Sony Sonnar T* 135mm F1.8 ZA

Sony

Sonnar T* 135mm F1.8 ZA

Released October 2006

A full-frame A-mount F1.8 telephoto prime with internal focusing, two ED elements and camera-driven autofocus.

Mount
Sony A
Focal length
135 mm
Max aperture
f/1.8
Stabilisation
–
Weight
995 g

What reviewers say

Both praise strong wide-open detail, smooth background blur and solid metal construction, while noting defocused colour fringing, focus-ring play and no sealing. Reeve finds near-uniform F1.8 sharpness on Alpha7 with LA-EA4; OpticalLimits’ full-frame lab finds corners improve stopped down. Reeve finds autofocus fast and reliable on his adapted setup; OpticalLimits calls its speed adequate.

From photozone.de, photozone.de and phillipreeve.net

Optics

Lens type
Prime
Focal length
135 mm
Maximum aperture
f/1.8
Minimum aperture
f/22
Optical construction
Eleven elements in eight groups
Special elements
Two ED elements
Coatings
Zeiss T* coating
Diaphragm
Nine rounded blades
Angle of view
18° full-frame; 12° APS-C

Mount and compatibility

Mounts
Sony A
Image circle
Full frame
Image circle detail
Full-frame A-mount coverage; 202.5 mm equivalent field of view on APS-C
Teleconverter support
Sony 1.4× and 2× teleconverters unsupported

Focus and stabilisation

Autofocus
Yes
Minimum focus distance
0.72 m
Maximum magnification
0.25×
Autofocus detail
Camera-body screw-drive autofocus (OpticalLimits and Phillip Reeve); no in-lens SSM motor
Focus distance detail
Internal focusing; 0.72 m minimum focus
Magnification detail
0.25× maximum magnification
Stabilisation detail
Sony describes stabilisation supplied by compatible Alpha camera bodies

Design

Filter diameter
77 mm
Maximum diameter
88 mm
Length
114.5 mm
Weight
995 g
Controls
Focus-hold button; auto-clutch focus ring does not rotate during autofocus
Filter detail
77 mm filter thread
Weather resistance
No dust/moisture sealing (OpticalLimits and Phillip Reeve)
Dimensions detail
88 mm maximum diameter × 114.5 mm length
Weight detail
Approximately 995 g, maker lens weight
Lens hood
Bayonet hood supplied
In the box
Hood and lens case
Release detail
Sony’s 6 June 2006 Alpha lens announcement, revised 12 July, states October sale in Japan; no exact day is specified.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • F1.8 maximum aperture
  • 0.25× maximum magnification
  • Internal focusing

Cons

  • 995 g weight
  • Camera screw drive required for autofocus

Closest rivals

Model
MountFocal lengthMax apertureStabilisationWeightReleased
Sony A85 mmf/1.4–640 gOct 2006
Sony A70–200 mmf/2.8No1,340 gAug 2006
Sony A50 mmf/1.4No220 gJul 2006

Sources

  1. sony.jp/ichigan/products/archive/SAL135F18Z/spec.html
  2. sony.jp/ichigan/products/archive/SAL135F18Z/feature_1.html
  3. sony.jp/CorporateCruise/Press/200606/06-0606/lens.html
  4. photozone.de/sonyalphaff/500-zeiss_135_18ff
  5. photozone.de/sonyalphaff/500-zeiss_135_18ff
  6. phillipreeve.net/blog/carl-zeiss-sonnar-135mm-11-8-za-review

Photo: sony.jp

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