p.12 #4 · Reduced: Zeiss Batis 135mm f/2.8 APO ($1,899)
scalanc2 wrote:
Uninspired, may be.
But the quality is top level!
I agree, but it makes you wander what "testing" means for these websites and who is testing these lenses.
I understand that the technical aspects of a lens should come out regardless of the artistic ability of the photographer, but it's like giving an F1 Ferrari to a mechanical engineer and asking them "is it any good?". I'd rather hear it from an F1 driver (yes, I know that this example is not 100% fitting, but I hope you get my point).
That said, I really wanted this lens, and I'm not seeing anything bad about it. I will wait for it to hit the used market, though it may take a long time.
I recommend Diglloyd, if you really want a review of the technical capabilities of a Lens. His reviews will at the very least show the highlights of the lens performance, and indicate any weaknesses.
p.12 #7 · Reduced: Zeiss Batis 135mm f/2.8 APO ($1,899)
Decided the best way to see how I feel about a 135mm f/2.8 lens would be to pick one up...and then decide if the Batis is worth 18 times as much.
In all honesty though, the eye-AF works well on my A99ii with this old lens...makes me wonder if I should just pick up a Zeiss 135 f/1.8 to use and call it a day for now...
Some of the pictures posted are focused in front of the subject. I wonder if it has anything to do with the problem highlighted here http://www.verybiglobo.com/zeiss-batis-apo-sonnar-135mm-f2-8-lens-review/8/ of the lens not reaching infinity focus with AF (possibly early firmware issue). User error is also a possibility.
p.12 #12 · Reduced: Zeiss Batis 135mm f/2.8 APO ($1,899)
Next I did a quick test for centering and corner sharpness wide open. My lens is perfectly centered and has wide open at f/2.8 nearly perfect corner sharpness as you can see in the following full size test images (processed in LR with sharpening 50/0.7/50/0):
p.12 #13 · Reduced: Zeiss Batis 135mm f/2.8 APO ($1,899)
Boris,
When you have a chance, would love to know what you think of the Batis vs the Leica APO, if not to the edges wide open, then at 4 or 5.6 and regarding APO qualities
John
p.12 #14 · Reduced: Zeiss Batis 135mm f/2.8 APO ($1,899)
Bobu wrote:
Next I did a quick test for centering and corner sharpness wide open. My lens is perfectly centered and has wide open at f/2.8 nearly perfect corner sharpness as you can see in the following full size test images (processed in LR with sharpening 50/0.7/50/0):
p.12 #15 · Reduced: Zeiss Batis 135mm f/2.8 APO ($1,899)
Bobu wrote:
Next I did a quick test for centering and corner sharpness wide open. My lens is perfectly centered and has wide open at f/2.8 nearly perfect corner sharpness as you can see in the following full size test images (processed in LR with sharpening 50/0.7/50/0):
p.12 #18 · Reduced: Zeiss Batis 135mm f/2.8 APO ($1,899)
Yesterday I did a comparison of the Batis 135mm vs. Leica 135mm vs. Zeiss ZF.2 135mm at portrait distance.
All images were processed in LR with identical settings (besides exposure which was adjusted manually for nearly identical brightness).
LR settings: manual WB, contrast +25, black point +20, sharpening 50/0.5/50/0, everything else 0/default
It’s best to use the available full size images for a detailed comparison. I uploaded the full size images to flickr. Please use the links below the images.
Short summary:
All three lenses have a very nice rendering and bokeh and more than enough resolution for portraits. There slight differences in color but these could probably be corrected in PP. I’m clearly not an expert in color differentiation. Maybe people like Philippe can add their evaluation of this aspect of the three lenses.
The Leica has the lowest contrast and maybe the smoothest rendering.
The Zeiss ZF.2 has the highest contrast and the lowest vignetting (stopped down to f/2.8) and in my opinion has a slightly higher resolution and more 3d than the Batis and the Leica.
The Batis is a good compromise between the Leica and Zeiss ZF.2 with a very appealing rendering for portraits and a medium weight.
For me it’s a very difficult decision which of the three 135mm lenses I will keep and which I will sell. At least one lens has to go.
Next I will do some more resolution tests at infinity distances.
p.12 #19 · Reduced: Zeiss Batis 135mm f/2.8 APO ($1,899)
Bobu wrote:
Yesterday I did a comparison of the Batis 135mm vs. Leica 135mm vs. Zeiss ZF.2 135mm at portrait distance.
All images were processed in LR with identical settings (besides exposure which was adjusted manually for nearly identical brightness).
LR settings: manual WB, contrast +25, black point +20, sharpening 50/0.5/50/0, everything else 0/default
It’s best to use the available full size images for a detailed comparison. I uploaded the full size images to flickr. Please use the links below the images.
Short summary:
All three lenses have a very nice rendering and bokeh and more than enough resolution for portraits. There slight differences in color but these could probably be corrected in PP. I’m clearly not an expert in color differentiation. Maybe people like Philippe can add their evaluation of this aspect of the three lenses.
The Leica has the lowest contrast and maybe the smoothest rendering.
The Zeiss ZF.2 has the highest contrast and the lowest vignetting (stopped down to f/2.8) and in my opinion has a slightly higher resolution and more 3d than the Batis and the Leica.
The Batis is a good compromise between the Leica and Zeiss ZF.2 with a very appealing rendering for portraits and a medium weight.
For me it’s a very difficult decision which of the three 135mm lenses I will keep and which I will sell. At least one lens has to go.
Next I will do some more resolution tests at infinity distances.
Thanks for the samples Boris.
Did you do a best of 3 or 5 for each lens at f/2.8? It looks like you nailed focus for all three lenses but it's hard to know for sure since DOF is so short.
From your samples at f/2.8, imo, the Batis and ZF are very similar and much ahead of the Leica in terms of contrast and resolution. OOF rendering is also similar for all three at f/2.8 showing smooth focus transition. I believe, the Leica has the appearance of smoother bokeh because of the lower contrast.
I see the ZF as having slightly more resolution than the Batis at f/2.8 (On that area of the frame) but considering the Batis is wide open, it's quite amazing.
Deciding between the three is indeed tough. The Leica is the most compact, the ZF has an extra stop and Batis gives you AF.
Like you wrote, the Batis seems to fit right in between and if I had to choose one, I would probably end up with the Batis for landscapes, portraits and general photography.
p.12 #20 · Reduced: Zeiss Batis 135mm f/2.8 APO ($1,899)
When Fred gets his Batis. I'm sending him my Sigma to run a head to head. I honestly think from what I have seen so far the Sigma will certainly have the edge wide open and at 2.4 as well. Yea it's big and heavy but it's a 1.8 kids. Lol
