German optics manufacturer ZEISS has expanded its Otus ML lineup with the launch of a new 35mm f1.4 manual focus prime for mirrorless cameras, positioning the lens as a precision tool for street, travel, and documentary photographers who prioritize deliberate control over focus and composition. 

The new Otus ML 1.4/35 joins the existing 50mm and 85mm lenses in the series, extending ZEISS’s manual focus offering to one of photography’s most widely used focal lengths. 

Available for Sony E, Canon RF, and Nikon Z mounts, the lens is designed for photographers who work intentionally, balancing context and subject within the frame while relying on optical performance rather than automation.

A 35mm Perspective Built For Storytelling

The 35mm focal length has long been favored for environmental storytelling. It is wide enough to capture context but tight enough to highlight key subjects. ZEISS positions the Otus ML 1.4/35 as a lens for composing stories instead of simply recording scenes. 

For photographers, this lens encourages intentional framing and rewards careful positioning and timing, particularly in street and documentary work where layers, geometry, and light define the final image. 

The fast f1.4 aperture adds flexibility in low light while allowing selective depth of field control to isolate subjects without losing a sense of place.

Optical Design And Image Characteristics

The Otus ML 1.4/35 employs an advanced aspherical Distagon design to reduce distortion and chromatic aberrations. 

ZEISS states the lens is engineered to deliver high performance even wide open at f1.4. Key characteristics include natural color rendition, high sharpness, and strong micro contrast, which together define the distinctive ZEISS Look. 

A ten-blade aperture creates smooth bokeh, helping subjects stand apart from backgrounds without harsh transitions. The ZEISS T* anti-reflective coating further reduces reflections, flare, and ghosting, especially in high contrast or backlit scenes, giving photographers greater control in challenging lighting conditions.

Unlike many mirrorless lenses, the Otus ML 1.4/35 is manual focus only. ZEISS emphasizes this as a creative feature rather than a limitation. Manual focus encourages deliberate shooting, where precise focus placement becomes an active part of storytelling. 

The lens features a metal focus ring with a helicoid mechanism for millimeter-accurate adjustments. Its extended and smooth focus throw enables precise control, particularly at wide apertures where depth of field is shallow. An aperture de-click option allows smooth, silent exposure changes for video recording.

How It Fits Within The Otus ML Trio

With the addition of the 35mm, the Otus ML series now covers three key focal lengths. 

The 50mm lens serves as a versatile standard tool for portraits, street scenes, and cinematic compositions. The 85mm lens focuses on portraiture, isolating subjects with shallow depth of field and strong subject separation. 

The 35mm lens completes the trio as a storytelling lens, balancing context and subject within a single frame. 

Together, these lenses provide a consistent manual focus system for photographers who value optical quality and handling across different focal lengths.

Price And Availability

ZEISS states the Otus ML 1.4/35 will be available from specialist retailers in Spring 2026. 

The recommended retail price is €2,399, or $2,299 in the United States. The lens sits firmly in the premium category, targeting photographers who prioritize optical character, mechanical precision, and a deliberate shooting workflow over convenience features like autofocus.

[Photos via Zeiss]

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