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Which one would you prefer: Sonnar 4/135 alloy or black?
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PostPosted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 8:10 pm    Post subject: Which one would you prefer: Sonnar 4/135 alloy or black? Reply with quote
The black one is in perfect condition, has that auto stopping down aperture from infinity to close focus (4 to 5.6) but only 6 blades ...

the alloyish has that 8 blades which give smoother bokeh highligts, nice preset aperture ring which is cool on digital, looks a little bit malnourished when mounted on EOS.


PostPosted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 8:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
i would prefer the alloyish. for bokeh, haptic and for style!


PostPosted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 8:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
My experience was better with black.


PostPosted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 9:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I'm very pleased with the alloy... but don't know the black one. Wink
Sonnar 4/135


PostPosted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 10:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I have two silver ones... they kill most 135mm lenses in my collection, including -and by far- the later multicoated 3.5/135 version.

I never tried the black version but sincerely I strongly doubt that it can do better than my two silver ones.


PostPosted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 5:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I too use the silver one and love it


patrickh


PostPosted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 6:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Thanks for replies so far. Very difficult to decide which one to keep!

The black "4" has 1 meter close distance while alloy has 1.2.

The alloy needs some lubrication - focus is ok (could be better) but aperture mechanism needs some, sounds like an old rusty gate Embarassed (tiny gate of course).

The glasses and blades are super on both.

BTW I prefer both the MC Sonnar which is very good - but the older ones have more feeling, life and character, personality.


PostPosted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 6:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Orio wrote:
I have two silver ones... they kill most 135mm lenses in my collection, including -and by far- the later multicoated 3.5/135 version.


Orio, for me that's quite an interesting statement. I also have the chrome one but I haven't used it much (time constraints, you know... Wink) but I find it really interesting that you prefer the older 135/4. Care to tell us why, especially when you use such strong words ("by far").


PostPosted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 6:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I always prefer presets for use on DSLRs.

Plus the silver looks much cooler. Cool


PostPosted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 6:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Spotmatic wrote:
Orio wrote:
I have two silver ones... they kill most 135mm lenses in my collection, including -and by far- the later multicoated 3.5/135 version.


Orio, for me that's quite an interesting statement. I also have the chrome one but I haven't used it much (time constraints, you know... Wink) but I find it really interesting that you prefer the older 135/4. Care to tell us why, especially when you use such strong words ("by far").


Two points why I prefer both 4/135s to last 3.5 MC:
- better production quality
- better resolution


PostPosted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 7:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Spotmatic wrote:
Orio wrote:
I have two silver ones... they kill most 135mm lenses in my collection, including -and by far- the later multicoated 3.5/135 version.


Orio, for me that's quite an interesting statement. I also have the chrome one but I haven't used it much (time constraints, you know... Wink) but I find it really interesting that you prefer the older 135/4. Care to tell us why, especially when you use such strong words ("by far").


I say by far because my 3.5/135 was never this sharp wide open:

http://forum.mflenses.com/carl-zeiss-jena-sonnar-4-135-t7006,highlight,sonnar++135.html

And did not produce pictures rich and full like the 4/135. My 3.5/135 was rather on the harsh side of pictures.
Then of course it's possible that my copy of MC 3.5/135 was not good. We know that quality control in the last days of Jena was not strong.


PostPosted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 5:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
After all: I will keep both - send the alloy to Mr. Olbrich, Görlitz, he will make it going like new!

He already serviced my other Sonnar, he changed inner cemented lens (sort of separation or fungus),
nice to see how fat this glass is:

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