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Zeiss Otus ML 85mm f/1.4
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UNSCORED
Zeiss · 85 mm · Sony E, Canon RF, Nikon Z mount

Zeiss Otus ML 85mm f/1.4

From $2,999 — 1 offer
KEY FACTS
BrandZeiss
Announcement dateFeb 2025
Released2025
Production started2025
Production statusIn Production
What We Like
+Exceptional sharpness and optical performance at f/1.4 rivaling stopped-down lenses
+Zero chromatic aberration and no longitudinal color fringing thanks to apochromatic design
+Superior bokeh with 10 rounded aperture blades and smooth foreground/background transitions
+Premium all-metal construction with dust/moisture sealing and professional-grade build quality
+Compact and lighter mirrorless design compared to classic DSLR Otus (1061g vs 1200g+)
+Precise manual focus with long 244° throw for critical control without focus-by-wire lag
Worth Knowing
−Heavy and bulky for handheld work; shoulder fatigue reported after extended sessions
−Manual focus only - no autofocus means slower subject tracking and potential missed shots in fast-paced situations
−Very expensive at $2,999, making it a difficult sell versus lighter autofocus alternatives
−Extreme focus throw (244°) means quick focus changes are challenging compared to AF lenses

General

Brand
Zeiss
Announcement date
ⓘ
Refers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera.
Feb 2025
Released
ⓘ
Refers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale.
2025
Production started
2025
Production status
ⓘ
Current status of lens manufacturing (e.g., in production, discontinued).
In Production
Read our notes on general
The redesigned Zeiss Otus ML 85mm f/1.4 delivers classic Sonnar rendering with smoother bokeh and less weight than its DSLR predecessor. Real portrait tests show sharp focus falloff, zero chromatic aberration, and clean skin texture at f/1.4. The new Otus line carries the same attention to build quality that Zeiss optics are famous for with precision metal construction and rugged weather-sealing. However, the Zeiss Otus 85mm is a large and heavy optic, and at $2,999 it's positioned for dedicated portrait professionals and manual-focus enthusiasts who prioritize optical perfection over convenience.

Optical design

Elements/Groups
15 elements in 11 groups
Aspherical Elements
2 aspherical
Special Glass
5 anomalous partial dispersion elements
Design Type
APO-Sonnar

Aperture

Maximum
f/1.4
Minimum
f/16
De click Feature
Yes, with supplied tool

Focusing

Type
Manual focus only
Focus Throw Rotation
244°
Maximum Magnification
1:8.1

Coatings

Primary
ZEISS T* anti-reflective coating

Build

Construction
Full metal, dust and moisture proof
Barrel Material
Solid metal
Focus Ring
Metal with engraved markings
Depth of Field Markings
f/4 to f/16
Weight (Nikon Z)
1061 g (37.4 oz)
Weight (Sony E)
1033 g (2.29 lbs)
Weight (Canon RF)
1055 g (2.33 lbs)

Optics

Angle of View
30° diagonal
Apochromatic Correction
Yes - minimizes chromatic aberration and color fringing
Blades
ⓘ
Number of diaphragm blades in aperture
10020
Closest focusing distance
ⓘ
Minimum distance for a subject to be in focus.
68 cm01500
Min focal length
85 mm
Max focal length
85 mm
Focal range
ⓘ
Shortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end )
85 mm
Zoom lens
ⓘ
Zoom allows you to vary the focal length, change between long shots and close-ups
No

Price

MSRP
$2,999 USD

Physical

Front filter size
ⓘ
Diameter of attachable filters.
77 mm
Lens mount
ⓘ
The lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras.
Sony E, Canon RF, Nikon Z
Lens length
ⓘ
How long the lens is from front to back.
129 mm
Lens diameter
ⓘ
Width of the lens at its widest point
88 mm