Quick answer
The Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 135mm f/3.5 is a short telephoto prime lens covering 135mm at f/3.5 for the M42 mount. Its moderate maximum aperture works best in good light or with a higher ISO.
About this lens
A 135mm f/3.5 manual-focus short-telephoto prime lens, the Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 135mm f/3.5 is designed for M42 mount bodies. The focal length is a classic choice for portraits and details.
Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 135mm f/3.5 specifications
- Brand
- Carl Zeiss
- Mount
- M42
- Focal length
- 135mm
- Maximum aperture
- f/3.5
- Lens type
- Prime
What can you shoot with the Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 135mm f/3.5?
At 135mm this is a short telephoto prime, which typically suits:
- Portraits with a flattering perspective
- Events and weddings
- Isolating subjects from the background
Its moderate maximum aperture works best in good light or with a higher ISO.
Full-frame equivalent and field of view
Calculated from the focal length and crop factor (adapted mount, so sensor size depends on your camera). Not measured.
| Sensor | Crop | Equivalent | Horizontal FOV | Diagonal FOV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full frame | 1.0x | 135mm | 15.2° | 18.2° |
| APS-C | 1.5x | 203mm | 10.2° | 12.2° |
| Micro Four Thirds | 2.0x | 270mm | 7.6° | 9.2° |
Frequently asked questions
What mount does the Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 135mm f/3.5 use?
It uses the M42 mount, so it fits M42 cameras directly and can be used on other systems through a mount adapter.
What is the focal length of the Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 135mm f/3.5?
It is a fixed 135mm lens with a maximum aperture of f/3.5. That makes it a short telephoto lens.
Is the Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 135mm f/3.5 a prime or a zoom lens?
It is a prime lens with a fixed 135mm focal length. Primes usually open wider than zooms; this one opens to f/3.5.
What is the Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 135mm f/3.5 equivalent on a crop sensor?
On APS-C (1.5x crop) it frames like 203mm on full frame, with a 10.2° horizontal and 12.2° diagonal field of view. On Micro Four Thirds (2x crop) it frames like 270mm on full frame, with a 7.6° horizontal and 9.2° diagonal field of view. These figures are calculated from the focal length and crop factor.
Alternatives for M42 from other brands
All M42 lensesSame mount, overlapping focal range, closest maximum aperture first.
