p.2 #1 · What is the smallest AF lens for Sony in the 100mm to 135mm focal length range?
sandycrane wrote:
I don't know what's inside that front bulge of the Batis, but eliminating it would make it a better lems. You're certainly right about the IQ!
What bulge? The hood? The little flare at the front of the lens is purely aesthetic so it looks pretty with the hood on.
p.2 #3 · What is the smallest AF lens for Sony in the 100mm to 135mm focal length range?
sandycrane wrote:
I'd rather it fit more easily in my bag. Increasing the dimensions of a lens to make it look pretty is pretty stupid,
Are you referring to this little flare at the end of the barrel? Or are you somehow thinking the hood is part of the barrel? It's like 3mm wider than the rest of the barrel. That's not really going to make or break bag storage. Given the front element size and the 67mm filter thread, that is about as narrow as I'd expect the barrel could be.
p.2 #5 · What is the smallest AF lens for Sony in the 100mm to 135mm focal length range?
jeffbuzz wrote:
Are you referring to this little flare at the end of the barrel? Or are you somehow thinking the hood is part of the barrel? It's like 3mm wider than the rest of the barrel. That's not really going to make or break bag storage. Given the front element size and the 67mm filter thread, that is about as narrow as I'd expect the barrel could be.
If there was any use to that flare I'd be with you. But to me its just a little bit of fluff. You obviously prefer form over function in this situation.
p.2 #6 · What is the smallest AF lens for Sony in the 100mm to 135mm focal length range?
sandycrane wrote:
If there was any use to that flare I'd be with you. But to me its just a little bit of fluff. You obviously prefer form over function in this situation.
Aesthetics is a function too. The use of that flare is to make a smooth shape with the lens hood on. It's a small detail, but that shape looks good and feels good in the hand.
p.2 #7 · What is the smallest AF lens for Sony in the 100mm to 135mm focal length range?
sandycrane wrote:
If there was any use to that flare I'd be with you. But to me its just a little bit of fluff. You obviously prefer form over function in this situation.
I just wasn't sure what you were referring to. Sometimes people who have never used a Batis lens mistakenly think the hoods are part of the lens barrel. So sometimes there's confusion about how large the optical portion of the lenses are. All Batis have that little flare at the front of the barrel to visually mesh with their hoods.
Ironically, if you've handled a Batis lens you'll likely find that tiny diameter bulge at the front can serve a useful purpose. Since the barrels are smooth and featureless, there is no place to securely hold the lens which makes mounting and dismounting a real pain. The wedge shape at the front is the only thing that kept me from dropping a Batis on more than one occasion. It's like holding a water glass.
Batis are good lenses. They have some legitimately useful features like linear motors, weather sealing and OIS (in the 85 and 135). Now there are plenty of alternatives. I switched to the Samyang 135 AF because it is only a few mm's larger than the Batis but 1-1/3 stops faster. The Samyang Cine 100mm T2.3 and 85mm f/1.8 P are dramatically smaller and lighter so likely better options if someone wants the absolutely smallest setup.
