Zeiss 135mm f/2.8 Batis 2.8/135

Zeiss Batis 135mm f/2.8 Gallery

Portraits with the Sony A7R II from Akiomi Kuroda

By Dave Pardue | Posted: 04/24/2017

We've yet to see a review sample of the coveted Zeiss Batis 135mm f/2.8, but our colleague Akiomi Kuroda in Japan has, and he's now unveiled his first batch of portrait images for Imaging Resource readers. Pairing the lens with the 42.4mp Sony A7R Mark II, Akiomi's images showcase the best that the Batis 135mm f/2.8 has to offer for sheer image quality, and we're thrilled to display this early look at real world portrait images from this venerable combination.

The $2000 Batis 135mm f/2.8 lens from the Zeiss engineers is reported to be "...specially designed for mirrorless, full-frame cameras from Sony..." and they assure that the output will yield "an extremely realistic portrayal of your subject." Chromatic aberration is reported to be virtually nonexistent in the lens, and the team promises that the end results will be "images that amaze you."

Did the Zeiss team succeed? Let Akiomi's excellent portrait images assist you in your quest to find out more!

[Images below have been resized to fit this page and altered in post-processing, but Akiomi was kind enough to provide us with the original, unedited versions for most of these as well. Full-resolution, straight-from-camera versions are available via the links below each image, and we have even more examples over on our Zeiss 135mm f/2.8 Batis Gallery Page.]

1/125s / f/10 / ISO 100 -- [Full resolution: original • edited]

1/100s / f/2.8 / ISO 200 -- [Full resolution: edited]

1/125s / f/8 / ISO 100 -- [Full resolution: original • edited]

1/125s / f/8 / ISO 100 -- [Full resolution: original • edited]

A big IR "Thank You!" to Akiomi Kuroda for sharing these excellent images with us! To view more from Akiomi please visit his website. And stay tuned for a full laboratory test of the Zeiss Batis 135mm f/2.8 once we receive our lab sample. In the meantime you can view even more images from Akiomi with this combination in our Zeiss 135mm f/2.8 Batis Gallery Page.

• Zeiss 135mm f/2.8 Batis Gallery •

•  •  •

Zeiss Batis 135mm f/2.8 - Overview

(From Carl Zeiss lens literature)

ZEISS Batis 2.8/135
The medium telephoto lens for a new era.

Long focal length, fast autofocus, optical image stabilization. Thanks to the outstanding correction of all chromatic aberrations, the ZEISS Batis 2.8/135 is a high-performance telephoto lens with an Apo Sonnar design. The lens is the optimum solution for medium-distance portrait photography.

The advanced correction of the Apo Sonnar lens design ensures extremely realistic portrayal of your subject. To avoid shaking, an optical image stabilizer has also been integrated in the design. The fast and precise autofocus is your guarantee of sharply defined images -- even in difficult light. The shallow depth of field at maximum aperture allows the creative combination of focus and blur, allowing you to direct the viewer's attention to the main subject of your photo.

The ZEISS Batis autofocus lenses were specially developed for mirrorless, full-frame system cameras from Sony. The lenses are fully compatible with all E-mount cameras and offer protection against dust and weather in addition to fast and quiet autofocus. For creative photography, the innovative OLED display shows the distance and depth of field to ensure that the focusing range can always be perfectly set. The result: images that will amaze you. The completely new design of the high-speed ZEISS Batis family offers perfect image quality.

Features

Smooth and reliable autofocus
The design of the autofocus system requires an extremely accurate shifting of particular lens groups. The focusing system of ZEISS lenses is designed to ensure a robust and smooth-running autofocus mechanism with the best imaging performance.

Optical image stabilization
Optical image stabilization gives you clear, steady images in poor light conditions. Combined with the camera's own OIS, it provides you the benefits of both systems. In addition, this feature also allows for perfect images without digital noise, as the ISO values do not have to be increased to compensate for poor light conditions.

Versatile full-frame lens
The powerful lens for the mirrorless full-frame system of Sony fulfills the highest requirements. Despite its compact design, the image meets the expectations of professional photographers.

Robust and weatherproof metal construction
Thanks to features that are designed to keep out dust and spray water, the lens is perfectly suited for critical outdoor conditions. It is also designed for many years of intensive use.

Innovative OLED display
For the first time, you can accurately read the focus distance and depth of field simply and intuitively on the OLED display on the lens. Especially in poor light conditions -- excellent readability is always guaranteed.