ZEISS Otus ML: The Return of Legends, Now for the Mirrorless Generation

After a five-year hiatus and a slew of rumors suggesting that ZEISS was bowing out of the still photography market, they’re back with a bang. Enter the Zeiss Otus ML line—a reimagining of the beloved Otus family that promises to shake up the mirrorless camera world. Today they are unveiling two focal lengths: 50mm f/1.4 and 85mm f/1.4.

The Otus ML lenses are intended to push optics in this new generation of mirrorless cameras. The original Otus primes to this day remain at the pinnacle of optics so the question is: Can the new iterations compare? Buckle up, this is going to be a long one.

Optical Excellence for Those Who Demand the Best

Let’s rush past what you already know. ZEISS is known for pushing the boundaries of lens performance. The original Otus was proof of that and the Otus ML line is meant to go even further. From our short time with the 50mm we can say that it definitely delivers the signature “ZEISS look.” Subjects are beautifully isolated and pop against the softly rendered background. That additional iris blade in the ML, 10 versus 9 in the original, help create softer bokeh. Whether you’re capturing fine details in low-light or shooting wide-open for stunning subject isolation, these lenses make sure nothing gets lost in the process.

The aspherical design minimizes distortion and chromatic aberration, ensuring that you get the cleanest, most accurate images possible. ZEISS’ T* anti-reflective coating helps to preserve color fidelity and reduces lens flare. The preproduction 50mm model we had exhibited slight flaring only when hit with very hard direct light. The color that we saw was true to life which is going to make it so easy to work with in post. Whether you are working on stills or using them for video, the neutral tones will give you latitude to get where you want to be with your final product.

What makes the Otus ML lenses so special isn’t just their optical quality—it’s the blending of ZEISS’ rich tradition with cutting-edge innovation. The new Otus ML lenses carry forward the legacy of the iconic Otus line while adapting to the mirrorless market. While we are super excited about this release we also can’t help to yell “Finally!” We’ve been waiting for a premium properly manual lens to hit the mirrorless market for too long. We’ll get into that shortly though.

No trip to Duclos Lenses is complete without a quick trip to the projector room. There is plenty of coverage for the modern large format sensors and no sign that this lens would have difficulty producing quality images*. In short, it’s an Otus.

*We must say that because this was a preproduction model and performance will ultimately be cemented once we get hands on full production samples, but even with that the model tested still performed beautifully.

Built for Control, Designed for Craftsmanship

One of the most exciting features of the Otus ML is its manual focus experience. ZEISS’ focus precision has always been a hallmark of the Otus family, and with this new generation, it feels more intuitive than ever. The full metal construction ensures a durable, premium feel, while the smooth, calibrated focus ring allows for absolute control over your shots. This isn’t just about focusing a lens; it’s about being fully immersed in the creative process and having the confidence that every frame is captured exactly as you envision it.

The Otus ML lenses are optimized for modern mirrorless systems, including Sony E-mount, Canon RF-mount, and Nikon Z-mount cameras, making them versatile tools for a wide range of shooters. The compact, lightweight design makes them easy to handle in the field, but don’t let their size fool you—these lenses pack a punch when it comes to optical performance.

We know you’re wondering, so as always, here is a spec chart to quickly compare base features of each generation of Otus lenses. You’ll notice that the obvious differences are going to be in the size and weight of the ML compared to the originals. Squeezing the legendary performance of the OG Otus’ down by almost a full pound in the case of the 50mm is impressive.

	Original Zeiss Otus 55mm	Zeiss Otus ML 50mm	Original Zeiss Otus 85mm	Zeiss Otus ML 85mm
Mounts	ZF/ZE	E/RF/Z	ZF/ZE	E/RF/Z
F-stop range	f/1.4-16	f/1.4-16	f/1.4-16	f/1.4-16
Iris blades	9	10	9	10
Min. focus	0.5m	0.5m	0.8m	0.8m
Filter thread	77mm	67mm	86mm	77mm
Image field	43mm	43mm	43mm	43mm
Focus rotation	248°	259.5°	261°	244°
Length	4.93” (ZF), 5.01” (ZE)	3.93”(E, RF), 4.02” (Z)	4.80” (ZF), 4.88” (ZE)	4.44” (E, RF), 4.56” (Z)
Weight	2.22lbs (ZF), 2.43lbs (ZE)	1.49lbs (E), 1.54lbs (RF), 1.58lbs (Z)	2.51lbs (ZF), 2.64lbs (ZE)	2.29lbs (E), 2.33lbs (RF), 2.34lbs (Z)

A Cinematic Opportunity

Sure these lenses are intended by ZEISS, for the photography world, but they are also giving a BIG nudge-nudge-wink-wink to the cinema world. The previous Otus lineup, known for its optical performance and build quality, was already the premiere choice for our Cine-Mods and this generation seems ready to carry that torch forward.

We’re thrilled that the Otus ML lenses are designed with similar flexibility, offering manual focus control and exceptional image quality that can easily be adapted for cinema use. Intrigue in manual focus photo lenses is slimming down as lens speed, efficiency, and quality have all improved over the years which means that hybrid shooters are sticking with autofocus lenses more and more. The Otus are definitely in a small class then, but we think they fill a void for those that go between disciplines or prefer the flexibility of still-oriented lenses and need a premium lens set.

Conclusion

The new ZEISS Otus ML lenses are an exciting return to form for one of the most respected names in optics. With the legendary optical performance and craftsmanship ZEISS is known for, these lenses are designed to help photographers and cinematographers alike tell their stories with clarity, precision, and depth. The Otus ML lenses offer manual focus control with a tactile, smooth experience. Whether you’re after the 50mm f/1.4, ideal for general-purpose shots, or the 85mm f/1.4, perfect for isolating portraits with stunning bokeh, the Otus ML will tackle everything you throw at them with elegance.

The 50mm f/1.4 will be available in Q2 2025, followed by the 85mm f/1.4 in Q3 2025. We’re eager to get our hands on the production versions to see just how well they live up to their promise, but based on the specs, we’re confident they’ll live up to the legacy of their Otus predecessors.

If you have any questions or want to stay updated, don’t hesitate to reach out. You can also place a pre-order or learn more about these lenses on our website, linked below. Let us know if you’re as excited as we are to bring this level of quality to the world of photography and filmmaking!