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

gqtuazon

Gear Head
Now available for pre-order from BH Photo. It looks like it's going to be a killer lens although it is only a MF lens but should be a great portrait lens. Price: $2,122.00 :eek:

Zeiss 135mm f/2.0 Apo-Sonnar ZF.2 Lens 1999-676 B&H Photo Video



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stmv

Senior Member
yes,, nice lens,,

some Nikon alternatives,,,

1. Used Nikkor 135 2.0 AI,,, used run between 500-8oo dollars, awesome lens, but fairly rare,, so you have to be patient for one to show up.

2. Nikkor 135 2.0 DC... a super lovely lens, with Defocus Control.. very cool, ultra sharp, does have autofocus, fit and finish Old school Professional build. for well ebay new under 1000 dollars! 1400 new on Amazon.
 

Robert Mitchell

Senior Member
Those are nice lenses but a Zeiss 135mm f/2 APO should be so sharp and out of this world.

Since the Nikon 135mm f/2 DC is discontinued I would bet that it's one of the lenses that Nikon is going to give an update. Even still, I don't think it will be as sharp as the Zeiss.

I'm not in a hurry and may not even make a purchase but it's going to be a phenomenal lens.
 

stmv

Senior Member
still 2 left in stock on Amazon,, and lots brand new buy it now on ebay.. but,, you are most likely right,, might be discontinued, so folks wanting
a super nice 135 2.0 DC,,, better hurry.

Personally, I bought the 105 DC ,, love it,,

I would need to borrow / rent the zeiss for comparison, the reviews I have read are mixed, with the Nikkor manual AIS holding their own
against the Zeiss,

I have a fair number of what is considered ultra sharp nikkor lens, and the difference between the less ultra sharp is so minute,

I see some steps in my lens

consumer grade zooms,,, OK sharpness

older pre AI manuals,, sharp but not as sharp as

newer AI and autof focus D lens,, and pro zooms,,

and then a few of the "legend" lens,, sharper,, but tiny tiny degrees.

maybe years from now,, some of the Zeiss will come down in price in the used lens market,, be fun to pick up a couple to really compare.
 

gqtuazon

Gear Head
maybe years from now,, some of the Zeiss will come down in price in the used lens market,, be fun to pick up a couple to really compare.

That is a big maybe since Zeiss prices have been consistent and rarely lowers their prices. The Nikon 135mm f1.8 that Rick mention might be a good candidate for those who prefers AF or has difficulty using MF.
 

gqtuazon

Gear Head
I don't know what went to my brain but I just pulled the trigger on this Zeiss 135mm f2 from BH Photo instead of getting the Nikon 200mm f2 due to the zeiss is much lighter, more portable, and probably just as sharp wide open for portrait shots.
 

Watch72

Senior Member
You will not regret. It is a very sharp and renders very natural colours. I do not own one but had a week with it loaned from a friend. Like all the other Zeiss lenses, it is very solid and feels balanced wiith the bigger Nikon body. Looking forward to see some of your shots with this lens.
 

gqtuazon

Gear Head
You will not regret. It is a very sharp and renders very natural colours. I do not own one but had a week with it loaned from a friend. Like all the other Zeiss lenses, it is very solid and feels balanced wiith the bigger Nikon body. Looking forward to see some of your shots with this lens.

Thanks. The lens just arrived today. I have not had the chance to play with it yet. I hope the rain will stop tomorrow to take it out for a spin.


D800E Zeiss 135mm f2 APO by gqtuazon, on Flickr
 

gqtuazon

Gear Head
I just saw your last post. How do you like the 135 f2? Pics? I'd be curious to see how it compares to the 200 f2.

The CZ 135mm f2 APO is much smaller, portable and arguably just as sharp, if not slightly sharper. You won' see any distortion or purple fringing with this lens even when shot wide open. With that said, it is designed to be used wide open at f2 to f2.5 and still get superb results. The lens is MF focus of course, and it has no VR unlike the Nikon 200mm f2 VRI/VRII. This lens is definitely not for everyone since using it requires a lot of discipline and a little pricey for a small prime lens. It's more for people who are after on quality and not quantity. I'll post some portrait pictures on this thread soon.

Here is a quick review of from Luminous landscape. Their impression is similar to mine. :)

Zeiss 135mm APO
 

crycocyon

Senior Member
Thanks, it is amazing how the Zeiss lenses really make the subject pop in terms of sheer contrast. That is something that can sometimes make an image appear even sharper than it is (although these are incredibly sharp). Very nice images. The colors are really vivid, and noticably different in rendering from a Nikon lens.
 

gqtuazon

Gear Head
Thanks, it is amazing how the Zeiss lenses really make the subject pop in terms of sheer contrast. That is something that can sometimes make an image appear even sharper than it is (although these are incredibly sharp). Very nice images. The colors are really vivid, and noticably different in rendering from a Nikon lens.

Thank you. Using this MF lens is challenging for me but once you nail the focus, you get an awesome image. :)


Excellent shots Glenn!

Thanks Rick. I appreciate it. I'll post more later on.
 

Rick M

Senior Member
So I have my sights set on a 24-70 2.8 and you have to go and post this? Your killing my wallet Glen! Which one do i need more?

But, whats really on my mind, Is what gets me sharper, this lens on my D600 or say the Nikon 105 2.8g on a D800E? Does the lack of the filter on the D800E trump this lens on a camera with a filter (D6oo), Mp's aside.
 
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