Matt Granger just posted that Batis 85mm f/1.8 lens review. And considered all pros and cons Matt thinks this is a stellar lens!
3D-Kraft (Click here) tested the new Zeiss Batis lenses and writes:
“Even though there was not much time for an in-depth look, I am sure, both members of the new Batis family will find friends easily and sell like hot cakes. The Batis 1.8/85 may not have the level of perfection like an Otus 1.4/85 and relies more on lens correction profiles provided by camera firmware and/or raw processors but taking into account the enormous resolution and processing speed of today’s cameras, this seems like a very well balanced compromise. This allows to provide a professional grade lens it in a compact and lightweight form factor including autofocus and optical stabilization with a reasonable price tag.
The Batis 2/25 surprised me with extraordinary sharpness across the whole frame right from open aperture in a compact, lightweight housing. At f/2.0 you may have to correct some vignetting and some minor CAs but these almost disappear already when you stop down one step to f/2.8. Thanks to its wide aperture and short close focus, it provides additional options to play with depth of field and shows a pleasing bokeh not available when using wide angle zoom lenses.”
Both Batis lenses are now available for preorder in USA and Europe (UK/Germany)
Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 lens in US at Adorama, Bhphoto. In Eu at Amazon DE, WexUK. In Asia at Digitalrev.
Zeiss Batis 25mm f/2.0 lens at Adorama, Bhphoto. In EU at Amazon DE, WexUK. In Asia at Digitalrev.
In Europe and Asia the Loxias can be found in Stock via [shoplink 36456 ebay]eBay sellers (Click here)[/shoplink] and Digitalrev (Click here).
3D-Kraft Image sample with the Batis 25mmm lens
45 Responses
I hope we’re talking about the homemade type of hot cakes here. But yeah, I’m digging these pictures. I”m digging them like….gimmie gimmie gimmie gimmie gimmie!
I think by now it would be fair to say that with the 25/2, 28/2, 35/1.4, 35/2.8, 55/1.8 and 85/1.8, the FE system has a cracking AF lens lineup complimented by the more classic looking 35/2 and 50/2 Loxias which offer native MF helicoid. And all of these bar the 28mm are Zeiss branded. Anyone would be forgiven to imagine that perhaps the Sony A7 series became the digital Ikon many wanted. Or maybe the digital Contax G2.
I would love to see a Batis 35/2 for a fast, compact lens akin to an RX1 Sonnar performance.
That being said, I’d understand if Zeiss wanted to outdo itself with a 21/2.8 akin to the Contax C/Y mount legend along with the 135mm/X and maybe a 15/2.8 akin to the ZM legend. Or perhaps they will make more Loxias to appeal to the video crowd more and that would be great, as well, since Loxias are a great line to develop with full connectivity to the bodies.
In any case; Sony, Zeiss, keep up the good work.
Wide angle and portrait Loxia please. And keep them small.
I would ask for nothing more! Imagine a line-up of 20ish/35/50/85mm Loxia. I would be set for a looong time.
Ah, no 🙂 21mm for the wide angle.
Beginner question: why would one buy the Batis 25mm 2.0 over the Sigma 24mm 1.4 Art? Would the image quality be that much better despite being a slower lens? Assuming the person already has an A to E adapter on an A7rII
The Zeiss color, contrast and bokeh rendition are very different than any other lens brands. I’ve tried the Sigma 50mm 1.4 Art lens on the a99 and it’s nothing compare to the quality of Zeiss 55mm 1.8 FE on the A7. As for me, I would like to have the same color and contrast across my photos when I’m switching lenses so I’m only sticking w/ Zeiss for now. I even have to ditch my Sony (non-G) lenses just because they don’t produce the same color and bokeh smoothness as the Zeiss lenses.
Interesting… The 55 f1.8 is designed and made by Sony, the Batis is designed by Tamron.
The 25mm f/2 Batis lens is using the Distagon lens design and has the Zeiss T* anti-reflective coating which are trademarked by Zeiss. I think it’s the lens blue print and lens coating that matters when looking for a good lens and time has proven that Zeiss has some of the best lens designs. I also think anyone can manufacture a lens as long they have the license for its design. Just how Sony can stamp the blue badge on their lenses and raise up the price simply because they have been partnered with Zeiss. Sony is just using Zeiss’ tested lens designs like the Distagon, Sonnar and Planar for their lenses 🙂
Is it proven that Tamron has anything to do with the 25/2?
personally I find this assertion that the Batis 85 1.8 is designed by Tamron absurd. just because it has the same lens elements, that right? more likely is the exact opposite, that Tamron “emulated” (lets be civil) the Zeiss design. the assertion as it stands just makes no sense, like saying the Leica Q was designed by Panasonic
Size? The most obvious one.
Otherwise…as Nilzgraphy says.
Because the Sigma is still a Sigma.
I like Zeiss (loved my G1 with 21-45-90 trio back in the day) But my Voigtlander glass gives Zeiss a run for the money at a much cheaper price..plus they are a lot smaller..(no AF to worry bout..LOL) I have the 12…21…50…and 90…and since they are all in Leica mount, They can be used on any of my mirrorless bodies..A7…E PM2..and EOS M along with my Canon and Leica LTM glass. Oh and the color renderation from the Voigtlanders is hard to beat!…But…its all manual focus…one thing the new Batis lenses do have is great AF…As I get older I may become more appreciative of AF..LOL…Nice article by the way.
I’m with you here. Voigtlanders are incredible value for the money, as long as one doesn’t need AF. I am interested in the Loxia line, but with those prices and weight, I am not sure they are worth it.
Great! Still, i think not FE55 great.
Man that Otus is extra-tasty-crispy!!!! But I could buy a used honda civic, or a mobile home for the same coin. Im on the fence between the mitakon 85 f1.2, an fd 85 1.2, and the zeiss batis 85mm. Decisions decisions.
Buy the mobile home, do a Breaking Bad set-up and generate enough money to buy all zeiss lenses.
hm..a tamron lens dressed in zeiss coat (wearing zeiss price) relying heavily on in-camera corrections. Sorry for not being thaat much enthusiastic as I “should” 😛
it’s tamron designed & not always translate to tamron lens
Tamron lens in Zeiss coat was only a rumor so far – has it been proven that it’s true?
BTW: I don’t really care if this rumor is true – fact is Batis is expensive and we lack another native 85mm to compare with. Going down to 25mm – enthusiasmus is going down to zero when compared with Sony FE28/2. I am interested in a 1:1 comparison between both lenses – maybe the Zeiss is optical far superior.
I think at f2 maybe, dont know about stopped down though. The 28/2 is supposed to be pretty sharp and seems great value for money. Downside is the correction. But hey, it only weighs 200g.
Yes – 28/2 makes it almost pocketable.
Besides sharpnes there is this the good contrast and colors, Zeiss is famous of. Or a nice bokeh at closeups. There are for sure reasons for the Batis.
But for a casual shooter as me, it’s a no-brainer to get the smaller and cheaper Sony lens. It’s good enough for me – and I like having a little Cam.
“Relies more on lens correction profiles provided by camera firmware” sounds like a helluva lens! Admin, if you really want more “hot cakes” orders from your site, I would definitely pass on publishing that paragraph. Just say “superb outstanding amazing astounding lens may require some heavy corrections, but you can always order Lightroom here “.
…compact and lightweighted form…really?..85/1.8 at 475 grams? thats lightweight? Furthermore, at this weight I was expecting optical superiority, not a necessity for profile corrections. Theres not so many “pro” grade 85s with such distortion issues out there.
Exactly. Relatively big and heavy, large filter thread and requiring an optical profile. Zeiss have never been famous for compact design, but still.
The shown samples do not use in-camera- or post-correction and – as said in the article – this will not be necessary in most situations as long as you do not plan to shoot architecture with the 1.8/85.
Are you aware of a more compact 85mm f1.8 with OSS?
Sony is getting back to ibis, oss seems redundant.
People seem to “forget” that IBIS actually uses the OSS too…
Irrelevant, as it means nothing; OSS doesn’t add that much anyway. The lens is as big and heavy as a DSLR one with an adapter. Clearly, no effort whatsoever to make it more compact.
For tele lenses, you can’t get rid of that extra (adapter) length, unless you use folding optics. Good luck with the latter on premium lenses aimed at better quality.
Tell that to the reviewer:
“professional grade lens it in a compact and lightweight form factor”
I have the A7II so that’s a moot point. And I’m 100% positive all future Sony FE mount cameras will have IBIS, so I would much prefer a more compact lens over OSS. After all, weight/size is one of the main reasons why so many of us switched from big DSLRs to mirrorless.
The Batis line looks more and more like the FF Touit.
Nice business model – Build press and public opinion with Otus range that is excellent but super expensive. Then introduce an OK range with designs from Tamron, but make it semiotically linked and physically look like the Otus. Feed questionable bloggers some lenses so they say sycophantic things about them then sit back and watch the cash roll in.
Hehehe indeed. I think once Sony noticed that people were calling their 55/1.8 a mini Otus, they decided to go with that idea and push the next models entirely through Zeiss. This might explain the Tamron design, as Sony works with Tamron designs quite often.
The Nikon 85mm f1.8g would be a better comparison than the Otus. It’s smaller, lighter and much cheaper than the Batis and probably 99% as good.
The 3D Kraft review is really good. I’m happy to see the IQ and colors of the 85mm Batis are still a bit better than the Nikkor 85/1.8 G, which is already a very good lens.
Indeed. The only downside when using the Nikon for us was the CAs wide open in certain situations. The Batis looks to be better here. M. Kormos’ pics also showed nice contrast in backlight situations. In terms of sharpness the difference is very minor. However, for 800 Euros more this is s.th. I expected.
So, does it have a metal build or not? Hard to say from the images if its plastic or anodized aluminium.
The Loxias are the most perfect lenses you’ll ever use. Just saying. 😉 Worth every penny. Borrow/rent one and see for yourself.
You might very well be right 🙂 I am just surprised at how heavy they are and have some doubts about the pricing, weight and FL of any upcoming wide angles. I really like their rendering, but the CVs also have a lot of character and are great performers (even better in some aspects).
patiently waiting for both to arrive 🙂
I’m ok with FE28mm & 21mm conversion. Extremely happy with FE55mm. Crossing my fingers on these Batis lenses. Look forward to see more native from Zeiss: 14mm to 20mm wide prime, 135mm and 200mm.
Looking to the picture of the table you are showing here the CA’s at the windows right in the background look horrible. Even if I consider that this part shows in the out of fokus part of the picture. The Zeiss 25/2.0 – used with a converter – gives me much more better results.