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Archive 2015 · Nikon 135mm DC vs Zeiss 135mm APO

  
 
quandom
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Nikon 135mm DC vs Zeiss 135mm APO


I have owned a AF-D 135mm f/2 DC for years. Love the look its gives of how it renders skin and renders backgrounds with creamy bokeh. I been debating whether to sell this and get a Zeiss 135mm F/2 APO for months now and can't decide. I always hear rumors of an updated AF-S 135mm 1.8G, but I can only imagine it costing 2k and up. This is for portraits mostly. I currently do most of my work with AF-S 200mm F/2 for single portraits, but this isn't the most friendly on further locations. I wanted to hear everyone's take on it if you guys owned both or have used both. Thanks.


Sep 08, 2015 at 12:25 PM
chuhsi1
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Nikon 135mm DC vs Zeiss 135mm APO


Are you ok w/ manual focusing? I think that's the biggest deciding factor. For me, using the APO at close range and f2 isn't easy unless I'm on a tripod with live view.


Sep 08, 2015 at 12:35 PM
shenagain
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Nikon 135mm DC vs Zeiss 135mm APO


How about the Rokinon 135mm?
I hear it's an amazing lens and fraction of the price.
Anybody have samples? I am personally debating this lens too!




Sep 08, 2015 at 12:47 PM
trenchmonkey
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Nikon 135mm DC vs Zeiss 135mm APO


No CA and mind blowing sharpness had me bag the patience
and score the Zeiss 135 ZF.2 Getting back on the MF horse (@67)
was surprisingly easy. I also have the 200 f2 so appreciate killer bokeh.



Sep 08, 2015 at 12:48 PM
Jason_Brook
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Nikon 135mm DC vs Zeiss 135mm APO


The Zeiss obliterates the Nikon in everything but autofocus....

I've had them both. The 135DC is very picky about light, as in CA will destroy the shot in almost anything but shade. The Zeiss has zero CA to rob sharpness, but it is a bitch to nail focus through the viewfinder.



Sep 08, 2015 at 01:05 PM
trenchmonkey
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Nikon 135mm DC vs Zeiss 135mm APO


Nah







Sep 08, 2015 at 01:08 PM
quandom
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Nikon 135mm DC vs Zeiss 135mm APO


I recently just got into AI lenses for fun. I actually not half bad at it with a 1.2x magnification eye piece. With a AI 50mm, its pretty easy. With a Ai 200mm f/4, its pretty darn hard actually. I hear the Zeiss focusing is a great amount more turns, but better for fine tuning. I don't think I will be terribly close to my subject. I know this will not be a lens for anything moving like kids or sports.

quan,



Sep 08, 2015 at 01:11 PM
quandom
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Nikon 135mm DC vs Zeiss 135mm APO


Great mention on the Rokinon 135mm. I hear its not too bad, but if anyone has thoughts on that, that would be interesting as well.


Sep 08, 2015 at 01:13 PM
quandom
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Nikon 135mm DC vs Zeiss 135mm APO


trenchmonkey wrote:
No CA and mind blowing sharpness had me bag the patience
and score the Zeiss 135 ZF.2 Getting back on the MF horse (@67)
was surprisingly easy. I also have the 200 f2 so appreciate killer bokeh.


I know the CA, sharpness, color, pretty much just about everything beats the DC, except AF. But the bokeh. I have seen amazing shots from both lenses, but the Zeiss's bokeh seems harsh at times. I think the MF won't be too bad if i am not to close.


Edited on Sep 08, 2015 at 01:45 PM · View previous versions



Sep 08, 2015 at 01:17 PM
trenchmonkey
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Nikon 135mm DC vs Zeiss 135mm APO


Hmmm







Sep 08, 2015 at 01:32 PM
trenchmonkey
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Nikon 135mm DC vs Zeiss 135mm APO


I like it for close in work as well...







Sep 08, 2015 at 01:43 PM
quandom
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Nikon 135mm DC vs Zeiss 135mm APO


trenchmonkey wrote:
Hmmm


Is that the Zeiss?



Sep 08, 2015 at 01:43 PM
trenchmonkey
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Nikon 135mm DC vs Zeiss 135mm APO


trenchmonkey wrote:
Hmmm

quandom wrote:
Is that the Zeiss?


Yes, it is. 2nd shot as well (with a 20mm tube)
I rank it right up there with my 200 f2/Sig 35 f1.4 A
...and I'm a Jpeg shooter imagine how a Raw/PP capture will fare

Edited on Sep 08, 2015 at 02:00 PM · View previous versions



Sep 08, 2015 at 01:57 PM
Mark_L
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Nikon 135mm DC vs Zeiss 135mm APO


They are totally different lenses. One is a modern APO lens and one of the best performing lenses for the 35mm format. The other is a 20 year old lens and by modern standards very average optically and af.

shenagain wrote:
How about the Rokinon 135mm?
I hear it's an amazing lens and fraction of the price.
Anybody have samples? I am personally debating this lens too!


The test results are very impressive, some have it near zeiss levels. This would be first on my list if I had a camera with focus peaking.



Sep 08, 2015 at 01:59 PM
RDXX
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Nikon 135mm DC vs Zeiss 135mm APO


trenchmonkey wrote:
I like it for close in work as well...


You seem to have a shot for EVERY possible condition. I've seen your inputs on multiple threads and am amazed at the amount of time you've spent on your art. Thanks for all your contributions!




Sep 08, 2015 at 02:16 PM
quandom
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Nikon 135mm DC vs Zeiss 135mm APO


trenchmonkey wrote:
Yes, it is. 2nd shot as well (with a 20mm tube)
I rank it right up there with my 200 f2/Sig 35 f1.4 A
...and I'm a Jpeg shooter imagine how a Raw/PP capture will fare


I do shoot in Jpeg, even tho most are against it. If I am not going to LR or PP too much, Jpeg is fine for me.
---------------------------------------------

Mark_L wrote:
They are totally different lenses. One is a modern APO lens and one of the best performing lenses for the 35mm format. The other is a 20 year old lens and by modern standards very average optically and af.

The test results are very impressive, some have it near zeiss levels. This would be first on my list if I had a camera with focus peaking.



---------------------------------------------


Interesting if it is decently close to Zeiss. Still currently on DXO, zeiss sits at the top for sharpness and overall top 10 for performance. This is making lean towards a Zeiss. I can get them decently cheap here for about 1200 dollars used.

quan,



Sep 08, 2015 at 02:16 PM
trenchmonkey
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Nikon 135mm DC vs Zeiss 135mm APO


trenchmonkey wrote:
I like it for close in work as well...

RDXX wrote:
You seem to have a shot for EVERY possible condition. I've seen your inputs on multiple threads and am amazed at the amount of time you've spent on your art. Thanks for all your contributions!




Thanks a lot, very kind of you to say. I try all types of photography and derive great
satisfaction getting the images I do. Always prefer to backup my comments with an
appropriate picture. I've taken away so much from FM in my time here, I'm very glad
to give back. As for sometimes being appreciated? well...that's the icing on the cake.



Sep 08, 2015 at 03:42 PM
cambyses
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Nikon 135mm DC vs Zeiss 135mm APO


I have 200/2 and recently got the Zeiss... I have not used Nikon 135mm DC but I really like the Zeiss, and do take it out whenever I would have taken our 200/2 but hesitate due to weight/size.

The pictures I posted a couple of days ago (https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1385635) were all taken by the Zeiss. And the very last picture there (#11) shows why I wish I had AF on my Zeiss



Sep 08, 2015 at 03:52 PM
Kerry Pierce
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Nikon 135mm DC vs Zeiss 135mm APO


I've owned the 105 and 135 DC lenses for many years and have never thought of giving them up. From time to time, someone will tout the virtues of the Zeiss, but I'm not really a MF advocate, especially on the longer lenses. I do "okay" with the 45 and 85 PC lenses, but it gets harder every year.

Anyway, I'd love to see comparison shots that show both sharp subject and bokeh, for several different scenes. If I could see a significant, demonstrable difference, with the Zeiss clearly better than the Nikon DC, I'd be tempted to try to find one.

As it stands now, I'm patiently waiting for either the Nikon 1.8 or the Sigma Art. I just can't see paying big bucks for an MF lens, especially when I think of my 200 f/2 and how fast/accurate the AF is on that lens.

Kerry



Sep 08, 2015 at 04:36 PM
Geoff CB
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Nikon 135mm DC vs Zeiss 135mm APO


Wait a year, if Nikon does not update the FL I think Sigma or Tamron will. My bet is on sigma.


Sep 08, 2015 at 08:13 PM
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