nazdravanul wrote:
My Batis 135 is definitely a keeper.
While the 135 f2 Apo Sonnar was a nice lens, with beautiful rendering at close / medium distances, it had slightly less bite at infinity. It was also heavier and bulkier, which made it stay home a lot. Also in that FL, AF is a plus - even though the focus by wire of the Batis makes it less than desirable for applications where MF is needed (I miss the precise, predictable feeling of the true MF of the Classic lens).
All in all, the Batis will be a lot more present in my bag for those moments when that FL makes sense (it's one of my favorite ones). The slight trade-off between headshot poetics / rendering (due to f2 vs f2.8 and different type of contrast for OOF areas) and strong, consistent performance across focusing distances and aperture range + the portability, makes perfect sense, for me. Also, whenever I choke on the price, I remember this is a true, modern APO lens, with these characteristics, and that is really hard to find (and for my kind of shooting, requiring tricky lightning conditions and a lot of post, this is really valuable). I also consider the significantly reduced focus breathing, compared to the Classic 135f2 version, as a real bonus for those moments when I need to stack focus. ...Show more →
I agree.
The 135/2 APO has a smoother transition zone and IMO nicer rendering a mid-distance. However, I've tested them side by side and as you wrote, the Batis performs noticeably better at infinity and that together with better flare resistance, makes it an outstanding landscape lens.
peter1219 wrote:
I'm interested whether people who bought Batis 135 are keeping it. Despite the great reviews I seldomly see images taken with this lens.
The question is if it will still be a keeper when the 135/1.8 GM comes to market...I'm leaning to yes!
The GM would have to be incredibly light for a GM to make the Batis a non-keeper for me. I don't need 1.8 anyway for landscapes and rarely shoot portraits.
The Batis is extremely versatile in a small and compact package, perfect for a camera made to go light. I use it all the time for sports, concerts, landscapes and people - and it has never let me down. Pretty much optically flawless to my eyes. But some times I wish I could go 1.8. I’m sure the GM will be the smallest 1.8 yet, but how light and compact is physically possible? I doubt it will be less than a kg, at least not by much - and if it is I doubt it will match the Batis wide open optically. Exiting times!
I am currently asking myself that question (title), because I am a bit frustrated by the B135 flare performance. The contrast drops quite a lot in backlit situations, but another thing is annoying me even more: When I took pictures of a tractor race, mostly only one of the two tractor lights flared and the other one looks ok. I really don't like that look and want to know if anybody knows this behavior and what is the general impression of the B135 flare performance:
Ummm tractor race...? Lol
Sorry,seems hilarious.
BTW I like the B135 but have focussing issues on people at a distance :/ for some reason. Great at hockey rinks though.
Jannik Peters wrote:
I am currently asking myself that question (title), because I am a bit frustrated by the B135 flare performance. The contrast drops quite a lot in backlit situations, but another thing is annoying me even more: When I took pictures of a tractor race, mostly only one of the two tractor lights flared and the other one looks ok. I really don't like that look and want to know if anybody knows this behavior and what is the general impression of the B135 flare performance:
I honestly think it’s the best Batis lens to date. I absolutely love this lens. It’s never let me down. The processing on this is so far backed down its actually kind of scary as its still sharp as hell and I airbrushed it as well. Corporate portrait, it must be clean and well lit.
I'm not sure it's a keeper or not. I do like Zeiss but I wish this lens was little bit faster and bokeh was a bit smoother. I bought this lens and then sold it. Had mixed feeling.
Now if I buy a 135mm again, I may get Sigma 135/1.8- wait when Sigma has a discount on it.
For now, I replaced my Batis 135 by Fuji 90/2 on my XE3- a terrific lens for portraits.
Fuji has 2 best lenses for portraits that Sony APSC does not: 56/1.2 and 90/2.0
Sigma 135 is stellar.
Quite heavy but stellar.
Bokeh delicious while Batin in this respect is so so.
For sure my personal opinion but now, with new camera and adpter firmware, this Sigma is completely useable in afs and afc. I don’t know for video.
I probably would've sold mine but then one day I used it at a hockey rink and the photos were incredible (I love the ice being a natural reflector). Since then I knew I need to keep it even if I use it sparingly (plus I got an amazing deal on it)
(and for my kind of shooting, requiring tricky lightning conditions and a lot of post, this is really valuable). I also consider the significantly reduced focus breathing, compared to the Classic 135f2 version, as a real bonus for those moments when I need to stack focus. 
