SAL-135F18Z 135mm f/1.8 Telephoto Reviews
Reviews
Photography Review Australia tested the SAL-135F18Z 135mm f/1.8 with Sony Alpha DSLR-A100
Usage
The view through the A100’s viewfinder is very bright, thanks to the wide maximum aperture and this brightness carries through to images captured with the lens. Comfortably located on the left side of the lens barrel (when the lens is fitted on the camera) is a focus hold button that can be used to lock focus when you wish to measure exposures from off-centre areas in the field of view. Internal focusing allows the Sonnar T* 1.8/135 ZA to be used with angle-critical filters, such as polarisers and graduates. The supplied lens hood is very solid, simple to fit and effective. A neat protective pouch for carrying the lens is also provided.
Performance
Not unexpectedly, the Imatest MTF50 (resolution) results were lowest for the Sonnar T* 1.8/135 ZA at the widest apertures but improved rapidly to peak between f/4.5 and f/11. Performance remained above average all the way to the minimum aperture of f/22, although diffraction produced a measurable decline in resolution. There was also a very close correspondence between horizontal and vertical resolution, indicating superior imaging performance. Not unexpectedly, the Imatest MTF50 (resolution) results were lowest for the Sonnar T* 1.8/135 ZA at the widest apertures but improved rapidly to peak between f/4.5 and f/11. Performance remained above average all the way to the minimum aperture of f/22, although diffraction produced a measurable decline in resolution. There was also a very close correspondence between horizontal and vertical resolution, indicating superior imaging performance.
Read the full review and sample photos by Photography Review Australia
[eminimall]
July 15, 2009 @ 03:08
I own a Konica Minolta 7D and have recently bought a new A900
I typically photograph, planes, flowers (macro), and some scenery/buidlings…
My questions
Is the SAL-135F18 a good lense for my A900? Or is it APC-C optimized?
My other choice is a SAL-100M28.
After spending $$$ on the A900 I have to start a little slower on the lenses until I can save
up more money.
I currently have a 70-300 F4.5-5.6 Sigma which I bought years ago for my 35mm Minolta
Also a 35-105 Minolta AF and a Maxxum 80-200. (all from my 35mm days).
The A900 is way beyond these lenses So I want to acquire lenses that aren’t in the same
range but have better capabilites (sharp, light, …)
Two areas MACRO – hence the SAL-100
and Plane/Sport/Bird photography (something above 300mm?)
Suggestions please?
At this point I will prioritize by price but would appreciate lense suggestions
specific to my A900.
Thanks in Advance
– Frank