When you buy a Zeiss lens, you do so because you want the absolute best in image quality regardless of cost, even if that means using manual focus only. At the 35mm focal length, the company's top option is the Milvus 35mm f/1.4 ZE, and this excellent video review takes a look at the sort of image quality you can expect from it in practice.
Coming to you from Christopher Frost, this great video review takes a look at the Zeiss Milvus 35mm f/1.4 ZE lens. As a part of the company's Milvus line, the 35mm f/1.4 ZE comes with a variety of advanced features designed to increase image quality, including:
- Distagon optical concept for low field curvature and high sharpness even in the corners of the frame
- Five anomalous partial dispersion elements for reduced chromatic aberrations and increased clarity
- One aspherical element for reduced distortion and increased sharpness
- Zeiss T* anti-reflective coating for reduced flares and ghosting and increased contrast
- Floating elements system for consistent image quality at all focus distances
- Hard stop at infinity
- Weather-resistant construction
- All-metal lens barrel with rubberized focusing ring for improved tactility
At almost $2,000, whether the Milvus 35mm f/1.4 ZE is worth the premium price or not comes down to your needs and wants. Check out the video above for Frost's full thoughts.
Good review.
"When you buy a Zeiss lens, you do so because you want the absolute best in image quality regardless of cost, even if that means using manual focus only."
Actually, I bought a Zeiss Batis 25mm f2 FE prime for my a7-series bodies because 1) the cost was moderate, 2) it was relatively light and compact, and 3) it had better sharpness at the edges than most alternatives in its class. It's not the absolute sharpest lens, nor the cheapest, nor the brightest. But, it represents the best balance of my top three priorities.
Not every Zeiss lens is the ne plus ultra of image quality at the cost of convenience, size and price. Some are just reasonable and well-balanced workhorses instead of high-strutting thoroughbreds.
Curiously, at the very end of his review, Christopher Frost says, 'but this is certainly one to avoid'. Other reviewers disagree. Lloyd Chambers says it's the 'highest performing 35mm from Zeiss ever'.
Watching Christopher's reviews. He puts a huge amount of emphasis on sharpness, with vignetting, chromatic aberration and flaring, being the other areas he talks about.
But Those are are fans of Zeiss, lean much more towards the rending of the lens, and the look of the images. It is an expensive lens and I certainly wouldn't buy new, but I would certainly think of buying the lens, second hand.