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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

New Zeiss Otus??

Jiri Vrozina said:
So Phil...is new Otus lenses this year ?.
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Heh. The 100mm f/1.4 was indeed this year.

Though I have a fairly powerful influence in many directions, it's been hard on this particular front to accelerate things for the Otus line. If this was two years ago I would have thought two new Otus focal lengths would be out by now.

But a lot has happened in that span of time.

Really the question is will there be another Otus prime in 2020?

I've certainly suggested the desire is there. And I'd love a nice 5 lens Otus set for motion and still work.
 
Phil Holland said:
Heh. The 100mm f/1.4 was indeed this year.

Though I have a fairly powerful influence in many directions, it's been hard on this particular front to accelerate things for the Otus line. If this was two years ago I would have thought two new Otus focal lengths would be out by now.

But a lot has happened in that span of time.

Really the question is will there be another Otus prime in 2020?

I've certainly suggested the desire is there. And I'd love a nice 5 lens Otus set for motion and still work.
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I'm hoping that the fact that Otus did not stop at 4 focal lengths with Batis, Milvus, or Loxia bodes well for another Otus focal length. It isn't Zeiss' history to stop at only 4 focal lengths and no more.
 
Are there any good video's shot with the otus lenses. Looking at buying a new lens set this year, but have got no clue which ones to buy, and I dont find any good otus reference video's/commercials/features/shortfilms.
 
I noticed the 35 milvus was on sale at b and h. I wonder if that’s any indication of the new otus focal length. A sales rep told me it would be released in the beginning of 2020.
 
Joe Cage said:
Are there any good video's shot with the otus lenses. Looking at buying a new lens set this year, but have got no clue which ones to buy, and I dont find any good otus reference video's/commercials/features/shortfilms.
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Samples? I have a specialist in exactly this sort of thing. Let me call him up.

Rand? :smiley:
 
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I knew you'd come through!

btw, your avatar makes me think of that album cover for the band Missing Persons

images
 
John David Pope said:
I knew you'd come through!

btw, your avatar makes me think of that album cover for the band Missing Persons

images
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Yeah,

The most well known song from them was "destination unknown". I always choose Dark Chicks as avatars. I liked the contrast in the image its similar to images from one of my favorite photographers, Helmut Newton.

https://www.artsy.net/artist/helmut-newton?page=2


but lets not sidetrack this thread.
 
Which Zeiss lenses match best with the otus line up? It can be any price from any era. With the new otus lens coming out, I’m thinking I would still need to purchase another lens or two to have more of a complete set.
 
John Dempsey said:
Which Zeiss lenses match best with the otus line up? It can be any price from any era. With the new otus lens coming out, I’m thinking I would still need to purchase another lens or two to have more of a complete set.
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You won't find much luck with any era, the Otus are just super modern and well designed complicated aspherical lenses that balance a technically high resolving image with a rather pleasing general image quality, not always the case. Oddly, though rather different the closest thing is indeed the Supreme Primes. That's likely not the answer you are looking for though. I do occasionally flesh out some missing focal lengths with some of the Sigma Art/Cine series. Somewhat close and pretty damn good, but that's not a Zeiss lens. I've done similarly with the Tokinas Cinema Vistas, but in some ways they are too different and if I'm rolling that way I often am just shooting Tokinas because they are bloody good. Nothing on earth touches the 135mm T1.5 for instance for VV.

But back to Zeiss. Take a look at the newer wides like the 15mm and 18mm. They are pretty good, though not Otus at all. It is worth looking at the Milvus f/1.4 primes too. 25, 35, 50, and 85. Not quite Otus, but pretty nice.

I do like the CZs zooms with the Otus Primes. Part of the general DNA from that particular era at Zeiss. Coatings are pretty similar too.


While I'm here I want to expose my deep hopes for Otus, and I'll likely forward this along to Zeiss on Monday.


My biggest wish really for the Otus is producing a 21mm f/1.4. The wider angle is really the only thing that is missing for general shooting for the format it's designed for. An 18 would be nice, but considering the pedigree of Zeiss w/ the 21mm which is legendary among landscape photographers, I'd love to see a "here's a feather in our cap" 21mm for both discerning photographers and cinematographers alike. It's also different enough from the 28mm that it would make wonderful sense. Some would want a 35/40mm as well, which I think is equally a noble endeavor, but 21mm will "make Otus owners" buy one.

It is a tricky one. Otus won't ever be the best selling primes for them, they are EF/F and manual focus after all, as well as more expensive than other options even they make. Between the Supremes likely taking major priority in manufacturing for them and looking hard at the numbers, it's likely why we haven't seen more rapid development of the Otus lineup. But I still want Zeiss to be Zeiss. Business is one thing, and they make a lot of money in this industry and other optics. I want to see them flex and take pride in this particular set of lenses. They are some of the best glass out there honestly. They know it too, which makes it equally if not more-so frustrating. Best just doesn't always sell well in these times. Otus highlights in my mind and in my heart what Zeiss is capable of however. The work I've shot and still shoot with them is hard to explain. The Otus touch to the image is just something so smooth and sharp while being richly colorful and contrasty. That DNA is so highly appealing for image professionals and enthusiasts. They've been around the world with me shooting motion and stills. I sacrificed to carry larger lenses because I like what they produce, a sacrifice I would personally recommend more into exploring in a time where weight/size/price are just DNA for higher sales, but not necessarily better image quality.

Make that 21mm Zeiss. Outside of sales, remember people love, and I mean love, capturing and creating with these lenses. Not all of the people, but the audience who are absolutely captivated by Otus and what the family of primes can do.
 
I was hoping this last 100mm was macro...

A 21mm would be nice to complete my kit. I use them all the time with Dragon. In love with this lenses and I really hope Zeiss keeps working on the Otus line.
 
Thanks for the insight Phil. I was hoping for a 35 but I would buy a 21 if that what they release. Either focal lengths will be welcomed additions to the line up.
 
Javier Badet said:
I was hoping this last 100mm was macro...

A 21mm would be nice to complete my kit. I use them all the time with Dragon. In love with this lenses and I really hope Zeiss keeps working on the Otus line.
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What do you use to fill the gap between 28 and 55?
 
John Dempsey said:
What do you use to fill the gap between 28 and 55?
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The Milvus 35mm 1.4 is pretty awesome. I haven't shot it directly alongside an Otus, but the images between the two lines have a similar feel-- I'd bet it blends very well.
 
And it is just about to be 2021....really hoping to see that 21mm appear.
 
Brandon Obey said:
Yessss. If they made an 18mm or even a 14mm my set would be complete for life. 14mm/18mm Otus, 25mm Milvus, 55mm Otus, 85mm Otus is all I would really need.
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I have the Zeiss Distagon 15mm Classic in EF... Epic lens. Maybe they would make and Otus 15mm, just by suspicion?
 
Scot Yount said:
And it is just about to be 2021....really hoping to see that 21mm appear.
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2020 certainly got in the way of a lot of things being made. Don't know if the Otus set is getting "more love", but a 21mm f/1.4 would be very, very welcome. An 18mm or 21mm f/1.4 would be "the thing" if they only do one more.

I suspect the next major Zeiss project to undertake outside of cinema glass will likely be RF related things now that there's enough cameras out there using the mount to make it worthwhile.
 
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