SAL-135F18Z Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135mm f/1.8 Telephoto Lens
Whether you’re shooting a distant mountain peak or a beautiful orchid at arm’s length, the superb SAL-135F18Z telephoto lens provides amazing image quality. Its f/1.8 aperture makes it the brightest telephoto lens in its class. And with 35mm-equivalent 202.5mm focal length, plus the ability to focus tightly on objects closer than three feet away, it can cover an amazing range of photographic assignments.
Ultra-Bright Images
At fully open f/1.8 aperture (the best in its class), this high-performance 135mm lens creates amazingly bright telephoto images.
Superb Sharpness
In conjunction with the Super SteadyShot image stabilization system of the Sony ± (alpha) DSLR-A100 camera, this lens gives you excellent results even working with hand-held camera by available light.
Close-up Focusing
You can capture professional-quality images of both faraway scenes and objects closer than three feet.
Internal Focusing System
Internal lens elements move to increase auto-focus speed to help you catch quick action.
ED (Extra-low Dispersion) Glass
Two ED Glass lenses minimize flare and greatly reduce chromatic aberration, giving you sharp, clear telephoto shots.
Optics/Lens
- Focal Length : APS: 202.5mm (Equivalent: 135mm)
- Filter Diameter : 77mm
- Minimum Focus Distance : 2’ 5” (72cm)
- Magnification : x 0.25
- Lens Groups-Elements : 8 groups, 11 elements
- Distance Scale : Yes
- Distance Encoder : Yes
- Non-rotating Focusing Ring : Yes
- Focus-hold Button : Yes
- Depth-of-Field : Yes
- Aperture (Max.) : f/1.8
- Aperture (Min.) : f/22
- Blades : 9 aperture blades
- Aspheric Elements : no aspheric
- Lens Type : Standard & Medium Telephoto
Weights and Measurements
- Weight (Approx.) : 2lbs 3oz (985g)
- Dimensions (Approx.) : 3 1/2 x 4 5/8” (88.5 x 115mm)
Accessories Supplied
- Front and rear lens cap
- SH0003 lens hood
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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
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