Carl Zeiss Apo Sonnar T* 2/135

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Carl Zeiss Apo Sonnar T* 2/135

hauxon
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p.1 #1 · Carl Zeiss Apo Sonnar T* 2/135

...Well looks nice.

http://blogs.zeiss.com/photo/en/?p=2625

Seems compact, shorter than Canon 135/2. Focuses down to 0.8 so one should be able to frame tight. Specs look similar to the 1.8/135 ZA: sonnar, 11 elements in 8 groups 1:4 magnification Size is similar but ZA is tiny bit smaller.

Looking forward to see examples.

Sep 07, 2012 at 02:06 PM

AhamB
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p.1 #2 · Carl Zeiss Apo Sonnar T* 2/135

Relevant comment about the differences with the ZA:

"I don't know if you can really speak of an modified 135 ZA. The video shows the massive barrel extension while the Sony has internal focusing. The different min. focus distance (0.8 / 0.72) with same magnificationof 1:4 is another hint."
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1146450/5#10941828

Definitely an exciting lens, but I wish they would have made the Makro-Planar 100/2 apochromatic.

Sep 07, 2012 at 02:17 PM

FlyPenFly
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p.1 #3 · Carl Zeiss Apo Sonnar T* 2/135

Hmmm I wonder how it compares to the new Olympus 75mm

Sep 07, 2012 at 02:46 PM

frezeiss
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p.1 #4 · Carl Zeiss Apo Sonnar T* 2/135

Why would you compare to Oly 75 and how? the Zeiss is designed for FF while the oly obviously m4/3.

This APO lens might lower the prices of the 125 APO Lanthar

Sep 07, 2012 at 02:54 PM

hiepphotog
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p.1 #5 · Carl Zeiss Apo Sonnar T* 2/135

Last time I checked Lloyd's review on the 75mm, it's not such a "perfect" lens as most m4/3ers believe. WO is not that spectacular. And a 75mm 1.8 on a m4/3 is much easier to design.

Sep 07, 2012 at 02:56 PM

CVickery
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p.1 #6 · Carl Zeiss Apo Sonnar T* 2/135

hauxon wrote:
...Well looks nice.

http://blogs.zeiss.com/photo/en/?p=2625

Seems compact, shorter than Canon 135/2. Focuses down to 0.8 so one should be able to frame tight. Specs look similar to the 1.8/135 ZA: sonnar, 11 elements in 8 groups 1:4 magnification Size is similar but ZA is tiny bit smaller.

Looking forward to see examples.

Actually the Canon is smaller and lighter

Canon 112(L) x 82.5(D) and 750g
Zeiss 130(L) x 84(D) and 930g (ZE version specs)

Sep 07, 2012 at 03:11 PM

wayne seltzer
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p.1 #7 · Carl Zeiss Apo Sonnar T* 2/135

ZA 135/1.8 is 115mm x 88mm and with internal focusing a less imposing lens for portraits
I have compared my 135/1.8 against the 135L and found the ZA to be a little sharper wide open but with better Zeiss color. I also liked the extra bokeh subject separation from background difference between f2 and f1.8.Also the extra speed of the ZA is good for dimmer indoor shooting without flash and trying to get a fast enough shutter speed.Not having IBIS on my 1ds3 which I converted the ZA for is the one thing lacking which I would like. Even the 135L Has not been redesigned yet to include IS.
Higher ISO cameras are helping. The ZA has no CA but has a little loCA, not as much as ZA85 or 100 MP. Maybe the new APO design eliminates loCA.
You people who complain about weight, be ready for the weight of this lens.

Edited on Sep 07, 2012 at 04:04 PM · View previous versions

Sep 07, 2012 at 03:59 PM

Jman13
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p.1 #8 · Carl Zeiss Apo Sonnar T* 2/135

hiepphotog wrote:
Last time I checked Lloyd's review on the 75mm, it's not such a "perfect" lens as most m4/3ers believe. WO is not that spectacular. And a 75mm 1.8 on a m4/3 is much easier to design.

I haven't seen a single negative review on this lens. Which review are you looking at?

You're right it's not 'perfect' (there's some longitudinal CA in some (but not most) circumstances, and it can have a little bit of purple fringing), but wide open it's extremely sharp with gorgeous bokeh. I've had it now for about 3 weeks and it's just absolutely stellar. It is right up there among the very best lenses I've ever owned (it's easily in 135L territory). Stopped down it's the sharpest lens I think I've ever used, and that's corner to corner. It's rather insane.

For an example...this is wide open:

This image is copyrighted by the owner

100% crop:

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Sep 07, 2012 at 04:02 PM

wayne seltzer
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p.1 #9 · Carl Zeiss Apo Sonnar T* 2/135

I agree with Frezeiss, why compare with a m4/3 lens?
ZA 135/1.8 on FF sensor is another league.

Sep 07, 2012 at 04:11 PM

Jonas B
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p.1 #10 · Carl Zeiss Apo Sonnar T* 2/135

In my opinion the only comparison that can be made between systems is about the end result from the systems, not from a lens. Of course users of smaller sensors (smaller than FF that is) can compare all sorts of alt lenses as long as there are adapters available...

But Wayne, exactly what do you mean with "another league"? I don't suppose you are thinking about the size, weight or price? DR? Noise at base ISO? DOF?

Sep 07, 2012 at 04:50 PM

kururu
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p.1 #11 · Carl Zeiss Apo Sonnar T* 2/135

ouch no tripod collar.
I use 100MP >90% for portraiture, longer and heavier without tripod collar will be tough for me

I'll skip on this one.

Sep 07, 2012 at 04:57 PM

freaklikeme
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p.1 #12 · Carl Zeiss Apo Sonnar T* 2/135

135mm... f/2... APO... yep. I love all three of those things. Can't wait to see how it performs.

Sep 07, 2012 at 05:06 PM

wayne seltzer
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p.1 #13 · Carl Zeiss Apo Sonnar T* 2/135

MTF, vignetting, and distortion graphs for the new 135/2 are up on Diglloyd blog.
Hard to compare with Sony mtf's ...

DOF, transition from focus to OOF is different and I think it is like comparing 35mm with medium format.

Sep 07, 2012 at 05:06 PM

wayne seltzer
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p.1 #14 · Carl Zeiss Apo Sonnar T* 2/135

Looks like the new 135/2 has nine aperture blades for better bokeh.
ZA 135 has 9 blades also and is 11 elements in 9 groups.

Sep 07, 2012 at 05:09 PM

FlyPenFly
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p.1 #15 · Carl Zeiss Apo Sonnar T* 2/135

They're absolutely comparable, both long fast telephoto primes. Sure one can get far sharper DOF with one but that's actually not a good thing in more than half the cases especially for closer objects. I would much rather have the bokeh of f2 on MFT than f5.6 on FF. As you start stepping up in aperture, bokeh gets ugly looking.

Sep 07, 2012 at 06:00 PM

edwardkaraa
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p.1 #16 · Carl Zeiss Apo Sonnar T* 2/135

wayne seltzer wrote:
MTF, vignetting, and distortion graphs for the new 135/2 are up on Diglloyd blog.

Impressive!

Sep 07, 2012 at 06:13 PM

edwardkaraa
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p.1 #17 · Carl Zeiss Apo Sonnar T* 2/135

On Zeiss website as well:

http://applications.zeiss.com/C12578620052CA69/0/7B1BA381F6B93A65C1257A72004109FD/$file/apo_sonnar_2_135.pdf

Sep 07, 2012 at 06:22 PM

douglasf13
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p.1 #18 · Carl Zeiss Apo Sonnar T* 2/135

FlyPenFly wrote:
As you start stepping up in aperture, bokeh gets ugly looking.

That is on a case by case basis. In fact, the 35 Summicron IV "King of Bokeh" is named for its bokeh in the f4-5.6 range, not wide open. Many lenses that I've used have improved bokeh when stopping down some.

Sep 07, 2012 at 06:52 PM

AhamB
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p.1 #19 · Carl Zeiss Apo Sonnar T* 2/135

wayne seltzer wrote:
MTF, vignetting, and distortion graphs for the new 135/2 are up on Diglloyd blog.
Hard to compare with Sony mtf's ...

Wide open it's a bit sharper than the MP 100/2. At f/4 it's sharper in the center by some 10%.

Sep 07, 2012 at 06:59 PM

AhamB
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p.1 #20 · Carl Zeiss Apo Sonnar T* 2/135

FlyPenFly wrote:
I would much rather have the bokeh of f2 on MFT than f5.6 on FF. As you start stepping up in aperture, bokeh gets ugly looking.

You also have to factor in that on FF you're either closer to the subject, or using twice the FL. Both these things improve the bokeh. Also, to get equivalent DOF to MFT, you have to stop down (which sometimes improves the bokeh, but definitely not always).

Sep 07, 2012 at 07:02 PM

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