Portrait / short tele prime · Full frame

Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135mm F1.8 ZA (SAL135F18Z)

The Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135mm F1.8 ZA (SAL135F18Z) is a full frame prime lens (135 mm, f/1.8) for Sony / Minolta A-mount. It belongs to the portrait / short tele prime class — ideal for head-and-shoulders portraits with flattering perspective and creamy backgrounds.

135 mmf/1.8Sony / Minolta A-mount
135 mm
Focal length
f/1.8
Maximum aperture
18°
Diagonal angle of view (Full frame)
Full frame
Designed for

Specifications#

Brand
Sony
Model
Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135mm F1.8 ZA (SAL135F18Z)
Lens type
Portrait / short tele prime
Focal length
135 mm
Maximum aperture
f/1.8
Image circle
Full frame (36×24 mm)
Projection
Rectilinear
Lensfun correction profile
Yes — distortion/vignetting/TCA

Equivalent focal length on different cameras#

Field of view and depth-of-field equivalence when this lens is used on bodies with different sensor sizes (natively or via an adapter).

Camera formatAt 135 mmEquiv. aperture (DoF)
Full frame135 mm · 18°f/1.8
APS-C202 mm · 12°f/2.7
APS-C (Canon)216 mm · 11°f/2.9
Micro Four Thirds270 mm · 9°f/3.6

Depth of field & background blur#

Computed on its native Full frame format (CoC 30 µm). “Blur @2 m” is the size of an out-of-focus point at infinity, as a percentage of frame width, with the subject at 2 m — a simple bokeh index. Full table: 135 mm f/1.8 on full frame.

FocalApertureat 1 mat 2 mat 5 mat 10 mHyperfocalBlur @2 m
135 mmf/1.80.5 cm2.2 cm14.4 cm58.5 cm338 m15.1%
135 mmf/41.1 cm4.9 cm32.1 cm1.30 m152 m6.8%
135 mmf/82.3 cm9.8 cm64.3 cm2.64 m76.1 m3.4%

Handheld & night-sky limits#

NPF assumes typical 20–24 MP sensors (≈6 µm pixels on full frame, ≈3.9 µm on APS-C, ≈3.3 µm on Micro Four Thirds).

BodyMin. handheld shutter (longest focal)500 rule at 135 mmNPF at 135 mm, f/1.8
Full frame1/125 s4 s2 s
APS-C1/200 s2 s1 s
APS-C (Canon)1/200 s2 s1 s
Micro Four Thirds1/250 s2 s1 s

Adapt it to other systems#

Frequently asked questions#

Is the Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135mm F1.8 ZA (SAL135F18Z) full frame?

Yes — it covers the full 36 × 24 mm frame.

What is the Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135mm F1.8 ZA (SAL135F18Z) equivalent to on APS-C?

On a 1.5× APS-C body it frames like 202 mm, and like 216 mm on Canon APS-C.

What is the Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135mm F1.8 ZA (SAL135F18Z) good for?

As a portrait / short tele prime it suits head-and-shoulders portraits with flattering perspective and creamy backgrounds.

Sources & licences#

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources

Last posts

  1. Should You Keep Your Camera Box for Resale Value
  2. Anniversary Gifts for Landscape Photographers
  3. Should You Test a New Lens Immediately Before Returns End
  4. Thoughtful Retirement Gifts for New Photographers
  5. Should You Choose Retailers With Long Return Windows
  6. Can a Used Lens Be Dropped Without Visible Damage
  7. Can a Cheap UV Filter Ruin Sharp Lens Performance
  8. Photography Books vs Accessories for Beginners
  9. Best Gifts for Photographers Under Twenty Dollars
  10. Camera Insurance vs Home Insurance Which One Do You Need