Zeiss Batis 85mm 1.8 für Sony E

The Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 is one of the best lenses that we have reviewed so far. It isn't just a sharp lens. It is excessively sharp even at fully open aperture. It also maintains a high image quality at close focus distances. Low CAs add to the goodness. That being said - it is not a perfect lens. Image distortions and vignetting are weak spots making it almost necessary to take advantage of Sony's image auto-correction. The quality of the bokeh is very good but there are a few lenses out there that are better still. That also applies to bokeh fringing which is on the high side. The build quality is up to professional standards - a metal body, no wobbly parts, weather sealing - that's all excellent. However, we are still no big fans of the slippery surface coating, the dust catching focus ring and the dismal quality of the lens cap. The AF speed is good albeit not extremely fast. The OLED display on the lens is a looker for sure ... whether it's really useful may be a different question. Even when taking its downsides into account - the Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 is an awesome lens. Therefore ... highly recommended!

The Zeiss 85mm f1.8 Batis is short-telephoto lens for Sony's e-mount mirrorless cameras, and a clear step-up in image quality over Sony's own FE 85mm f1.8 lens: it's sharper in the important areas, has less longitudinal CAs, less haloing around bright light sources, and better resistance against flare and glare in strong contra light. It also has superior build quality plus a useful display to indicate distance and depth-of-field. The presence of optical stabilisation is desirable for owners of Mark I A7 bodies, although gives it no advantage over unstabilised lenses mounted on more recent bodies with SteadyShot inside; indeed the combination of optical and sensor-shift stabilisation actually proved less effective than body-based stabilisation alone in my tests. The Zeiss Batis is also slower to focus and has worse vignetting than the native Sony lenses. Its biggest distractor though is its price which is double that of Sony's own FE 85mm f1.8 and equal to the very good Sigma 85mm f1.4 Art. That said, it's still cheaper than Sony's flagship 85mm G Master and its overall optical qualities earn it a Recommended.