Zeiss Milvus Distagon T* 1.4/50mm Review + Image Quality Breakdown

Zeiss Milvus Distagon T* 1.4/50mm (50mm f/1.4) Review and Image Quality breakdown | Photographer Dustin Abbott shares a thorough, hands on review of the beautifully made Zeiss Milvus 50mm f/1.4 lens and also interactively breaks down the image quality from the lens as well as compares it to popular new options from Tamron and Sigma. Read the written review: bit.ly/1rcOgeR | Visit the Image Gallery: bit.ly/1YTkOpL | Shop for the Lens: bhpho.to/1Ufs9P3
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[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Sorry to everyone about my "stuffed up sick voice" in this one. I've got to keep up with my schedule...even with a cold!

True pros don't cancel :-)

[@jamesr6497]

No apology needed, I admire those who carry on no matter what. Even though you shoot Canon and I Nikon, I have always valued your respective when it comes to a new lens I am considering. I find your insights both thoughtful and informative. You cover a lot of aspects I find wanting in other reviews. I especially enjoy the breakdown and analysis on your personal images.

[@stephenspiteri_zunkus]

James R, I’m a Nikon shooter as well and Dustin’s reviews are so good and appreciated in my regard that if I’d had been subscribed to his channel before my commitment to Nikon his influence would have swayed me towards Canon or Sony. His reviews and knowledge is flawless and concise without any crap that one gets from other people here on the net. Still, since most lenses and such are cross platform we can still benefit. Maybe Nikon will appreciate his work and forward him some of his stuff his way. They should. We are missing out.

[@rahmanahashem3484]

hahaha didn't even notice bro. However you can apologize for the amount of sweat covering your face lol! You look like there's a guy just off camera pointing a gun at your head.

[@alivenesscyclingroadcyclin2673]

Thanks to your excellent reviews such as this one, I have fine-tuned my appreciation for lenses as a tool for producing art. And this in turn has improved my photography. Fantastic - this is how gear review should be! Wishing you a speedy recovery and sending many regards from Spain.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Thank you very much!

[@williampichardo1485]

The Distagon name makes me think it might be built on a retrofocus wideangle formula, which implies both aa proneness to distortion AND a potentially brutal frame coverage, if it is a wide angle with 50mm it might even be able to cover 6x6

[@Clint_the_Audio-Photo_Guy]

I just got my second one. I thought back and remembered that this lens was the best lens I've ever used for any length of time and wondered why I didn't have it anymore. The Black Friday promo sold me again. Can't beat that. The images this lens is capable of are just amazing. A lot of people think 50mm perspectives are boring, but when I look at my work, it turns out that most of my best shots were taken with a 50mm or a 35mm. If I could only have one lens, it would probably be this Milvus. My one wish, is for Zeiss to make a low element count 35mm f/2 lens with near APO performance, basically just update the current one with some fancy glass. I know it's a lot to ask, but I don't need all that weight in a 35mm. All these primes are getting heavy and faster than we need.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Your latter points are very true, and part of the reason why I personally own the Tamron 45 and 85mm f/1.8 lenses. They are not small or light in an absolute sense, but have a lot of optical chops in a reasonably sized and weighted package. The Milvus 1.4/50mm is an underrated gem. Beautiful (and special) rendering that other 50mm lenses don't match.

[@franzmaierhuber4868]

I bought a 35mm Distagon f2. Only twice the length of the 50mm planar. Sharp wide open and beautiful bokeh. See if you can get one used as it was only producede for a short period of time. Not weather proof but it is pretty robust anyway.

[@neilford7338]

Great channel Dustin, best reviews on youtube.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

That's very kind, Neil. Thank you!

[@maheshg212]

This lens does have the best rendering I have seen... even possibly better than 50 lux

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

It's optically the best 50 I've reviewed in recent years. I'm very tempted by it myself.

[@thomaseriksson6256]

I got the Milvus 50mmF2 Macro but I have the old Zeiss 50mmF1.4 for my secial art projects

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Some people love the character of that lens

[@thomaseriksson6256]

@@DustinAbbottTWI I got it for simulate the old 1900 look for my landscape pictures project. It will be used on D700, 12 Mpix and combine 3 pictures for a short panorama to get the HB Pan look and D800E, 36 Mpix,.. Looking for a good panorama head setup.

[@walidhoyek6758]

i have been waiting for this video, i bought this lens like two month ago and frankly i love it, i always used canon lenses but this baby is something on another level, it feels made from heaven, it has it's own special look as if the lens had a tear drop hanging all around, i am learning a lot from this lens as how to look at people in a different way, it almost tells a story by it's texture, i have this duality loving it or fearing it, will it re-direct my own vision or add to it... this i don't know. this is the main reason for me to wait more before i buy the rest of the family, never went through this dilemma before until now !

[@jamesr6497]

I had been slightly indecisive about which high end 50mm to get for my recent purchase of my Nikon D810. Like you, I am more about the artful rendering, than the full on resolution. I still love my older Nikon D700 because of that despite the 12mpx limit. After watching your review I am of the mind to go with Zeiss Milvus T* 1.4/50mm over the Sigma 50mm 1.4 Art. It will take some saving, but in the meantime I have my Tamron 45mm 1.8 VC. Since the last time I commented, I gave it some thought and watched again; Its a expensive lens after all. After this 2nd veiwing I noticed your shirt is same color as Zeiss logo; wonder how many caught that... he he. Great review!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

It's a solid choice. The rendering is really lovely from this lens.

[@twistedjiji]

Hey Dustin. Great video as always! How much difference do you see between the Milvus 50mm 1.4 compared to the Otus 55mm 1.4? Is the Otus giving you 'far more' noticeable image quality over the Milvus, or are they barely or somewhat noticeable? If money was somewhat of an issue (Meaning, you have $4k, but not certain if you want to spend it all on a lens that gives you a slight edge in the Otus), which would you go for? Thanks for any input!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

The Otus has more "bite" to it (very 3 dimensional) and is the sharper lens overall, but the Milvus is very sharp and has a beautiful, classic rendering to it that I personally love. If you can't afford the Otus, the Milvus is a pretty fabulous consolation prize!

[@twistedjiji]

Awesome. Thanks for the feedback and input!

[@nathanzondlo7393]

I'm a big fan of the Distagon lens formula, and I'm happy to see they stretched it to the 50mm FL

[@Neopulse00]

I am currently torn between owning this lens or the Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f/1.4 SL II S. This review is helping.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Glad to help out.

[@SonLe-hz1rh]

Hi Dustin, even though this is a 4 years old review I am still going to sent my comment here because your review goes much deeper to the characteristic, soul, rendering than just plain lab sharpness result. I have been contemplating to pick either this guy or the MP50 f/2, but in the end with your review I picked this up. My all time favorite is the 85 1.2 L, not that the lens is perfect, but its has a very special rendering that gives it a soul, and I have a same feeling about this Milvus too. Thanks for the outstanding review, and please keep it up!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I do love the rendering from this lens

[@irfanomer5331]

Dear Mr Abbot, Could you kindly conduct comparison between Zeiss Otus 55mm f1.4 and Nikon Z 50mm f1.2. That would be great help. Thanks

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Hi there, I'm afraid not. I don't test Nikon and don't really have access to the Otus right now, either.

[@sgpork]

very high quality review as always n really nice lens!! hope you get to do sony e mount lens reviews too. in the future at least. thanks!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Thank you very much!

[@chrisogrady28]

Do you have any opinions on the new Milvus lenses vs the slightly older 135 f/2? A lot of reports say the 135 is Otus level. What I'm looking for from a lens is the wide open bokeh transition. The Blending from razor sharp to creamy, so many lenses *cough sigma cough* have janky artifacts in between in and out of focus areas. In an ideal world we would have an f8 DOF for our subjects and an f1.4 blur for the background, but there's only so much physics will allow. With all that in mind, I'm between the zeiss 135, Nikkor 135 DC, Zeiss Milvus 85, and possibly this, what do you think? Oh and HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAZZ!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

135 mm F2 is a treat. It is near Otus level, and is really exceptional in every way

[@alfredv9902]

I first purchased the Sigma 50mm f1.4 Art and did tests on it. I wasn't satisfied with focus repeatability, and returned it 2 weeks later. I than purchased the Milvus 50mm f1.4 and perfomed the exact same test at the same location and apertures (inc wide open). I agree, the Sigma was ever so slightly sharper in the center (took about 5-6 units of sharpening to make them equal....this is for wide open, otherwise sharpness is incredible)....although the Milvus was still very sharp. On the other hand, the Sigma was softer at the edges (Milvus 50 f1.4 is known for flat performance, and has a unique front lens element). The Milvus also had better color, the zeiss pop, richer tones, more micro contrast, weatherproof, better build. What I disliked the most about the Sigma 50mm art was manual focus, the repeatability was terrible on AF, and on manual I could only hit focus about 2-3x out of 5 at infinity. Focus throw way to short on Sigma, while hitting infinity focus with the Milvus was easy...very long throw. The Milvus gave far better images, while the Sigma appeared flat and lifeless in color. The zeiss pop is real. If you need AF focus (sports, etc), than manual focus is not for you. Otherwise, for landscape and other uses, not a problem. Remember, you have the green dot focus system on D800-850, and focus peaking....not a real problem at all. The Milvus also has hyperfocal scale....important in landscapes when focus stacking is not convenient or possible. Of course, the hyperfocal scale is calculated for 8x10 print size (most people do not realize this). All you need is increase your tolerances to 40 inch print size....by adjusting focus about 1-2 stops toward infinity after you have done the initial hyperfocal set point on the lens barrel....and read the new values on the scale... Simple. With my Pentax 6x7 camera, I rarely focused, and depended on hyperfocal (with my adjustment). I wish mfrs would re-calculate the scale....great feature, especially for a manual focusing lens....you don't need to focus...point N shoot.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I share your opinion that the look of images from the Zeiss glass is definitely more special.

[@yourbschoolbuddy]

Hey, nice review! Need your advice. How does it compare to Voigtlander 58mm f/1.4? I am using a 12 MP Nikon D700 and mainly looking for dimensional rendering and microcontrast. Thanks

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I haven't tested the Voigtlander 58mm, but I suspect you'll find this Milvus lens quite a bit higher performing (and also a lot larger, though!)

[@calizess]

I suggest trying your regular 50mm lens on manual focus before spending a ton of money on this optical marvel. If you screw up most of your shots because you couldn't nail the focus - then stick to your existing nifty fifty with AF. The optical supremacy doesn't worth all that images you screwed because of manual focus difficulties on that shallow DOF.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

That's only true if you don't learn how to properly use MF. If you don't, you would be better served with an AF lens.

[@blackclavish]

I know it's been more than two years since you reviewed this but when you said that "of the 50mm I used short of the Otus 55mm, this is probably the most pleasing images from a 50mm type lens." I own several Zeiss lenses, including the Milvus 2/50 Macro. You obviously haven't used "the best 50mm". I have owned and shot the Leica 50mm f/0.95 Noctilux for years. You mentioned how nice-looking the bokeh this Zeiss produces. I'll tell you right now, it doesn't even come close to the Noctilux. Zeiss lenses are exceptional but Leica M lenses are a few levels above Zeiss, cost and format (rangefinder) notwithstanding. That's just a fact.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

With all due respect, the answer is right there in the quote you made from me, "...of the 50mm lenses I've used...". You are contradicting me based on criteria outside the parameters of the statement. Whether or not the Leica lens is better (and at $12,000, it should be), doesn't change my statement. I haven't used the Leica lens, and comparing a $1200 lens to a $12,000 lens might not be a fair comparison even if I had.

[@kevinmarkham6385]

Will this lens damage the mount on my Nikon f3? Is it too heavy? I like to use a hand strap and just hold my camera with one hand down at my side

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I'm not familiar with the F3, but cameras are engineered to handle a lot of stress at the mount. This is a heavy lens, yes, but hardly unusually so. You should be fine.

[@jmattmartin]

Would this lens be appropriate on a vintage film Nikon F body... or would the size/weight of the lens make it an ergonomic nightmare?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I haven't shot on an F, so I don't feel informed enough to really answer your question.

[@rhodesia1578]

As always Justin you are a champion at reviewing any camera or lens .. you focus on the important information that is meaningful . You are correct no lens is perfect in any sense.. but these Zeiss lenses are close to perfection to what I am looking for . I have a couple and they are beautiful pieces of art in themselves on how they look and feel when you hold them . Then there is the gorgeous colour renditions especially in the mid tones and contrast . Makes post editing a breeze . Thanks again for a brilliant and honest review .

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

My pleasure.

[@m.andre824]

Hello! Having shot both lenses, how would you say this Zeiss Milvus 50mm f1.4 compares to the Makro-Planar 50mm f2, either the Classic or the Milvus. I am particularly interested in the color-rendition, micro-contrast, and general drawing of these lenses as I am looking for the best 50mm lens (not at Otus pricing) for my father's old Nikon F3. Furthermore, the f1.4 aperture as well as the macro-capabilities are both pluses but not a necessity for me shooting most portraits at f2. Thank you!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

The Milvus 1.4/50mm has beautiful rendering, though it is bigger and heavier than the MP50. Either lens is a great choice for your criteria optically.

[@RasheedRichmond]

Hey Dustin, huge fan of your work! Keep it up. Question, how would this Milvus compare to the rendering & resolution of the Nikon 50mm f/1.2 and/or 50mm f1.4 Nikkor Ai-S Manual Focus Lens. Thanks in advance!!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I've never shot with any of the Nikkor lenses, so I can't comment.

[@swansong007]

I'm sorry I disagree with your view. I found the focusing ring stiff and not easy to turn and the rubber surface to smooth to get grip with. I'll stick to my Nikon lenses and turn them to manual focus when I need too. oh and save money too

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Interesting. Not my experience at all.

[@Nat.ImagesLarge.F.Photographer]

Best lens,awesome in all senses,high quality,incomparable!!!!!!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

+Nat Images I agree. It is a really special lens.

[@JonasStuart]

Not entirely my experience with this lens. Yes, love the rendering, colours, contrast, bokeh, but it's not massively sharp. I'm using on a BMPCC 4k with mechanical adapter (not metabones) and it's not as sharp as my Meike T2.2 50mm which was very surprising to me. Any thoughts? Did I get a dud?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

At F1.4 there are sharper lenses, though the rendering is very special. Stopped down a bit and it should be very sharp.

[@anthonyrock5039]

Your Meike @ 2.2 is sharper than this lens @ 2.2? Keep in mind that you will be softening the lens slightly with speed boosters etc.

[@JonasStuart]

Yep, definitely sharper. Mot the 25mm Meike, that's disappointingly soft (which drove me to look elsewhere!!) but definitely the 50mm and 85mm. And yes, as I said, that's without speed-booster. With the metabones, it's a different story - it takes a lot off, reduces the smoothness of bokeh and focus fall-off isn't as nice/clean - edge to edge sharpness suffers a lot too! but with a mechanical adapter, the Meikes are sharper (tested them on my apsc sonys too - same outcome). I don't care though. The colour and bokeh are in a different league. Low light is amazing of course (especially with the metabones!) Of course, remember that at M43 native lens is designed to project onto a M43 sensor. Full frame glass on a M43 sensor is only using the centre portion of the optics to project the image. I think you lose some of the magic of the lens using it this way.

[@JasonCohenphoto]

Curious about your feelings on the lens(es) now 6 years later! Thanks for the detailed review

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Because most all of the lenses that I review are loaners, my feelings on the lenses themselves don't change much as I haven't continued to use them.

[@JasonCohenphoto]

@@DustinAbbottTWI Makes sense, thanks. Ended up with a set of the Otus... Excited to see how they perform. Take care!

[@jamesr6497]

Thanks for the great review. Although I shoot Nikon I find your reviews helpful when trying to decide a new lens. I got the Sigma Art 24-35mm f/2 and Zeiss Planar 50mm 1.4 after following your reviews. I kind of am leaning towards the Milvus 50mm over the Sigma for art projects and some old school style street photography. I agree on the rendering of resolution style of Zeiss lens kind of out classes the Sigma Art. How do you feel about the 50mmm Milvus in regard to micro contrast and black & white translation? You are one of my favorite reviewers and hope you enjoy good health; take care..

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I love the rendering from the Milvus 1.4/50mm and will probably add one myself at some point in the next year (even though I don't need it!)

[@juiceplanet147]

Even tho you are strictly a Canon related reviewer... Fuji, Olympus & Sony are flamming hot...you could possibly double your subscriptions. I'm only saying this because there's only a hand full of camera gear reviewers that are top notch on KZbin. Hopefully you will consider one more brand soon. Thanks.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I was booked to do a Sony review recently and Sony never got the product to me.

[@juiceplanet147]

Yeah I just said Sony but not a fan. Love there product tho & I rented a A7 R before. I use to sell Sony electronics. Worst repair service & the battery issue is ridiculous. Some one else does there repairs now. Ive heard. Fuji & Olympus are great.

[@mgaindia1527]

Mr. Dustin why you can use a towel to remove all your sweating. its just destroying your footage.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

That's actually oils - I use essential oils on my skin.

Very interesting. I have been investigating all available 50mm lenses recently and went with the Sigma Art 50mm, as well as keeping my EF 50mm F1.8, and they are both great, in different ways, but what I would really want is for Canon to update their 50mm F1.4, so that would be decently sharp wide open, modern coatings etc, but still maintain a reasonably small size and weight. That would be a lens I would by in a heartbeat, even if image quality could not reach the Sigma and this Zeiss. Still, I must admit that it seems to produce very nice pictures. As always, Dustin's reviews are top class.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I think we all want that Canon lens, but so far... I'd love an AF lens with the rendering of this lens, but it's rare for a non-Zeiss to really look like a Zeiss. I think the Canon 35L II is one of the first I've seen where I felt the images were fairly Zeiss-like.

[@bitmastermac]

What's your summary comparison between this milvus 50 1.4 and the 50 makro planar? I have them both and can't decide if I want to keep the Makro. It's my first 50-love, but I have the 100 makro as well, and trying to thin the Zeiss collection. I carry one makro planar in whatever kit I bring just for the drawing style.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

If you have the MP50 then I would keep the Milvus 1.4/50mm. It's a fabulous lens, and I personally think has the more special rendering of the two. I like the versatility of the MP50, but you've got that covered with the MP100.

[@bitmastermac]

Dustin Abbott Also my conclusions also from use, but it might be too hard to sell.

[@VGarden]

Dear Sir, if the Zeiss 50 1.4 Manual Focus or Auto Focus?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Manual focus

[@VGarden]

@@DustinAbbottTWI Is it good to buy or the Sigma Art 50 1.4 better?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

That's up to you. I like the rendering of the Milvus better, but the Sigma does give you autofocus.

[@VGarden]

@@DustinAbbottTWI I really want to buy Zeiss but the problem is Manual Focus, it might be difficult to use. I have Nikon 85 1.8G. Thank You!

[@odiea9328]

Dustin, i have makro planar 100mm f2, and i like it. Would you recommend zeiss milvus 50mm f1.4 or zeiss makro planar 50mm f2, based on your experience using both 50mm lenses?

[@bitmastermac]

Odie A I'm keeping both (all 3), but the milvus is better

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I'd go with the Milvus. It has really special rendering, and you have the MP portion covered with the 100M

[@darthgzuz]

expecting a image quality comparison of tamron 45 1.8, sigma 50 art n milvus 1.4 So which is best value for money among the three

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Check out the end of my written review (bit.ly/1rcOgeR) for my thoughts.

[@tomhughes5123]

iv had the good fortune to use zeiss lenses on my d850s and .. im blown away ..iv used zeiss binos sights etc .. these camera lenses are awesomely awesome

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Zeiss makes great glass!

[@tomhughes5123]

@@DustinAbbottTWI im lucky to be able to swipe my brothers , in fact its the 21 50 and 80 that v rekindled my happy snapper attitude .. ok theyre manual focus . but im not a 10 fps guy anyway ..

[@vinceb.g2400]

I just order it today , will pray that the lens arrive safely :)

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Enjoy!

[@Ali.lensman]

so after two years whats your feedback about the lens? we'd love to know

[@arkon6084]

Manual focus at shallow depth of field: NO. That is the bottom line.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

On a Canon body, perhaps, but adapted a Sony body with good MF aids these lenses are a lot easier to use.

[@dallasthomas5489]

Hi Dustin, firstly I really appreciate the way you do your reviews and thank you for the time and effort you put in. I have the had pleasure of shooting with both the Ouis 55 and 28 as a loner from a friend in Paris. I cannot justify the price of the Otus but can for the Milvus. My assumption is that Milvus is about 90% or so of the Otus. I shoot with a D800 and D4S. Price aside which lens would you have either the Sigma or Zeiss. I find manual not to be an issue. Thanking you in anticipation.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

If manual isn't an issue I typically prefer the rendering from Zeiss glass.

[@dallasthomas5489]

Thanks Dustin much appreciate you time.

[@danieldelorme4021]

Hello Dustin! Fantastic review, as always! I love how you tackle every single aspect when reviewing a lens which provides your reviews with fairly rich complexity! I think I can thank you on behalf of all of us for your much appreciated guidance! Thank you! I enjoy your reviews so much that I often end up watching a review of a lens that I did not even care about before. :)This particular lens seems to be truly amazing and your review has brought a great dilemma into my life. If you happen to have a moment, will you please help me make a decision? I would really appreciate it! Here is my situation: I have recently purchased a used Nikon D3x and I am in search of a laser-sharp standard prime lens. I was ready to go for the marvelous Sigma 50 Art, BUT I often find myself in a fairly humid environment and the fact that the Sigma lacks weather sealing put me off. Therefore, based on your reviews, I am hesitating between the Tamron 45 and this Carl Zeiss Milvus 50 which looks absolutely flawless and I love everything about it. The only reason why I am even hesitating is the fact that I never shoot portraits. My domain is nature and landscape photography so I always shoot at aperture 8 or 11 and I would like to ask you whether there is a noticeable difference between the two lenses at these apertures, please? Is it worth spending the extra 400 dollars on the Carl Zeiss if you do not shoot wide open that much?Thank you very much for your time and I wish you a lovely rest of the day!Daniel

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

In this case I would probably say that it's not necessarily worth the extra money. The Tamron is a very nice landscape option stopped down, and the weather sealing (while not quite at the Milvus level) seems quite robust.

[@danieldelorme4021]

Thank you very much for your answer, Dustin! ;)

[@snowcountry322]

Can you use the Milvus lenses on the Canon R5, or R6?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Yes, though you'll have to use the EF to RF mount adapter. They are easier to use on the R bodies because of all the manual focus aids.

[@melodychest9020]

Has the Canon RF 50mm 1.2L beaten this Milvus 50mm now?!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I would say yes.

[@melodychest9020]

@@DustinAbbottTWI Thank you. Have you had the chance to try this Milvus on the EOS R body? Does it need the Canon adapter?

[@maxfactor4209]

may I know, what camera and lens do you use to record your videos? thanks in advance.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Sure. I've recently been using at the 80D + Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM - usually at around f/2-2.2 range.

[@willparsons32]

Has anyone used ANY of the Zeiss Lenses on a APS C yet? I have the 70D and am looking to picking up the 35mm Zeiss Milvus

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I mostly use Zeiss glass on FF, as it seems a little like overkill for APS-C. Perhaps another poster will weigh in.

[@JohKemStYl3]

Waxy Parsnips I use a Milvus 50 mm on a Nikon d7200 and I can tell you that it is insanely sharp and the color rendition is very unique and to me just perfect. In addition there is nearly no vignetting on the APS-C sensor. I'm in love with the lense so I'm not sure if I can be objective. ;) I would buy it again if it ever breaks, but it looks and feels indestructible.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

That's a rather positive endorsement :)

[@SaroukosG]

Waxy Parsnips I

[@trevorpinnocky]

Overall, a very nice optic. I'm surprised, though, that it has considerably more distortion than the Sigma Art. It also has a bit more vignetting than the Sigma as well. It does handle flaring very nicely.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

No lens is perfect. Low distortion was a strength for the Sigma. Heavy vignette is, in my experience, a Zeiss weakness. The Milvus 50 wasn't the worst offender I've seen. The overall look of the images coming out of it is probably my favorite out of existing 50mm options...and that might include the Otus.

[@williampichardo1485]

The Distagon name makes me think it might be built on a retrofocus wideangle formula, which implies both aa proneness to distortion AND a potentially brutal frame coverage, if it is a wide angle with 50mm it might even be able to cover 6x6

[@maxfactor4209]

Great as usual..... Meanwhile your Zeiss color shirt...:)

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Gotta show support :)

[@alexh5343]

Nice review sir, are you planning to review the Milvus 35mm f2 ?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Probably at some point as I never reviewed the Classic version of the lens.

[@danielyang4562]

Dustin Abbott love the classic 2/35. Favorite lens!

[@EchelonDelta9]

Love your in depth analysis Dustin, keep up the excellent work! Any plans to review the Milvus 21mm?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I don't know. I did the 21mm last year before the Milvus rebuild. My next Zeiss review is the Otus 28mm f/1.4

[@EchelonDelta9]

+Dustin Abbott Maybe someday hopefully, I'll keep tunning in. Otus 28mm will be very interesting, I look forward to the reviews.

[@rrrrrrtt1]

I enjoyed this review very much. Thanks, Dustin.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

My pleasure!

[@davidzung137]

Thank you for your reviews. I have the Otus 28mm and it is stunning! You sad earlier in your comments that you have not reviewed the 35mm line but based on your knowledge of the Milvus v Distagon I wonder if you think, or have heard, if the newer Milvus 35mm f2 has any advantages over the 35mm Distagon f/1.4? The Distagon is more expensive but I guess you are paying for the extra stops. But the Milvus line os supposed to be an improvement over the Distagon? Any suggestions which way you would personally go?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Some Milvus lenses are optical improvements (1.4/50mm, 2.8/18mm, 1.4/85mm), but many of them use existing optical formulas, including the 35mm. I still haven't gotten my hands on the Otus 28mm. The copy Zeiss had for me to borrow "disappeared" when another reviewer had it. Oops :)

[@davidzung137]

Well thank you for your response! And sorry for my horrible typos in my previous message. Your thoughts have been really helpful.Keep up the good work. I work in the commercial film industry and tv industry as a designer in NYC. I put the Otus on my GH4 with a metabones speedbooster and to the naked eye, without grading, the quality looks like something out of an Arri or a Red. I could see the difference immediately. The images have a personality and a look that go beyond just being sharp. It is better than the Zeiss Distagon 35 f/1.4 which is a great lens and it completely outdoes the Sigma Art 18-35 f/1.4 for sharpness and color. But then it should for the price. It is freakin' expensive for sure. I asked a friend of mine who is the top photography printer in the world about the issue of THE Otus' relatively low micro-contrast performance. He said its probably because the lens was designed with video in mind where you can't compensate with a wider range of tonalities from frame to frame as you would in stills where you can correct them in Photoshop.I haven't compared it the other Sigma art lenses so I can't say how they perform in comparison to the Otus. Looking forward to more of your reviews. Have you gotten your hands on the Milvus 15mm or 18mm yet? thanks again

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

David Zung If you look on my channel you'll see a review of the Milvus 18mm. I haven't done the Milvus version of the 15mm, but I did review of the Distagon 15mm (same optical formula).

[@davidzung137]

Hi Dustin. In your opinion are the Zeiss T* coated UV filters worth the extra expense over lets say a comparable B+W UV filter when used on a Zeiss lens? Are they natively better because you are matching technologies or in terms of the final image quality it doesn't matter that much? I guess expense is relative when you are talking about protecting avery expensive lens but nonetheless it is something to consider.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

David Zung I don't really have that answer for you. I would be hard pressed to say that it makes a huge difference (I've only used one of those Zeiss filters, and didn't directly compare it with another). Zeiss has great optics, but there's a lot of debate over the usefulness of UV filters, and I'm not sure where I stand.

[@oexel]

Looks like your studio needs AC lol

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

That's actually oils on my face. I use oils instead of after shave, and they obviously hadn't absorbed yet!

[@mors123456]

Thank you! A great review, as always.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Thank you!

[@v-22]

dude, you're running a cold sweat

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

+videos That may be some essential oils on my face :)

[@aayuzsth]

does it autofocus?? on canon ??

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Not in any mount. It is MF only.

[@OrenBVideo]

Thank you very much for the review

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

You're welcome!

[@jeremyspal78]

is it available for nikon?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Definitely. Click on the link in the description (shop for the lens) and it will take you to where you can see both Canon and Nikon versions.

[@cardiacade]

Top stuff as always Dustin.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Thank you!

[@willparsons32]

In your review of this lens, you mentioned that nether Nikon or Canon have a lens that comes close to the ZMD, You also mention further on that Tamron and Sigma have a glass that does come very close to this lens... I did hear you mention The Tamron but nothing about the SIgma... Which Sigma lens are you referring to? Thanks in advance!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

50mm f/1.4 ART, though its rendering is not nearly as special as this lens. As far as sharpness goes, however, it is an easy match for the Milvus.

[@chrisiclickyou3947]

Any chance you can review the Zeiss 100mm Macro lens?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

That's the plan after I review the Otus 28mm.

[@chrisiclickyou3947]

Thank you, I thoroughly enjoy your videos.

[@chrisiclickyou3947]

Good review, i enjoyed it !

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Glad to hear it!!