{"id":1208,"date":"2015-10-11T23:42:37","date_gmt":"2015-10-11T22:42:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/?p=1208"},"modified":"2026-01-14T09:33:30","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T08:33:30","slug":"zeiss-milvus-distagon-1-450-rolling-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/zeiss-milvus-distagon-1-450-rolling-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Zeiss Milvus Distagon 1.4\/50 &#8211; Review"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC09857.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1217\" src=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC09857.jpg\" alt=\"DSC09857\" width=\"800\" height=\"532\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC09857.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC09857-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a>Classic 50mm lenses are rather small, affordable and not very good wide open. The <strong>new Zeiss Milvus 1.4\/50<\/strong> is very big, very expensive and very good from f\/1.4.<\/p>\n<p>For this review I used the Milvus on my Sony a7.<\/p>\n<p>All images in this review are processed from raw unless I mention otherwise. I did nothing fancy, just a little contrast and some sharpening.<\/p>\n<p><em>Disclosure: This\u00a0copy was loaned from Zeiss at no charge.<\/em><\/p>\n<h1>Sample Images<\/h1>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1244\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1244\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00362.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1244 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00362.jpg\" alt=\"DSC00362\" width=\"640\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00362.jpg 640w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00362-240x300.jpg 240w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1244\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Milvus 1.4\/50 | Sony a7 | f\/2 | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/96189377@N08\/22109552741\/sizes\/o\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">full resolution<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1245\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1245\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00499.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1245 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00499.jpg\" alt=\"DSC00499\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00499.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00499-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1245\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Milvus 1.4\/50 | Sony a7 | f\/1.4 | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/96189377@N08\/21909573498\/sizes\/o\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">full resolution<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1246\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1246\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00547.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1246 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00547.jpg\" alt=\"DSC00547\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00547.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00547-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1246\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Milvus 1.4\/50 | Sony a7 | f\/1.4| <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/96189377@N08\/22073333416\/sizes\/o\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">full resolution<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<h1>Specifications<\/h1>\n<p>These are the specifications for the ZF.2 version I used, the ZE version is slightly heavier and longer.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Diameter: 83\u00a0mm<\/li>\n<li>Length: 94\u00a0mm<\/li>\n<li>Filter Diameter: 67\u00a0mm<\/li>\n<li>Weight: 875g<\/li>\n<li>Number of Aperture Blades:\u00a09<\/li>\n<li>Elements\/Groups:\u00a010\/8<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The Milvus 1.4\/50\u00a0sells for $1199 at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1185204-REG\/zeiss_2096_557_milvus_1_4_50_ze_lens.html\/BI\/19619\/KBID\/12129\/kw\/ZE5014MZE\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xZE5014MZE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">B&amp;H Photo<\/a>\u00a0(affiliate link), \u00a0in Europe it sells at\u00a01199\u20ac.<\/p>\n<h1><b>Build Quality<\/b><\/h1>\n<p>The Milvus 50 feels very solid, nearly everything is made from metal, markings are engraved and filled with paint. The hood is heavy and made from metal as well, only the locking mechanism of the hood is made from plastics.<\/p>\n<p>Zeiss claims that they used &#8220;special seals for protection against dust and splashes&#8221;. I can&#8217;t asses how much this is worth, I won&#8217;t disassemble a loaned lens, all I can report is that the lens has a rubber gasket around the bayonet.<\/p>\n<p>Focus and aperture ring show zero play.<\/p>\n<h1>Ergonomics<\/h1>\n<h2>Size, Weight and Handling<\/h2>\n<p>Wow. That Milvus 1.4\/50 is big.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1218\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1218\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC09871.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1218 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC09871.jpg\" alt=\"Zeiss Milvus 1.4\/50 on Sony Alpha 7\" width=\"800\" height=\"532\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC09871.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC09871-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1218\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Zeiss Milvus 1.4\/50 on Sony Alpha 7<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Add the massive hood and it is gigantuous\u00a0for a 50mm lens.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1219\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1219\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC09872.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1219 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC09872.jpg\" alt=\"Zeiss Milvus 1.4\/50 with hood on Sony Alpha 7\" width=\"800\" height=\"532\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC09872.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC09872-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1219\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Zeiss Milvus 1.4\/50 with hood on Sony Alpha 7<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>At more than 1000g with hood and adapter it is about as heavy as my <a href=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/canon-fd-300mm-4-l-review\/\">Canon FD 4\/300L<\/a>. Traditional 1.4\/50mm lenses weight about a third of that.<\/p>\n<p>Handling on the Sony a7 is rather poor, you need your left hand to support the lens and focusing is quite hard while you also support the lens. Add an <a href=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/useful-accessory-sony-alpha-7-l-bracket\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">L-bracket <\/a>and it improves quite a bit\u00a0because now your right hand can support the lens well enough.<\/p>\n<h2><b>Lens Hood<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The lens hood is mostly made from metal and as heavy as it is large. It attaches very firmly and protects the front element very well, both from stray light as well as from any damage. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Focusing<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>In case you haven&#8217;t noticed yet: \u00a0this is a manual focus only lens and I will review it as such.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The focusing ring turns about 130 degrees from 45cm to 1m and a further 90 degrees from 1m to infinty.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The focusing righ is rubberizer and totally flat but grippy enough, based on the images I could have imagined that the flat surface is a problem but it isn&#8217;t.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The lens extend a little bit when the focusing ring is turned, less than\u00a03mm whereas other 50mm lenses extend by about 6mm, I found this a bit curious. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since the lens is so heavy a lot of mass has to be shifted to focus and you notice that when you turn the focusing ring, it offers a rather high resistance, higher than I like it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The rather long focus throw and higher than usual resistance make it ideal for very precise focusing but limit the Milvus 1.4\/50&#8217;s usefulness when speedy focusing is required.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1251\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1251\" style=\"width: 1280px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC09852.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1251\" src=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC09852.jpg\" alt=\"Ziess Milvus 1.4\/50 on Sony a7\" width=\"1280\" height=\"851\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC09852.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC09852-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC09852-1024x681.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1251\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ziess Milvus 1.4\/50 on Sony a7<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>Aperture Ring<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ZF.2 version I used has a dedicated aperture ring (unlike the ZE version with Canon EF mount where the aperture is controlled electronically by the camera).<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The aperture ring is flat and rubberized, just like the focusing ring but I also found it grippy enough. \u00a0The aperture ring moves in half-stops from f\/1.4 to f\/11, there is no click between f\/11 and f\/16.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What I didn&#8217;t like was that the aperture ring offers very little resistance, I unintentionally changed the aperture several times and only noticed it later. This has never happened to me with old Minolta MD\/MC or Canon FD lenses and the Zeiss Loxia 2\/50 also offers more resistance. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I also found it curious that the Milvus&#8217; smallest f-stop is f\/16, not that I ever use f\/22 but it&#8217;s what I am used to from other lenses and the other Milvus lenses stop down to f\/22 as well.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I think both the focusing and aperture ring aren&#8217;t designed as well as they could have been designed. To be honest I expected a bit more from a lens at this price point. With time you will probably get used to it and it won&#8217;t be an issue any more.<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><b>Optical Performance<\/b><\/h1>\n<p><b>Flare Resistance<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I think I have never seen a better performance, there is hardly any contrast loss and ghosting is only visible under the most extreme condions, even then ghosts are small and dull.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1223\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1223\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00367.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1223\" src=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00367.jpg\" alt=\"Zeiss Milvus 1.4\/50 | f\/11\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00367.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00367-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1223\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Zeiss Milvus 1.4\/50 | f\/11<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Vignetting<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At f\/1.4 vignetting is noteable under critical conditions, by f\/2 it is minor an from f\/2.8 there is basically no visible vignetting. For a fast 50mm lens this is a good performance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Distagon_50mm_f1p4.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1224\" src=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Distagon_50mm_f1p4.jpg\" alt=\"Distagon_50mm_f1p4\" width=\"728\" height=\"864\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Distagon_50mm_f1p4.jpg 728w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Distagon_50mm_f1p4-253x300.jpg 253w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 728px) 100vw, 728px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><b>Cromatic Aberations<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lateral CA:\u00a0very well corrected, I didn&#8217;t find any.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Defocus Color Fringing<\/b>: This is the aspect were the Zeiss Milvus 1.4\/50 is clearly inferior to it big brother the Otus 1.4\/55. Fringing is quite visible at faster f-stops.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1225\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1225\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00429.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1225\" src=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00429.jpg\" alt=\"Milvus 1.4\/50 | f\/1.4\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00429.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00429-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1225\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Milvus 1.4\/50 | f\/1.4 | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/96189377@N08\/21452338183\/sizes\/l\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">full resolution<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1226\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1226\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Untitled-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1226\" src=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Untitled-1.jpg\" alt=\"100% crop | Milvus 1.4\/50 | f\/1.4 \" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Untitled-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Untitled-1-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1226\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">100% crop | Milvus 1.4\/50 | f\/1.4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><b>Distortion<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Some barrel distortion, you might want to correct it for very critical applications<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1445\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1445\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC09887.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1445 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC09887.jpg\" alt=\"DSC09887\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC09887.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC09887-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1445\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Zeiss Milvus 1.4\/50 | f\/8 | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/96189377@N08\/22506056468\/sizes\/o\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">full resolution<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><b>Bokeh<\/b><\/p>\n<p>The Bokeh is very smooth for a 50mm lens, I will go into detail later, for now here are some pictures:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1229\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1229\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00378.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1229 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00378.jpg\" alt=\"DSC00378\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00378.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00378-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1229\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Zeiss Milvus 1.4\/50 | f\/1.4 | smooth bokeh and very good sharpness | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/96189377@N08\/21909535138\/sizes\/o\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">full resolution<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1231\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1231\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00393.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1231 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00393.jpg\" alt=\"DSC00393\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00393.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00393-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1231\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Zeiss Milvus 1.4\/50 | f\/1.4 | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/96189377@N08\/22107471851\/sizes\/o\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">full resolution<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So far I haven&#8217;t seen any onion-rings like you will see them with the <a href=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/sony-fe-1-855-za-sonnar-t-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sony FE 1.8\/55<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At f\/1.4 you will see the cat eyes effect were blur discs aren&#8217;t round in the corners but more oval.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1227\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1227\" style=\"width: 533px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00550.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1227 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00550.jpg\" alt=\"DSC00550\" width=\"533\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00550.jpg 533w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00550-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 533px) 100vw, 533px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1227\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Zeiss Milvus 1.4\/50 | f\/1.4 |<a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/96189377@N08\/22071298846\/sizes\/o\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> full resolution<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Stop down to f\/2 and the cat eyes effect is greatly reduced. The shape of blur discs stays very round when the lens is stopped \u00a0down thanks to 9\u00a0aperture blades.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1228\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1228\" style=\"width: 533px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00551.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1228 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00551.jpg\" alt=\"DSC00551\" width=\"533\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00551.jpg 533w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00551-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 533px) 100vw, 533px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1228\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Zeiss Milvus 1.4\/50 | f\/2 | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/96189377@N08\/22071301796\/sizes\/o\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">full resolution<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><b>Sharpness<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Traditional 1.4\/50mm lenses have low contrast at f\/1.4 with decent resolution in the center and poor corners.<br \/>\nThe Zeiss Milvus is very sharp in the center with high contrast from f\/1.4.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1237\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1237\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00270.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1237 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00270.jpg\" alt=\"DSC00270\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00270.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00270-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1237\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Zeiss Milvus 1.4\/50 | f\/1.4 | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/96189377@N08\/22047931091\/sizes\/o\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">full resolution<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>100% crop:<a href=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/center1p4crop.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1212\" src=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/center1p4crop.jpg\" alt=\"center1p4crop\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/center1p4crop.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/center1p4crop-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Stop down to f\/2 and the sharpness reaches excellent levels:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/centerf2crop.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1213\" src=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/centerf2crop.jpg\" alt=\"centerf2crop\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/centerf2crop.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/centerf2crop-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>While the corners show a lower resolution they are still remarkably\u00a0sharp for a 1.4\/50.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1235\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1235\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00257.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1235 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00257.jpg\" alt=\"DSC00257\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00257.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00257-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1235\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Zeiss Milvus 1.4\/50 | f\/1.4 |<a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/96189377@N08\/21416472063\/sizes\/o\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> full resolution<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>100% crop from the corner:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/cornerf1p4crop1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1236\" src=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/cornerf1p4crop1.jpg\" alt=\"cornerf1p4crop\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/cornerf1p4crop1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/cornerf1p4crop1-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stopped down the Milvus 1.4\/50 is of course super sharp but that&#8217;s hardly surprising, <a href=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/minolta-md-50mm-2-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">even 30-years-old $20 50mm lenses<\/a> are. If you look carefully you will notice that the far corners are somewhat soft even at f\/8.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1234\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1234\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00520.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1234 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00520.jpg\" alt=\"DSC00520\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00520.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00520-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1234\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Zeiss Milvus 1.4\/50 | f\/8 |<a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/96189377@N08\/21909582708\/sizes\/o\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> full resolution<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h1><b>Is the Sony a7 series a good platform for the Milvus series?<\/b><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Zeiss Milvus lenses are very big and of course they will handle better on a big DSLR\u00a0like the D810 or 5Ds. But it is not like handling with a small Sony a7 is a huge pain in the a*#. Once you have added a <a href=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/useful-accessory-sony-alpha-7-l-bracket\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">L-bracket<\/a> \u00a0to the camera even the mighty Milvus 1.4\/50 is well enough balanced.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While you certainly wouldn\u2019t choose an Sony a7-series \u00a0because of the handling, a strong argument can be made for the Sony\u2019s and thats <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">focusing. <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I have used manual lenses on a Cann 5dII for a while. Whit a special focusing screen my portraits turned out well enough but to get consistent results at longer distances required me to use the not-tiltable LCD which was quite limiting.<br \/>\nOn the a7 series you can quickly focus very precisely either trough the EVF or with the monitor which can be tilted.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>For me the much better focusing experience is more important than the less good handling and I think the a7 series is a good platform to enjoy the Milvus 1.4\/50 and other members of it&#8217;s family.<\/p>\n<h1><b>Conclusion<\/b><\/h1>\n<p>I think Zeiss got nearly everything right\u00a0with the optical qualities. It is very sharp and contrasty, it has very nice bokeh and is well corrected for anything but defocus color fringing. It is a significant step up from older normal lenses and I think I \u00a0prefer it also to the \u00a0the FE 1.8\/55 which plays in the same league but it is a bit slower and the onion rings can be a bit distracting.<\/p>\n<p>The trade-off for the very good performance is of course the price and the size. The price is high but I think it&#8217;s fair if you consider the very good build quality and performance.<\/p>\n<p>From the perspective of an Sony a7 user\u00a0size and weight can be justified if you really want a very fast lens with a real focusing ring but for most users the <a href=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/sony-fe-1-855-za-sonnar-t-review\/\">FE 1.8\/55<\/a>\u00a0will be more attractive at 1\/3 of the weight.<\/p>\n<p>Personally I am still on the fence. I value a good manual focusing experience highly and I like the image quality quite a bit. But I don&#8217;t know yet if that justifies carrying a 1kg lens with me.<\/p>\n<p><em>The Milvus 1.4\/50\u00a0sells for $1199 at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bhphotovideo.com\/c\/product\/1185204-REG\/zeiss_2096_557_milvus_1_4_50_ze_lens.html\/BI\/19619\/KBID\/12129\/kw\/ZE5014MZE\/DFF\/d10-v2-t1-xZE5014MZE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">B&amp;H Photo<\/a>\u00a0(affiliate link), \u00a0in Europeit sells at\u00a01199\u20ac.\u00a0If this review was helpful to you, please consider using \u00a0my affiliate link. I will earn a small commission on your purchase and it won\u2019t cost you anything. Thanks!<\/em><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1248\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1248\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/21999158996_c3d84b26f5_o.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1248\" src=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/21999158996_c3d84b26f5_o.jpg\" alt=\"Milvus 1.4\/50 on Sony a7\" width=\"800\" height=\"532\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/21999158996_c3d84b26f5_o.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/21999158996_c3d84b26f5_o-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1248\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Milvus 1.4\/50 on Sony a7<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h1>More Sample Images<\/h1>\n<p>You can find all the full resolution images I have uploaded in this flickr set: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/96189377@N08\/albums\/72157659571286152\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Milvus 1.4\/50 flickr<\/a><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1233\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1233\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00470.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1233 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00470.jpg\" alt=\"DSC00470\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00470.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00470-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1233\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Zeiss Milvus 1.4\/50 | f\/1.4 | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/96189377@N08\/22107490631\/sizes\/o\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">full resolution<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1230\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1230\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00385.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1230 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00385.jpg\" alt=\"DSC00385\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00385.jpg 800w, https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/DSC00385-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1230\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Zeiss Milvus 1.4\/50 | f\/1.4 | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/96189377@N08\/21909262660\/sizes\/o\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">full resolution<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h1>Other Articles<\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Phillip-Reeve-525402494292511\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">My new Facebook page<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/manual-lenses-sony-a7\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Manual lenses on the Sony a7 \u2013 a beginners guide<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/lenses\/sony-fe-lenses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Other Sony FE lens reviews<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This site contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using any of the links marked as affiliate links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support the creation of future content.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Classic 50mm lenses are rather small, affordable and not very good wide open. The new Zeiss Milvus 1.4\/50 is very big, very expensive and very good from f\/1.4. For this review I used the Milvus on my Sony a7. All images in this review are processed from raw unless I mention otherwise. I did nothing &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/zeiss-milvus-distagon-1-450-rolling-review\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Zeiss Milvus Distagon 1.4\/50 &#8211; Review<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,18,419,169],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1208","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-lenses","category-review","category-vintage","category-zeiss"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Zeiss Milvus Distagon 1.4\/50 - Review - phillipreeve.net<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Zeiss Milvus 1.4\/50 looks a bit funny on the Sony a7 but the images make up for that. 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