FS7: Zeiss Milvus

Ben- Does the Milvus trombone when focusing?

I had decided that I only want glass that has a manual iris ring on the lens but all the raves about the quality of the Milvus line have me re-thinking that. And, like you, I'd rather keep right-way focus than give it up for a dinky iris ring that from what I am reading is difficult to access anyway.

Damn you Nikon and your backwards focus direction! Do you realize how many wonderful lens options we all would have if you weren't so GD stubborn?!?
 
JPNola said:
Ben- Does the Milvus trombone when focusing?
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Do you mean does the lens breathe?

If so, I don't know to what degree as the one I ordered hasn't arrived but almost every stills lens does to some degree.

I won't bore you any more gushing over how well controlled the Otus is in this regard. :)
 
Yea, I take everything lightly. Read tons of material everyday only for consideration.

But FWIW, I don't think the OTUS can stay on top forever...glass will continue to get better and better everyday.
 
Ben Scott said:
Do you mean does the lens breathe?

If so, I don't know to what degree as the one I ordered hasn't arrived but almost every stills lens does to some degree.

I won't bore you any more gushing over how well controlled the Otus is in this regard. :)
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I think he means does the front of the lens physically move forwards and backwards like the macro Zeiss lenses when you focus. From memory, I don't think this happens on the Otus but might on the macro Milvus (Milvi?).
 
ahh gotcha. I think about 90% of my Contax Zeiss were internal focusing - the exceptions being the macros and the push pull zooms, naturally. I think the old 25mm wasn't internal.

I doubt if the Milvus range will 'trombone' as you say, again excepting macros.
 
NorBro said:
Side note - http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/lensrentals-tests-new-zeiss-50mm-fe-lens-sharper-center-zeiss-otus/
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And the thing I like about that Sony over the Otus is that with the Sony you have a manual iris ring AND right-way focus. ( with the Otus the only way to get manual iris the wrong-way focusing Nikon mount version. ) A real shame that Sony didn't engineer the G Master 24-70mm to also have a manual iris ring.

I found this overview of e-mount lenses. It is relatively current and includes some obscure lenses I had never heard of such as the Meyer-Optik Trioplan 50mm f2.9 and the Venus Optics f/4 macro:

http://briansmith.com/sony-a7-a7r-a7s-lens-guide/
 
JPNola said:
A real shame that Sony didn't engineer the G Master 24-70mm to also have a manual iris ring.
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I mentioned above that's why I don't own it! Terrible decision...but maybe too much is going on inside and not possible for that price...
 
Regarding the Sony 24-70 GM, it is a great lens. My copy barely breathes and the focus by wire isn't as bad as most Sony lenses. It has a longer throw than other cheaper lenses. The lens also isn't as clinical and ugly as their 28-135 that came out with the FS7. I will try to post a sample video showing it compared to XEENs. I have the 24-70 and 85 GM to replace my XEEN set. It does everything I need and for way cheaper. I am excited to see how else they extend the GM lens line.
 
A couple more Otus 55mm grabs from a UHD FS7 shoot. Obscenely hot and bright day. Internal ND on full. Firecrest 3 stop ND on and Format .9 grad filter for the sky.

Barley shoot Screengrab- Sony FS7 and Otus 55mm f1.4 by Ben Scott, on Flickr

Barley shoot Screengrab- Sony FS7 and Otus 55mm f1.4 by Ben Scott, on Flickr

Barley shoot Screengrab- Sony FS7 and Otus 55mm f1.4 by Ben Scott, on Flickr

The lack of CA or fringing on the fine 'whiskers' on the barley against the bright sky is unlike anything I've seen in a lens.
 
Ben,

Thanks for posting the samples & your impressions. That Otus is looking extremely good.

Are you using any support for the lens, or adapter?

-B
 
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So if someone like Allstar starts making a rehoused Otus lens for a a little more with a longer throw - will we have master primes at minimal expense? Too good to be true?
 
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