Zeiss 135mm f/2.0 Apo-Sonnar ZF.2 Lens

G

gqtuazon

Gear Head
T-Man said:
I've never used this lens, but I do have the Zeiss Makro-Planar 100 f/2 and Distagon 25 f/2, and I love those two lenses! Not only do they produce great images with fantastic micro-contrast and sharp detail when you nail focus, but their manual focus ring has a very precise feel and butter smooth rotation that makes them a pleasure to use. They have a solid heft and quality feel that lets you know they're built to last forever.

The Zeiss 135 f/2 APO Sonnar is touted as being even better optically than the Makro Planar 100 f/2, which blows my mind. I've never read a single negative comment about this lens except for the price tag and the fact it's MF only. Every quantitative test I've seen on this lens has pretty much confirmed its optical excellence. Based on available evidence, Zeiss's reputation, user reports, the photos I've seen taken with the lens, and my own experience with Zeiss lenses, I have no reason to doubt the claim that the 135 Sonnar is one of, if not THE best lens of its focal length available.
Click to expand...

I couldn't have said it better. Pretty much spot on.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
J

J-see

Senior Member
I made up my mind and ordered one today. It's hard to find something negative about the lens out there; the more reviews you read, the more you desire it.

Let's hope I don't end up replacing most of my lenses.
 
J

J-see

Senior Member
I'm trying out the lens. She's not easy to shoot and weighs a bit too much to comfortably handhold during a walk but oh boy, is she ridiculously good.

_DSC1635-1.jpg

A crop of another (similar shot). Unprocessed at 100%.

_DSC1630-1.jpg

It's not even in perfect focus I assume. I guess I have to carry along my pod when shooting this one.
 
Last edited:
G

gqtuazon

Gear Head
J-see said:
I'm trying out the lens. She's not easy to shoot and weighs a bit too much to comfortably handhold during a walk but oh boy, is she ridiculously good.

A crop of another (similar shot). Unprocessed at 100%.

View attachment 163926

It's not even in perfect focus I assume. I guess I have to carry along my pod when shooting this one.
Click to expand...

That's a lot of detail! Congrats on your new lens.

It takes getting used to. With good light, just bump up your SS to compensate for the lack of VR.
 
J

J-see

Senior Member
gqtuazon said:
That's a lot of detail! Congrats on your new lens.

It takes getting used to. With good light, just bump up your SS to compensate for the lack of VR.
Click to expand...

Hardest is focus. In focus and out of focus is just a breath away. I was used to it since my 200mm macro behaves identical but I still have to take multiple shots just to be certain I got it.
 
T

T-Man

Senior Member
Yes, these Zeiss manual focus lenses can be tough to use, but when you do nail the focus, they reward you with spectacular detail and micro-contrast! I find a Zen-like satisfaction to using these things that's difficult to describe in words --the feel of the butter-smooth manual focusing rings, the challenge involved in nailing optimal focus to get all the IQ potential their superb optics has to offer, the solid heft and feel of extreme build quality, and the knowledge that I'm using a special lens of uncompromising quality. It's my opinion that occasionally ditching AF and VR and going full manual every now and then helps improve your photography skills. There's something to be said for "going back to basics."

As I've mentioned before, I have the Zeiss 100 f/2 Makro-Planar and the 25mm f/2 Distagon, and they're both superb. I'd love to own the 135 f/2 APO Sonnar too, but it's hard to justify the cost right now, since that focal length isn't really a "need" in my lens collection. However, I could easily see myself being seduced by its charms and owning one some day.
 
Last edited:
J

J-see

Senior Member
There indeed is something zen-like to shooting this lens. You really take the time required for a shot and when she hits it right, she puts all my other lenses to shame. She's hard but fulfilling.

_DSC1787-1-1.jpg
 
J

J-see

Senior Member
Been taking a couple of hundred shots today during low light conditions. Not easy but she still grabs a pretty shot.

_DSC7261.jpg
 
G

gqtuazon

Gear Head
I forced myself to breakout my camera and take it out for a spin. Not a whole lot of interesting stuff to show since it is still summer but it is a start for me to go back what I loved so much at one point. Just straight out of the camera in DX mode.

1. _D8E0030 by Glenn, on Flickr

2. _D8E0055 by Glenn, on Flickr

3. _D8E0044 by Glenn, on Flickr
 
hark

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
gqtuazon said:
Hmmm. I feel like a newbie. The exif on the other pictures are not showing. It must be this Windows 10 and not the user's fault.
Click to expand...

Nice to see you back, Glenn! Are you linking the original size from Flickr? Usually the other sizes won't show the EXIF data.
 
Top