I bought jacquesvroom copy and boy his copy is SHARP. I'm glad I bought his sharp copy. Thanks Jacques!!!!
71sbeetle wrote:
Well my friend offered to buy my Sigma 135 for what I paid for it new because he couldn't find one that was as sharp as mine. So far I've tested 3 new ones and they were all softer than mine .... I guess I'll have to get a 135 GM lol, I have an $850 gift card at best buy so I guess I'll pick one up from there but it looks like they don't do pre orders .....
From the sample images I’ve seen posted thus far, especially the Japanese reviewer from the previous page, the bokeh rendering and sharpness on this lens is special. Easily the best Sony has to offer at the moment and maybe the best lens across all lines.
C_n_red_again wrote:
From the sample images I’ve seen posted thus far, especially the Japanese reviewer from the previous page, the bokeh rendering and sharpness on this lens is special. Easily the best Sony has to offer at the moment and maybe the best lens across all lines.
Yes, I like being able to quickly roll through the center and corner images vs. aperture setting.
If you aren't paying close attention you think nothing was changing as you go from wide open to stopped down.
Looks like a fantastic performer.
I just hope the sample variation is very small with this lens.
Still need to sort out my other 135mm's to make both physical and financial room for the 135GM.
esanchez: "I bought jacquesvroom copy and boy his copy is SHARP. I'm glad I bought his sharp copy."
Taking the CV/Dremel lead of GM one level deeper, I hand-sanded that hazy coating off the front element. Yes, it reduces flare in backlit cases, but sanding it off really sharpens up the images!!
jacquesvroom wrote:
esanchez: "I bought jacquesvroom copy and boy his copy is SHARP. I'm glad I bought his sharp copy."
Taking the CV/Dremel lead of GM one level deeper, I hand-sanded that hazy coating off the front element. Yes, it reduces flare in backlit cases, but sanding it really sharpens up the images!!
You know how some people will come up with some fascinating reasons why your new lens isn't the most amazing thing?
I got told "oh, if it's really sharp it must have terrible bokeh", and "to be so sharp it must be really heavy and slow to focus" from two people who have never seen the lens, and don't shoot Sony. I was told that "it can't possibly be as sharp as the Sigma" by someone who owns the Sigma. And I loved "nah, I'll stick with the Zeiss Batis - you can't make a 135mm for the Sony with a max aperture bigger than f/2.8 or Zeiss would have done it" :-)
The really nice thing is that we have these 4 lenses (50, 85, 100, 135) that are not only outstanding, but also have specific personalities / signatures when used at large apertures. They’re not just the same thing in different FL, they also complement each other in “character”. One of them surely must have your name written on it
Some more samples from my garden at f1.8 (except of image 1). Contrast and lack of aberrations wide open are truly outstanding. No need to stop down except of gaining DoF or taming cat eyes.
Busy looking bokeh. Not a criticism - I don’t dislike the rendering - was just expecting to see more background obliteration at F1.8. I don’t recall such busy bokeh in my time with the Zeiss Apo-Sonnar 2/135mm. My comments here are in reference to my interest in upgrading from my Batis. What is the image quality upgrade?
vdo1 wrote:
The really nice thing is that we have these 4 lenses (50, 85, 100, 135) that are not only outstanding, but also have specific personalities / signatures when used at large apertures. They’re not just the same thing in different FL, they also complement each other in “character”. One of them surely must have your name written on it
And by 'really nice' you mean 'expensive' because I can easily use something like 'character' to justify a lens. They really are all great lenses and I know that I'm going to struggle with resisting all of them this year. I suspect I'll pick up one. There really are a lot of top quality lenses for Sony right now. When you look at what CV is doing with the 21/1.4, 50/1.2 and possibly 75... Zeiss getting their act together with the 40/2...so many great choices. Gonna be a fun year of reading these forums haha
darbo wrote:
Busy looking bokeh. Not a criticism - I don’t dislike the rendering - was just expecting to see more background obliteration at F1.8. I don’t recall such busy bokeh in my time with the Zeiss Apo-Sonnar 2/135mm. My comments here are in reference to my interest in upgrading from my Batis. What is the image quality upgrade?
I'll be interested to see a side-by-side. If we look at Roger's tests and extrapolate, I suspect there will be some small sharpness differences across the frame but that those happy with the IQ and handling of the B135 will still be very happy. Looks like 135mm will be a 'can't miss' FOV and whichever one a person goes with, they're getting one of the absolute best lenses on the market.
