Dave Johnson Loc: Grand Rapids, Michigan

Zeiss has just released a new Prime lens, The Otus 55mm f/1.4 Distagon which sells for $4000. Does anyone here have experience with Zeiss lenses and can they really be worth that much more. I currently use “L” glass on my Canon and can appreciate what quality brings to the table but I could by a 50mm f1.2 L and an 85mm f1.2 L (both outstanding lenses) and still have money left over for $4000. And I’d get auto focus to boot. What is it that makes the new Distagon worth that much. Is there really a big quality difference.

jeryh Loc: Oxfordshire UK

In a word ;Yes. They are really that good- I have a number of the Zeiss lenses, in my view, they are even better than Leica. I sold my Leica gear for Zeiss, so I am a confirmed Zeiss man !

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Used quite a few Zeiss lenses (on Hasselblad's) way back in the 80's, and they were all outstanding lenses. I don't know about this one, but would expect it to be awesome too. I'm thinking of maybe getting one.

Musket Loc: ArtBallin'

It depends on who you ask. Charts show they are good. Sometimes better than first party lenses from Nikon. The Zeiss Touit 32mm i rented was just ok. Not noticeably better than my Fuji 35mm 1.4 lens at all.

If you are a habitual peeper, they will always be good because you do not want to admit you spent 4k on junk. Rent one, test it yourself, just be weary of the very contagious disease known as GAS (gear acquisition syndrom). Side effects include megapixel chasing and lens chart obsessions.

Dave Johnson Loc: Grand Rapids, Michigan

Too late Musket, I was diagnosed with GAS about two years ago. Fortunately, I'm able to keep it in check with my SLR (somewhat limited resources) :). Also thank you Speters for your comment.

Jeryh, maybe your the best person to ask since, by your own confession, you are the "confirmed Zeiss man." I get that Zeiss makes a beautiful lens there is no denying that, but they are asking 2.5 times what I would be required to pay for the best Canon 50mm. A lens that is itself an outstanding lens. I don't doubt that it is a superior product but what is it specifically that makes it worth that much.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

One thing too is, all German made products are way overprized, photo related or not!

CurreyPhoto Loc: Reddick, Florida

Is this lens German made?

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

From the only Zeiss I have experience with (21mm Distagon- sweet as!!) they probably are worth it. But maybe not a big quality difference. You pay a lot for that last 5%.
But consider this.
For that $4000 you could have the Zeiss 21mm F/2.8 Distagon plus the Zeiss 85mm F/1.4 Planar plus the Canon 50mm F/1.4 and still have a little play money left over.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

If you have GAS, you probably shouldn't even be looking at that class of lenses! That would be like a gambling addict making plans to move to Las Vegas - nothing good can come from it.

olcoach Loc: Oregon

Dave I can see you getting in trouble, even with your slr problem. Be careful, be very careful.

Dave Johnson Loc: Grand Rapids, Michigan

:D Thanks for the heads up olcoach, I'll be very careful. :D

olcoach Loc: Oregon

I knew you'd take my humble advice in the spirit in which it was given. Have fun and keep shootin'. Mike

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

I have no experience with current Zeiss lenses but many years ago I had three, 35 f2.8, 50 f1.4, 85 f2.8. I didn't think they were any sharper but the colors they produced was outstanding.

Dave Johnson Loc: Grand Rapids, Michigan

Thanks Joe, Yeah I've been researching a bit more today and that does seem to be a recurring theme. Color and contrast are among the reasons people buy those lenses.

PhotoArtsLA Loc: Boynton Beach

I have a lot of Zeiss lenses in my Hasselblad system, and have rented many, many more throughout my filmmaking career for 35mm and 16mm productions. They have a look and quality rarely equaled by any other company. Most importantly, they keep a very tight, lens to lens color/contrast matching characteristic.

Older Nikkor lenses, before the autofocus, auto everthing era did share the color/contrast matching characteristic, and were oft used for special effects work in Vistavision format. A lot of the first Star Wars effects were shot with Nikkor lenses on Vistavision.

Today, we are transitioning to digital everything, and so, an olde saying comes to mind, "GIGO," which means Garbage In, Garbage Out. Better lenses, once again, are very meaningful. There's a nice, fully manual Zeiss Zoom with built in backfocus adjustment for about $40,000.

As to zooms, Angenieux has a couple which are a comparative bargain for only $20,000 to $35,000 (each) which excel, much like the vaunted Zeiss line.

Tomorrow, I will take delivery of my second digital cinema camera, the Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera (ordered in April, 2013,) on which I will be testing a boat load of olde but choice optics. Not all will cover the Super 16mm sensor... but I am hoping some of the best do.

Frame from Blackmagic Design Cinema Camera Test 2.25 degree field of view.