- Check the price of the ZEISS Otus ML 35mm f/1.4 Apo Distagon on B&H Photo | Gallery of Images
ZEISS has returned with its third lens in the new Otus ML (OML) lens family, the Otus ML 1.4/35mm designed for Sony E-mount, Canon RF-mount and Nikon Z-mount.
Once again, I had the privilege of being among the first to take this lens out in the field. Unlike my first lens I tested in the family, Otus ML 1.4/35mm this focal length is one that is frequently used in my workflow. I was able to keep this lens for an extended period of time, allowing me to really take my time in reviewing it. I decided to take this lens out of New York City to Nashville and Chicago and see what we could produce there with this piece of fine optics!
This lens is completely new, being that it's a focal length that didn't exist in the original DSLR Otus lineup. It is however another focal length that is in quite abundance in the industry, but it's finally a focal length in an all-manual lineup that is my specialty!
As mentioned in my OML 50mm review you're going to obtain my unbiased opinion about this lens, on the good and the bad and if such a lens is right for you. This lens comes in at a rather modest price and lower than the other two Otus ML's, at $2,299 USD price tag. By the end of this article, I hope it gives you clear thoughts to consider on if this lens is right for you or not. With this lens being in the OML family and these lenses sharing nearly identical performance, you'll find a lot of overlap from my 50mm review and this one.
Standout Features
- Uncompromising optical performance with its Apochromatic lens design
- Excellent low light performance with a f/1.4 aperture
- Ultra smooth focusing ring
- Weather sealed metal build
- Ability to declick the aperture ring (great for cinematographers)
ZEISS Otus ML 35mm Specs
- Sony E, Canon RF & Nikon Z-Mount (Full Frame lens)
- APOCHROMATIC DISTAGON Optical Lens Design
- Aperture Range: f/1.4-f/16
- ZEISS T* Anti-Reflective Coating
- 67mm Diameter Filter Thread
- Metal Construction
- 0.3m Minimum Focus Distance
- Manual Focus
- E: 698g, RF: 717g, Z: 737g - Weight
Something to note is that this lens is a Full Frame lens, but it can be utilized on cropped APS-C cameras, which will give you a 35mm equivalent focal range of 52.5mm.
What I think about the Otus ML 35mm
The Otus ML 35 is a beautiful lens in build; with its metal petal lens hood and optical quality! The Otus line has always been about exceptional image quality and that's exactly what this lens delivers.
My experience photographing with this lens was a lot easier than the OML 50, for this being a focal length more suited to my needs. I found this focal length to be the best of the three available selections for the Otus ML line, because the wider you go the more forgiving it is and the more flexibility you have for subjects. I used this lens across architecture, cityscape and event street photography. Even with the longer focus throw it's more usable on the 35mm when focusing more on environmental type street photography over specific fast-moving subjects or significant setting changes on the fly.
The Otus ML 35 is everything you'd expect from a ZEISS, especially being among the legendary Otus line of lenses. The optical performance is exceptional; build is an all-metal design. When I originally reviewed the DSLR Otus lenses I had stated that the Otus lenses are the best lenses I've ever used in my time as a photographer and that sentiment still holds true to the Otus ML lenses.
I speak often on the fact that 50mm isn't a focal length that is a regular in my photography, therefore I found using this a bit difficult at times, but the optical quality of the lens did force me to find uses for this. You'll see from the first few images just how exceptional the lens is and hopefully as you read further, you'll have greater clarity on if this lens is right for your collection.
I love that we now have a smaller package Otus lineup. To produce lenses of this quality before meant that they were going to be bigger, bulkier lenses but now smaller and lighter is possible without compromising on quality. Wide open at f/1.4 to f/16 is quite consistent on maintaining its quality throughout. My only wish would have been for an autofocusing Otus line and I'll share more on this later in the article.
Again, this is a manual focusing lens and just like the other lenses in the ZEISS portfolio they're incredibly smooth in operation. In having that traditional lens build, with the depth of field scale, meter and feet engravings make manual focusing easier than with the auto-focusing lenses, which utilize the focus-by-wire system and doesn’t have accurate manual focusing capability (with the exception of ZEISS Batis lenses that do offer the OLED screen for precision focusing).
What stands out about the Otus ML 35mm?
Apochromatic Lens Design:
Otus ML lenses are all Apochromatic, just as their DSLR counterparts were, meaning they have virtually no chromatic aberrations. How true is that? VERY true. You can see in some examples in my full Otus photo gallery of just how there's no CA in the backlit highlight areas of my images. Being that the Otus line has always been about uncompromising performance this lens does everything right in image reproduction.
Manual Focus:
The focusing on this lens is unlike other mirrorless lenses, in that this is a fully mechanical focusing system. Why is this important? Mirrorless lenses with autofocusing when switched to manual are focus by wire (electronically controlled) focusing. They're not accurate in operation and can drastically change their distance based on the speed you adjust the focus ring. Mechanical ones have their distance markers on the lens and give 100% accurate focus operation. If you want certainty in focusing then this is how you want your focusing to be.
You may think that simply owning an autofocusing lens and using it in manual will work just fine, but that's typically not the case. I know there are many who may feel intimidated by manual focusing but trust me it's easier than you think. Just like anything else it takes practice and most importantly, patience!
Build/Focus Ring:
You're obtaining an all-new metal lens design. The lens hood is also a metal construction and has that unique yellow color for the letters and numbers on the lens, as the DSLR Otus. It's not anything that's distracting, but it is something rather unique for a lens.
This lens is weather sealed, something I was disappointed the DSLR versions weren't at their much higher price point! We finally have the best performance lens with weather sealing, making these a very solid choice for even the most demanding projects.
The focus ring differs from the previous in being more conventional in its design. Unlike the rubber ring that was on the previous lenses and prone to collecting dust, this ring is metal and has ridges for better gripping.
T* Coating:
ZEISS lenses are popular for this coating, which reduces lens flare drastically and enhances overall performance of the lens. Whether it’s a filter or lens with this coating you’ll notice the difference from having it vs a lens or filter that doesn’t. It’s always very effective and really brings more contrast to your images. There are times when I do want to have a little bit of lens flare, but the coating of these lenses is so good that it’s sometimes hard to do. The irony!
Image Quality/Color:
Just as with any ZEISS the color and sharpness are great quality, but these lenses are that and much more! It's hard to even describe just how detailed and vibrant the images from this lens is! The colors are punchy, the sharpness is razor sharp, micro-contrast is incredible, simply an amazing piece of glass all around! You will be able to see the quality of these lenses with just about any camera, but high-resolution cameras, like the Nikon Z9 or Sony Alpha 7R V will take full advantage of this lens and offer the most stunning images you've ever seen with all of those megapixels! I should warn you that once you try an Otus lens you might not want to ever part with it.
Size/Weight:
This is similar in weight to the OML 50 and features a 67mm filter thread as well.
What is there to dislike about the Otus ML 35mm?
Focus Ring Distance (Photo):
The focus throw of this lens is 257 degrees. This is excellent for those utilizing this lens in a video application, but for photography this is far too long, especially in street photography. If I'm photographing portraiture, architecture or city/landscapes then those scenarios that focus throw doesn't matter, but anything requiring a faster pace then you'll find this lens to be a disadvantage.
Manual Focus:
I'm one who doesn't have any issue with manual focusing but, in this day, and age if you're going to produce a premium product like this then you must have AUTOFOCUS! I feel ZEISS did well on making a native mount Otus line for the mirrorless camera systems but missed the mark on not including autofocusing.
Manual Aperture Ring:
All of the mount variants of the Otus ML lenses feature an aperture ring. Unfortunately, there isn't an automatic setting to allow control of the aperture from inside the camera. I would have liked having this option the way that Sony implements this in their G and G Master lenses. I'm not certain why ZEISS has never allowed this in any of their lenses (Otus and Milvus lenses had this for the Nikon F mount, but Canon EF was camera controlled), but it would be nice to have lenses with both options and this lens I feel would have been perfect to have that for.
What about using the Otus ML 35mm for video?
Cinematographers or hybrid shooters will be the ones who'll find more joy with this lens in my opinion. The long focus throw and ability to declick the aperture ring allows greater control and smoother transitions. With the more compact size and lighter weight it's a much better solution than the DSLR Otus lenses were.
If you require a bit more for your video work, then you might have more interest in the cinema specific ZEISS Nano Prime lenses.
Is Otus ML needed if I have other ZEISS lenses?
This is solely up to you. I would say if you had the money to spend and want the best optic ZEISS could produce then this is going to be that selection. If you're a hobbyist or amateur then I don't expect you to obtain this lens, but it does give you something to achieve down the road if you choose to go that route.
If you have any flagship cameras, as a Sony Alpha 1 II or Canon R1 then why not match a lens that's capable of taking advantage of that camera sensor to your camera if your work fits for such a lens?
My Sony viewers who may own the ZA (ZEISS Alpha), Batis or Loxia lenses will simply have to decide if that makes sense for them. If you feel you want that pinnacle ZEISS experience then now you have a native Otus option, but if it's not that important to you then what you have will absolutely suffice.
Conclusion: Who is/isn’t this for?
If you're all for the best of the best and don't mind manual focusing, have top of the line cameras then spending on this $2,300 USD lens is a no-brainer. Cityscape, Landscape and portrait photographers will absolutely love this lens. However, if street photography is your primary then I would look elsewhere.
If you want a ZEISS but don't want to break the bank as much then consider the used market for the now discontinued DSLR EF and F-mount Classic and Milvus or E-mount Loxia. These lenses are much better priced than the OG Otus lenses, so if you want that quality then this will be the better choice, especially being that these lenses are far smaller and lighter. The Loxia 2/35mm and Sonnar 2.8/35 ZA lenses would be my two alternatives to this lens for users to check out.
I hope this article was informative and answered some of the questions you may have about the new ZEISS Otus ML 1.4/35mm lens. I'd love to hear your thoughts about this, so share them with us below in the comments. If you have any questions leave a comment below as well.
ALL IMAGES IN THIS ARTICLE WERE CAPTURED WITH THE SONY ALPHA 7C II
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