Primed for portraiture: Zeiss introduces autofocus, image-stabilized Batis 135mm f/2.8 for Sony FE-mount
posted Friday, April 7, 2017 at 6:00 AM EDT
In the spring of 2015, Zeiss introduced the new Batis line of lenses for Sony’s FE mount. This line, another instance of collaborating with Sony, are full-frame autofocus lenses, the first such lenses Zeiss has made for Sony E-mount cameras. They are also unique in that they don’t include a mechanical focus distance scale but rather opt for an OLED display to show focus distance and depth of field information. The Batis lineup has been expanded from three optics to four with the introduction of the new Zeiss Batis 135mm f/2.8 lens.
The 135mm f/2.8 glass joins the existing 18mm f2.8, 25mm f/2 and 85mm f/1.8 lenses in the Batis lineup. The new longest Batis lens employs an Apo Sonnar design and is aimed at medium-distance portrait photography in particular. The Apo Sonnar design ensures advanced optical corrections. In total, the lens employs 14 elements in 11 groups, including 8 anomalous partial dispersion glass elements. The lens has 9 diaphragm blades.
The autofocus-equipped lens relies on a linear motor. Speaking of focus, the lens’ focusing range is 2.9 feet to infinity (0.87 meters to infinity). In addition to the AF technology, the lens also has an integrated optical image stabilizer.
Weather-resistant and constructed from metal, the dust-proof lens weighs 1.4 pounds (614 grams) and 4.72 x 3.19-inch dimensions (120 x 81 millimeters). The maximum diameter of the lens is 3.9 inches (98 millimeters) and its filter thread is 67mm in diameter.
Zeiss optical and construction quality doesn’t come cheaply, however, as the lens will retail for around US$2,000 when it releases in May. You can preorder the lens now.