Review: Zeiss 135mm f/2 APO Sonnar T*

[Canon Rumors Guy]

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<p>Dustin Abbott, a friend of Canon Rumors has completed his review of the <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/909189-REG/Zeiss_1999_675_135mm_f_2_0_Apo_Sonnar_ZE.html/bi/2466/kbid/3296" target="_blank">Zeiss 135mm f/2 APO Sonnar T* in the ZE mount for Canon</a>. The review is pretty glowing for the Zeiss, as one would expect. Dustin directly compared it to the classic Canon EF 135 f/2L and came away with the conclusion that the Zeiss is optically better, though for twice the price it should be. However, the missing AF in the Zeiss is a big deal when comparing the two.</p>
<p><strong>Says Dustin: </strong><em><span style="color: #3a2e18;">“Will it be replacing my 135L? Probably not. Until I shot with the Zeiss I thought the performance of the 135L was fantastic, and I will still enjoying shooting with it. I knew that the Zeiss would be better before I did the review, although I was surprised by just how noticeably better it was in head to head comparison. But for many of the applications that I use the 135L in, I need the AF. But I’m also not a full time professional photographer, and frankly, there are a few higher priorities for that kind of money in my kit at the moment. I’ll keep using my trusty Canon, but I will cherish the images that I took with the Zeiss. And one day, there WILL be a Zeiss lens in my kit. They are just too good.”</span></em></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://dustinabbott.net/2014/07/zeiss-apo-sonnar-t-2135mm-ze-review-2/" target="_blank">Read the full review</a> | <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/909189-REG/Zeiss_1999_675_135mm_f_2_0_Apo_Sonnar_ZE.html/bi/2466/kbid/3296" target="_blank">Zeiss 135mm f/2 APO Sonnar T* at B&H Photo</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">c</span>r</strong></p>

 

[RLPhoto]

If only Zeiss made AF Canon lenses.

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

If only Zeiss made AF Canon lenses.

I think I can safely say that all of us agree with you on that point. This lens with AF and IS would be worth $3000+. It is crazy good optically.

 

[luckydude]

Nice review. I was reading along and going "meh, they are pretty similar" until I got to the crop of the dandelion. That one made me mad because I own the 135L. Sigh.

On a different note, have you done a review of your 14mm f2.8? My kid is getting into night photography and he needs something wider.

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Nice review. I was reading along and going "meh, they are pretty similar" until I got to the crop of the dandelion. That one made me mad because I own the 135L. Sigh.

On a different note, have you done a review of your 14mm f2.8? My kid is getting into night photography and he needs something wider.

I thought the exact same thing until I actually compared the two side by side. The micro-contrast in the Zeiss just kills the 135L. I mean, kills it.

I did review the 14mm f/2.8: you can find the review here: http://dustinabbott.net/2013/10/rokinon-14mm-f2-8-wide-angle-review/

 

[Sporgon]

I've been attracted to the Zeiss lenses on a number of occasions, but, regrettably the truth is I've never been that good at manually focusing, even in the days before AF :-[

 

[luckydude]

On a different note, have you done a review of your 14mm f2.8? My kid is getting into night photography and he needs something wider.

I did review the 14mm f/2.8: you can find the review here: http://dustinabbott.net/2013/10/rokinon-14mm-f2-8-wide-angle-review/

Thanks so much, exactly what I was looking for.

 

[candyman]

Very nice review. Thank you for the time you have spent on it.
I am really impressed of the detail the Zeis lens captures like in the crop of the dandelion. Still I will hold on to my 135L obviously AF is an important reason.

 

[Click]

Excellent review Dustin.

I am also impressed by the details that the Zeiss lens captures.

Thanks for the review.

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

I've been attracted to the Zeiss lenses on a number of occasions, but, regrettably the truth is I've never been that good at manually focusing, even in the days before AF :-[

I hear you. I would be interested in trying replacing the focusing screen in one of my 6D bodies with one more suited to manual focus. I do enjoy using vintage lenses a lot, and if I did invest in Zeiss glass I think I would change the screen in one body and use it primarily for manual focus.

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

On a different note, have you done a review of your 14mm f2.8? My kid is getting into night photography and he needs something wider.

I did review the 14mm f/2.8: you can find the review here: http://dustinabbott.net/2013/10/rokinon-14mm-f2-8-wide-angle-review/

Thanks so much, exactly what I was looking for.

You're welcome

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Very nice review. Thank you for the time you have spent on it.
I am really impressed of the detail the Zeis lens captures like in the crop of the dandelion. Still I will hold on to my 135L obviously AF is an important reason.

Excellent review Dustin.

I am also impressed by the details that the Zeiss lens captures.

Thanks for the review.

Thanks for the feedback from both of you! The 135L is not a bad consolation prize at all!

 

[Dylan777]

I rent this lens to test with my Sony a7r = killer for portrait.

 

[candyman]

I rent this lens to test with my Sony a7r = killer for portrait.

I would appreciate to see some of those portraits....if possible....thanks

 

[Dylan777]

I rent this lens to test with my Sony a7r = killer for portrait.

I would appreciate to see some of those portraits....if possible....thanks

Currently on bustrip. I have few hundred photos taken with this combo at home PC. Will share some photos next week.

 

[candyman]

I rent this lens to test with my Sony a7r = killer for portrait.

I would appreciate to see some of those portraits....if possible....thanks

Currently on bustrip. I have few hundred photos taken with this combo at home PC. Will share some photos next week.

Thanks, enjoy the bustrip

 

[CanoSony]

If only Zeiss made AF Canon lenses.

I think I can safely say that all of us agree with you on that point. This lens with AF and IS would be worth $3000+. It is crazy good optically.

You could just buy an a99, or A7R and E4 adapter paired with the Sony 135 sonnar f.18 and have AF

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/463924-REG/Sony_SAL135F18Z_SAL_135F18Z_135mm_f_1_8_Carl.html

$1700

 

[RLPhoto]

If only Zeiss made AF Canon lenses.

I think I can safely say that all of us agree with you on that point. This lens with AF and IS would be worth $3000+. It is crazy good optically.

You could just buy an a99, or A7R and E4 adapter paired with the Sony 135 sonnar f.18 and have AF

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/463924-REG/Sony_SAL135F18Z_SAL_135F18Z_135mm_f_1_8_Carl.html

$1700

That 135mm F/1.8 w/ In-body IS makes me jealous everytime I see one. I wish canon would update the 135L to that lens so I can finally put to rest my desire/Un-desire to own a 70-200II.

 

[GMCPhotographics]

The test shot at f2 on the Canon is clearly slightly back focused and therefore not a fair example. It makes the Canon look softer than it really is.

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

The test shot at f2 on the Canon is clearly slightly back focused and therefore not a fair example. It makes the Canon look softer than it really is.

I used the same focus on both examples. This second shot was taken from about 6 feet further back. Both very focused using Live View 10x. The results show the same disparity. If you click on the link to Bryan's charts at TDP you'll get the same results from his chart testing. It's hard to believe it's that much better (I was shocked, too), but I'm afraid the results speak for themselves.