Zeiss 135mm APO Sonnar F2 ZF.2

[PeterN]

If there is one thing I regret, it is selling the Zeiss 135mm Apo Sonnar lens. I sold it because my eyes started to fail me in manual focusing (even with an EVF) but to me it is one of those special lenses. It is like no other lens I owned (which does not mean a lot, I am afraid).

Herewith some photos taken with the Fuji X-T1 and the Zeiss lens:















A close to 1:1 crop:

[pluton]

I tried the ZF.2 135 for a few days, and found that my ability to eye focus was affected by the [in my opinion]incorrectly designed focusing grip of the lens barrel.  They made the active focusing surface take up almost the whole barrel, instead of leaving a broad, non-rotating portion that allows one to grip the lens solidly. 

[Jakov Minić]

Here is a cheap version of the Zeiss, just not sure if the quality matches, but it does say APO

http://shop.zenit-foto.ru/ob-ektivy/telezenitar-n-2-8-135-detail

Your images are nice
The mountain top being my favorite.

[PeterN]

Here is a cheap version of the Zeiss, just not sure if the quality matches, but it does say APO

http://shop.zenit-foto.ru/ob-ektivy/telezenitar-n-2-8-135-detail

Your images are nice
The mountain top being my favorite.

Thank you. I don't have clue what is written there. My Russian language skills are a bit rusty these days. ;-)
So I browsed for "review zenit 135mm APO" and could not find anything except for the price, which is pretty good!
But no MF lens for me; that will make me regret selling the lens even more.

I've heard that the Zeiss should have been part of the Otus line but that name was not "invented" at the time of the launch of the lens. So basically it is a steal for that price if you compare to the other Otus lenses. I think it combines well with the high resolution cameras.

[PeterN]

I tried the ZF.2 135 for a few days, and found that my ability to eye focus was affected by the [in my opinion]incorrectly designed focusing grip of the lens barrel.  They made the active focusing surface take up almost the whole barrel, instead of leaving a broad, non-rotating portion that allows one to grip the lens solidly.

I did not have any problems with that. Actually I was quite pleased with the design and handling. The lens enables accurate focusing. Unfortunately my eyes did not. Inside the house it worked well with an EVF. Outside was a problem (I also wear glasses).

[Jørgen Ramskov]

it's very easy to see why you like that lens.

[PeterN]

it's very easy to see why you like that lens.

Yes, it is tempting to look for another one. If only...