This is a Guest Post from Per Kylberg. He tested the new Zeiss Batis 135mm FE which just started to ship at Amazon, BHphoto, Amazon.de and Photo-Porst-Neuwied.
Zeiss Batis 135/2.8 OSS – initial impressions
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.
More and larger images can be found here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/perkylberg/albums/72157680507030814
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.
