135mm 1.8

[retrogamer1990]

Hey guys
I got my hands on a manual 'Weltblick' 135mm 1.8 today. Initially, as an unknown make I was worried it would be incredibly soft, but it seems that I got lucky - its not nearly as bad as I expected.
alright, so it's not as sharp as the zeiss 135mm for sony - but for 1/5th the price, I can live with that. Here are some shots with it @ 1.8 on my D90

SOOC:

@100%

as you can see, its a bit soft around the edges. I find that shooting darker subjects or underexposing by about a stop will minimise this.

and now a bit of sharpening in photoshop

@100%

Not bad! what do you think? Anyone got any tips for reducing the softness, or PP techniques?

Thanks
Nick

 

[chris321]

To be honest, I don't think it looks too soft at all! I'd say the bigger issue is it lacking in contrast, but that's much easier to fix in photoshop. For my tastes I'd say even the edit needs a little more contrast, a light sharpen, and it'll be spot on!

Chris

 

[Flats]

I agree, might be a bargain, but images just look dull, no zip. Have a go in PP and see if you can boost it.
JOnathan

 

[POAH]

I agree, might be a bargain, but images just look dull, no zip. Have a go in PP and see if you can boost it.
JOnathan

snap shots of railings in overcast weather by the loom if it do you really expect it to be anything but dull?

 

[AndyWest]

I have heard it said that there is not a bad 135mm lens!!

 

[trencheel303]

To me that does actually look quite soft. Maybe I'm just blessed by having a low MP FF camera (low pixel density = sharp sharp sharp) and an L lens but it seems really bad to me.

Mind you, i'm sure if you stopped it down to f/2.8 it'd be fine and you still get shedloads of bokeh at that FL anyway.