MINI TESTS LENS SPECIAL
ZEISS 85MM F/1.4 OTUS £2899/$4490 www.zeiss.com
Sigma’s reputation for high-quality lenses continues to grow, thanks to the Art series. These photo lenses offer incredible but affordable quality, and lend their optical design to Sigma’s full-frame cinema lenses. Art is viable for Canon, Sony and Sony mount cameras. This 105mm f/1.4 is the longest in the range and, says Sigma, the master of bokeh and perfect for portraits, as the extra focal length gives a little more compression to bring the background closer. On an APS-C or Super35- size camera it’s roughly equal to a 160mm lens, but with an enviable f/1.4maximum aperture. Sigma’s premium lenses often out-performmanufacturers’ own glass and the new 105mm really delivers. Seventeen optical elements in 12 groups is a huge amount for a prime lens. With five special low-dispersion elements and one aspherical lens element, plus a rounded nine-bladed diaphragm For the ultimate in image quality for a DSLR or mirrorless camera, the Zeiss Otus is about the best you can get. But it comes at a high price compared to other lenses that are designed for smaller cameras – all of which have very effective autofocus systems. So dropping several grand on a manual- only lens that’s not specifically for cine may seem like madness. Especially for a lens that goes as wide as f/1.4, where focusing is super- critical. So, perhaps manual focus is the only way to go, as AF might focus on the end of the eyelashes rather than the eye, say. However, the Zeiss was tricky to use, especially outdoors, wide open. We used a Nikon mount version on both a Nikon and Sony with a Metabones adapter. The Sony has the advantage of focus peaking. Modern DSLRs like the Nikon aren’t really geared up for an optimal manual focus experience, and the Sony’s peaking is
for smooth out-of-focus areas, it’s no lightweight in performance, or in actual weight. Housed in a sturdy metal body (1645g and 131.5mm long) it is heavy and big for a 105mm lens, especially with the detachable mammoth lens hood. The tripod mount is a useful addition. Images are sharp and detailed, with attractive and smooth out-of- focus areas, aided by the longer focal length. We used a Canon-mount version on a Canon DSLR and on a Sony A7R III with a Metabones adapter. On the Canon the lens worked as well as a native lens with the Dual Pixel AF system. On the Canon and Sony we also usedmanual focus; perfect every time thanks to focus confirmation. AD. PROMOVIEMAKERRATING: 8/10 Affordable alternative to Sigma’s cine lenses and easy to use Pros: Wow image quality for price Cons: Size andweight tough to see. But when in sharp focus, results are breathtaking. The Otus is a no-compromise lens focused on image quality. There are six special glass elements and five aspheric lenses. At 1140g with an 86mm front filter thread, it’s a big lens that oozes quality and will last for years. When you get it right, you get superb detail and contrast, accurate colours and no distortion.But shooting manual focus on DSLRs with a shallow depth-of-field is a huge challenge. With a lens like this, the law of diminishing returns means you are paying a lot extra for quality that is definitely better and with smoother bokeh than a cheaper 85mm lens. AD. PROMOVIEMAKERRATING: 8/10 If you demand the ultimate in optical and build quality, this lens is it Pros: Simply the best image quality Cons: Pricey, hard to focus wide open, heavy
ABOVE A big lens that’s huge on quality.
SPECIFICATIONS Type: 85mmmanual focus lens Aperture range: f/1.4-f/16 Format: Full frame Optical design: 11 elements in 9 groups Diaphragmblades: 9 rounded Minimumfocus: 80cm/ 2.62ft Filter thread: 86mm Dimensions DxH: 101x124mm/ 3.98x4.88in Weight: 1140g/ 2.65lb
SIGMA 105MM F/1.4 DG HSM ART £1499/$1599 www.sigma-global.com
ABOVE The latest ofering in the super- quality Sigma Art series.
SPECIFICATIONS Type: 105mmautofocus lens Aperture range: f/1.4-f/16 Format: Full frame Optical design: 17 elements in 12 groups Diaphragmblades: 9 rounded Minimumfocus: 100cm/ 3.28ft Filter thread: 105mm Dimensions DxH: 115.9x131.5mm/ 4.56x5.18in Weight: 1645g/ 3.62lb
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WINTER 2018 PRO MOVIEMAKER
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