CARL ZEISS LENSES – A HIGHLY ADDICTIVE DRUG
Honestly, I must say that I had no experience with Carl Zeiss until the autumn of 2017. As it happens, it was by chance that I came across "Zeiss". In October 2017, I had a lecture and workshop at “Fotoexpo” in Prague. To pass the time during a break, I was strolling through the main hall when a photographer caught me and blurted out if I was by any chance Jan Šmíd and that he knew me from television. It was an excellent photographer and also an expert on vintage lenses, Jan Tichý.
He also offered me to check out the Zeiss booth. I went somewhat reluctantly. After all, I hadn't really thought much about Zeiss lenses. Their price reminded me of expensiveness, plus the weight, nothing for me. However, I got an offer from the Czech representation to take a lens for testing on my next photo expedition. I reached for the Milvus 15 2.8. This lens immediately caught my interest - among other things, because it doesn't have, as one of the few, a bulbous front element and therefore it's easy to screw filters onto it.
Here, the Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4 was in action. Panorama compiled from total of 24 frames (3-level exposure bracketing of 8 frames in one row).
The photograph received an Honorable Mention at The International Photography Awards 2018, a bronze medal at "The EPSON International Pano Awards" 2018, Honorable Mention at "Tokyo International Foto Awards" 2018, and at the "Fine Art Photography Awards" 2018 in London.
I took the fifteen-millimeter lens on my next photo expedition to the Lofoten Islands specifically for photographing the aurora borealis, and I must say that I was more than pleasantly surprised by the results. I found it quite hard to part with the lens after returning from the expedition, but on the other hand, I received a promise that if I wanted to test more lenses, it would not be a problem. So, I decided to put the people at Zeiss to a little test.
On Christmas Eve, around 3 pm, I sent an email to the Czech representative saying that I would like to try some more lenses, but I would need them for the day after Christmas because I was going to be leaving Prague. To my surprise, not only did I get a response within half an hour (it really was Christmas Eve), but what's more – on December 26, at the requested time, a car stopped in front of my house with the lenses I wanted to test. I was really impressed. What a stark contrast with the "willingness and responsiveness" of the Czech representations of other photographic brands.
Perfect Zeiss Otus 28mm f/1.4. Panorama compiled from total of 30 frames (3-level exposure bracketing of 10 frames in two rows).
The photo has been awarded Honorable Mention at “PX3 Prix de la Photographie Paris” 2019, 2× Honorable Mention at “The International Photography Awards” 2019 in Los Angeles, Honorable Mention at “Budapest International Foto Awards” 2019, Silver Medal at “Tokyo International Foto Awards” 2019 and Honorable Mention at “Fine Art Photography Awards” 2019 in London.
Since those mentioned Christmas, Zeiss lenses have not missed any of my photo expeditions. I quickly discovered that the price of these photographic jewels is absolutely justified. After all, just attach any lens from the Milvus or Otus series to your camera, and everything immediately becomes clear. I have never been a dealer for any brand nor have I been paid by any. Therefore, when I recommended or advised against a piece of equipment, it was always based on my personal experience and tests.
And I have had many lenses pass through my hands over time. Without exaggeration, I can say that Zeiss lenses are the best I have ever handled. Those who haven't tried them don't know what they're missing. Milvus 18 2.8 (again, no bulbous front element), Otus 28 1.4, Milvus 35 1.4, Otus 55 1.4, Otus 85 1.4, Milvus 135 2.0... I can't even imagine my photography without this series anymore. Once you get these lenses in your hands, you start thinking about how to save up for them or devise an action plan to rob a bank easily and quickly :) After my first experiences, I very easily and with a light heart got rid of my existing lenses and just bitterly regretted not having Zeiss glasses much earlier. But not only the above-mentioned series is excellent, one of the so far unmentioned treasures is, for example, Milvus 25 1.4.
Small, light, and yet fantastic Zeiss Milvus 18mm f2.8. Panorama compiled from total of 12 frames (6 stacked frames of stars in two rows, 3 stacked landscape frames in the third row; 2-level focus bracketing).
My collaboration with the Carl Zeiss brand picked up speed and resulted in me becoming the proud ambassador of this photography icon. The second in the Czech Republic and the 25th in the world. It's a new welcome impulse for my further work. After quickly gaining the QEP title and especially Master QEP, I lost some motivation, because what more can be achieved in the world of photography? Representing the most prestigious photography brand, on the other hand, is very good motivation for further shooting and projects.
Zeiss Milvus 25mm f/1.4. Panorama compiled from total of 36 frames (21 averaged exposures of stars in one row, 15 averaged exposures of landscape in the second row, 2-level focus bracketing).
The photo has been awarded Honorable Mention at „Prix de la Photographie (P×3)“ 2020 in Paris.
The original text of this article was written back in 2019. But what's the situation now, in 2024? Do you think I'm still shooting with Zeiss lenses? Yes, I am...but there have been some changes. As long as I had the Nikon D850, I couldn't imagine my photo life without Milvus and especially Otus lenses. On the other hand, no one gets younger, strength decreases, and there's no sherpa in sight. And let's face it - Otus and Milvus lenses are excellent, but they are also mostly large and heavy. So, when I was preparing for a photo expedition in the Dolomites not just for sunset but also for night photography, I packed suitable lenses in my photo bag, as well as an equatorial mount, spare clothes, food, water. To cut a long story short, my photo bag weighed well over 20kg. Thus, I took a step that even surprised me. I swapped the Nikon D850 for a Sony Alpha A1. And although the D850 is a great camera, the Sony A1 is simply perfect. I've never regretted this change for a second.
And this time…Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4. Panorama compiled from total of 99 frames (3-level exposure bracketing of 13 frames in three rows, 3-level focus bracketing).
But it was time to say goodbye to all the Milvus and Otus lenses. After all, they had a Nikon mount. In the end, I couldn't give up the Otus 28 f/1.4. Once you try shooting with this lens, you can't give it up. So, I bought an adapter and kept it. Additionally, I acquired more lenses from Zeiss, this time the Loxia series. 21mm, 25mm, 50mm, and 85mm. They are great lenses. Simply Zeiss. With the Loxia 50mm f/2.0, we are currently shooting studio videos for our YouTube channel as well.
Loxia lenses are surprisingly affordable lenses. So, accessible to most photographers. All have the same front element, so you need only one set of screw-on filters. But mainly, these are small lenses that you can slip into your pocket. They are manual lenses, which suits me perfectly when taking photos of landscapes. I shoot most with the Loxia 25mm f/2.4. Do you know how easy it is to focus with this lens?
Zeiss Milvus 35/1.4. Panorama compiled from total of 37 frames (18 stacked and averaged exposures of stars in one row, 12 stacked and averaged landscape exposures in the second row; 2-level exposure bracketing; 2-level focus bracketing).
The photo has been awarded Bronz Medal at “Prix de la Photographie (P×3)” 2020 in Paris.
Simply focus at infinity. And turn the focusing ring back a tiny bit. Done. Everything is within the DOF, from the feet of the tripod to infinity. For the first time in my life, I don't do test shots before shooting to check the focus. I just turn on the so-called focus peaking in live view to check that the tiny turn back from infinity is correct and that's it. Simply fantastic.
And what about the Otus 28? I'll admit that I no longer carry it for daytime shooting. But for photographing stars, it's irreplaceable. Its extremely large front element (95mm) literally draws in light, perfect sharpness, and micro-contrast from the lowest apertures...all of this makes it a perfect tool for night photography…
Zeiss Loxia 25mm f/2.4. Panorama compiled from total of 244 frames (3-level exposure bracketing of 80 frames in four rows).