The Zeiss Otus 1.4/85 ($4,490) is the second in the company's line of no-compromise lenses, joining the Otus 1.4/55 in the lineup. The new lens has a longer 85mm focal length, but it maintains a maximum f/1.4 aperture and its optics are just as perfect. The manual focus design comes with a long focus throw for precise adjustments, but it does force you to take your time when capturing images. If you're an autofocus aficionado, consider the Canon EF 85m f/1.2L II USM as an alternative. But if you've got the money, and are willing to focus manually, know that the Otus won't let you down. It's another excellent lens from Zeiss, and earns our Editors' Choice award.

The Otus is big, and it's heavy. It measures 4.9 by 4 inches (HD), weighs about 2.7 pounds, and its front element is large, requiring the use of 86mm filters. The lens barrel is all metal, as is the reversible hood, with a manual focus ring that's covered in smooth rubber. If you opt for the Nikon (ZF.2) version of the lens, you'll get one with a physical aperture ring, but the Canon (ZE) version omits that feature as all Canon EOS bodies support electronic aperture control.

The focus throw is quite long, with markings in both feet and meters, and a printed depth-of-field scale is on the barrel with full-stop markings down to the minimum f/16 aperture. Infinity focus is beyond 50 feet, and there is a hard stop at infinity. The Otus can focus as close as 0.8-meter, which delivers a modest 1:7.7 magnification ratio.

I tested the Otus using the 36-megapixel full-frame Nikon D810 . Modern SLRs like the D810 feature focus screens that are optimized for autofocus, and don't quite show the fully shallow depth of field that an f/1.4 lens can produce. I found that using the D810's digital rangefinder worked pretty well, even for handheld shots at wide apertures. The digital rangefinder appears as two arrows and a dot in the information strip that runs along the bottom of the optical viewfinder; when you're out of focus the left or right arrow lets you know which direction to turn the lens, and the dot appears when you've hit it precisely. Some older Nikon SLRs support interchangeable focus screens, as do some Canon models. Canon sells a precision matte screen that's ideal for shooting at wide apertures.

When working with static subjects, I switched to a tripod with a magnified Live View frame for manual focus. It forced me to work a little slow and take care with every shot, and the results showed it. The Otus's manual focus design and precise distance scale is sure to make it a favorite of cinematographers, especially those working on productions where the camera is locked down on a sturdy tripod or similar support device.

Recommended by Our Editors

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM Review - Review

Zeiss Otus 1.4/55 - Review

I used Imatest to check and see just how sharp the lens is. At f/1.4 it scores 3,376 lines on our center-weighted sharpness test, with even performance through most of the frame. The edges aren't quite as tack sharp as the center (2,808 lines), but they still exceed the 1,800 lines per picture height we use to mark a photo as acceptable by about 1,000 lines. There's no distortion to speak of, nor is there any color fringing—the apochromatic lens design eliminates that unwanted effect. A smaller, less expensive Zeiss lens, the Planar T* 1,4/85 suffers at f/1.4, showing just 1,431 lines at that aperture.

See How We Test Digital Cameras

The more you stop down, the better the lens gets—at f/2 it shows 3,596 lines, and it improves further at f/2.8 (3,741 lines), f/4 (3,883 lines), f/5.6 (3,964 lines), and f/8 (3,999 lines). There's a modest loss of quality at f/11 (3,977 lines), and at f/16 diffraction sets in noticeably, but the lens still manages 3,733 lines. The Otus is tack sharp at any f-stop, even at the edges of the frame, giving you complete freedom to capture amazing images with the exact depth of field you desire. The 85mm Otus is a just a little bit sharper than the 55mm at wider apertures, but the two lenses resolve similar detail at f/8.

From an optical standpoint, there is absolutely nothing bad to say about the Zeiss Otus 1.4/85—it's as good as it gets. But you don't get that type of performance without paying for it, and the Otus is one of the most expensive SLR lenses out there. Canon shooters may opt to spend less money on the autofocus EF 85mm f/1.2L USM, but that lens is not recommended for photographers who prefer manual focus, as its electronic manual focus system doesn't deliver the same tactile response as a mechanical focus ring. The Zeiss Otus 1.4/85 is capable of magical results thanks to its tack-sharp optics and extremely shallow depth of field, although it does take some skill and discipline to get the best results. But those results can be spectacular, which earns an Editors' Choice recommendation for the Otus.