Michael Topham pairs the Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 by with the flagship Sony Alpha 7R II and puts its delight factor to the test

Product Overview

Overall rating:

100%

Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8

Product:

Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 Review

Manufacturer:

Price as reviewed:

£909.00

Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 Review – Test results

Resolution

Our Applied Imaging tests tell us the lens resolves reasoanble sharpness at its maximum aperture, with sharpness at the corners only appearing marginally softer. Closing the lens down to f/8 delivers optimum sharpness in the centre and at the edges. Pushing beyond these settings will introduce diffraction and produce softer results. While f/16 is more than useable we’d recommend staying clear of closing it down to f/22.

Zeiss Batis 85mm web

Optimum sharpness across the frame is found at f/8

Shading

Vignetting is obvious at the corners at f/1.8, rendering approximately 1.7EV darker than the centre of the image. Close the lens down to f/2.8 and the vignetting becomes much less obtrusive with it clearing up almost completely by the time you reach f/4. Those who apply the requisite lens profile (available for Lightroom 6, Photoshop CS6 and Photoshop CC) will be able to correct vignetting in their files very easily.

MATLAB Handle Graphics

Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 shading at f/1.8

MATLAB Handle Graphics

Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 shading at f/2.8

MATLAB Handle Graphics

Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 shading at f/4

Curvilinear distortion

A close look at our results revealed the lens exhibits pincushion distortion, with straight lines towards the edge of the frame bowing inwards. This type of distortion isn’t unusual for a medium telephoto prime lens. Again, it’s a relatively quick fix in software by applying the relevant lens profile that’s available in Lightroom v6.1.1 and Camera Raw v9.1.1.

MATLAB Handle Graphics

Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 distortion TV SMIA = 2.0%

 

  1. 1. Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 Review – Introduction
  2. 2. Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 Review – Features
  3. 3. Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 Review – Build and handling
  4. 4. Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 Review – Image quality
  5. 5. Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 Review – Test results
  6. 6. Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 Review – Verdict
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