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Canon EF 135mm f/2L
Zeiss ZF.2 135mm f/2 APO-Sonnar T*

Compared to Canon 135mm f/2L (Canon 5D Mark III, Dolls)

The 22-megapixel Canon 5D Mark III is used here to compare the Zeiss 135mm f/2 APO-Sonnar to the Canon EF 135mm f/2L. The Canon lens has long enjoyed a well deserved reputation as a first class performer, so how does it stack up against the Zeiss APO-Sonnar?

Focusing differences

Focusing the Zeiss 135/2 APO-Sonnar is a joy: contrast is extremely high everywhere in the field, and the focusing helicoid is smooth and predictable.

At center the Canon 135/2L offers a high contrast image also, but not quite as good as the APO-Sonnar, and off center the contrast drops. But the main impediment is almost no focus throw, making it somewhat frustrating and error prone for manual focus precision.

Test scene

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