Should I buy the SAL135F18Z or SAL135F28 (Cream machine)

[photatographer]

Hi guys, I'm planning to buy another prime lens for portrait use. But not too sure which one should I get... SAL135F18Z or SAL135F28.

The CZ have better optics, the SAL135F28's bokeh is unmatched but its optics not very good (Chroma abb, purple fringe etc in high contrast situations) also its manual focus...

Both quite ex and a little too long for portraits on crop frame. What do you think? or should I get the 70-400G for portraits at this range?

[Galdor]

I would recommend the 135mm over the 70-400mm G for portrait. Another alternative would be the 70-200mm G. If you want great creamy bokeh, go for the STF. It's one hell of a lens.

[Arngren]

large apperture lens are bound to have purple frining (ca). But for CZ optics it's definitly worth the gold. While u might consider not to shoot it wide open all the time. Anyway u go down to sony style to test out the lens, to see it's to ur liking.

[photatographer]

Originally Posted by Galdor I would recommend the 135mm over the 70-400mm G for portrait. Another alternative would be the 70-200mm G. If you want great creamy bokeh, go for the STF. It's one hell of a lens.

Initially I want to get the 70-200mm G but my friend is getting it already. Don't want to get the same thing...

[photatographer]

Originally Posted by Arngren large apperture lens are bound to have purple frining (ca). But for CZ optics it's definitly worth the gold. While u might consider not to shoot it wide open all the time. Anyway u go down to sony style to test out the lens, to see it's to ur liking.

Tested the STF, manual focusing is quite a limitation... Haven't really tested the CZ yet but the STF more character. This is going to be hard to decide... Can I have a CZ135mm with STF and autofocus? (Just dreaming...)

[GENO]

Originally Posted by photatographer Tested the STF, manual focusing is quite a limitation... Haven't really tested the CZ yet but the STF more character. This is going to be hard to decide... Can I have a CZ135mm with STF and autofocus? (Just dreaming...)

1) If you have all the time in the world to shoot portriat at you own free time, go for STF.
2) If you 70% joins group shoots, the 135 CZ or 70-200mm is more useful.
3) If you travel alot, get the 135 f2.8 minolta, small and handy.

[photatographer]

Originally Posted by GENO 1) If you have all the time in the world to shoot portriat at you own free time, go for STF. 2) If you 70% joins group shoots, the 135 CZ or 70-200mm is more useful. 3) If you travel alot, get the 135 f2.8 minolta, small and handy.

Oh, there still the 135 f2.8 Minolta thanks GENO! Never knew about this before you mentioned it, guess I have to go some more research first.

[Exposure]

if still unsure, buy both, go back stress test them and then sell away the one u prefer lesser.

[photatographer]

Originally Posted by Exposure if still unsure, buy both, go back stress test them and then sell away the one u prefer lesser.

Dangerous technique... I'll be broke if I decide to keep both of them

[stvc11]

If the 135 is the only portrait lens you have, i would suggest you get the CZ 1st. The 2 are different use for me. Even the STF had smooth bokeh, but it will still looks bad if your background are very messy with F2.8, and at F4.5 you need more light.

[greferg]

For Portrait shoot.. why not choose Sony 50mm or CZ 85mm? I have a 70-200G and I find that if you have a 50mm or 85mm, you can move nearer if you wan a close up picture. But for 135mm you may need to move slightly further to get your picture. And sometimes when you are taking a portrait in a small area, you may not get the picture you wan
This is how I feel.. Cos normally when I'm taking picture with a group of friends, I'm always the one standing the furthest. Lol!

[photatographer]

Originally Posted by greferg For Portrait shoot.. why not choose Sony 50mm or CZ 85mm? I have a 70-200G and I find that if you have a 50mm or 85mm, you can move nearer if you wan a close up picture. But for 135mm you may need to move slightly further to get your picture. And sometimes when you are taking a portrait in a small area, you may not get the picture you wan This is how I feel.. Cos normally when I'm taking picture with a group of friends, I'm always the one standing the furthest. Lol!

Already have the SAL50F14 and the 70-210 F4 (aka beercan). Bought the 50mm for portraits but end up using the beercan @ 100-150mm more often (Seems to make my subjects look more flattering). That why I'm thinking about a 135mm prime. Yup, may buy a CZ 85mm eventually, but not so soon.

How much you gotten your 70-200mm for?

[sulhan]

Hi There,

I personally use the 135CZ and have owned the 85CZ(When using with the A700) and also once owned the 135STF. True enough the STF gives great bokeh. However, unless you have a coorperative subject that could stay still or limited movement space where you could just move forward or backwards, then the STF work fine. I shose the 135CZ over the STF for the AF and also chose the 135CZ over the 85CZ as i perfer a tighter waist up portrait for adults and also a full frame for kids - for kids the working distance allows more relaxed "unpressured" candid shots as the distance is further than where I would be with the 85.

One thing that i find about the 135CZ is that due accuracy in AF inspite of the very-very shallow DOF helped in easy AF while maintaining the right dof even at wide open - not to mention the sharpness wide open is good too. Given the choice of same subject to frame size, I like the effect of larger background spread due to the perspective compression of the higher focal length of the 135 vs the 85 - allowing less cluttered background.

However, if you are more comfortable working with varying focal length in that range 85~135~200, then the 70-200 or the 80-200 would be a better option. The tripod mount of the 70-200 is removable hence help reduce some weight.

Like some of those who have mentioned earlier, its up to the usage and your needs. Choose the preferred lens based on the intent.

G'day...

[Exposure]

from my experience, 135mm is a bit too far for most situations. 85mm is better...

[photatographer]

Originally Posted by stvc11 If the 135 is the only portrait lens you have, i would suggest you get the CZ 1st. The 2 are different use for me. Even the STF had smooth bokeh, but it will still looks bad if your background are very messy with F2.8, and at F4.5 you need more light.

F4.5 ... you have a point there. Thats a lot to give up for STF and the CZ is $2199. It is becoming a difficult choice...

[stvc11]

I agree with exposure, if you not mounting it on FF, i prefer 85, 135 are just too long. But you had 50mm can cover it, the problem is you need to change lens ... and i believe you can get the cz135 below 2k.

[boombox]

both the 135STF and 135CZ should give you great results, each in a different manner.

Both lenses are very sharp wide open, though the 135 STF gives up aperture due to the filter built inside, thus when the light dims, it's going to be harder to use it properly.

[photatographer]

The needle is turning to the CZ, I can heard it calling out to me

[Arngren]

Just go and try the CZ 135 at Sony Style 1st, haha.
(Btw, it's pretty heavy cos its a huge block of glass.)

[kingfishers]

Yes, I vote for that. Just bought it two days ago.Lens worth the value after testing.