously only used to getting from expensive medium-format systems. With the Otus 1.4/85 we are now bringing out the second lens with this promise,” explains Christophe Casenave, Product Manager with ZEISS Camera Lenses.

A view inside reveals how such optical quality was achieved. It is an optical-technical feat as you would expect only from ZEISS: The Otus 1.4/85 consists of eleven lens elements in nine groups. One of the lens elements has an aspheric optical surface and six are made of special glass. The optical design is based on the Planar. Because the Otus 1.4/85 is an apochromatic lens, chromatic diagonal aberrations (longitudinal chromatic aberrations) are corrected with the help of lens elements made of special glass with anomalous partial dispersion. As a result, there is practically no perceptible color fringing on contrast-rich edges both in front of and behind the focal plane. Bright-dark transitions in the image, and in particular highlights, are rendered free of color artifacts. Also, the variable air spaces between certain lens groups (“floating elements design”) create a consistently high imaging performance across the entire focusing range from 0.8 m to infinity.

“Otus lenses show a consistently high quality across the entire focusing range. That is something that scientific test institutes do not acknowledge because the test photos are made from just one distance. But professional photographers appreciate this feature in a lens, because it gives them more flexibility in their work,” continues Casenave. And it is precisely these photographers who can now use this outstanding lens as a tool to give full rein to their creativity and make excellent images.

More application photos in high resolution can be found in our Otus 1.4/85 Flickr album.

The ZEISS Otus 1.4/85 comes with lens hood, user manual, test certificate and lens caps.

The Otus 1.4/85 will be available worldwide with the F-mount (ZF.2) or EF-mount (ZE) from mid-September. The expected recommended retail price is €3,360.50* or US$ 4,490* (excl. VAT).

Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4 Coming To Photokina 2014

No surprise here. Zeiss will announce their Otus 85mm f/1.4 lens at the upcoming Photokina Show in Cologne, Germany on September 16.