Currently the Sigma MC-11 adapter is a hot deal because it sells for $149 only at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto. But how well does it perform on the new Sony A9? Jason Lanier just posted this test video where you can find the answer. Spoiler: It does surprisingly well in low light conditions. And flexible spot works fine too!
For $149 this is a no brainer. Everyone with Canon lenses in the house should buy the Sigma MC-11!
Freshesest possible leaves @2.8 about 90cm – shallow DOF and beautiful bokeh. Yes, not perfect sharpness slight movement but image shows close up capabilities and bokeh.
To me the specifications of this lens was exactly what I hoped for: Light, OSS, excellent IQ. It was confirmed via an, unusually early, unusually trustworhty review (http://www.verybiglobo.com/zeiss-batis-apo-sonnar-135mm-f2-8-lens-review/#). To finance this very expensive lens I sold off three seldom used lenses moving my total camera system investment up by “just” 950€.
A7R2
Images imported to Lightroom using my own default settings:
Detail 51-0.5-36-0
Clarity +9
Profile: Camera Light
(Adobe default settings are so dull and boring!)
Images has no further post processing – except for the three images comparing 135 to 85.
Conclusion: A superb lens that draws absolutely beautiful images. Will work excellently for portraits. @1.3m the LED says DOF 0.00 to 0.00, means DOF is less than 8mm. (Now some of you start whining, but making portraits is NOT about “sharp iris and unsharp eye lashes”. It is about creating contact and trust with the person, create lighting and environment that shows persons character and emotions. Too short DOF may be a “beautifier” but also acts as a “make up” that hides the person/personality.)
The Batis 135/2 out-resolves the Batis 85/1.8.
Color and contrast is superb
OSS is effective, 1/20 being my limit – same as for the 85mm. Note: Yes, lens OSS is more effective than in-body IS. Olympus, market leader in IBIS. Still their new HQ zoom also have lens OSS.
AF about the same, maybe a tad faster, as the 85mm
“Infinity” is about 250m away. LED says @5,6 from 109m to infinity DOF, @2.8 from 148m to infinity – something to keep in mind.
LED is very useful, especially with longer lenses as you can see the DOF and adjust aperture to get the DOF you want.
135 vs 85
Many are interested to see how a 135 draws the image compared to 85 mm and the following three images illustrates just that. The 135 has a more compressed perspective as shows a) Larger seeming distant objects, b) Fewer objects visible in the background, c) background seems more flat, less detail. To me this makes the 135 a more creative tool.
People with long nose would be preferred be photographed with the 135. Flat nosed people would though prefer the 85 perspective….
To me the 85 is the best general portrait alternative. The 135 takes it a little more to the wild side which of course can be an advantage.
ver 1: 135 @6.3. Note the background and its bokeh
Version 2: Same position and aperture but with Batis 85. Note different background perspective and bokeh
Version 3: 85mm but moved closer to mimic the version 1 135mm FOV. Note
very background very different perspective as well as slightly different bokeh
Excellent detail and rendering @5.6
@2.8 and LED reading: 28m, DOF from 28m to 31m.Wanted the naked tree in background to be out of focus but all birch leaves in focus. In PP I will enhance just the birch tree.
Intention was to do an infinity test, but how far is infinity really? With the Batis 135, about 150m is NOT infinity, much to my surprise. @2.8 and focus nearest corner of the white building the 400m away “Crown tower” is out of focus!
5.6 (on a rainy day) focus on more distant brown building. LED says DOF from 109m and onwards.
Sony Artisan Jason Lanier tells you the 10 Reasons Why the Sony A9 Will be the Best Wedding Photography Camera in the World. And our Dutch readers can read the A9 test at CameraLand.nl.
And as a side note: The A9 is now available for preorder in multiple kit options at Amazon (Click here).
The Sony FE 70-300mm lens got tested by the German guys from Photozone. They are not impressed by this lens performance:
Honestly, the Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS disappointed us a little. You are buying such lenses primarily for its potential at the very long end of the range which is where the performance may not be bad but it certainly doesn’t reflect the promises of a G-class lens nor its high price tag. Now that being said – the center quality is still very good at 300mm and that’s where most of the action is at this setting. The lens is a bit expensive relative to its performance. If you want to have 300mm, you just don’t have another choice at the moment but if you can live with a little less we’d rather recommend the Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS instead.
Note: You now have a choice! The 100-400mm GM….but it costs twice as much :(
ePhotozine tested the Sony 18-110mm PZ OSS f/4.0 E-mount lens. The conclusion:
This is a lens that crosses the requirements of two worlds of photography, stills and video. It can quite easily be used for both, with the proviso that to do so for stills could be quite an expensive option. Having said that, it is very well made, very versatile, can be set up to suit the purpose and handles like a dream. Regardless of the price, it has to be Highly Recommended.
Whether you’re working in video, cinema or something in-between (as most people do nowadays), I think this lens is really worth a close look. There’s currently no other lens that compares to it in terms of versatility, price and physical design. Furthermore, I found the optical quality achieved in tandem with Sony’s internal electronic solutions and automatic lens compensation to be really impressive.
Here is a new A9 news and test roundup:
Sony α9 – First Impression by Jan Tichy
The Sony a9 5x Slow Motion (120fps) by Gary Fong.
Sony Removes SLOG on Sony a9? (ThatCameraGuy)
Sony A9 – Not so hot on second look? (PeterGregg).
Sony A9 4K Video ( low light test ) at Cameras Tested.
100-400mm preview by PCmag.
Electronic shutter evolution: Sony A9 and Olympus OM-D E-M1 II (Mirrorlesscomparisons).
Canon, Nikon, Sony : on compare les prix (Focus Numerique).
Kurz ausprobiert: Sony Alpha 9 (Photoscala).
Sony a9 offers powerful pro-level customization (Dpreview).
Sony Alpha A9 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera – First Look by Cameta Camera
The Belgium PCH Store is doing a Sony A9 Pre-order gift. For each a9 Pre-order they give for free the battery Grip and a free battery till the end of June !
Please support SAR:
You know me, I work my ass off to get the best news and rumors on SAR :) And this is the right time to reward me by using these affiliated links for your purchase! I will get a small commission and you don’t have to pay a cent more for that. Thanks!
Win an AMEX card ($4,500) at BHphoto: US readers preordering the A9 at BHphoto using our links (and our affiliated links only!) have a chance to win an AMEX card mathching the value of the Sony A9 ($4,500). The winner will be randomly selected by BHphoto by end of June after the preorders shipped out!
The conditions and legal notes of the sweepstake can be read here: sonyalpharumors.com/official-bh-sonyalpharumors-a9-launch-sweepstakes-rules/
Win an A9 at Adorama: If you preoder the Sony A9 at Adorama through our affiliated links only (it doesn’t work on links of other sites!) they will refund one lucky customer their $4,498 price on the A9! This will be for pre-orders. Once the orders start shipping (some time the end of May) Adorama will filter all the orders that came from SAR, and randomly select one A9 order and refund the customer their money. This is for the camera only and not the new 100-400mm lens or accessories.
The conditions and legal notes of the sweepstake can be read here: sonyalpharumors.com/official-adorama-sonyalpharumors-a9-launch-sweepstakes-rules/
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Join our new Sony A9 Facebook group!
There are many new A9 tests. So let’s check them out:
Editorial journalist Nick Didlic did use six A9 camera to shoot the Kentucky derby. The full report can be read at Alphauniverse. What Nick liked most is:
Everybody else is shooting 10 to 12 frames per second and I’m shooting 20 frames a second…I’m seeing those horses’ hooves off the ground more than anybody else is!’
Here is a video from Nick Didlic at 20fps:
And Sam Palis posted this A9 test video:
And this is a video of the A9 focus following a buggy:
Please support SAR:
You know me, I work my ass off to get the best news and rumors on SAR :) And this is the right time to reward me by using these affiliated links for your purchase! I will get a small commission and you don’t have to pay a cent more for that. Thanks!
Win an AMEX card ($4,500) at BHphoto: US readers preordering the A9 at BHphoto using our links (and our affiliated links only!) have a chance to win an AMEX card mathching the value of the Sony A9 ($4,500). The winner will be randomly selected by BHphoto by end of June after the preorders shipped out!
The conditions and legal notes of the sweepstake can be read here: sonyalpharumors.com/official-bh-sonyalpharumors-a9-launch-sweepstakes-rules/
Win an A9 at Adorama: If you preoder the Sony A9 at Adorama through our affiliated links only (it doesn’t work on links of other sites!) they will refund one lucky customer their $4,498 price on the A9! This will be for pre-orders. Once the orders start shipping (some time the end of May) Adorama will filter all the orders that came from SAR, and randomly select one A9 order and refund the customer their money. This is for the camera only and not the new 100-400mm lens or accessories.
The conditions and legal notes of the sweepstake can be read here: sonyalpharumors.com/official-adorama-sonyalpharumors-a9-launch-sweepstakes-rules/
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Join our new Sony A9 Facebook group!
