I've had this lense for about 6 months now and it is my go-to lense if I want perfect sharpness. For portraits, it the type of lense that allows you to see yourself (the photographer) reflected in the subject's eyeballs, with perfect sharpness. It's so sharp, you must blur out the skin, to hide blemishes. Amazing. Worth the cost.
I have been espousing for a while how in love with this lens I am. It is an absolutely magical lens. When I bought it, it was between the 135 and the 50GM. I decided to get the 135 and "settle" for the 50 2.5 G. I use it as a "walking around" lens a lot more than I thought I would with a 135. Generally, though, I use it for landscapes, and some wildlife in crop mode on the RIV (if I don't want to carry the 100-400GM, ) but where it shines for me is street photography. I'm a shy introvert, so gonzo in your face street photography with a 24, 28 or 35mm is a no-go. It allows me to capture shots from a distance, and since the subject isn't typically aware of me I find I get a lot of personal, candid shots. Bar none my favorite lens I own. My uncle has the 600mm f/4 and even he tells me he's jealous of me for having this lens. It's that good.
Couldn’t agree more! I can’t stop raving about this lens and has become by far my favorite out of all my GM lenses since getting it. Can’t recommend it enough. Especially for street photography and portraits
I've owned this lens for almost 2 years bought brand new. TBH, I don't use it that much but every time I use it I fall in love with it - prob the main reason I still use Sony. My portrait bag is all GM's 24 1,4, 50 1,2 and 135 1.8..!!!
@@LtDeadeye I'm about to get exactly these lenses with the addition of the 90 macro. Are you happy with this kit? I'm a little bit afraid of excluding the 35 and the 85 ocal lengths...
@@tomfalkon I initially intended my lenses for videography (knowing that crop mode was a consequence free option), but I moved over to photography. That said, the prevailing wisdom for prime shooters is to choose their favorite focal length and either double or half that for your next lens. So I should go with something like 14/ 24/ 50/ 105/ 200 but I see the value in something like 16/ 35/ 85/ 135. I like my kit but honestly if I could have the 35 and 85 I’d take those instead. It’s a cheaper kit! I am, however, disappointed that they aren’t f/1.2 because other manufacturers have those lenses available with a 1.2 aperture. In the meantime, my 24 can be used in crop mode for a 35mm look, the 50 can be likewise be used in crop mode for a 75mm look and the 135 for a 200 look. I think that for photography, the 35/ 85 combo might be best because you get one wide and one telephoto to cover your bases and keep it simple but you won’t get those extreme looks that you can exploit artistically (distortion and perspective compression).
This is my goto lens for portrait photography. It took me a little to get used to how far back I need to stand to compose the shot, that was probably the only nuance. But the images after...it has that WOW factor with the compressed creamy bokeh background and the tack sharp subject in front. I haven't tried it for video yet, be a good test for the active IS on the a7iv!
Yeah, it's a beauty, this one's been on my list to pickup for a while - the time might be soon. Hoping to use it for weddings as a pairing with the 50mm f/1.2 GM as an alternative to the usual 24-70 and 70-200 combo.
2:45 I actually think the minimum focus distance of 0.7m is a a plus on this lens. If you compare it with the 70-200 GM (Mark I, it has a minimum focus distance of almost 0.3m better than the 70-200. Also on of the reasons I sold my 85 1.8 which has 0.8m while being a much wider focal range.
Great video - just got this lens last week and finally used it on a shoot. I was a one-man-band shooting a commercial and left it on AF on my FX9. FLAWLESS.
I have the Samyang/Rokinon version and it's my favourite lens currently. Same image quality at normal ranges and actually has slightly better image quality at the minimum focus distance (it also has a slightly closer minimum focus distance of 0.69m) The main downside is that it doesn't have the powerhouse AF motors that Sony does. They're decent though, you just won't be tracking fast action
Nice, agree that this lens is special. I purchased it a few months ago for street photography. Driving home from the camera store I started thinking I'd been a bit foolish to think this lens appropriate for street photography, but I was wrong. This lens is fantastic for street photography, well at least I think so. This is one of the situations where I'm happy to go against a lot of advice on street photography, the get close shoot with 35, focus needs to be sharp front to back. Love it, now I just wanna go and shoot with it again 😃
I have the 85 1.4gm for over 3 years now and recently got the samyang 135mm. I don't see what all the fuss is about. I am trying to decide if I will keep it. It seems very easy with this lens to miss focus if you don't use eye tracking at f 1.8. And it's hard to notice on the a73 back screen.
I have the Sony 135mm 1.8 GM Lens, I use it for nature, close-up, Landscape, portrait and even street photography. The new Samyang may be nearly as good and the Samyang a slightly lighter, but I will not have that, because I love a REAL aperture ring which the Sony 135mm 1.8 GM have, I can very highly recommend the Sony. Update 2024, in 2023 I got the excellent Voigtländer Macro APO-Lanthar 110mm 2.5 which is smaller and more light weigth than the Sony 135mm 1.8 GM, the Voigtländer is sharper at aperture 2.5 and 2.8, I can very highly recommend the Voigtländer Lens ! I have been looking through my images from the Sony 135mm 1.8 GM and I very rarely have any images with larger aperture than 2.8, I do manual focus 99.99% of the time, so now I rarely use my Sony 135mm, if you need autofocus I will recommend the Zeiss Batis Apo Sonnar 135mm 2.8 T* which is much lighter than other 135mm Lenses.
I’m a big fan of 135mm lenses. Originally got to love then when a cousin who ran a camera store introduced me to the Canon EF 135mm f/2 L. Since then I’ve always bought the fastest 135mm I could get for any system I shot with. I just wish the Sony GM version had stabilization like the Canon RF version I also now own. Do you think Sony will ever add it in a version they make or maybe they will make a 200mm f/2 GM with OSS? Take care.
Exactly what I thought until I got this lens. I'm honestly not sure what's going to happen now to my 85mm GM but I gotta figure out how to use them both! Haha!
Hey there! I am about to buy the 135mm 1.8 or 70-200 GM II. 95% Video purposes. Would appreciate youre feedback. I am like: will I really use the versatility or stick to mainly one focal length like arround 120-150. (I already have Gm 24 1.4 , G 85mm 1.4 and 24-70mm 2.8. Many thanks in adavance!
@@reelweaver 135mm is not drastically different from 85mm. A 50mm is farther than a 135mm when both compared to 85mm in terms of angle of view or field of view difference. With newer Sony bodies you can always punch in to APSC mode to have 85mm as 135mm at any given time. So there will be a focal length overlap in your case. I like the best OSS Sony has ever put in GM II, I like the best & most confident AF ever, I like the ability to use teleconverter which made me sell my GM 100-400, I like the internal Zoom. GMII is one dream lens whereas I can always scratch my 135mm prime itch with Samyang/Rokinon 135mm.
@@cameraprepper7938 yeah 70200GMII has much better balanced weight distribution. Anyways I recently acquired Samyang/Rokinon AF 135mm, it renders more pleasing than 135 GM and 70200GMII.
I had the sigma 135 and it was a great lens, but no matter what company you get it from that 135 is a once in a while lens you bring out....at least to me
Just got it on Saturday and saw your video today and oh yes its sharp as a razor! The background gets melted entirely and the color rendition is magical. The only downside is that I have a $3000 hole in my wallet now lol
@@cameraprepper7938 About the price yes, but not so much about size. My 35mm GM is not much larger than my 35mm S. What it's annoying is Panasonic only released a f1.4 lens, the fantastic 50mm S Pro. In L-mount we have the 35mm Sigma DG DN f1.4, but it has not the same quality than the 35mm GM or the 50mm S Pro.
I've had this lense for about 6 months now and it is my go-to lense if I want perfect sharpness. For portraits, it the type of lense that allows you to see yourself (the photographer) reflected in the subject's eyeballs, with perfect sharpness. It's so sharp, you must blur out the skin, to hide blemishes. Amazing. Worth the cost.
I have been espousing for a while how in love with this lens I am. It is an absolutely magical lens. When I bought it, it was between the 135 and the 50GM. I decided to get the 135 and "settle" for the 50 2.5 G. I use it as a "walking around" lens a lot more than I thought I would with a 135. Generally, though, I use it for landscapes, and some wildlife in crop mode on the RIV (if I don't want to carry the 100-400GM, ) but where it shines for me is street photography. I'm a shy introvert, so gonzo in your face street photography with a 24, 28 or 35mm is a no-go. It allows me to capture shots from a distance, and since the subject isn't typically aware of me I find I get a lot of personal, candid shots. Bar none my favorite lens I own. My uncle has the 600mm f/4 and even he tells me he's jealous of me for having this lens. It's that good.
Couldn’t agree more! I can’t stop raving about this lens and has become by far my favorite out of all my GM lenses since getting it. Can’t recommend it enough. Especially for street photography and portraits
I've owned this lens for almost 2 years bought brand new. TBH, I don't use it that much but every time I use it I fall in love with it - prob the main reason I still use Sony. My portrait bag is all GM's 24 1,4, 50 1,2 and 135 1.8..!!!
My exact lens kit.
@@LtDeadeye I'm about to get exactly these lenses with the addition of the 90 macro. Are you happy with this kit? I'm a little bit afraid of excluding the 35 and the 85 ocal lengths...
Please tell me more about this kit, I'm getting the exact same lenses + the 90 macro. Do you miss the 35 or the 85?
@@tomfalkon I initially intended my lenses for videography (knowing that crop mode was a consequence free option), but I moved over to photography. That said, the prevailing wisdom for prime shooters is to choose their favorite focal length and either double or half that for your next lens. So I should go with something like 14/ 24/ 50/ 105/ 200 but I see the value in something like 16/ 35/ 85/ 135.
I like my kit but honestly if I could have the 35 and 85 I’d take those instead. It’s a cheaper kit! I am, however, disappointed that they aren’t f/1.2 because other manufacturers have those lenses available with a 1.2 aperture. In the meantime, my 24 can be used in crop mode for a 35mm look, the 50 can be likewise be used in crop mode for a 75mm look and the 135 for a 200 look.
I think that for photography, the 35/ 85 combo might be best because you get one wide and one telephoto to cover your bases and keep it simple but you won’t get those extreme looks that you can exploit artistically (distortion and perspective compression).
@@LtDeadeye thank you so much for the input, very useful info!
This is my goto lens for portrait photography. It took me a little to get used to how far back I need to stand to compose the shot, that was probably the only nuance. But the images after...it has that WOW factor with the compressed creamy bokeh background and the tack sharp subject in front. I haven't tried it for video yet, be a good test for the active IS on the a7iv!
I have Sigma 135mm 1.8 for two years and it's the best lens for sports, portraits, city... My favourite ever lens
Should have given the sigma some love in this too. Great lens still!
@@chrisbrockhurst Siiiigma ♥️ (for some reason I had the most lenses from sigma, they rock)
Yeah, it's a beauty, this one's been on my list to pickup for a while - the time might be soon. Hoping to use it for weddings as a pairing with the 50mm f/1.2 GM as an alternative to the usual 24-70 and 70-200 combo.
2:45 I actually think the minimum focus distance of 0.7m is a a plus on this lens. If you compare it with the 70-200 GM (Mark I, it has a minimum focus distance of almost 0.3m better than the 70-200. Also on of the reasons I sold my 85 1.8 which has 0.8m while being a much wider focal range.
Great video - just got this lens last week and finally used it on a shoot. I was a one-man-band shooting a commercial and left it on AF on my FX9. FLAWLESS.
I have the Samyang/Rokinon version and it's my favourite lens currently. Same image quality at normal ranges and actually has slightly better image quality at the minimum focus distance (it also has a slightly closer minimum focus distance of 0.69m)
The main downside is that it doesn't have the powerhouse AF motors that Sony does. They're decent though, you just won't be tracking fast action
Perfect timing! Ordered this over the weekend, currently our for delivery.
Ohhhhh exciting!!!
I love this lens for wrestling matches, dog photography, it’s compression is unbelievable
Nice, agree that this lens is special. I purchased it a few months ago for street photography. Driving home from the camera store I started thinking I'd been a bit foolish to think this lens appropriate for street photography, but I was wrong. This lens is fantastic for street photography, well at least I think so. This is one of the situations where I'm happy to go against a lot of advice on street photography, the get close shoot with 35, focus needs to be sharp front to back. Love it, now I just wanna go and shoot with it again 😃
I think the size is what makes this a good option for street, with that reach you’d normally stand out!
Both my FX3s were set up using your video... When are you going to do something about the Version 2.00 firmware update and if you have new settings?
Best lense ever made! I would give up my 50mm f1.2 or 35mm f1.4 if I could only keep one lense.
wtf? I'm looking at my 50 mm 1.2 and it frowned at me like what did he say? that good?
I have the 85 1.4gm for over 3 years now and recently got the samyang 135mm. I don't see what all the fuss is about. I am trying to decide if I will keep it. It seems very easy with this lens to miss focus if you don't use eye tracking at f 1.8. And it's hard to notice on the a73 back screen.
AF on the 135GM works flawlessly
yea you are tripping lol
Great review! I absolutely love the 135 mm lens.
Oooo when did you get it Jake?
I haven’t yet just rented and used one a few times. Probably my favorite broll lens!!
I have the Sony 135mm 1.8 GM Lens, I use it for nature, close-up, Landscape, portrait and even street photography. The new Samyang may be nearly as good and the Samyang a slightly lighter, but I will not have that, because I love a REAL aperture ring which the Sony 135mm 1.8 GM have, I can very highly recommend the Sony. Update 2024, in 2023 I got the excellent Voigtländer Macro APO-Lanthar 110mm 2.5 which is smaller and more light weigth than the Sony 135mm 1.8 GM, the Voigtländer is sharper at aperture 2.5 and 2.8, I can very highly recommend the Voigtländer Lens ! I have been looking through my images from the Sony 135mm 1.8 GM and I very rarely have any images with larger aperture than 2.8, I do manual focus 99.99% of the time, so now I rarely use my Sony 135mm, if you need autofocus I will recommend the Zeiss Batis Apo Sonnar 135mm 2.8 T* which is much lighter than other 135mm Lenses.
I’m a big fan of 135mm lenses. Originally got to love then when a cousin who ran a camera store introduced me to the Canon EF 135mm f/2 L. Since then I’ve always bought the fastest 135mm I could get for any system I shot with. I just wish the Sony GM version had stabilization like the Canon RF version I also now own. Do you think Sony will ever add it in a version they make or maybe they will make a 200mm f/2 GM with OSS? Take care.
Chris Frost GLOWED about the Samyang 135 f1.8. Highly recommended it.
Fineeeee I’ll try ot
@@chrisbrockhurst lol atta boy.
As always a great video. The best shots I’ve ever taken are from my sigma 135 art. How much better is this?
Nice video.. curious how this compares to the Tamron 35-150 F2-2.8 in image quality
This is sharper
This is arguably sharpest Sony lens ever, it sits at top even among so many GM lenses. Tamron is more versatile though.
This thing is a beast !!! Rarely take it off my camera. Hard to reproduce the look with anything else.
Wow those titles are awesome
From where did you got those
Always wanted this lens just not sure I’ll use it as much as I think, I have the 85mm 1.4 art which satisfies my bokeh cravings.
There’s always room for more bokeh 🙃
@@chrisbrockhurst Always!
Exactly what I thought until I got this lens. I'm honestly not sure what's going to happen now to my 85mm GM but I gotta figure out how to use them both! Haha!
Lenses you used at the studio ? For talking part?
I bought it, loved it. I found it to be bit front heavy. Only reason I returned it is Sony 70-200 GM II.
Hey there! I am about to buy the 135mm 1.8 or 70-200 GM II. 95% Video purposes. Would appreciate youre feedback. I am like: will I really use the versatility or stick to mainly one focal length like arround 120-150. (I already have Gm 24 1.4 , G 85mm 1.4 and 24-70mm 2.8. Many thanks in adavance!
@@reelweaver 135mm is not drastically different from 85mm. A 50mm is farther than a 135mm when both compared to 85mm in terms of angle of view or field of view difference. With newer Sony bodies you can always punch in to APSC mode to have 85mm as 135mm at any given time. So there will be a focal length overlap in your case. I like the best OSS Sony has ever put in GM II, I like the best & most confident AF ever, I like the ability to use teleconverter which made me sell my GM 100-400, I like the internal Zoom. GMII is one dream lens whereas I can always scratch my 135mm prime itch with Samyang/Rokinon 135mm.
So your 70-200 is not front heavy !!! 🤣
@@cameraprepper7938 yeah 70200GMII has much better balanced weight distribution. Anyways I recently acquired Samyang/Rokinon AF 135mm, it renders more pleasing than 135 GM and 70200GMII.
I had the sigma 135 and it was a great lens, but no matter what company you get it from that 135 is a once in a while lens you bring out....at least to me
The lens for shy photographers....😆 That's why I love it...👌
Have had my eyes on this for a while...but the price...and the struggling of if I should get that or a new body for my photography
Check out the budget version
One of my favorite lenses
That beautiful Bokehhh, its so tempting.
I didn't need this video when I'm already saving for my own 70-200... damn it Chris
Looks great
the sharpest lens is the 90mm macro 2.8 by far. For sure the 135mm 1.8 is sharp but the 90mm is on an other level.
Can you do a comparison between this lens at f/2.8 and the 35-150mm set to 135mm at f/2.8? I would LOVE to see how they compare.
Ive tested that lens and it has amazing bokeh even on F11 but F1.8 looks fairy-tale. 🕵️
Just got it on Saturday and saw your video today and oh yes its sharp as a razor! The background gets melted entirely and the color rendition is magical. The only downside is that I have a $3000 hole in my wallet now lol
I know that feeling 😅
@@chrisbrockhurst I was also roaming arond in the downtown and near CN tower on Sunday testing the lens. When I saw you video, it felt surreal 😊
who did you buy it from the MOB? lol
who did you buy from the mafia?
I bought the Sony 85mm 1.8 on Prime day for about £300. I'll just take a few steps forward and save £1700 :)
That works too 😉
Nice video mate !!! Just buy a samyang 135mm f1.8 and if you don't like it just send it back.
Mayb😉
Sony is tripping the Samyang is better don't waste your money
Point this at the sky and God will smile back at you🙏🏾
Quite far from the subject, at 70 cm....you can even smell what she eaten that morning
I like Sigma more...
He didn't mention the SIGMA Art 135MM 1.8, significantly cheaper w/ comparable sharpness
Everyone is saying the Samyang 135 F1.8 is even better
It is not !
I bought both but returned the Samyang lol @@cameraprepper7938
Sure, the lens is sharp, but the 35mm GM is much sharper even wide open.
You compare apples to oranges...
@@cameraprepper7938 About the price yes, but not so much about size.
My 35mm GM is not much larger than my 35mm S.
What it's annoying is Panasonic only released a f1.4 lens, the fantastic 50mm S Pro. In L-mount we have the 35mm Sigma DG DN f1.4, but it has not the same quality than the 35mm GM or the 50mm S Pro.