Fred Miranda wrote:
We can only speculate what the future will bring but it's a fact that smartphones for the most part, already replaced dedicated cameras for the entry level market. We are a specialized group now that really cares how our images are rendered and we should really enjoy this time as it may not last.
Yes I’m glad I started when I did at 16 years old. I learned all the old manual cameras, film, non Polaroids no instant feed back and pretty much guessing at any flash work. All that was a great learning experience and made me who I am but I agree this may not last much longer. My son is shooting now at 21 and has zero idea how it was in the early days and how we actually got to this point. In a way he missed out but he will also learn the future to come. Kinda cool in a way
Fred Miranda wrote:
We can only speculate what the future will bring but it's a fact that smartphones for the most part, already replaced dedicated cameras for the entry level market. We are a specialized group now that really cares how our images are rendered and we should really enjoy this time as it may not last.
This rings true to me for sure. I started shooting film about 20 years ago and created a dark room under the steps in my parents house growing up photographing for yearbooks and such. Then jumped to digital when I had my photography company. Photography fell off the map for me right after the 5dmarkii came out, and I thought I could get by using that (and it’s still a great camera) and using the iPhones for daily use.
But as my kids grow, (5 year old twins) I realize my now a7iii just demolished iPhones and is giving me way way better memories to keep. I even started up my photography business again for fun, offering extremely low pricing and helping people out by word of mouth around my area.
Camera phones may come close for Instagram posts, but sorry, they simply can’t compare to final images as our new cameras and lenses can!!
Yes some folks actually got married on April fools day. It’s actually our 30th Anniversary so I have to be careful on April fools day jokes or I’ll eat a baseball bat.
My review - when the F*#($ is mine going to come in I just snagged a 24mm f/1.4 and am pretty stunned by it. This 135 looks just as good or better at a longer FL.
vdo1 wrote:
Is that a “next week” like in “the week of 1-7 April” or a perpetual “next week” lol?
8.4.-13.4.
Fred Miranda wrote:
It's really a must have if 135mm is your thing!
Yes, your review was a demonstration of that. I used the B135 quite a lot last year, especially for planned shootings and car photography and the GM can only be better for these applications.
GMPhotography wrote:
29 days to ship. No April’s fools joke.
Yes some folks actually got married on April fools day. It’s actually our 30th Anniversary so I have to be careful on April fools day jokes or I’ll eat a baseball bat.
So far no delays. B&H still shows expected availability on Tuesday Apr 30th.
We are on countdown 26 to go. In the meantime so I don’t go through way too much withdrawal. I ordered the Samyang 85 1.4 to compliment the Sony 135. It should maybe even ship tonight 4/4 but I maybe a little late in pre ordering it. Really want to see if this has the mojo but also has the AF speed and accuracy I’m looking for. Once again I’m the guinea pig.
DavidBM wrote:
Gosh it's gorgeous. I'm a bit tempted despite knowing that the use will be relatively given what I do.
But, I'd be sorely tempted to keep the Classic 2/135 Apo Sonnar as well for it's lower contrast, slightly more SA background rendering (coupled with outstanding sharpness at closer distances, if not in the GM league) wide open. But that would be madness.
I love the Zeiss 135/2 APO's rendering. The Batis 135 comes close but imo can't match its color and micro-contrast that makes the subject standout. I think the Sony 135/1.8 GM has it all and could replace all our 135mm lenses, except for when traveling light when the Batis or Leica 135 may be better options.
I picked up the Sigma Art last summer. I'm super impressed with the new Sony FE, but I think I'm perfectly happy with the Sigma. Despite all its excellent qualities, the filter thread flare and the extra $$ are holding my GAS at bay.
Fred Miranda wrote:
I love the Zeiss 135/2 APO's rendering. The Batis 135 comes close but imo can't match its color and micro-contrast that makes the subject standout. I think the Sony 135/1.8 GM has it all and could replace all our 135mm lenses, except for when traveling light when the Batis or Leica 135 may be better options.
From what I’m seeing I agree completely.
Stil, I’m probably going to resist: travel is my primary use for a 135 so I’ll hang on to Batis. I’d rather have GM than Zeiss 2/135 but I don’t think the limited amount I use a fast 135 justifies the upgrade cost. But of course if I did a lot of distant portraiture or headshot stuff I’d buy the GM in a heartbeat...
Fred Miranda wrote:
I love the Zeiss 135/2 APO's rendering. The Batis 135 comes close but imo can't match its color and micro-contrast that makes the subject standout. I think the Sony 135/1.8 GM has it all and could replace all our 135mm lenses, except for when traveling light when the Batis or Leica 135 may be better options.
Would love to see some portrait comparisons between the Zeiss 135/2 APO vs Sony GM 135 - especially rendering + CA handling would be interesting... AF/ FE is nice, but for those purely going after ultimate IQ - would be quite an interesting comparison....
Also wonder if anyones done comparisons with the Batis 135
Tristan.W wrote:
just like to learn, in terms of "ring flare" without hood, did sony feedback anything to that?
I'm still on-the-fence, due to this issue.
I don’t think there is much feedback to have on this. The ring flare is a byproduct of the lens element design or lens coating no doubt and not something that can or will be fixed. All lens designs involve compromises. That is my take on it anyway.
Stoffer wrote:
I don’t think there is much feedback to have on this. The ring flare is a byproduct of the lens element design or lens coating no doubt and not something that can or will be fixed. All lens designs involve compromises. That is my take on it anyway.
yes, most likely it is.
But as Fred's description, looks like it more related to the finish-process of the ring in the front part of the inner-barrel? Not much of opitical?
If it's the finish process of the inner barrel, it might be fixed.
Tristan.W wrote:
yes, most likely it is.
But as Fred's description, looks like it more related to the finish-process of the ring in the front part of the inner-barrel? Not much of opitical?
If it's the finish process of the inner barrel, it might be fixed.
Aah sorry, didn’t think about that part! Yes, maybe they would fix that.
I think Fred did. I view it as not a big deal. I won’t be using the OEM hood either. I have either a 82 to 72 step down or a shorter 82 hood. I’ll test them both
I just snagged a 24mm f/1.4 and am pretty stunned by it. This 135 looks just as good or better at a longer FL. 
