This is the best explanation of 135mm lens of all! No matter the brand. Thank you very much for this. I'm on Nikon and planning to buy Plena next week, I've tried it, love it, but it is a big bite to swallow... But, this video convinced me definitely that that's the focal length for me. Thanks again!
Great review. I'm just switching from Fuji to Sony, and will be ordering this lens. I have 3 Viltrox Fuji (13, 27 & 75) lenses and they've been excellent.
This 135mm is tempting but feels a bit steep for a third-party lens. TTArtisan’s history of affordable lenses makes me wonder if they’ll jump into this space.
The TTArtisan 75mm f/2 has become my favourite lens lately for how small and light it is, any Sony FE options for a compact 135mm? - maybe an f/2.8 one or something? - This Viltrox is great but it's sooooo huge.
@@PavSZ Got you, the size/weight is a dealbreaker for me, but if it wasn't this is a very compelling lens. I love my Viltrox 16mm for example, but I rarely bring it (unless I'm going somewhere like Iceland) because it's just not worth the added weight in my bag.
I asked Dustin Abbott and he said “That's only true if you don't put the aperture ring into "A" (automatic mode), just like any other lens with an aperture ring.” Can you confirm?
Viltrox starts making good lenses, 16mm f1.8, 75mm1.2 apsc, and now this one, for some one who doesn't care much about weight, it will be perfect 135mm, much faster and sharper than sigma or samyang, they did really good work
these are totally different lenses. The massive plus of this agains Sigma is that it is a new, modern lens designed for mirrorless Sony cameras and it will auto focus better. Especially when filming with it. Also, even though it is a heavy lens, it is smaller and lighter than Sigma 105mm
looks like a beautiful lens. I would definitely pick that lens up if I shot sony. It's a bummer we can't get something like that from Panasonic. I would really love to have more 135 lenses in the L mount. I think a sigma contemporary 135 2.4 or 2.8 would be an amazing lens to own........If they would make one!
@@PavSZ I agree, but am not really interested in paying more than 1k for a prime lens under 200mm. I think the closest results you could get with a smaller lighter lens would be the Panasonic 100mm 2.8. Thoughts?
@@PavSZ Yes, the old Sigma 135mm F1.8 HSM is about the same weight as this Viltrox. 135mm is not the only lens that is overdue for replacement. 28mm, 40mm and 105mm F1.4 are all brilliant optically. 40mm weighs about the same as their 135mm, and 105mm is about 50% heavier. If Sigma ever make another 105mm f1.4 with the same optical performance as the HSM version I will buy it. But Viltrox also promised some F1.2 lenses in their lens road map.
@@PavSZ in terms of build, slightly faster AF and (maybe) features - yes. For Sharpness it's a wash - and i'd rather save 500 grams in weight and 250€. The screen is pretty useless in my opinion, the aperture ring doesnt have hard stops - so not as useful as well in my book.
These companies are waiting so long to come out with a focal length like this that most of us went and bought the Sony GM 135 mm F1.8. I have it in my arsenal and it is the best portrait lens I own. It’s so versatile. I use it for all my racing photos on my Sony A9, and then I put it on my A7RV and take some of the nicest portraits you could ask for. But for those who don’t own, it can go and buy this lens or the SamYang copy and take some truly stunning photos.
yes, that's unfortunate that there isn't more 135mm available. Sony GM is a rock solid lens but it is very expensive. I think this one will be very popular as it is cheaper, even though it is heavier than GM lens
@@Bishoprickyholmes I had the Sigma 105 mm F1.4 art lens when I was using Nikon mirrorless cameras. And when I switched over to Sony, I had the 85 mm F1.4 and I decided to get the sigma 105 mm F1.4 again but in Sony e mount. It took such great photos. But then I picked up the Sony 135 mm GM and that’s all she wrote for the Sigma 105. It’s lighter it’s sharper and I actually prefer the bokeh on the 135mm. It’s my favorite lens for portraits. But that’s only when you have enough space and I do a lot of outside portraits. But it also works great for action sports. It’s like a mini 200 mm F2 because you get that nice low aperture it really sets your photos apart from others. I actually bought the samyang 135 f1.8 and use it for my portraits and I use the Sony 135 GM for my racing photos because I really put that lens through some harsh conditions and if it breaks, I need a back up. I’ve actually been trying to sell my sigma 105 mm for the past year because I don’t use it. Sorry for the long message but once you try the 135 mm you will see what we’re all talking about.
I don't know why Sony have never allowed for the focus ring to be switched off within the camera menu. It should be an easy thing to add and would be so useful for manual focus shooting.
06:23. That's incorrect. You CAN control the aperture from the camera. You just need to rotate the ring all the way to the other side where it says "A". Then the aperture numbers will disappear and you can change it via the camera. :) I would've researched about this better before putting out a "review video".
yes, I have commented on this previously. It is not obvious and I have missed it. I don't know how I was going to research it better if I was making this review before the lens was released and there was nothing about it online then.
this isn't a cine lens and it is not trying to be one. I found there is very little if any focus breathing visible unlike a lot of Sony GM primes that suffer a lot from it
@@PavSZ ah ok this make sense its not allrounder so can be bulky and sharpness is more important..thx i think i changing my mind :D i love other Viltrox too
@@mongini1 You do know that the Viltrox weigh 1235 g ! I have the Sony 135mm 1.8 GM, it is very rare that I have used aperture 1.8 and it don´t really look that pleasing with 1.8 for a 135mm Lens ! Samyang 135mm 1.8 only weighs 772 g
@@cameraprepper7938 in case you don't remember: I said if I'd shop for a 135 1.8 I'd go with the Samyang because of the weight. I totally love the 1.8 look. And I'd use it wide open 95% of the time
This is the best explanation of 135mm lens of all! No matter the brand. Thank you very much for this. I'm on Nikon and planning to buy Plena next week, I've tried it, love it, but it is a big bite to swallow... But, this video convinced me definitely that that's the focal length for me. Thanks again!
oh wow!. Thank you!
You will love it
Nice video as always but man those are some killer portraits you shot !!
Thanks Richard!! ❤
Amazing portraits mate, every other review i've seen so far the photos they have taken are nothing to shout about.
thank you so much!
Wow, Viltrox literally drops the ball on LUMIX L-Mount Shooters. I would have bought this asap 😮
Viltrox is not a part of l mount partner, only samyang
no L-mount version
@@PavSZ Panasonic should try to get Viltrox into the L mount alliance. That would help the L mount system a lot.
I know that Viltrox is trying to get in but it is not Lumix that is causing problems
@@PavSZ i wonder why - Samyang got in, i see no reason why Viltrox shouldnt.
dope samples my dude! seems like a cool lens. not a fan of the screen, but seems cool
Thanks man!
I wish they were making it for L-mount
Great review. I'm just switching from Fuji to Sony, and will be ordering this lens. I have 3 Viltrox Fuji (13, 27 & 75) lenses and they've been excellent.
this is better than any other lens they have made before
Though I don’t really need this lens, I just like your videos and photos. Great review as always 🎉
Thank you soooo much!
My viltrox 75mm it's being delivered tomorrow. Can't wait to try it out.
Great review as always!
Thanks Luca!
This 135mm is tempting but feels a bit steep for a third-party lens. TTArtisan’s history of affordable lenses makes me wonder if they’ll jump into this space.
this is the cheapest (but the heaviest) high quality 135mm for Sony you can buy
Need them to make a 105 1.4 of this caliber
maybe they will in the future, who knows
The TTArtisan 75mm f/2 has become my favourite lens lately for how small and light it is, any Sony FE options for a compact 135mm? - maybe an f/2.8 one or something? - This Viltrox is great but it's sooooo huge.
there are only 3 AF 135mm available for Sony that I know of. For the money, this one is the best, regardless of its size
@@DigiDriftZone check out the samyang one
@@PavSZ Got you, the size/weight is a dealbreaker for me, but if it wasn't this is a very compelling lens. I love my Viltrox 16mm for example, but I rarely bring it (unless I'm going somewhere like Iceland) because it's just not worth the added weight in my bag.
There is the Zeiss Batis 135 2.8. Its not a lot smaller but it is lighter and the Batis lens to produce fantastic images.
@@AdamDeSteCroix Yeah, it used or possibly the Samyang is probably what I would be looking at.
Wait, did you say we can’t change the aperture of the lens from the camera?? You have to use the lens’ aperture ring? What? At 6:30
yes, that's correct 🙁
I asked Dustin Abbott and he said “That's only true if you don't put the aperture ring into "A" (automatic mode), just like any other lens with an aperture ring.” Can you confirm?
@@vincentroy5093 Dustin is right.
I've missed that because there is no markers, only the screen and 'A' mode is past f16. Kind of hidden ☹
Viltrox starts making good lenses, 16mm f1.8, 75mm1.2 apsc, and now this one, for some one who doesn't care much about weight, it will be perfect 135mm, much faster and sharper than sigma or samyang, they did really good work
I already have the Sigma 105 1.4. Is the exchange worth it?
these are totally different lenses. The massive plus of this agains Sigma is that it is a new, modern lens designed for mirrorless Sony cameras and it will auto focus better. Especially when filming with it. Also, even though it is a heavy lens, it is smaller and lighter than Sigma 105mm
I hope they release a version for the Nikon Z mount! 😅
they probably will
I would buy this lens right away for my Z8
@@rubenramirez8241 It will be a good alternative to Nikon's own Plena. this lens with its current 15% discount is costing about 1/3 of the Nikon.
looks like a beautiful lens. I would definitely pick that lens up if I shot sony. It's a bummer we can't get something like that from Panasonic. I would really love to have more 135 lenses in the L mount. I think a sigma contemporary 135 2.4 or 2.8 would be an amazing lens to own........If they would make one!
We need Sigma 135mm f1.8 DG DN. They must be cooking one now. It's long overdue
@@PavSZ I agree, but am not really interested in paying more than 1k for a prime lens under 200mm. I think the closest results you could get with a smaller lighter lens would be the Panasonic 100mm 2.8. Thoughts?
@@PavSZ Yes, the old Sigma 135mm F1.8 HSM is about the same weight as this Viltrox. 135mm is not the only lens that is overdue for replacement. 28mm, 40mm and 105mm F1.4 are all brilliant optically. 40mm weighs about the same as their 135mm, and 105mm is about 50% heavier. If Sigma ever make another 105mm f1.4 with the same optical performance as the HSM version I will buy it. But Viltrox also promised some F1.2 lenses in their lens road map.
This or Samyang 135❓
Viltrox is superior in every way
@@PavSZ in terms of build, slightly faster AF and (maybe) features - yes. For Sharpness it's a wash - and i'd rather save 500 grams in weight and 250€. The screen is pretty useless in my opinion, the aperture ring doesnt have hard stops - so not as useful as well in my book.
8:59 Grzybowska jaka skompresowana...super efekt !
tak właśnie 135mm działa
@@PavSZ cudeńko :) mam vivitara 200mm i canona L 400mm ale nie spodziewalem sie tak ogromnej kompresji po 135mm mega ujecia !
These companies are waiting so long to come out with a focal length like this that most of us went and bought the Sony GM 135 mm F1.8. I have it in my arsenal and it is the best portrait lens I own. It’s so versatile. I use it for all my racing photos on my Sony A9, and then I put it on my A7RV and take some of the nicest portraits you could ask for. But for those who don’t own, it can go and buy this lens or the SamYang copy and take some truly stunning photos.
yes, that's unfortunate that there isn't more 135mm available.
Sony GM is a rock solid lens but it is very expensive. I think this one will be very popular as it is cheaper, even though it is heavier than GM lens
Great Video! Would you recommend getting this lens if you already have the Sigma 105mm 1.4?
@@Bishoprickyholmes I had the Sigma 105 mm F1.4 art lens when I was using Nikon mirrorless cameras. And when I switched over to Sony, I had the 85 mm F1.4 and I decided to get the sigma 105 mm F1.4 again but in Sony e mount. It took such great photos. But then I picked up the Sony 135 mm GM and that’s all she wrote for the Sigma 105. It’s lighter it’s sharper and I actually prefer the bokeh on the 135mm. It’s my favorite lens for portraits. But that’s only when you have enough space and I do a lot of outside portraits. But it also works great for action sports. It’s like a mini 200 mm F2 because you get that nice low aperture it really sets your photos apart from others. I actually bought the samyang 135 f1.8 and use it for my portraits and I use the Sony 135 GM for my racing photos because I really put that lens through some harsh conditions and if it breaks, I need a back up. I’ve actually been trying to sell my sigma 105 mm for the past year because I don’t use it. Sorry for the long message but once you try the 135 mm you will see what we’re all talking about.
I don't know why Sony have never allowed for the focus ring to be switched off within the camera menu. It should be an easy thing to add and would be so useful for manual focus shooting.
you can switch the focus off, that's standard.
You can't switch the aperture ring off in this case
@PavSZ you cannot switch the focusing off. You either have manual or auto. None are off.
06:23. That's incorrect. You CAN control the aperture from the camera. You just need to rotate the ring all the way to the other side where it says "A". Then the aperture numbers will disappear and you can change it via the camera. :) I would've researched about this better before putting out a "review video".
yes, I have commented on this previously. It is not obvious and I have missed it.
I don't know how I was going to research it better if I was making this review before the lens was released and there was nothing about it online then.
@@PavSZ If you'd rotate the ring all the way to the other side you'd notice it for sure.
They need to join the L Mount Alliance - this lens would be perfect with a S5II
Other reviewers (eg. Dustin Abbott) found a lot of focus breathing. Not surprising in a 135mm, but worth mentioning. This isn't a cine lens.
this isn't a cine lens and it is not trying to be one.
I found there is very little if any focus breathing visible unlike a lot of Sony GM primes that suffer a lot from it
Bokeh is kinda of busy?
really?
which make of camera can do I need to own to buy this lens?
Sony, any Sony-E mount
cena/jakosc/waga chyba jednak ciamciang wygrywa w tej ogniskowej mimo mojej sympatii do viltroxow
Samyang lacks sharpness in comparison, even though it is lighter
ta sama recenzja po polsku na moim drugim kanale: ua-cam.com/video/evDU95-ADh4/v-deo.htmlsi=jptbjBp5zIfKt53z
@@PavSZ ah ok this make sense its not allrounder so can be bulky and sharpness is more important..thx i think i changing my mind :D i love other Viltrox too
It is much too big and heavy !
yep - thats why i'd go for the Samyang
@@mongini1 Try to look at a used Zeiss Batis Apo Sonnar 135mm 2.8 T* at only 614 g
@cameraprepper7938 nah, I already got the Tamron 70-180 2.8 at 855 grams. And I want that 1.8 look ^^
@@mongini1 You do know that the Viltrox weigh 1235 g ! I have the Sony 135mm 1.8 GM, it is very rare that I have used aperture 1.8 and it don´t really look that pleasing with 1.8 for a 135mm Lens ! Samyang 135mm 1.8 only weighs 772 g
@@cameraprepper7938 in case you don't remember: I said if I'd shop for a 135 1.8 I'd go with the Samyang because of the weight. I totally love the 1.8 look. And I'd use it wide open 95% of the time