ZEISS Batis 2.8/135
Launch MSRP
$1,999- Weight
- 614g
- Filter
- ⌀67mm
- Min focus
- 0.87m
- Max mag.
- 0.19×
- Formula
- 14E / 11G
- Released
- 2017
Specification sheet
Optical construction
- 8x APD Special Glass
- ZEISS T* Coating
- Aperture range
- f/2.8 — f/22
Physical & ergonomics
- Weight
- 614g
- ⌀ × length
- 81.0 × 120.0mm
- Filter
- ⌀67mm
- Weather sealed
- Yes
- Aperture ring
- No
Autofocus actuator
- Stabilisation
- Optical
- Teleconverter
- Not supported
- AF speed score
- 8.0 / 10
Close-up performance
- Min focus distance
- 0.87m
- Max magnification
- 0.19× (1:5.3)
Optical character
The Batis 2.8/135 is an Apo Sonnar. Eight elements of anomalous-partial-dispersion glass bring colours to a common focus, so longitudinal fringing is almost absent even at f/2.8. Optical stabilisation and a 614g weight make it a light, handholdable telephoto for portraits, landscapes and detail work.
Choosing f/2.8 instead of f/1.8 keeps the lens slim and still gives strong subject separation at 135mm. It focuses to 0.87m (about 1:5.3), and the sealed body and OLED display match the rest of the Batis family.
Reviewer consensus
Reviewers found it very sharp across the frame from f/2.8, with excellent colour correction, smooth bokeh and very effective OIS. Its corrected colour and lack of fringing earned it comparisons with the best 135mm lenses available.
The main objections are the price relative to the f/1.8 Sony GM and Sigma Art, and the slower aperture. AF is accurate and quiet, but not as fast as Sony's XD-driven GM for moving subjects.
Owner sentiment
Owners love its portability compared with f/1.8 135s, as well as its 'apo' cleanliness and the strong stabilisation, which makes it easy to use for handheld landscapes and details. Many call it the best lens in the Batis line.
Complaints are the high price, a hood that feels cheap compared with the lens, and AF that can lag for sports. Some wish it had an f/2 aperture for more blur.
Strengths, weaknesses & performance
Strengths
- +Apochromatic correction: almost no colour fringing
- +Sharp across the frame at f/2.8
- +Effective optical stabilisation
- +Light 614g for a 135mm
- +Weather-sealed
Weaknesses
- −Expensive for an f/2.8 lens
- −AF slower than GM for action
- −Hood feels cheap
Six-axis rating
- Sharpness
- 9.3
- Bokeh Rendering
- 8.8
- Autofocus Speed
- 8.0
- Flare Resistance
- 8.6
- Build / Sealing
- 8.6
- Value / Size
- 7.4
Editorial 0–10 ratings synthesised from published reviews.
Technical specifications
| Mount | Sony E (FE) · full frame |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 135mm |
| Category | Telephoto |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 |
| Construction | 14 elements in 11 groups |
| Special elements | 8x APD Special Glass · ZEISS T* Coating |
| Aperture blades | 9 |
| Focus type | Autofocus |
|---|---|
| Drive | Linear Motor |
| Minimum focus | 0.87m |
| Max magnification | 0.19× |
| Stabilisation | Optical |
| Teleconverters | Not supported |
| Weight | 614g |
|---|---|
| Diameter × length | 81.0 × 120.0mm |
| Filter thread | ⌀67mm |
| Weather sealing | Yes |
| Aperture ring | No |
| De-clickable aperture | No |
| Release year | 2017 |
| Launch MSRP | $1,999 USD |
Sources
Specifications
- zeiss.com/photonics-and-optics/en/photography/products/lenses-for-mir
- zeiss.com/content/dam/pno/downloads/photo-lenses/datasheets/batis-len
- lenstip.com/1457-Carl_Zeiss_Batis_135_mm_f_2.8-lens_specifications.html
- imaging-resource.com/lenses/carl-zeiss/135mm-f2.8-batis-2.8135/specifications/
- petapixel.com/2017/04/05/zeiss-unveils-compact-lightweight-batis-135mm-f2
- amateurphotographer.com/review/zeiss-batis-135mm-f2-8-review
Similar focal length alternatives
- VSZEISS Batis 2.8/135 vs AF 135mm F1.8 MAX
- VSZEISS Batis 2.8/135 vs 135mm F2.0 ED UMC
- VSZEISS Batis 2.8/135 vs AF 135mm F1.8 FE
- 7ArtisansMAX
AF 135mm F1.8 MAX
135mmF1.8- WT
- 1,014g
- FLT
- ⌀82mm
- MFD
- 0.68m
- MSRP
- $689
AFWRRING - Samyang/Rokinon
135mm F2.0 ED UMC
135mmF2- WT
- 840g
- FLT
- ⌀77mm
- MFD
- 0.80m
- MSRP
- $549
MFRING - Samyang/RokinonAF
AF 135mm F1.8 FE
135mmF1.8- WT
- 772g
- FLT
- ⌀82mm
- MFD
- 0.69m
- MSRP
- $999
AFWR
