Zeiss Batis 25mm f/2 lens review with samples (Full-frame & APS-C) 

That clock has now become a de-facto standard for testing close-up image quality!! Excellent review and recommendation as usual. Thanks!! Oh yes I am learning some english too!! :)

"I'm saying it's FAT". Got me there 🤣

Shop used for the Batis lenses is a much greater value for shooters. Love my 25, 40, & 85mm Zeiss Batis'.

I actually prefer my wider Sony 20mm f/1.8 G lens. Thanks for another thorough and wonderful review!

Hi Chris, greetings from Italy i always watch at your videos because, at the beginning, i needed some reviews to make clear my shopping ideas, but now i’m totally addicted to your British accent and of course your meticulous way of making reviews. i also thank you for being the best english teacher i’ve had in the past 8 years hope you will come to naples for taking some beautiful photos and also to eat something good, you’re the best. (let me get my new credit card so i can sub to your patreon) pps: when i’m drunk your videos are kinda the best thing i can ever watch because it’s sooo relaxing

The batis series is so underrated. Don‘t get fooled by the 2.0 - it‘s a stunning lens and can compete with the g master for sure!

When looking at glass, as initially a Canon 6D owner ( and still happy with this excellent camera) went ,some years' ago, for several L series lens. Superb quality and the prices were up there, but still very happy with the excellent IQ of my 24-70 2.8 L. However, the prices Canon is asking for new L glass is just unrealistic for myself and, I suspect, many other people. So too Zeiss glass. For too long Zeiss has traded on it's name and there are only so many people who are capable of extracting the maximum resolving quality from manual focus lens. Other posters have already mentioned high quality, alternative third party lens makers, to which I would add both Sigma and, more recently, Tamron. Zeiss glass has never been in my sights and the company will have to move with the times to even have me read reviews of their lens. As usual, a thoroughly enjoyable review and I like your style, as clearly do many others. Keep up the excellent work.

Love Your reviews. I will say that there is a little more to lenses than just sharpness, flaring and CA though. Also, this one can be had for $650 or so these days. I honestly doubt anyone is paying retail price for it. There is something about the zeiss lenses and the unique contrast and coloring of their images. Most people find it very pleasing, even if it’s subjective.

I feel like a lot of the early Zeiss E mount lenses haven't aged well at their established prices. We're overdue for Mark II versions (unlikely) or price cuts (very unlikely). They were default buys back then buy don't stand out among so many quality current lenses.

"Well you know, Diffraction!" That was an unxpected joke 😂

never thought you’d review any of these i honestly never had any expectations for these

English is my first language and I still needed that explanation

Just revisited the Samyang 24mm f/1.8 video. I am impressed by that lens even more now, especially after factoring in the price.

Well I think I made a greate choose buying the tamron 17-28

I own both 24mm GM and 25mm Batis. Use GM for video and Batis for photos.

Haha, love those fine lined jokes in each review xD

I have this lens for years. It is much cheaper than sony lenses. And it produces absurd colors and is perfec for movies what the Batis Series is mode for. The infinity fly-by-wire focus is incredible precise and rapid. Just move the ring fast and it is magicaly focused It also produce smooth focusing. Besides, it is perfect for astrophotography, movies and landscape since the DOF is shown in a LCD in the top not requiring many manual observation or consulting apps to get the DOF. It is not practicle to read any information of the focus but here it is perfect. You choose f and look at the LCD while moving the focus ring the complete information of DOF. Since Batis is made for movies, the flare appearence is great. This 25mm with f/2 brings the double of light of the 18mm f/2.8 version. For astro I prefered to get this 25mm f/2 than a 18mm f/2.8

I've never understood the 25mm batis especially with such a high price piont, if it was f1.4 I could understand especially now that the samyang 24mm f1.8 is such an outstanding lens with such a great price, great review 📷👍🙏

Chris will you be able to do a review on the Sony FE 35 f1.4 GM lens ?

Sony gm 24 1.4 much much better with better quality in everything also has same price .

Go for the Sony 24mm 1.4 GM, I did ! The Sony performs better !

I'm watching this channel for one purpose only - to hear Chris saying phrase "autofocus motor" again and again 😁

Thanks for the review

I would love you compare it with the Sony Zeiss Loxia 25mm F2.4...

thanks for the review I was considering this lens and your review has helped me make a more informed choice.

Stopping down to f4 and it's good though I noticed it never really becomes the sharpest ever. I think the new sigma 24mm f2 dg dn might be better?

A bit disappointing at this price point. Thanks for the review Chris!

I am giving some more precise informations about this lens which I have and use on A7 (24Mpx) and A7rIII (42MPx) . I takes fully advantage of the 42Mpx compare to the 24MPx with visible increase of reproduction of details ( contrast and definition). It deserves easily a 42 Mpx sensor. I have just checked on DXOmark which mesured it on 36, 42 and 61 Mpx. It confirms what I see.

I agree it’s not worth the price new, but for half that used (as mine was) I think it probably was. I’ve never had an issue with sharpness in real world use, but one needs to be careful with the fringing. Also the lens cap is trash. On a more positive note, the distance scale is great, and the images have great contrast.

Very characteristically wonderful yet nicely balanced performance at excellent build quality. Very high IQ is available when needed, razor sharpness is [in my opinion] overrated for most uses but it’s there with just slight adjustments in aperture. Could have been better, but then they’d have to sacrifice the compact and lightweight build.

thanks again for a very insightful review, I'd like to suggest a new and interesting subject for a video if you don't mind... how about a video about lens "micro-contrast" and "3D pop" and "different rendering" and "unique characteristics" that we keep hearing about from the artsy Leica snobs, are they a myth? do they make a difference?

Actually, "corpulent" is originally from Latin, so many languages other than English have adopted it in various forms.

It may just be a bias, but I often think Zeiss has a distinctive color rendition. I wish I could find such a kind of comparison some day. Thanks for the review!

I really like the little LED screen on this lens, but its not worth taking all the optical compromises for it. Maybe Sony or Sigma should experiment with adding HUDs to one of their lens lines?

It would be very interesting to see also a review on Batis 40mm CF Also, thank you for supporting us 🇺🇦

This could be a very good architecture lens with those sharp corners and decent sharpness at 2.8

Color fringing at f2 at this price range! No! No! No! No!

I would love to see an astrophotography shot with these wide angle lens reviews!

Is it just me, or is the lens rendering everything cold and blue? Far from a neutral color bias.

Oh nice a semi-wide with auto focus and pretty big aperture. This could be very interesting! *1300 USD* You know what... Now that I think of it autofocus is completely overrated... I'll just keep using my Pentax vintage lens 😶😶

Damn, after all these years, ZEISS lenses still are so expensive 😿😿

The Samyang 24/1.8 seems like a better overall lens for a lot less money.

Big fan sir. Love from India ❤️

I love your reviews. That Ben Shaprio book though...

I would love to see a comparison video between this lens and the good old Sony FE 28mm f2 lens. Thank you!

Christopher have you swallowed a dictionary lol Always like your reviews ;)

What about at £699, which is the current price on Amazon UK?

Bought this lens a few months back & I can honestly say I don't like it, I don't see the 3d pop everybody talks about.

Isn't the Sony 24mm f1.4 GM better than this for about the same price?

i think the new samyang 24 1.8 definitely has topped this one

Hello everyone! Would this be good for shooting indoor basketball from right under the basket ? I have an sony A9 and i need a 24mm lens

The Samyang 24/1.8 is much better for less money.

What about 18mm 2.8?

Really cool looking lens and otherwise nice, but that amount of LoCA ruins it for me.

I dont think, Christopher, ever satisfied with any of Zeiss lenses. Always complaints about price. Its like complaining why Mercedes is pricey yet he enjoys how the car rides, safety, and speed.

I have this lens and longitudinal aberration is the biggest problem of the lens even on 24mp sensor...

any chance to see that beauty with AF for Nikon Z system ?

Another overpriced Zeiss lens. I think Samyang and even Viltrox lenses beat this Zeiss in IQ.

canon camera?

English is my first language but Retant.... Had no idea what that was! :D

I do not like that they don't print the name Carl from Carl Zeiss. Why they do that?

Humm ‘Z’ as in ‘$eiss’. These days with such high pixel density sensors, lens manufacturers are being seriously challenged to produce better glass/optics. That much CA is a ‘no,no’ for me.

sony a6500 / ilce-6500m e-mount camera with aps-c sensor (does it work on this model)

Rather disappointed with this high-end $2000.00 (CA) Lens.. my Sigma 35mm Art out performed it with the color fringing and soft focus...the "gimicy" electronic readout on the lens makes absolutely zero difference in its performance. Something Zeiss installed on their brand of lenses just to catch the eye of those who enjoy the techy stuff in life!! Gonna definitely Skip this one!

"I'm saying it's fat" 😂 😂 😂 😂

I love all of your reviews which is why I always give them a thumbs up but after you said decent backround blur and somewhat good low light performance with a $1300 price tag I shut the video off. But thank you for your time.

A petrol station with its own butchery! :D

Or you can get the sigma 16mm f1.4 and shoot in crop mode which is around a 24mm f2 full frame equivalent for a lot less money.

why ketchup in the library?

IMHO, there's no point in buying such an overpriced, overrated lens in 2021, when you can get Samyang 24mm f/1.8, which is sharper and MUCH less expensive. I haven't tried the 25mm on my A7R4, only on a A7R3, but if it is like the Batis 18mm, 61 Mpixels seems to be the threshold these 2 lenses shouldn't cross. The Samyang 24mm is doing great on that unforgiving sensor...

The lens was always a stinker, luckily it came out so long ago that you arent forced to buy it over cheaper options.

I don’t believe you’ve ever reviewed the 40mm f2 Batis. Unfortunate since your reviews are indispensable when lens shopping.

Zeiss lenses remind me of expensive antique bells...

Is it better to buy full frame Sony lenses for my Sony APS-C camera? So that when I upgrade the body to Full frame, I don't need to invest on lenses again. I'm in a budget.

Is this available in india

It is not Fat Chris. It is THICC.

So, I can buy this lens for £1029, or a grey market 24mm 1.4 GM for £929... hmmmmm

Well you know, the Zeiss badge costs $500.

Ben Shapiro huh?

wanted this lens so bad but that softness is a dealbreaker. samyang 24mm 1.8 is alot better :(

that sticker gives me anxiety

Thicc Lens

I've seen better image quality on many zoom lenses you've reviewed Chris. I guess it's only USP is its beer-belly, so it's a no from me!

Jeez so you really pay triple just for the Zeiss logo.

First!!

Holy moly, why can Samyang make an ULTRA sharp 135mm F2 and Zeiss can't even do the much easier job for a 25mm for three times the price? I mean the Samyang 12mm F2 is sharper than this... And that's one of Samyang's softest lenses (in the middle of the frame)

The lens worth only $600 and the other $700 are the Zeiss logo…

These zeiss lenses are cheaply made. Glue is holding the focusing motor. Once the glue deteriorates, it no longer works. Zeiss customer service is the worst. Stick to Sony or Tamron lenses.

this is embarrassing, not a lens, especially for this kind of price

Why this lens looks so overpriced to me?! It doesn’t have IS it’s only F2 and the picture quality doesn’t look better than Canon top of the line 24mm. What’s the catch?