Chris_88 wrote:
Samuli: Beautiful shots with the 135 2.8 C/Y. You wouldn't have any thoughts on its longer cousin, the 180 2.8?
Thanks Chris - not many thoughts on C/Y Sonnar T* 2.8/180. Back in 2009 I chose instead Tele-Tessar T* 3.5/200 due to it's "better" performance (on specs and MTF point of view, I don't know which one is actually better). Back at the time I compared MTF of these two lenses. What I have seen over the years on forums I would estimate that Sonnar 2.8/180 may have more Zeiss character - but hard to say as I have only shoot Tele-Tessar. Tele-Tessar is either rare or not popular, as I don't remember seeing many samples in addition to my own photos (maybe none) - but also Sonnar 2.8/180 really haven't been super popular...
I did shoot a lot with it (compared to 2.8/135, not on absolute scale...) when I shoot with 5DmkII. I don't think I have ever shot Tele-Tessar with Sony camera, I maybe have to do that one day, but that day will not be in 2017, running out of "summer" and have to now concentrate to real shooting. I don't have many samples online (or I didn't find them), here are some 5DmkII photos with it: 1, 2 and 3. And initial impression of Tele-Tessar 3.5/200 on Fred Miranda forum.
I think this is an important note and often overlooked with the CY lenses. Wanted to love some of their fast ones, but too often found myself wanting to shoot at f/2 for a bit more sharpness, and was rewarded with hexagon OOF points that ruined what otherwise would be great bokeh. Its a shame...
Samuli Vahonen wrote:
Thanks Chris - not many thoughts on C/Y Sonnar T* 2.8/180. Back in 2009 I chose instead Tele-Tessar T* 3.5/200 due to it's "better" performance (on specs and MTF point of view, I don't know which one is actually better). Back at the time I compared MTF of these two lenses. What I have seen over the years on forums I would estimate that Sonnar 2.8/180 may have more Zeiss character - but hard to say as I have only shoot Tele-Tessar. Tele-Tessar is either rare or not popular, as I don't remember seeing many samples in addition to my own photos (maybe none) - but also Sonnar 2.8/180 really haven't been super popular...
I did shoot a lot with it (compared to 2.8/135, not on absolute scale...) when I shoot with 5DmkII. I don't think I have ever shot Tele-Tessar with Sony camera, I maybe have to do that one day, but that day will not be in 2017, running out of "summer" and have to now concentrate to real shooting. I don't have many samples online (or I didn't find them), here are some 5DmkII photos with it: 1, 2 and 3. And initial impression of Tele-Tessar 3.5/200 on Fred Miranda forum.
Many thanks for your thoughts, Samuli. I've been wondering about the lack of samples too. There is a so-so review on this old review site whose name escapes me at this moment, but you don't see a lot of people using it, even though plenty of copies are available at very reasonably prices, compared to the 3-4 times more expensive Leica 180 3.4. Probably people just use zooms these days and if they decide to go for a prime, it has to be either really special and/or very compact (read Voigtlander 180 4, Leica 180 2.8 APO, and to a lesser degree the Minolta 200 2.8 G). I was looking for a lens to complement my 70-300G.
gave my 35-70 3,4 a workout this last week @ the grand canyon. this was the last shot of the trip, and was basically a "scout shot". I took two images on our way back to the car - after the sun had set. Going back to the north rim before they close the road in October.
anyways, this is probably my favorite from the trip funny enough. this lens is really spectacular! probably shot at 35mm and i know @f/8 and ISO 100.
