Excellent review Dustin. Very thorough and professional executed. Would enjoy seeing more reviews of the Sony full-frame e-mount lenses from you in the future!
+Robert Sherrow while I still don't own a full frame Sony body, I do now have a Sony a 6500 and will continue to review emount lenses. I am looking at the Zeiss Touit series right now
Dustin, few years later - should i jump into 135 batis for 1100$? Portraiture, wedding, landscape a7R3 photography, got the batis 85 1.8 and i am in love. But the 135?
I'm curious about how it compares to the Sigma 135 1.8 and the everlasting Canon 135 f2. Because from what I've seen from your video, the Zeiss is a very good lens, but nothing is spectacular or innovative about it. 2000 dollars/euros for a 2.8 prime is way overpriced in my opinion. Anyway, as usual very nice and informative video Dustin 👍
+Democosoh It has not problem besting the Canon 135L, though the Canon does have the aperture edge, obviously. I'm just starting to test the Sigma, so it is too soon to tell for me there.
Dustin Abbott I've no doubt it bests the Canon, after all it's a lens from 1996 😁 but is it so much sharper to justify the price point? it costs twice as much as the Canon...and the 2.8 aperture on a prime is nothing new these days 😁 I'm looking forward your Sigma review!
That's another matter altogether. And yes, you're right about the aperture value. I think that may present the biggest obstacle to those considering the lens.
Do you know how far away (roughly) you need to be to capture full body portraits with this 135 (on full frame)? What about at 65mm? Trying to calculate dof on batis 135 and voigt 65 for full body portraits. Thanks!
thank you very much dustin , as usual really nice review , i'm actually waiting for sigma 135f/1.8 art review as Lenstip gave it the badge of editors choice ..
Ashraf Alhujaili I've got my Sigma 135mm Art two days ago and am loving it. In my opinion it's even better than the Sigma 85mm Art. I don't think this Batis 135mm f/2.8 will be comparable to the Sigma 135mm Art in any aspect........
+Steven Lui In what way? The Sigma seems to be a great lens from my early shots, but I've yet to see a Sigma lens that produces Zeiss-like quality of rendering and color.
Dustin Abbott My findings (and subjective feelings as well) of using the two lenses on Sony A7R2 are: 1. Sigma 135 Art at f/1.8 is sharper than Batis 135 at f/2.8 2. Sigma 135 Art offers swallower DOP than Batis 135 3. AF speed of Sigma 135 Art coupled with MC-11 is the same as Batis 135 4. Both lenses perform equally well in resisting color fringing 5. I personally prefer Sigma 135 Art's out of focus rendering to that of Batis 135 6. Color rendition is too subjective and depends on one's liking (I'm fine with both lenses) 7. Massive price difference even taken MC-11 into account (in my country)
Dustin Abbott My findings (and subjective feelings as well) of using the two lenses on Sony A7R2 are: 1. Sigma 135 Art at f/1.8 is sharper than Batis 135 at f/2.8 2. Sigma 135 Art offers swallower DOP than Batis 135 3. AF speed of Sigma 135 Art coupled with MC-11 is the same as Batis 135 4. Both lenses perform equally well in resisting color fringing 5. I personally prefer Sigma 135 Art's out of focus rendering to that of Batis 135 6. Color rendition is too subjective and depends on one's liking (I'm fine with both lenses) 7. Massive price difference even taken MC-11 into account (in my country)
Another great review!!! How would you compare this batis lens with some other primes such as Otus 85mm or Sigma 135 F1.8? Seems like two of the only downsides about this lens is cost and max aperature hahaha
+Chenguang Yang I'm just starting to test the Sigma 135mm, so no real comment there yet. The Otus is the more special in rendering overall, but this lens is very nice.
Awesome Review! Hopefully you'll have enough overlap between arrival of sigma 135f/1.8 art and the Batis 135/2.8 that you might be able to do a comparo on a Sony Body (hopefully they send you a MC-11Adapter too)!
Dustin, I have two critiques. First, Batis is pronounced "BAH-tis" and not "buh-TEES" (as a German speaker, I giggled a little bit every time you mispronounced it). Second, the lack of vignetting is likely because Sony includes native lens profile corrections as a sidecar file in the raw container. Lightroom always applies those corrections, which counteracts vignetting and sharpens the edges/corners. This is unlike a DSLR, where Lightroom has the lens profile and applies it only when the user chooses to do so. I'd imagine the uncorrected file for the Batis 135mm looks slightly more pedestrian. (Fujifilm and Micro Four Thirds cameras behave the same in Lightroom, to be fair.)
Thanks for the pronunciation aid. I do beg to differ on the vignette point, though. Looking at Zeiss' Relative Illuminance chart shows an extremely strong vignette performance that is massively different than say, the Milvus 2/135mm. That's a chart for the lens; not Sony's correction.
Thank you. It's an interesting question as it's unusual that a slower lens performs better in regards to vignetting. The Milvus has a larger aperture and hence should have a larger image circle...unless the short flange-distance of the Sony allows for some magic.
Amazing lens, seriously considering it. But I'm put off by the non-rounded aperture blades, I think it's a shame that in a 2.000 Euro lens you get a clear polygon shape already at f/4.0, just one value stopped down.
+Terry Grube I would say they are close in terms of absolute sharpness. The Batis has less vignette, autofocus, plus an optical stabilizer (not to mention weather sealing and much improved build), but the Rokinon has the advantage of a larger aperture plus price.
Seems like a good lens. No doubt. The Zoom at the face.. is really quite crazy. But still. To me. The price point is too high. If F1.8 or F2. at US 1999 is ok. But..not F2.8.. Was expecting lower price.. Not Also ... being F2.8. It's not alot smaller compare to the F1.8 F2.. 135. But it is light tho.
I've lived in a residence provided by my church for nearly 20 years, but our church is growing and expanding and so we need to move out! It's a good problem.
Okay hahaha that's great your blessed but yeah it's a good problem. Do you have sponsors? Also that link didn't work, it comes up as an issue with the page.
+The Real Tech Geek I've never shared that link directly. Usually people just access it from my website. I don't have sponsors, though I do have affiliate partners.
That's the same adapter the Tamron is connected to, and it performed fine. I'm not trying to argue that the adapter is perfectly aligned, but I am arguing that I didn't see that issue with any other lens that I used via the adapter (probably about 7 other lenses), so I am arguing against your premise due to experience.
I'm just speculating based on what I am seeing in the video - which is not a good way to judge image quality in the first place. In your comaprison of Batis with the Canon 70-200, seemed like the Canon's (comparing frames from 3:33 and 3:39) seemed like the Canon is way worse on the left side. I might be mistaken is this assumption though. If that is indeed the case (left side softer compared to right), either the adapter or the lens itself is decentered. More of then than not, it is the adapter. If the adapter is working fine as you say, maybe take a look at the lens.
Huge, ugly, super overpriced whooping 135 f2.8 lens with boring MFD in 2017, soooo excited, oh wait. Now let's wait for faster Sony equivalent for 1/3 price.
Excellent review Dustin. Very thorough and professional executed. Would enjoy seeing more reviews of the Sony full-frame e-mount lenses from you in the future!
+Robert Sherrow while I still don't own a full frame Sony body, I do now have a Sony a 6500 and will continue to review emount lenses. I am looking at the Zeiss Touit series right now
Dustin, few years later - should i jump into 135 batis for 1100$? Portraiture, wedding, landscape a7R3 photography, got the batis 85 1.8 and i am in love.
But the 135?
The Batis is a lovely lens, for sure. If you love the 85, then you'll love the 135.
I'm curious about how it compares to the Sigma 135 1.8 and the everlasting Canon 135 f2. Because from what I've seen from your video, the Zeiss is a very good lens, but nothing is spectacular or innovative about it. 2000 dollars/euros for a 2.8 prime is way overpriced in my opinion. Anyway, as usual very nice and informative video Dustin 👍
+Democosoh It has not problem besting the Canon 135L, though the Canon does have the aperture edge, obviously. I'm just starting to test the Sigma, so it is too soon to tell for me there.
Dustin Abbott I've no doubt it bests the Canon, after all it's a lens from 1996 😁 but is it so much sharper to justify the price point? it costs twice as much as the Canon...and the 2.8 aperture on a prime is nothing new these days 😁 I'm looking forward your Sigma review!
That's another matter altogether. And yes, you're right about the aperture value. I think that may present the biggest obstacle to those considering the lens.
Democosoh Same test with Sony / Zeiss 135 f/1.8 A-Mount... The natural competitor!
Do you know how far away (roughly) you need to be to capture full body portraits with this 135 (on full frame)? What about at 65mm? Trying to calculate dof on batis 135 and voigt 65 for full body portraits. Thanks!
I would say you need at least 20 feet with a 135mm lens. About half that with the 65mm.
Dustin Abbott thanks! And that's how you get subscribers from folks like me. Love your reviews! Keep up the great work!
Thanks for the effort:-) Awesome job!
Thanks!
thank you very much dustin , as usual really nice review , i'm actually waiting for sigma 135f/1.8 art review as Lenstip gave it the badge of editors choice ..
I've got it in hand right now, and have just started shooting with it.
Ashraf Alhujaili I've got my Sigma 135mm Art two days ago and am loving it. In my opinion it's even better than the Sigma 85mm Art. I don't think this Batis 135mm f/2.8 will be comparable to the Sigma 135mm Art in any aspect........
+Steven Lui In what way? The Sigma seems to be a great lens from my early shots, but I've yet to see a Sigma lens that produces Zeiss-like quality of rendering and color.
Dustin Abbott My findings (and subjective feelings as well) of using the two lenses on Sony A7R2 are:
1. Sigma 135 Art at f/1.8 is sharper than Batis 135 at f/2.8
2. Sigma 135 Art offers swallower DOP than Batis 135
3. AF speed of Sigma 135 Art coupled with MC-11 is the same as Batis 135
4. Both lenses perform equally well in resisting color fringing
5. I personally prefer Sigma 135 Art's out of focus rendering to that of Batis 135
6. Color rendition is too subjective and depends on one's liking (I'm fine with both lenses)
7. Massive price difference even taken MC-11 into account (in my country)
Dustin Abbott My findings (and subjective feelings as well) of using the two lenses on Sony A7R2 are:
1. Sigma 135 Art at f/1.8 is sharper than Batis 135 at f/2.8
2. Sigma 135 Art offers swallower DOP than Batis 135
3. AF speed of Sigma 135 Art coupled with MC-11 is the same as Batis 135
4. Both lenses perform equally well in resisting color fringing
5. I personally prefer Sigma 135 Art's out of focus rendering to that of Batis 135
6. Color rendition is too subjective and depends on one's liking (I'm fine with both lenses)
7. Massive price difference even taken MC-11 into account (in my country)
Another great review!!! How would you compare this batis lens with some other primes such as Otus 85mm or Sigma 135 F1.8?
Seems like two of the only downsides about this lens is cost and max aperature hahaha
+Chenguang Yang I'm just starting to test the Sigma 135mm, so no real comment there yet. The Otus is the more special in rendering overall, but this lens is very nice.
Awesome Review! Hopefully you'll have enough overlap between arrival of sigma 135f/1.8 art and the Batis 135/2.8 that you might be able to do a comparo on a Sony Body (hopefully they send you a MC-11Adapter too)!
Unfortunately the Zeiss went out on Wednesday and the Sigma arrived (a little early) on Thursday.
Dustin, I have two critiques. First, Batis is pronounced "BAH-tis" and not "buh-TEES" (as a German speaker, I giggled a little bit every time you mispronounced it). Second, the lack of vignetting is likely because Sony includes native lens profile corrections as a sidecar file in the raw container. Lightroom always applies those corrections, which counteracts vignetting and sharpens the edges/corners. This is unlike a DSLR, where Lightroom has the lens profile and applies it only when the user chooses to do so. I'd imagine the uncorrected file for the Batis 135mm looks slightly more pedestrian. (Fujifilm and Micro Four Thirds cameras behave the same in Lightroom, to be fair.)
Thanks for the pronunciation aid. I do beg to differ on the vignette point, though. Looking at Zeiss' Relative Illuminance chart shows an extremely strong vignette performance that is massively different than say, the Milvus 2/135mm. That's a chart for the lens; not Sony's correction.
Dustin Abbott
The chart itself likely is based on the corrected image.
I'll ask Zeiss, but there is no footnote to indicate that is the case. The chart on distortion does include such a footnote, but not the vignette.
Thank you. It's an interesting question as it's unusual that a slower lens performs better in regards to vignetting. The Milvus has a larger aperture and hence should have a larger image circle...unless the short flange-distance of the Sony allows for some magic.
I have always heard Ba - teece
Good video, can you do eye focus on your 7Rii with the zeiss 135/2.8 ?
I don't know that for certain. I'll ask Zeiss.
The good people at Zeiss said that yes, all focus features are fully supported by the Batis lenses.
Thank you very much Dustin! Im still waiting for the lenses to come available. Zeiss says mid may 2017.
Amazing lens, seriously considering it. But I'm put off by the non-rounded aperture blades, I think it's a shame that in a 2.000 Euro lens you get a clear polygon shape already at f/4.0, just one value stopped down.
I agree. It's not a Zeiss strength, and you have to wonder why
how's it compare image wise to the rokinon 135mm?
+Terry Grube I would say they are close in terms of absolute sharpness. The Batis has less vignette, autofocus, plus an optical stabilizer (not to mention weather sealing and much improved build), but the Rokinon has the advantage of a larger aperture plus price.
Thanks! Keep up the great reviews!
Seems like a good lens. No doubt. The Zoom at the face.. is really quite crazy.
But still. To me. The price point is too high. If F1.8 or F2. at US 1999 is ok. But..not F2.8.. Was expecting lower price.. Not
Also ... being F2.8. It's not alot smaller compare to the F1.8 F2.. 135. But it is light tho.
Valid points.
now is cheaper, would you get it ;-)?
Compare it With the amazing sonnar 135 2.8 c/y could be interesting, good job as always!!
I don't have the 2.8/135, unfortunately.
Nice Review, Nice images!
+Zeus Shama Thank you!
Nice Job :)
+Michael Mystro Pierce Thanks
Did you buy the A7RII or is it a loaner?
It's a loaner. I'm in the process of having our first home built and I can't afford, well, anything at the moment :)
Ok thank you very much and i actually assumed you had a house yeah i completely understand God Bless.
I've lived in a residence provided by my church for nearly 20 years, but our church is growing and expanding and so we need to move out! It's a good problem.
Okay hahaha that's great your blessed but yeah it's a good problem. Do you have sponsors? Also that link didn't work, it comes up as an issue with the page.
+The Real Tech Geek I've never shared that link directly. Usually people just access it from my website. I don't have sponsors, though I do have affiliate partners.
Also have you thought about getting a Pateron or paypal donations?
Paypal donations can be made through my website. It's along the right side of most articles there or can be accessed here: bit.ly/DLAtipjar
Seems like whatever adapter you are using to mount canon lens to the Sony has a bad left side.
+Siddhartha Saha That's not really possible; there are no glass elements in the adapter.
Dustin Abbott it might be physically not perfectly aligned. Lots of adapters are flawed actually. I recommend you do a controlled test.
That's the same adapter the Tamron is connected to, and it performed fine. I'm not trying to argue that the adapter is perfectly aligned, but I am arguing that I didn't see that issue with any other lens that I used via the adapter (probably about 7 other lenses), so I am arguing against your premise due to experience.
I'm just speculating based on what I am seeing in the video - which is not a good way to judge image quality in the first place. In your comaprison of Batis with the Canon 70-200, seemed like the Canon's (comparing frames from 3:33 and 3:39) seemed like the Canon is way worse on the left side. I might be mistaken is this assumption though.
If that is indeed the case (left side softer compared to right), either the adapter or the lens itself is decentered. More of then than not, it is the adapter. If the adapter is working fine as you say, maybe take a look at the lens.
I would like to see it against 70200gm at 135
Hmmm, that would be interesting, but I don't have either lens!
How I missed the original opening music...
+Shang-Hsien Yang Some people like music, some people don’t. I just switch it up as I see fit.
I thought the most common Zeiss issue was autofocus speed. jk LOL
For once that isn't true :)
Huge, ugly, super overpriced whooping 135 f2.8 lens with boring MFD in 2017, soooo excited, oh wait.
Now let's wait for faster Sony equivalent for 1/3 price.
Don't hold back...tell us how you really feel :)
Bad, the weather is gloomy and it's cold outside.