That's why Zeiss's announcement on Monday of the world's best 85mm lens left many wondering whether the company was, for lack of a better way to put it, full of hot air. A recent independent review from photographer Matt Granger sheds some light on this issue, and the results are impressive, if not jaw-dropping.


Here's a closer look at how the Otus 85mm performs in the rendering of high contrast detail compared to what is widely considered to be one of the highest performing lenses in this focal range, the Nikkor 85mm 1.4G. 

Nikkor 85mm Zeiss Otus 85mm ComparisonCredit: Matt Granger

Nikkor 85mm vs Zeiss Otus 85mm ComparisonCredit: Matt Granger

Although we still have yet to see DxO scores for the Otus 85mm, it's safe to assume that, like the 55mm (which was the single highest performing lens in its category ever tested by DxO), it will significantly outperform every other 85mm stills lens on the market. Even without the DxO scores, it's safe to say that the Otus 1.4/85 is quite literally the perfect portrait lens for discerning photographers. Of course, at $4500, it damn well better be.

Source: Matt Granger