Zeiss Batis 85mm f1.8

Featured Monday, 15 June 2015 11:51

Full Frame, weather sealed, with image stabilisation and this nifty OLED that shows your depth of field scale.... But it is 'only' a f1.8 and costs $1200. Is it worth it?

See the Batis at Adorama: https://www.adorama.com/zi8518e.html?KBID=66941
My review of the Otus 85: http://mattgranger.com/otus85mm and at Adorama: https://www.adorama.com/zi8514zf2.html?KBID=66941

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7 comments

  • Comment Link Rick Monday, 15 June 2015 21:42 posted by Rick

    You're comparing the slowest focusing of the A7 cameras to a pro level DSLR. A6000, A7ii and just announced A7rii are much fast focusing than the A7r.
    Also curious to know what mode you were using... likely some unfamiliarity with the the camera itself coming into play.

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  • Comment Link David Stock Monday, 15 June 2015 22:46 posted by David Stock

    Thanks for sharing your experience with this lens, and your images. I appreciate it. Looks great for wide open use. But, I'm considering the Batis for urban landscape. This lens has pincushion distortion, which Zeiss says is close to 3%. I know it can be corrected in camera or post, but I wonder how that affects corner sharpness. Any chance of seeing some images, maybe at around f8, that would give a clue about that? Thanks again.

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  • Comment Link John Anthony ONeill Tuesday, 16 June 2015 20:22 posted by John Anthony ONeill

    Nice review Matt

    As others here mentioned, I think these Batis lenses will focus better on the mark II bodies. My A7II is much better than my old A7R. I have been waiting for a good 85 for a long time now so this will be a welcome addition to the line up. Can you post one or two raw files for comparison as the jpegs appear a little oversharpened on my screen for meaningful assesment.

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  • Comment Link Duncan Wednesday, 17 June 2015 04:42 posted by Duncan

    As an A7 user, the batis lense has been long wating lense unlike Nikon and Canon, even Sigma does not make FE Mount Lense. therefore, it was too harsh comment. You are Nikon guy though, I do not have many choice.

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  • Comment Link Per Friday, 19 June 2015 19:09 posted by Per

    Thank you for the review. How do you think the Batis 85mm compares to the Nikon 85 1.4g?

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  • Comment Link Carlos Tuesday, 23 June 2015 23:55 posted by Carlos

    it's good idea to buy this Lent zeiss batis 85mm 1.8 for my camera Sony a6000?

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  • Comment Link Don Wednesday, 27 July 2016 07:43 posted by Don

    I've done it, because I plan to upgrade to a sony full frame at the end of the year 2016.
    So the Batis 85mm is on the A6000. Still awesome photo's. however Min focusing is around 1 metre. Auto focusing isn't great and the digital display doesn't work, maybe I need to unlock this somewhere, but I'm not going to bother to find out. Personally theres no way I'd buy this glass if I wasn't going full frame. Your just not using the lens to its full potential.

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