Zeiss is working on Otus 28mm f/1.4 lens for SLRs
Zeiss will launch a third lens in the Otus series in the spring of 2016. The 28mm f/1.4 is released for the SLR cameras from Canon and Nikon. The lenses in the Otus series are known for their high price and good performance.
After the 55mm and 85mm, the new 28mm f/1.4 is the third Otus lens. Zeiss uses an uncompromising design for this series. This results in large, heavy and expensive lenses, but also good performance. The Otus 55mm and 85mm f/1.4 that are already on the market are seen as the best lenses currently available for SLR cameras.
According to Zeiss, the 28mm f/1.4 will also perform well, even at full aperture. That should also make the wide angle interesting for astrophotography. The optical design consists of sixteen elements in thirteen groups and includes a double-sided aspherical lens element. In addition, there are eight other elements of ‘special glass’, according to Zeiss.
The lens weighs almost 1.4 kg and has a filter diameter of 95 mm. The housing is made of metal; the focus ring is finished with rubber and has a long stroke, which should allow precise focusing. Zeiss will make a ZE version for Canon cameras and a ZF.2 variant for Nikon DSLRs. Optically the lenses are the same, only the mount differs. Autofocus is not provided, but there is electronic contact between the camera and the lens, so shooting data is included in the EXIF information.
The Otus 28 mm f/1.4 will be on the market in the spring of 2016. The lens should be available from the second quarter. The suggested retail price is not yet known. The Otus 55mm and 85mm that are already on the market cost 3559 euros each.