This week, Zeiss officially added a tele focal length to its line of lenses for full-frame DSLR cameras from Canon & Nikon. Joining the existing Otus 28mm, 55mm and 85mm models, the Otus 100mm f/1.4 expands the Zeiss lens family for photographers who don’t want to make any compromises concerning image and build quality.
Whether in the studio or on-the-go, for portrait or product photography, the tele focal length delivers high resolution and outstanding definition in any situation – even at maximum aperture. This high-speed lens clearly sets the subject apart from the background. The exceptional level of detail and harmonic bokeh ensure the “3D pop effect” that Zeiss lenses are known for. 
Pricing & Availability
Global delivery of the new Otus 1.4/100 has started and should be available for purchase and rental soon. The lens will be available for somewhere around the $4,500-$4,999 USD with included protective caps and a lens shade when it hits retailers’ shelves.
Features include a full-metal housing, high precision manual focusing, and the company’s T* anti-reflective coating for minimizing stray light and maximizing contrast. The Otus 100mm has a focal range of f/1.4 to f/16, 14 elements in 11 groups, and an 86mm filter diameter. Coupled with a “consistent center of gravity” and “optimum balance,” the 100mm lens is excellently suited for the rough conditions a professional photographer will face.
Zeiss says that even though it was designed for 35mm full-frame cameras, the new Otus lens offers ‘the look and quality’ of a medium-format camera. The apochromatic design eliminates ‘almost all conceivable aberrations,’ says Zeiss, which promises ‘practically no color fringing’ and bright-dark transitions that are ‘almost completely free of color artifacts.‘
Technical Specifications
- Focal length 100 mm
- Aperture range f/1.4 – f/16
- Lens elements / Groups 14/11
- Focusing range 1,0 m (39.37″) – ∞
- Free working distance 0,83 m (32.68″) – ∞
- Angular field* (diag. / horiz. / vert.) 24,1° / 20,2° / 13,6°
- Diameter of image field 43 mm (1.69″)
- Flange focal distance
- ZF.2: 46,50 mm (1.83″)
- ZE: 44,00 mm (1.73″)
- Coverage at close range (MOD)* 206 x 309 mm (8.11 x 12.17″)
- Image ratio at MOD 1:8.6
- Filter thread M86 x 1.00
- Entrance pupil position ( in front of image plane) 35,0 mm (1.38”)
- Rotation angle of focusing ring (inf – MOD) 315°
- Diameter max.
- ZF.2: 100,7 mm (3.96“)
- ZE: 100,7 mm (3.96″)
- Diameter of focusing ring
- ZF.2: 90,0 mm (3.54″)
- ZE: 90,0 mm (3.54″)
- Length (without lens caps)
- ZF.2: 126,5 mm (4.98″)
- ZE: 128,8 mm (5.07″)
- Length (with lens caps)
- ZF.2: 150,1 mm (5.91 ″)
- ZE: 152,3 mm (6.00″)
- Weight
- ZF.2: 1336 g (2.95 lbs)
- ZE: 1405 g (3.10 lbs)
Relative Illuminance
MTF Charts
Depth of Field Chart
Below is a gallery of images taken with the Otus 100mm, provided by Zeiss:
*All images shared with permission from Zeiss & the respected artists. Do not share or reuse images without direct permission.
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