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Sony Sonnar T* 135mm f/1.8 ZA Lens

BH #SO13518 • MFR #SAL135F18Z
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Sony Sonnar T* 135mm f/1.8 ZA Lens
Key Features
  • A-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/1.8 to f/22
  • Two Extra-Low Dispersion Elements
  • Zeiss T* Anti-Reflective Coating
Regarded as one of the best telephoto primes for portraits, Sony's Sonnar T* 135mm f/1.8 ZA Lens boasts one of the fastest apertures available at this focal length as well as outstanding resolving power across the frame. Designed for full-frame A-mount cameras and featuring an f/1.8 along with a nine-blade circular diaphragm, this lens is able to capture photographs with exceptionally shallow depth of field. Also, it uses two extra-low dispersion elements in the optical design as well as Zeiss' outstanding T* anti-reflective coating to combat aberrations and minimize flare and ghosting, respectively, in order to create crisp, clean imagery.
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question

can i use this lens with sony A7R? i don nott mind manual focus or AF. thanks
Asked by: Anonymous
You can use the Sony 135mm f/1.8 lens on a Sony A7R with the use of the LAEA4 adapter, which will enable you to retain autofocus as well: http://bhpho.to/1bKe4G1
Answered by: Heather S.
Date published: 2018-08-27

question

I want to overcome my video noise troubles with my Sony NEX VG 20H which came with the E 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS lens. I want to not use the gain feature, or as little as possible, but even with lots and lots of light (LCD if that matters) on my interviewees, I cannot with this lens. Not sure why, shutter speed is 1/60 and I have the iris open as much as it will allow me to turn to, which turns out to be like, 5.8. I meter the lights and use gels to match the Sony 5800k outdoor setting. I have to have at least 15db (or more) of gain or exposure which is just too much video noise, to even get something not completely dark.I do a lot of lengthy (1 -2 hrs) interviews indoors. Also events that I have to be rather far away, also indoors, again the noise problem due to low light issues.Will this lens fix my problem? Is there a less expensive solution? And will it fit the camera? Also, is there a difference in adapters?Any help will be so much appreciated!
Asked by: Anonymous
We can help right away with your situation. In order to brighten your lights at least 2x, remove the blue gels. (Unless you do have daylight in the scene and you have to have the blue) Then adjust your cameras White Balance to Indoor. (You could also get a white balance off a white or grey card.) This, as I said will give you 2x or one stop more of light at least out of your lights. Also if you can, bring your lights in closer to increase the intensity of the light hitting your subjects. I think you will see a big improvement.In doing interviews, I really think you need the flexibility of a zoom. And while the Sony 18-200 is slow, it is also somewhat of a miracle it exists. There had been nothing like it until about two years and there still isnt anything else in its price range. The Carl Zeiss 135mm F/1.8 will solve your low light problem and it will make beautiful images but it will introduce its own problems. One, is its cost, two, you cannot zoom thus you lose the ability to quickly change the lens size, (crucial in interviews) three, the Depth of Field is so shallow, keeping your subject in focus will be very difficult and four, it is manual, not auto, focus. Therefore, if my color and lighting suggestions do not work, I recommend getting more powerful lights.
Answered by: Dennis A L.
Date published: 2018-08-27

question

I am trying to make up my mind between this lens and the sigma 135 1.8 art lens which is better Im using my a6500 will is lens allow me to use eye focus on my a6500 ?which has better bokah also is this lens good for video?
Asked by: Anonymous
Zeiss all the way except when you have a sigma Art. Then sigma Art all the way.
Answered by: Rohan M.
Date published: 2018-08-27

question

How is the focus speed as well as focus tracking speed, considering this is one of those screw drive designs? I know its forte is portraiture on a FF body, but I was hoping that it could also serve as an indoor sports lens for basketball and volleyball where an f/2.0 would be a great jump from f/2.8 of other lenses in this focal range. But if focusing is rather slow and/or tracking was unable to keep up, compared to the SSM designed lenses (e.g. the 70-200mm f/2.8 SSM G2), then the extra stop probably wouldn't be worth it. Thanks for your opinion.
Asked by: Anonymous
This is a great lens that focuses very quickly on both the Sony A99 and A7s with the Sony adapter. I use it for portraits and events, but since I rarely cover sports, I can't speak to it's ability. I would guess that it wouldn't be as responsive as SSM lenses, of which I have two.
Answered by: Tom F.
Date published: 2018-08-27

question

Does the La Ea3 adapter work well with this lens?
Asked by: Paul P.
You will not have auto focus with Ea3, only with the Ea4.The Ea4 is working great with this lens on the a7x, a bit slow but in good light it's ok.
Answered by: Ady S.
Date published: 2018-08-28

question

I wish to use this lens on a Maxxum 9 film camera as well if I go through with the purchase. I have read that Sony SSM lenses are not compatible with this camera. Is this lens a SSM lens and is it backwards compatible with the Maxxum 9?
Asked by: Ivan S.
I can recommend this lens wholeheartedly, unfortunately, I cannot answer this question as I am not familiar with Minolta AF cameras.Suggest to address this issue in a Minolta forum on the Internet. Am sure there is an answer for this already. Gerry
Answered by: Cornelis G.
Date published: 2018-08-27

question

Hello, I am interested in getting this lens for use in astrophotography. My question is does the lens, when in manual focus mode, hold focus when it is pointing straight up or other high angles? I have a Sony/Zeiss 85 mm 1.4 and I have to use a LensBaby rubber band to physically hold the lens in focus during the long exposures astrophotography requires because the lens elements are so heavy they slowly creep downward in the barrel losing focus (the 85mm does not stop at infiniti). Could someone who has one of these lenses try manually focusing at a cloud or the moon high in the sky, and see if it will stay in focus over at least a 30 seconds period?
Asked by: Steven
I tried this twice today, just to see if there were problems. This morning looking at clouds at about 70 degree angle and tonite at the moon, about 80 degree angle. The 135 mm f1.8 held its focus for over 5 minutes each time. Hope this answers your question.
Answered by: john b.
Date published: 2018-08-27
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