I know this isn't the use this lens was necessarily designed for, but I bought one for photographing natural objects that are on the order of inches in size.� I love to use a macro lens, and will often use one even on larger scenes because good macro lenses are so sharp and render colors and textures so cleanly.� This lens has all those qualities but the longer focal length allows you to keep a more discreet distance.� I own both APS-C and full-frame Sony cameras, although my primary use for this lens is for the crop-sensor system.� The minimum focusing distance is 87 cm, or just under 3 feet.� The maximum reproduction ratio is 5.3, so an object 3.5" high would almost fill the frame vertically.� On the full-frame camera the object would have to be a little over 5" to fill the frame.� For bigger objects, just back up.
This lens also relieves you the burden of having to carry a mild telephoto on either system.
I have several good lenses for my Sony cameras, and I must say that all of my favorites are Zeiss.� Their low flare and relative lack of chromatic aberration give a sharpness and natural vibrance that is a joy to behold.

This lens is expensive and worth every penny. I tested it on a full frame 36 MP Sony A7R body outdoors on a tripod shooting cars and live models. The resolution is better than the best I have seen with any other lens. The eyelashes on the models are as clear as I have ever seen. Many shots were taken with the sun behind the models. There was absolutely no lens flare and contrast was maintained perfectly. Auto focusing is quite rapid and exact. The weight is quite reasonable and the lens balances well on the camera. I shot several hand held shots and found the optical stabilization quite effective. I have never seen a lens of this high quality resolution and contrast.

Of my string of 135mm lenses over the years, this is the best. �My previous Minolta and then a Sony 135 f1.8 lenses were my best. �Before getting this one, I worried that the f2.8 would not match the 1.8. �Surprisingly I don't miss the razor thin depth of field of the 1.8. �I do however greatly appreciate the lesser weight and the many other features of this 2.8 making this a very easy lens to use. It produces a wonderful rendering and bokeh. A marvelous lens that will get lots of use and promises to produce my best images. � Thank you Sony/Zeiss.

I’m a landscape shooter and I prefer the Batis 135 than the 70-200 as a tele solution because it is much compact and lightweight for cary. For photographing intimate landscapes, the 85 is not enough and I need more reach. The Batis 135 has premium optics with beautiful Bokeh and very good built quality, say no more. Could be used for landscape photography, travels, portraits, nature and sport. When I shoot animals or far away mountains I use the APS-C mode in my Sony A7R2 (18 Megapixel resolution), so the lens become 202mm lens! I had the chance to try the Sony 135 f/1.8 GM and the Sigma 135mm f/1.8 Art (for Sony) and I can say : The Sony is really impressive, the AF is fast and silent as I remember (I tried it in low light), I liked a lot the Bokeh, and the lens feels amazing in the hand, it feels like a 700 grams lens (plus minus) and not 950 grams, anyway, another category of price and we are talking about 1.8 so it’s another story. The Sigma is also 1.8 lens, a little beast, amazing built quality and high end optics, the AF is slow in low light, and the lens is heavy for all day shooting.

I cant really fault this lens optically and it feels very well balanced on A7RII and surprising well on a6500 - I might even prefer the lens on that camera with its (slightly) superior focusing speed. The colors and contrast are unreal, and while the Rokinon 135mm f/2 I own is slightly sharper even wide open at f/2, it has much less contrast and the colors are slightly muted compared to the Zeiss lens. Given you can bring those back in post, essentially you're paying a $1500 premium for Eye-AF while losing a tiny bit of sharpness and more importantly a full stop of light. Thats a tough bargain. But. BUT! But don't underestimate the effects of an APO lens. It is the first APO lens Ive owned and it does make a difference in any high contrast scene, everything is cleaner, fine details have a more natural look and specular highlights look just amazing. I think the complaints about 2.8 are totally overblown as you still get massive depth of field at 135mm, while the size and weight of the lens is ideal. The lens is easily worth the asking price for me. The only people complaining about it are people who haven't bought it.

I have used the Canon 135L for years and still consider it a wonderful lens. Sharp, great rendering, contrast but not contrasty. The Zeiss is another superb lens. Quite, fast focus, excellent rendering, micro contrast everything most could want or dream of. If you want a native lens and even if 135 is not your favorite length, you owe it to yourself and images to have this lens!

Perfect lens on Sony A7rii, size is great, optically incredible, fast accurate focus, I am very happy

Besides the astonishing optical quality...,�APO+OSS+(eye)AF+light weight+Zeiss quality, what was the last time you saw them combined in a single lens?

The only problem I can see is the price tag, but are you sure that it's the problem of the lens, not the problem of ourself? :-)

Zeiss and Batis: two words that mean sharp and beautifully constructed. My little Sony A7 simply turns up its little sensor at the thought of looking through anything of lessor quality.

The color and contrast in this lens are really phenomenal and the autofocus is snappy. I personally appreciate the lighter weight of the 2.8. I am actually taking it with me quite often (and leaving the Sony 85 GM at home). I'm not a big fan of the handling, but you get a pretty design I guess.