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A man wearing a cap examines a camera equipped with a ZEISS lens outdoors during golden hour.
ZEISS Photography

ZEISS Otus Lenses

When your expectations change forever.

ZEISS Otus lenses provide uncompromising performance at full aperture, specifically designed for modern SLR cameras with high-resolution sensors, delivering quality typically found in medium format systems.

Explore more details now
  • Medium Format Look
  • Ultimate in Image Contrast
  • No Color Fringing
  • Two black ZEISS Otus 1.4/28 camera lenses with lens hoods are displayed side by side against a white background
    Two black ZEISS Otus 1.4/28 camera lenses with lens hoods are displayed side by side against a white background
  • Close-up view of a ZEISS camera lens mount labeled "ZE-2-mount" with aperture values clearly marked in yellow.
    Close-up view of a ZEISS camera lens mount labeled "ZE-2-mount" with aperture values clearly marked in yellow.
  • Close-up view of a ZEISS Apo Sonnar 135mm f/2 lens showcasing the front glass element and detailed lens markings.
    Close-up view of a ZEISS Apo Sonnar 135mm f/2 lens showcasing the front glass element and detailed lens markings.
  • Black ZEISS Otus 1.4/28 camera lens with yellow focal length markings and petal-shaped lens hood.
    Black ZEISS Otus 1.4/28 camera lens with yellow focal length markings and petal-shaped lens hood.
  • Close-up view of a ZEISS Otus 1.4/55 camera lens mounted on a professional DSLR camera body.
    Close-up view of a ZEISS Otus 1.4/55 camera lens mounted on a professional DSLR camera body.
  • Close-up view of a ZEISS Apo Planar 85mm f/1.4 camera lens showing detailed lens glass and engraved specifications.
    Close-up view of a ZEISS Apo Planar 85mm f/1.4 camera lens showing detailed lens glass and engraved specifications.
  • Rear view of a ZEISS camera lens with visible electronic contacts and ZF.2 mount labeling.
    Rear view of a ZEISS camera lens with visible electronic contacts and ZF.2 mount labeling.
  • Close-up view of a ZEISS Otus 1.4/85 camera lens showing detailed focus and aperture markings.
    Close-up view of a ZEISS Otus 1.4/85 camera lens showing detailed focus and aperture markings.

The Otus® lenses from ZEISS deliver uncompromising performance, even at full aperture. They are specially designed for modern DSLR cameras with highresolution sensors. The Otus lenses from ZEISS on these cameras offer the standard of quality otherwise only achieved on medium format systems.

The Otus lenses are the pinnacle of over 125 years of expertise and experience in optical and mechanical excellence. Only the best materials and the highest quality glass were good enough for lenses that were designed, at every stage, with one single thought in mind: to offer the highest possible performance. Achieving the simple goal of offering you something that is truly perfect. 


Available Models

ZEISS Otus Lenses
  • Front view of a ZEISS Otus 1.4/28 camera lens with a black matte finish and yellow focal length markings.
    Otus 1.4/28

         Free Working Distance:
    0,15 m (5.91") – ∞
    Rotation Angle:
    120°
    Weight:
    ZE: 1390 g (3.06 lbs) | ZF.2: 1350 g (2.98 lbs)
  • Black ZEISS Otus 1.4/55 camera lens with yellow markings and detailed focus and aperture scales.
    Otus 1.4/55

         Free Working Distance:
    0,33 m (13.2") – ∞
    Rotation Angle:
    248°
    Weight:
    ZE: 1030 g (2.43 lbs) | ZF.2: 970 g (2.22 lbs)
  • Black ZEISS Otus 1.4/85 camera lens with yellow focus distance markings on a white background.
    Otus 1.4/85

         Free Working Distance:
    0,65 m (25.59") - ∞
    Rotation Angle:
    261°
    Weight:
    ZE: 1200g (2.64 lbs) | ZF.2: 1140g (2.51 lbs)
  • Front view of a ZEISS Otus 1.4/100 camera lens with visible focus and aperture markings.
    Otus 1.4/100

         Free Working Distance:
    0,83 m (32.7") – ∞
    Rotation Angle:
    315°
    Weight:
    ZE: 1200g (2.64 lbs) | ZF.2: 1140g (2.51 lbs)
ZEISS Otus Lenses
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A close-up portrait captures a young woman with long, wavy brown hair, partially obscured by a large, wide-brimmed straw hat, her piercing blue eyes and subtly made-up face creating a striking contrast against the warm tones of the hat and her skin.
Anastasiia Gurina

The Medium Format Look

Thanks to its exceptional sharpness, the ZEISS Otus exploits the full potentials of contemporary high-resolution sensors and rewards photographers with images characterised by breathtaking rendition of even the finest details.

Modern glass-fronted building illuminated at night, surrounded by trees and city lights.

The Ultimate in Image Contrast

Aberrations caused by extreme differences between shadows and highlights are particularly obvious in images captured at night. Thanks to the outstanding correction of lateral chromatic aberration, the floodlit facade is reproduced with absolute perfection.

Close-up view of a ZEISS Apo Distagon 1.4/55 camera lens showing detailed glass and engraved text.

Apochromat

Because ZEISS Otus lenses are apochromatic, chromatic aberrations (axial chromatic aberrations) are corrected using elements made of special glass with anomalous partial dispersion.. The chromatic aberrations are therefore significantly below the defined limits. Bright-dark transitions in the image, and especially highlights, are reproduced almost completely free of color artifacts.

Stone corridor with a series of arches and columns, illuminated by soft ground lighting.
Ralph Koch

Virtually Distortion-Free Optics

Dramatic perspectives and a view from extraordinary image angles – ZEISS lenses open up new composition possibilities. Distortion would disrupt the composition because straight lines, whose image does not go through the image center, would be reproduced with a curved shape. This annoying effect is accordingly and largely compensated through elaborate optical designs at all focal lengths.

Nighttime view of a modern, multi-level wooden pedestrian ramp with metal railings, illuminated by streetlights.

No Color Fringing

Sources of light located in front of or behind the plane of focus present particular challenges to every lens. In the case of the ZEISS Otus, longitudinal chromatic aberration is so low that practically no color fringing occurs.

A close-up image of a high-precision ZEISS optical lens with a curved surface, set against a dark background.

Aspherical Design

The aspherical lens design ensures consistent imaging performance throughout the entire focusing range as well as sharpness to the periphery of the image. The asphere's more complex surface profile can reduce or eliminate spherical aberration and also reduce other optical aberrations compared to a simple lens.

Captured Moments

ZEISS Otus Lenses
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Captured Moments

Technical Data

ZEISS Otus Lenses

  • Focal Length

    28 mm

    Aperture Range

    f/1.4 – f/16

    Camera Mount

    Canon EF-Mount1 (ZE) | Nikon F-Mount2 (ZF.2)

    Format Compatibility

    Full Frame

    Focusing Range

    0.30 m (11.81") – ∞

    Free Working Distance

    0.15 m (5.91") – ∞

    Angular Field3 (diag. horiz. vert.)

    75° | 65° | 46°

    Diameter of Image Field

    43 mm (1.69")

    Coverage at close Range (MOD)4

    203 x 134 mm (7.99 x 5.27")

    Image Ratio at Minimum Object Distance

    1 : 5.5

    Lens Elements | Groups

    16 | 13

    Flange Focal Distance

    ZE: 44 mm (1.73") | ZF.2: 46 mm (1.83")

    Entrance Pupil Position (Front of Image Plane)

    133 mm (5.23")

    Autofocus

    –

    Image Stabilization

    –

    Filter Thread

    M95 x 1.00

    Rotation Angle of Focusing Ring

    120°

    Diameter max.

    ZE: 109 mm (4.29") | ZF.2: 109 mm (4.29")

    Diameter of Focusing Ring

    ZE: 88 mm (3.45") | ZF.2: 88 mm (3.45")

    Length (With Lens Caps)

    ZE: 154 mm (6.06") | ZF.2: 152 mm (5.98")

    Length (Without Lens Caps)

    ZE: 137 mm (5.39") | ZF.2: 135 mm (5.31")

    Weight

    ZE: 1390 g (3.06 lbs) | ZF.2: 1350 g (2.98 lbs)

  • Focal Length

    55 mm

    Aperture Range

    f/1.4 – f/16

    Camera Mount

    Canon EF-Mount1 (ZE) | Nikon F-Mount2 (ZF.2)

    Format Compatibility

    Full Frame

    Focusing Range

    0.5 m (19.68") – ∞

    Free Working Distance

    0.33 m (13.2") – ∞

    Angular Field3 (diag. horiz. vert.)

    44° | 37° | 25°

    Diameter of Image Field

    43 mm (1.69")

    Coverage at close Range (MOD)4

    246 x 163 mm (9.69 x 6.42")

    Image Ratio at Minimum Object Distance

    1 : 6.8

    Lens Elements | Groups

    12 | 10

    Flange Focal Distance

    ZE: 44 mm (1.73") | ZF.2: 46 mm (1.83")

    Entrance Pupil Position (Front of Image Plane)

    101 mm (3.50")

    Autofocus

    –

    Image Stabilization

    –

    Filter Thread

    M77 x 0.75

    Rotation Angle of Focusing Ring

    248°

    Diameter max.

    ZE: 92 mm (3.64") | ZF.2: 92 mm (3.64")

    Diameter of Focusing ring

    ZE: 83 mm (3.27") | ZF.2: 83 mm (3.27")

    Length (With Lens Caps)

    ZE: 144 mm (5.66") | ZF.2: 141 mm (5.55"

    Length (Without Lens Caps)

    ZE: 127 mm (5.01") | ZF.2: 125 mm (4.93")

    Weight

    ZE: 1030 g (2.43 lbs) | ZF.2: 970 g (2.22 lbs)

  • Focal Length

    85 mm

    Aperture Range

    f/1.4 – f/16

    Camera Mount

    Canon EF-Mount1 (ZE) | Nikon F-Mount2 (ZF.2)

    Format Compatibility

    Full Frame

    Focusing Range

    0.8 m (31.50") - ∞

    Free Working Distance

    0.65 m (25.59") - ∞

    Angular Field3 (diag. horiz. vert.)

    28° | 24° | 16°

    Diameter of Image Field

    43 mm (1.69")

    Coverage at close Range (MOD)4

    279 mm x 186 mm (10.97" x 7.31")

    Image Ratio at Minimum Object Distance

    1 : 7.7

    Lens Elements | Groups

    11 | 9

    Flange Focal Distance

    ZE: 44 mm (1.73") | ZF.2: 47 mm (1.83")

    Entrance Pupil Position (front of Image Plane)

    90 mm (3.54")

    Autofocus

    –

    Image Stabilization

    –

    Filter Thread

    M86 x 1.00

    Rotation Angle of Focusing Ring

    261°

    Diameter max.

    ZE: 101 mm (3.98") | ZF.2: 101 mm (3.98")

    Diameter of Focusing Ring

    ZE: 92 mm (3.62") | ZF.2: 92 mm (3.62")

    Length (With Lens Caps)

    ZE: 141 mm (5.55") | ZF.2: 138 mm (5.43")

    Length (Without Lens Caps)

    ZE: 124 mm (4.88") | ZF.2: 122 mm (4.80")

    Weight

    ZE: 1200g (2.64 lbs) | ZF.2: 1140g (2.51 lbs)

  • Focal Length

    100 mm

    Aperture Range

    f/1.4 – f/16

    Camera Mount

    Canon EF-Mount1 (ZE) | Nikon F-Mount2 (ZF.2)

    Format Compatibility

    Full Frame

    Focusing Range

    1.0 m (39.4") – ∞

    Free Working Distance

    0.83 m (32.7") – ∞

    Angular Field3 (diag. horiz. vert.)

    24° | 20° | 14°

    Diameter of Image Field

    43 mm (1.69")

    Coverage at close Range (MOD)4

    206 x 309 mm (8.11 x 12.17")

    Image Ratio at Minimum Object Distance

    1 : 8.6

    Lens Elements | Groups

    14 | 11

    Flange Focal Distance

    ZE: 44 mm (1.73") | ZF.2: 47 mm (1.83")

    Entrance Pupil Position (Front of Image Plane)

    35 mm (1.38")

    Autofocus

    –

    Image Stabilization

    –

    Filter Thread

    M86 x 1.00

    Rotation Angle of Focusing Ring

    315°

    Diameter max.

    ZE: 101 mm (3.96") | ZF.2: 101 mm (3.96“)

    Diameter of Focusing Ring

    ZE: 90 mm (3.54″) | ZF.2: 90 mm (3.54″)

    Length (With Lens Caps)

    ZE: 152 mm (6.00") | ZF.2: 150,1 mm (5.91")

    Length (Without Lens Caps)

    ZE: 129 mm (5.07") | ZF.2: 127 mm (4.98")

    Weight

    ZE: 1405 g (3.10 lbs) | ZF.2: 1336 g (2.95 lbs)
  • Black ZEISS Otus 1.4/28 camera lens with yellow markings and a petal-shaped lens hood, shown against a white background.
    Cross-sectional diagram of a ZEISS camera lens showing the internal arrangement of multiple optical glass elements in various colors.

    ZEISS Otus 1.4/28

    Originally developed for SLR cameras requiring a long back focal distance for short focal lengths because of the mirror box (the distance between the back lens element and the film plane must be considerably longer than the focal length), the Distagon lenses (retrofocus design) are also ideal for mirrorless system cameras thanks to their optimized ray path. Even with longer focal lengths, the high-performance Distagon optical design enables consistently good correction all the way to the corners of the image and very low field curvature.

    ⬛ Distagon Design

    🟩 Lens with aspheric optical surface

    🟪 Lens made of special glass with anomalous partial dispersion

    ⬛ "Floating elements" design 

  • Black ZEISS Otus 1.4/55 camera lens with yellow focal length and distance markings, shown against a white background.
    Cross-sectional diagram of a ZEISS camera lens showing internal optical lens elements in various shapes and colors.

    ZEISS Otus 1.4/55

    Originally developed for SLR cameras requiring a long back focal distance for short focal lengths because of the mirror box (the distance between the back lens element and the film plane must be considerably longer than the focal length), the Distagon lenses (retrofocus design) are also ideal for mirrorless system cameras thanks to their optimized ray path. Even with longer focal lengths, the high-performance Distagon optical design enables consistently good correction all the way to the corners of the image and very low field curvature.

    ⬛ Distagon Design

    🟩 Lens with aspheric optical surface

    🟪 Lens made of special glass with anomalous partial dispersion

    ⬛ "Floating elements" design

  • A ZEISS Otus 1.4/85 camera lens with a sleek black finish and yellow distance markings is shown upright on a white background.
    Cross-sectional diagram of a ZEISS camera lens showing internal optical elements in purple and blue.

    ZEISS Otus 1.4/85

    The Planar lens design is the most successful – and most frequently copied – camera lens design of all time. Modifications to the tried-and-tested six-lens basic type ensure that it achieves the high imaging quality required by modern sensors. Lenses with a Planar optical design enable consistent performance across a large range of image scales – the key requirement for universal macro-lenses.

    ⬛ Distagon Design

    🟩 Lens with aspheric optical surface

    🟪 Lens made of special glass with anomalous partial dispersion

    ⬛ "Floating elements" design

  • A ZEISS Otus 1.4/100 camera lens with a sleek black finish and yellow distance markings is shown upright on a white background.
    Cross-sectional diagram of a ZEISS camera lens showing internal optical elements in purple and blue.

    ZEISS Otus 1.4/100

    The Planar lens design is the most successful – and most frequently copied – camera lens design of all time. Modifications to the tried-and-tested six-lens basic type ensure that it achieves the high imaging quality required by modern sensors. Lenses with a Planar optical design enable consistent performance across a large range of image scales – the key requirement for universal macro-lenses.

    ⬛ Planar Design

    🟪 Lens with aspheric optical surface

    🟩 Lens made of special glass with anomalous partial dispersion

    ⬛ "Floating elements" design 

ZEISS camera cleaning kit including a lens cleaning brush, air blower, cleaning spray, microfiber cloths, and a black and blue carrying pouch with ZEISS branding.

ZEISS Photo Lenses Accessories

Tailored to meet your requirements.

When taking pictures, an optimal image is not the only consideration. Capturing that special experience also plays a key role. With their reliable functions, camera lenses from ZEISS ensure that photographers can fully concentrate on the image and composition, and bring their creativity to life. In order to perfect this experience, ZEISS now offers accessories tailored to the requirements of demanding photographers.

Reviews

ZEISS Otus Lenses

the-digital-picture.com

"Everyone loves a sharp lens and the ZEISS 100mm f/1.4 Otus defines sharp image quality..."

diglloyd.com

"The Otus 85/1.4 APO-Planar delivers the most transparently beautiful imagery I have ever seen on a DSLR. Well, it does so in every case, not just portraits..."

dxomark.com

"The ZEISS Otus 1,4/55 has the highest optical quality of any retrofocus 35mm format design to be assessed by the labs at DxOMark..."

pcmag.com

"The Otus 1.4/28 is a huge, pure manual focus lens with an all-metal build and superb optics..."

newsshooter.com

"I recently had the opportunity to try out the beautiful Zeiss Otus lenses. There are currently only two lenses in the range..."

blog.mingthein.com

"You’ll find it’s so outstandingly good that you too will feel a small pang of disappointment when you have to use anything else..."

Awards

ZEISS Otus Lenses
    • Award badge from FOTOHITS 6/2016 rating ZEISS prime lenses for Nikon full-frame as "EXZELLENT".
         
    • Red and white "Advanced Photographer 2014 Awards" badge for Best Fixed Focal Length Lens.
         
    • Gold award badge with the text "CYBERPHOTO GULD TOPPKLASS" displayed in bold letters.
         
    • Editor's Choice badge from LensTip.com featuring a thumbs-up icon on a black square background.
         
    • Award graphic showing a 9/15 rating with five camera icons and the word "ÜBERRAGEND" for the ZEISS Otus 1.4/55 lens, issued by "Pictures ... mehr Spaß am Fotografieren".
         
    • Award badge displaying "Popular Photography POP Awards 2014 – Photography's Outstanding Products" with a colorful stripe above the text.
         
    • Circular badge with a pink camera graphic and the text “KAMERA & BILD” above “TOPPKLASS” in bold black letters.
         
    • Award badge from ProfiFoto magazine featuring the text "REDAKTIONSTIPP ZEISS OTUS F1.4 55MM" and issue number 4/2015.
         
    • Award badge from PROFIFOTO magazine featuring "Redaktionstipp" and the ZEISS OTUS F1.4 85MM lens.
         
    • Gold medal-style badge with the text "CYBERPHOTO GULD TOPPKLASS" displayed in bold letters.
         
    • Editor's Choice badge from LensTip.com featuring a thumbs-up icon and text.
         
    • Award badge from Pictures magazine rating the ZEISS Otus 1.4/85 lens as "ÜBERRAGEND" with 4.5 out of 5 cameras.
         
    • Award badge reading "POP Awards 2014 – Photography’s Outstanding Products" from Popular Photography magazine.
         
    • Photography News 2015 Awards graphic showing ZEISS winning "Best Prime Lens: Telephoto".
         
    • Award label from FOTOHITS 4/2015 rating ZEISS prime lenses for Nikon full-frame as "EXZELLENT".
         
    • Circular badge with a pink camera icon and the text "KAMERA & BILD TOPPKLASS" in black letters.
         
    • Rating badge from "Pictures Das Foto-Magazin" showing the ZEISS Batis 2.8/135 lens receiving 4.5 out of 5 cameras with the rating "SEHR GUT".
         
A ZEISS camera lens is displayed next to an uncapped silver fountain pen on a white background.
A ZEISS camera lens is displayed next to an uncapped silver fountain pen on a white background.

Product Registration

Obtain the extended warranty.

ZEISS grants a warranty period of two years from the date of purchase for all its photographic lenses. This may be extended to three years after registering with ZEISS Online Registration. Although the ZEISS extended warranty is already available in numerous countries, claims under warranty may only be made in the country in which the product was purchased.

Register your product
A small snail climbs a vibrant fern frond, showcasing the intricate details of nature captured with the clarity of ZEISS optics.
ZEISS Photography

Manual Focusing with AF Camera Systems

Techniques for accurate cocusing.

High-precision manual lenses, enhanced focusing screens, a well-aligned AF system, and Live View mode improve focusing accuracy for wide-aperture photography. Focus shift should be managed carefully for reproducible results, and finely graded bracketing sequences are recommended for critical focusing situations.

Manual Focusing with AF Camera Systems
ZEISS Photography

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Contact

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  • 1

    Canon is a trademark or registered trademark of Canon Inc. and/or other members of the Canon Group.
  • 2

    Nikon is a registered trademark of the Nikon Corporation.
  • 3

    Based on APS-C format
  • 4

    At close range