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Zeiss Otus 85mm F1.4 vs Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 APO-Lanthar SL II

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Lens to replace
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Zeiss Otus 85mm F1.4

Telephoto Prime | Canon EF

Zeiss Otus 85mm F1.4
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Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II

Telephoto Prime | Canon EF

Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 APO-Lanthar SL II
CHECK PRICE

BUY from B&H PHOTO

Zeiss Otus 85mm F1.4 vs Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing Zeiss Otus 85mm F1.4 and Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II, two Telephoto Prime lenses from Zeiss and Voigtlander.

We will start with briefly looking and the main specs of these two lenses and in the section, we will start analyzing in more detail and list the pros and cons of each lenses.

Zeiss Otus 85mm F1.4 Key Specs

  • 85mm Focal Range
  • F1.4 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 86mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Canon EF Mount
  • Weight: 1200g.
  • Diameter: 101mm
  • Length: 138mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.8m

Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II Key Specs

  • 90mm Focal Range
  • F3.5 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 52mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Canon EF Mount
  • Weight: 320g.
  • Diameter: 63mm
  • Length: 52mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.5m
  • Max Magnification:0.29x

What type of photography are the Zeiss Otus 85mm F1.4 and Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Zeiss Otus 85mm F1.4 and the Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Zeiss Otus 85mm F1.4 Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II
Bird/WildlifeAverageAverage
SportsGoodGood
PortraitExcellentVery Good
TravelFairFair
StreetAverageAverage
WeddingVery GoodGood
Walk AroundFairFair
VloggingAverageFair
LandscapeFairFair

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Zeiss Otus 85mm F1.4 is the longer of the two lenses at 138mm. The Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II with a length of 52mm is 86mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Zeiss Otus 85mm F1.4 also has a larger diameter of 101mm compared to Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II's 63mm diameter.

Weight of a lens is as important as its external dimensions, especially if you are planning to hand hold your camera and lens combination for longer periods. Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II weighs 320g, 73% (880g) lighter than the Zeiss Otus 85mm F1.4's weight of 1200g.


Below you can find the dimension and weight table of the 'Telephoto Prime Lenses in Canon EF Mount for size comparison purposes.

Telephoto Prime Lenses in Canon EF Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Sigma 800mm F5.6 EX DG HSM Lens Sigma 800mm F5.6 EX DG HSM
521mm
157mm 4900g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 85mm f1.8 USM Lens Canon 85mm f1.8 USM
72mm
75mm 425g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 600mm F4L IS III USM Lens Canon EF 600mm F4L IS III USM
448mm
168mm 3050g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 85mm f1.2L II USM Lens Canon 85mm f1.2L II USM
84mm
92mm 1025g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 200mm f2L IS USM Lens Canon 200mm f2L IS USM
208mm
128mm 2520g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 500mm f4.0L IS USM Lens Canon 500mm f4.0L IS USM
387mm
146mm 3870g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 400mm f5.6L USM Lens Canon 400mm f5.6L USM
257mm
90mm 1250g Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 400mm f2.8L IS II USM Lens Canon 400mm f2.8L IS II USM
343mm
163mm 3850g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both Zeiss Otus 85mm F1.4 and Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II has the same Canon EF lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Canon EF lenses are Canon 1D X III, Canon 6D MII and Canon 5D MIV.

Zeiss Otus 85mm F1.4 is also available in Nikon F (FX) mount.

Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II is also available in Nikon F (FX) and Pentax KAF mounts.

Focal Range

Zeiss Otus 85mm F1.4 is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 85mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.6x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 136mm.
Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 90mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.6x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 144mm.

Reasons to choose Zeiss Otus 85mm F1.4 over Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 APO-Lanthar SL II

Focal Length - Wide 85mm vs 90mm 5mm Wider coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 1.4 vs 3.5 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 1.4 vs 3.5 Wider aperture at tele end

Reasons to choose Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 APO-Lanthar SL II over Zeiss Otus 85mm F1.4

Focal Length - Tele 90mm vs 85mm 5mm more Tele coverage
Weight 320g vs 1200g 880g lighter
Diameter 63mm vs 101mm 38mm smaller in diameter
Length 52mm vs 138mm 86mm shorter
Filter Thread 52mm vs 86mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance 0.5m vs 0.8m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.29x vs x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Common Strengths of Zeiss Otus 85mm F1.4 and Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 APO-Lanthar SL II
Distance Scale Yes vs Yes Distance Scale to assist focusing
Aperture Ring Yes vs Yes able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Common Weaknesses of Zeiss Otus 85mm F1.4 and Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 APO-Lanthar SL II
Image Stabilization No vs No Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization
Autofocus No vs No Slow and less accurate focusing
Weather Sealing No vs No not safe under rain and dust



**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Zeiss Otus 85mm F1.4 vs Voigtlander 90mm F3.5 SL II Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Zeiss Voigtlander
Lens Type Prime Prime
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Telephoto Prime Telephoto Prime
Lens Mount Canon EF Canon EF
Max Format 35mm FF 35mm FF
Focal Range 85mm 90mm
Image Stabilization No No
Colour Unknown black
Zoom Method No Zoom No Zoom
Power Zoom No No
Zoom Lock No No
Zoom Ratio 1.0X 1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture F1.4 F3.5
Min Aperture F16.0 F22.0
Aperture Ring Yes Yes
Diaphragm Blades 9 9
Optics
Optical Elements 11 7
Optical Groups 9 5
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.8m 0.5m
Max Magnification unknown 0.29X
Autofocus No No
AF Motor Type None None
Full Time Manual N/A N/A
Focus Method Internal Unknown
Distance Scale Yes Yes
DoF Scale Unknown Yes
Distance Scale Yes Yes
Focus Distance Limiter No Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight 1200g 320g
Diameter 101mm 63mm
Length 138mm 52mm
Materials Unknown metal barrel, metal mount
Weather Sealing Unknown No
Filter Thread 86mm 52mm
Filter Notes - -
Hood Supplied Yes Yes
Hood Code Unknown Unknown
Tripod Collar No No
Optional Accessories - -
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