subscribe 0330 333 1113 I http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk http://www.amateurphotographer.co.ukII 13 July 2019 13 July 2019 49
LENS TEST Testbench
Resolution
Even a cursory glance at our Applied Imaging
MTF tests, measured on the 42.4MP Alpha 7R III,
reveals that this lens is something well above the
ordinary. It’s not just the central resolution that’s
breathtaking, but also how close the corners come
to matching it. This remarkable sharpness also
means that you can happily use the lens at smaller
apertures than you might expect, as there are so
few aberrations to compound diffraction blurring.Sony FE
135mm F1.8 GM
Curvilinear distortion
Looking closely at our test shots, it’s just about
possible to see a hint of pincushion distortion. But
it’s so mild that you’ll never notice it in practical
use. It’s also easy to correct in raw processing,
while engaging distortion compensation in the
camera’s menu eliminates it from the JPEGs.Shading
With the aperture set wide open, around a stop of
vignetting is visible, much as we’d expect. But the
gradual fall-off profile means that it’s not visually
objectionable – indeed it will usually enhance your
images rather than spoil them. This vignetting
effect disappears on stopping down to f/2.8.Centre Cornerf/1.8 f/2.8
SMIA TV = -0.6%I’ve reviewed a lot of Sony’s premium lenses
over the past couple of years, and the fi rm
continues to impress with its ability to make
near-perfect optics. The FE 135mm F1.8
GM continues this run of form, with its
combination of supreme sharpness and
gorgeous bokeh likely to appeal strongly to
portrait and wedding photographers. I can’t
imagine anyone being disappointed by the
images it produces. Compared to 85mm
alternatives, it’ll give a more fl attering
perspective and greater background blur.
The complicating factor, though, is that
its Sigma and Zeiss rivals are capable
of producing equally fi ne images at a
signifi cantly lower price. So ultimately
you’re paying a hefty premium for desirable
touches such as a physical aperture ring,
and the confi dence of perfect compatibility
with Sony cameras for
both stills and video
shooting. But if you
want the very best
short-telephoto portrait
lens available for Sony
full-frame mirrorless,
this is surely it.Verdict
Stopped down, the lens gives truly exceptional image quality Sony Alpha 7 II, 1/2000sec at f/8, ISO 100
Price £1,749
Filter diameter 82mm
Lens elements 13
Groups 10
Diaphragm blades 11
Aperture f/1.8-22
Minimum focus 0.7m
Length 127mm
Diameter 89.5mm
Weight 950g
Lens mount Sony E
(full frame)Data file
GOLD
silently, and unerringly accurately. When
shooting portraits, using Eye AF gave
particularly impressive results. However, on
the older Alpha 7 II, it’s not as fast and is
more likely to hunt for focus in marginal light,
at which point there can be value in limiting
the focus range.
Alternatively, on those occasions when AF
fails, fl icking the switch on the side of the barrel
engages manual focus. This uses a focus-by-
wire system, but Sony’s Linear Response MF
brings a very natural feel to the process, similar
to using a traditional manual prime. If you like
having full-time manual override of autofocus,
simply set the camera to its Direct Manual
Focus (DMF) mode.
Performance
If you’re spending £1,850 on a lens, obviously it
had better be good. Thankfully the FE 135mm
F1.8 GM is, by any sensible measure, totally
spectacular. Indeed it’s diffi cult to imagine how
a lens could perform much better optically.
Sharpness is stupendous, even at f/1.8, to
the extent that for portraits you might fi nd
yourself wishing for a touch of fl attering
softness instead. Engage Eye AF and you’ll
fi nd every eyelash rendered with exquisite
defi nition. The zone of sharp focus fades away
beautifully to defocused blur, with almost no
perceptible colour fringing to spoil the effect.
Out-of-focus areas are rendered with a lovely
smoothness – this lens really is a bokeh
master. Stopped down, fi ne detail is delineated
all the way across the frame. Crucially, the lens
is just as well behaved at all focus distances,
from infi nity to close-ups.
Technically there is, perhaps, a tiny amount
of pincushion distortion, but you’d really have
to go out of your way to see it. Flare resistance
is really impressive, with the lens completely
unfazed by shooting into the light. Thankfully,
though, some vignetting is seen wide open,
to help frame your subject and provide the
characteristic fast-prime aesthetic.