p.11 #2 · Reduced: Zeiss Batis 135mm f/2.8 APO ($1,899)
Fred Miranda wrote:
I'm using the Leitax Nikon to E-mount adapter. It's solid and only weights about 50 grams.
Novoflex is also a great choice.
Another great (premium priced) choice is Kindai/Rayqual. A little lighter than Novoflex but same precision, and an excellent set of light baffles and masks.
p.11 #3 · Reduced: Zeiss Batis 135mm f/2.8 APO ($1,899)
AGeoJO wrote:
Fred, that makes sense. I venture to guess that the main reason for Sony not to do it because of the dated AF motor/system of the lens itself. I had that lens for a few years. Optically, it is awesome, well, it has some LoCA issues but it can be fixed and for portraits, it doesn't matter much, if any. Sony has to tweak the optics a bit to reduce the LoCA issue, and more importantly put in a new AF motor/system and the new Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM is born and ready for prime time! As far as I am concerned, Sony can leave the optics just the way they are but a new, noiseless and more efficient AF motor/system is a must, however and make the whole package lighter, please!...Show more →
Until we see a 135GM, there are two great options for those who prefer 135mm with native auto-focus functionality: (EyeAF and all Lock-AF functions)
*Sigma 135/1.8 + MC-11: Should be a better choice for those who favor speed over weight while still retaining "native" AF functionality through the adapter. It seems to be well corrected for aberrations (Not as good as the Batis) and great resolution/contrast (Probably similar to the Batis at same apertures). Full AF functions including EyeAF but some reports of hunting at certain distances. With the adapter it's $1,650 ($350 less compared to Batis).
Weight: 1,300g (with MC-11 adapter) making it more than twice as heavy as the Batis. (615g)
*Batis 135/2.8 APO: The only choice for whose who prioritize weight over speed with native AF. It's a bit more than a stop slower but seems to be better corrected for aberrations with slighter higher resolution/contrast across the field. (both wide open). They should be very similar in terms of IQ at f/2.8 which is quite an amazing feat. The major compromise is the lower background blur due to the smaller aperture.
p.11 #9 · Reduced: Zeiss Batis 135mm f/2.8 APO ($1,899)
Fred Miranda wrote:
From the review. This image is a CA torture test and the lens did an amazing job. I can only imagine how my 55/1.8 would fare here.
p.11 #11 · Reduced: Zeiss Batis 135mm f/2.8 APO ($1,899)
Water sparkles in sunlight is a torture test, for sure. That's about the best color correction I've ever seen: no TCA, no LCA, no defocus fringing. For fringing, the taxing area is by subject's feet when the sparkles are just going out of focus.
p.11 #12 · Reduced: Zeiss Batis 135mm f/2.8 APO ($1,899)
Fred Miranda wrote:
From the review. This image is a CA torture test and the lens did an amazing job. I can only imagine how my 55/1.8 would fare here.
This is very impressive. And this in an AF lens. The only real competiton I know of are the Voigtländer Apo Lanthars, but I think the Batis 135 is better.
p.11 #14 · Reduced: Zeiss Batis 135mm f/2.8 APO ($1,899)
Fred Miranda wrote:
From the review. This image is a CA torture test and the lens did an amazing job. I can only imagine how my 55/1.8 would fare here.
I agree that the virtually absence of LoCA in that image is impressive but how do we know that it wasn't somehow reduced/minimized in PP? If it is minor to begin with, and it is an APO lens, it can be done more easily, right? I am not talking the Batis 135mm down, BTW. With that said, I could imagine how it would look like had the 55mm f/1.8 been used under those conditions.
p.11 #15 · Reduced: Zeiss Batis 135mm f/2.8 APO ($1,899)
AGeoJO wrote:
I agree that the virtually absence of LoCA in that image is impressive but how do we know that it wasn't somehow reduced/minimized in PP? If it is minor to begin with, and it is an APO lens, it can be done more easily, right? I am not talking the Batis 135mm down, BTW. With that said, I could imagine how it would look like had the 55mm f/1.8 been used under those conditions.
I think it's unlikely the reviewer reduced LoCA in post but anything is possible.
p.11 #19 · Reduced: Zeiss Batis 135mm f/2.8 APO ($1,899)
I got to try the Batis 135 at NAB. Other than some cat's eye bokeh, and the bokeh perhaps not being buttery smooth, there's nothing at all to complain about. In every other respect, the image quality is spectacular. It reminded me of the 50/1.4, in that the color/contrast/sharpness of the images are striking, even when simply viewed through the viewfinder (I consider the 50/1.4 to be one of the technically best e-mount lenses, and it feels like the 135 can rival it). No onion rings, zero CA or LoCA wide open, and of course amazing sharpness. It balances very well on the camera.
I don't have a burning need for a 135, but I'm very tempted by this lens. I definitely liked it more after having the opportunity to actually try it.
A Zeiss representative told me that it'll be available next month, although "supply will initially be constrained" (surprise surprise).
