Here're some sample images taken with the Alpha 700 and RAW-converted via CaptureOne 4.1.
Click on a thumbnail to view the original file (opens in a separate window). Please note that the originals are FULL SIZE samples (=several megabytes) thus requiring a significant amount of bandwidth so please take care of the limited resources here.
Make
SONY
Model
DSLR-A700
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
135.0mm
Exposure Data:
f/4.5 @ 1/640s
Size
2848x4272
Make
SONY
Model
DSLR-A700
ISO Speed
400
Focal Length
135.0mm
Exposure Data:
f/4.5 @ 1/125s
Size
2848x4272
Make
SONY
Model
DSLR-A700
ISO Speed
400
Focal Length
135.0mm
Exposure Data:
f/4.5 @ 1/250s
Size
2848x4272
Make
SONY
Model
DSLR-A700
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
135.0mm
Exposure Data:
f/8.0 @ 1/500s
Size
4272x2848
Make
SONY
Model
DSLR-A700
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
135.0mm
Exposure Data:
f/4.5 @ 1/1250s
Size
2848x4272
Make
SONY
Model
DSLR-A700
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
135.0mm
Exposure Data:
f/4.5 @ 1/1000s
Size
2848x4272
Make
SONY
Model
DSLR-A700
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
135.0mm
Exposure Data:
f/4.5 @ 1/400s
Size
4272x2848
Make
SONY
Model
DSLR-A700
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
135.0mm
Exposure Data:
f/4.5 @ 1/1000s
Size
2848x4272
Make
SONY
Model
DSLR-A700
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
135.0mm
Exposure Data:
f/4.5 @ 1/1250s
Size
4272x2848
Make
SONY
Model
DSLR-A700
ISO Speed
200
Focal Length
135.0mm
Exposure Data:
f/4.5 @ 1/640s
Size
2848x4272
Verdict
The Sony 135mm f/2.8 [T/4.5] STF is the ultimate cream machine. Regarding the quality of its bokeh (out-of-focus blur) it outclasses all other lenses tested to date so if this is a #1 priority for you just bow to the inevitable and go for it to enjoy images as smooth as silk. That said it doesn't stop here. The lens is extremely sharp even at max. aperture and neither vignetting, distortion nor lateral CAs are something to worry about in field conditions. It is not a perfect lens though - it has its share of "bokeh CAs" (Longitudinal (Axial) Chromatic Aberrations) and it can produce purple fringing in extreme contrast situations. These are minor aspects from a global perspective though. A more significant aspect may be the handling of the lens. It is a manual focus lens and you don't even have a focus guidance via the focus indicator in the viewfinder so a split-image screen or Live-View should be used for accurate focusing - otherwise it is a bit of a hit and miss here. Due to the special apodisation design the lens "loses" 1 1/2 f-stops (max. T/4.5 @ f/2.8) so it may not be the right lens for available light photography (although super-steady-shot should help here). The build quality of the lens is exceptionally high and I enjoyed to take it out into the field. Regarding the sum of its (special) qualities the verdict can only be "Highly recommended"!
