Review of Sony's FE 135mm f1.8 G Master lens. Check prices or order it at B&H: bhpho.to/2IBmc32 Tip Gordon a coffee: www.paypal.me/cameralabs Gordon's In Camera book at Amazon: amzn.to/2n61PfI / Amazon uk: amzn.to/2mBqRVZ Like Cameralabs? Get the T-Shirt: redbubble.com/people/cameralabs/shop Filmed with the Sony A6400 and e 24mm: bhpho.to/2CqYrEs Voiceover audio recorded with the Rode NT-USB: bhpho.to/2m8pDAc
Excelent video and I totaly agree the 135mm is truly stunning , love mine. I've been waiting ages for a 135 Sony. It's definatly worth me saving up for it.
I have the 100 STF which I like so much for Bokeh, no lemon shape bokeh, all round to the edge.. I will have the 135mm in couple of days, but I think they have their own special use. 100STF for bokeh still wins if not too dark.
This is the 1 lens I've really been looking forward to and I'm not disappointed. Apart from size and weight it looks like an upgrade from my Canon 135/2L - and that is to be expected with a bigger aperture.
Yes, Sigma ART primes(+MC21) are releasing in Sigma's native L mount, too, so I'd be interested to see what the AF is like with Panasonic S1/LeicaSL/Foveon etc (once the firmware is settled). Native AF from Sigma would make them very convincing.
135 equivalent lenses are very useful and much better corrected than 85, often resulting sharp and high contrast images with creamy bokeh and little to none fringing, the same reason I love the fuji xf90, and they can focus close too. It is simply the closest to perfect lens money can buy.
Nice review. When you use it just for portraits under normal conditions maybe its not worth the price. But. This is a lens you have to take out when it comes to sports in poor light conditions on a short range of course. Now it becomes a game changer. No chanse for Sigma. On an A9 its a beast, the accuracy and focus speed specially in low light is unmached by the others and its sooo sharp.
A R 135mm focal length is just enough for everything I needed “ weddings and portraits” and the lens is much sharper and the auto focus is even faster. Most important thing was the weight difference and the back ground blurr is creamy
Hey Gordon, a question about the off centre blue/purple lens flare shown at 8:18 th-cam.com/video/HTn_xQzbRDo/w-d-xo.html I have a Samyang 35mm f/2.8 for E mount - it has even more pronounced artifacts like this at night. I've been shooting film and then digital MFT for a long time but don't remember encountering such artifacts until my Sony A7 and the Samyang 35mm f/2.8 - and now you also show it with this 135mm lens. What causes the off centre and the amount of off centre flare? Is it specific to full frame or certain lenses? Is there a way of avoiding it in situ or in post? Any info welcome
Me too, it's a sad story and it makes me angry when now I know the truth behind it. Many people have been played by the top rich. I hope many Europeans learned from this because only together we can have a bright future, full of beautiful glass ;)@@cameralabs
Thumbs Up for the astro vid @ 7:55 (which other reviewers failed to demo). With my A7sII + 85mm F1.4 GG ... @ F1.4, 1/50, ISO 5K to 50K ... in my light polluted city + full moon ... one sees thousands of bursting stars ... enough to blatantly convince me that NASA space-station live vids are obviously and observably fake, fwiw. Utmost thanks and blessings!
Looking forward to this video. I saw -- I think two -- videos back in the day where people were trying to use the Sigma / Canon on Sony with an adapter and the focus was not great. This focal length in the native G Master design with the newer Sony eye autofocus should be excellent. I am limping along with a D750 and an older Nikon 180mm 2.8. Somebody slap me into the present.
Gordon, do you have any experience with the Sony ZA (a-mount) 135 1.8 Zeiss lens? I am using it on my A7r2 and love the IQ that comes out of it. I am manually focusing with an adapter. Just curious if you have any opinion with regards to IQ and aesthetics (micro contrast, etc) vs this new lens variant? I would love to get rapid AF and 'go native' but this Zeiss lens is pretty special. Would love to know if this could very well be a replacement.
It's a great question and one I wished I'd mentioned in the video. Unfortunately I don't have much experience with it, so can't say - yet - but they are quite close in price too.
@@cameralabs thanks for the reply Gordon. I should be able to answer the question for myself when my camera retailer gets it in and I can do a side by side, or if I can snag the local Sony fellas and see if they have a production sample. I am very curious indeed.
@@cameralabs Thanks for your fast reply. I also could not spot any longitudinal ca in your video. That means it's probably even an apochromatic design.
Sony really nailed it with this lens. I love my a mount version but I can only get face detection not eye focus. The focus speed is unreal. Time to save. The 135mm is my favorite focal length. The background compression is wonderful.
Gordon Laing I would certainly loan my a mount version for the review. I know the focusing will be quite different but I would really enjoy seeing how it fairs to this new FE GM version.
@@cameralabs Yep ouch. It's basically just a plastic ring, but you can't get it separately even if it looks easy to replace. Entire front metal ring has to be replaced.
Did you see that part in the video where I talk about action? Beyond that, a lot depends on the camera you're using. I found it ok for mild action with the A7 III and A7r III, but on the A9 it's much more successful.
Gordon Laing Yes bigger and heavier but not more expensive when you calculate the cost of all the other focal lengths you would need to buy to match the 70-200. :)
Excellent review...thank you Gordon. I own two Sigma 135s for my Nikon and Canon...and considering the Sony GM 135 if I buy the A7R IV, but it's about $900 more than the Sigma.
Another great review - have you had chance to compare much with the sigma 135mm optically? The bokeh doesn't look as round as the 85GM at wider apertures, but still looks great! Is the focus hold button on the top awkward in use?
Oh haha I had just finished watching a vid by Ted Forbes when this one came up - really makes me wanna get it but im trying to stay away from buying more gear
I am not yet convinced that this lens sets the bar for image quality, i will wait to see some good comparisons done against the Sigma, I am sure the Sony will have some focusing advantages, and a little weight advantage, but i am talking about image quality alone. if Zeiss and Sigma were smart they would do a $100 dollar price drop right now to stop a bunch of the pre orders of this new GM
Gordon the sigma is slow to AF on Sony bodies , nowhere near as fast or accurate. That alone is worth the extra $$. And the Sony is sharper than any other 135 on market...actually it has been called the sharpest lens ever tested by many including roger cicilia at lensrentals
Are you being a bit priggish by rating this lens as "4 stars" on your website when you otherwise rate it excellently in its optical aspects? I have an idea -- you design a lens like this and create it so we can test it, and then we'll give you our review!
Is there anyone who likes cat's eye bokeh? I can't see how that is something you would want in a lens that costs over £1500! I would be interested to hear views in favour.
I actually quite like it, and find when I post images which show it, most non-photographers really like it too. Plus as I showed, you can eliminate it by closing down to f2.8 if you really want to.
This is not my impression by looking at the first Images - do you have samples of Samyang photographs looking better? Wide open the Sony is sharper and more contrasty than the Samyang at f/1.8, as comparison-tests already have shown.
First, beginners/amateurs want HSS. Now, they want that lousy Depth-of-Field looks. Heck, I & many pros still dreaming NONE of that on our 300, 400, 500 & 600mm lenses.
No Charlie, if you listened to my intro you'll know I took it home and tested it solidly for several days after the press event, which is why I have photos, videos and results that no-one else does yet. All those ones of the seaside with the birds, the city and star night shots and also the fairy light bokeh test, all mine from home afterwards.
Excellent review...thank you Gordon. I own two Sigma 135s for my Nikon and Canon...and considering the Sony GM 135 if I buy the A7R IV, but it's about $900 more than the Sigma.
Review of Sony's FE 135mm f1.8 G Master lens.
Check prices or order it at B&H: bhpho.to/2IBmc32
Tip Gordon a coffee: www.paypal.me/cameralabs
Gordon's In Camera book at Amazon: amzn.to/2n61PfI / Amazon uk: amzn.to/2mBqRVZ
Like Cameralabs? Get the T-Shirt: redbubble.com/people/cameralabs/shop
Filmed with the Sony A6400 and e 24mm: bhpho.to/2CqYrEs
Voiceover audio recorded with the Rode NT-USB: bhpho.to/2m8pDAc
Can you compare these 3 lenses in the future? Sony Zeiss 135 1.8 A mount VS Sony 135 1.8 GM VS Sigma 135 1.8 ART
Excelent video and I totaly agree the 135mm is truly stunning , love mine. I've been waiting ages for a 135 Sony. It's definatly worth me saving up for it.
Lovely review, Gordon. I think I may take a look at this lens.
Thanks! if you end up ordering anything online, please do consider going through my links here or at cameralabs.com thanks!
Would you recommend getting the Sony 135 over the Sony 100 STF?
I have the 100 STF which I like so much for Bokeh, no lemon shape bokeh, all round to the edge.. I will have the 135mm in couple of days, but I think they have their own special use. 100STF for bokeh still wins if not too dark.
What an excellent review! Best I’ve seen!
Thanks Matt, I always try to put in as much as I can!
This is the 1 lens I've really been looking forward to and I'm not disappointed. Apart from size and weight it looks like an upgrade from my Canon 135/2L - and that is to be expected with a bigger aperture.
Would like to know how the image quality compares to the Sigma 135
I hope to do a side-by-side in the future, and against the Canon.
Well at least the Sony will still be able to focus after a few months of use.....
@@mikewhiles4635 have you had a bad experience with the others?
Yes, Sigma ART primes(+MC21) are releasing in Sigma's native L mount, too, so I'd be interested to see what the AF is like with Panasonic S1/LeicaSL/Foveon etc (once the firmware is settled). Native AF from Sigma would make them very convincing.
135 equivalent lenses are very useful and much better corrected than 85, often resulting sharp and high contrast images with creamy bokeh and little to none fringing, the same reason I love the fuji xf90, and they can focus close too. It is simply the closest to perfect lens money can buy.
I agree!
XF90
Excellent review Gordon, good solid info, thanks!
thanks, glad you found it useful!
Nice review. When you use it just for portraits under normal conditions maybe its not worth the price. But. This is a lens you have to take out when it comes to sports in poor light conditions on a short range of course. Now it becomes a game changer. No chanse for Sigma. On an A9 its a beast, the accuracy and focus speed specially in low light is unmached by the others and its sooo sharp.
Can’t wait to get my hands on this. This will fill the gap I have from selling my Canon 70-200. This is the lens I’ve been waiting for 😍
Great stuff! if you're buying it online, please consider going through my links here or at cameralabs.com thanks!
The great thing about the 135mm focal length is if you have FF & APSC you get 2 lenses 135mm 1.8 & 200mm 2.8!, It's a WIN WIN!.
I have a sony a6400, can this lens go on it?
Yes, but with a 1.5x reduction in field of view, so it would look like approx 200mm
@@cameralabs thanks you suggest keeping it, would that be a drastic difference or it’ll be fine?
Excellent review. I bet this lens would do well with Clear Image Zoom.
This is such an awesome review, Gordon!!
because you're in it, right?!
Gordon Laing hahah.
It is an excellent review. I would like to ask, would you recommend this lens to me given that I have already a 70-200gm?
I sold my 70-200gm for the135mm. best decision ever.
Da bull any specific reasons why? I own a 70-200 and thinking of adding the 135mm.
A R 135mm focal length is just enough for everything I needed “ weddings and portraits” and the lens is much sharper and the auto focus is even faster. Most important thing was the weight difference and the back ground blurr is creamy
Hey Gordon, a question about the off centre blue/purple lens flare shown at 8:18 th-cam.com/video/HTn_xQzbRDo/w-d-xo.html
I have a Samyang 35mm f/2.8 for E mount - it has even more pronounced artifacts like this at night. I've been shooting film and then digital MFT for a long time but don't remember encountering such artifacts until my Sony A7 and the Samyang 35mm f/2.8 - and now you also show it with this 135mm lens. What causes the off centre and the amount of off centre flare? Is it specific to full frame or certain lenses? Is there a way of avoiding it in situ or in post? Any info welcome
I expect this retail somewhere around the $2800 AUD mark. Ouch! I think I’ll be sticking with my Olympus OM 135mm f2.8. Nice review, thanks Gordon.
Good review Gordon, looks like I will save up for this lens and the 16-35mm 2.8 GM.
Great choices - the 16-35mm is amazing. PS - if you're buying it online, please consider going through my links here or at cameralabs.com thanks!
Wouldn't this be good for landscape?? I am new to all this so i am probably wrong
check out the Sony 16-35 GM
Would you recommend this lens for photographing sports and concert events? Or should I get the 70-200 f/4?
the zoom would be more flexible on your position, but obviously it's MUCH slower optically.
Thanks for the good review! 6:33 La Chouffe! Belgium! :)
I do like my Belgian beers!
@@cameralabs Who doesn't ? ;)
@@cameralabs Cheers! With love from Belgium :) Let's hope after march 29th there won't be any wto import tarifs
@@RobinTorrekensTravelVlog I'm hoping that after March 29th we'll still be in the EU.
Me too, it's a sad story and it makes me angry when now I know the truth behind it. Many people have been played by the top rich. I hope many Europeans learned from this because only together we can have a bright future, full of beautiful glass ;)@@cameralabs
Nice camera panning at 1:35
Thanks! I used the geared head for my tripod and turned it by hand - not quite as smooth as I wanted, but quite a nice effect. Wish it were motorised!
@@cameralabs oh my God. I thought it was motorized. You have steady hands :-)
Thumbs Up for the astro vid @ 7:55 (which other reviewers failed to demo).
With my A7sII + 85mm F1.4 GG ... @ F1.4, 1/50, ISO 5K to 50K ... in my light polluted city + full moon ... one sees thousands of bursting stars ... enough to blatantly convince me that NASA space-station live vids are obviously and observably fake, fwiw.
Utmost thanks and blessings!
Samyang should launch an equivalent lens for ca. €700-800. And, hopefully, include a focus lock button and, if possible, IS.
@Leo_inter_Hyaenaem They just did.
Sony has been selling a 135mm F1.8 since 2006. A bit strange to mention an older (1996!), slower Canon lens and not that one.
yes you're right, the A-mount version which you can also adapt.
Looking forward to this video. I saw -- I think two -- videos back in the day where people were trying to use the Sigma / Canon on Sony with an adapter and the focus was not great. This focal length in the native G Master design with the newer Sony eye autofocus should be excellent. I am limping along with a D750 and an older Nikon 180mm 2.8. Somebody slap me into the present.
I remember the Nikon 180mm, it was a nice lens!
Gordon, do you have any experience with the Sony ZA (a-mount) 135 1.8 Zeiss lens? I am using it on my A7r2 and love the IQ that comes out of it. I am manually focusing with an adapter. Just curious if you have any opinion with regards to IQ and aesthetics (micro contrast, etc) vs this new lens variant? I would love to get rapid AF and 'go native' but this Zeiss lens is pretty special. Would love to know if this could very well be a replacement.
It's a great question and one I wished I'd mentioned in the video. Unfortunately I don't have much experience with it, so can't say - yet - but they are quite close in price too.
@@cameralabs thanks for the reply Gordon. I should be able to answer the question for myself when my camera retailer gets it in and I can do a side by side, or if I can snag the local Sony fellas and see if they have a production sample. I am very curious indeed.
Mine has been dispatched and will be with me tomorrow :))
For those who know how to use the 135 focal length I am sure you will be very happy!
Thank for the great review. Maybe just a quick question: Does this lens show longtitudinal ca? How much?
I didn't notice anything obvious in my first tests, but I'll be doing a deeper dive soon.
@@cameralabs Thanks for your fast reply. I also could not spot any longitudinal ca in your video. That means it's probably even an apochromatic design.
DPR also tested this and found almost no longitudinal CA. The front elements are XA and ED in order to reduce the CA and other issues.
Sony really nailed it with this lens. I love my a mount version but I can only get face detection not eye focus. The focus speed is unreal. Time to save. The 135mm is my favorite focal length. The background compression is wonderful.
I'd have liked to compare the e and a mount versions. I seem to recall the a mount version had pretty good optics.
Gordon Laing I would certainly loan my a mount version for the review. I know the focusing will be quite different but I would really enjoy seeing how it fairs to this new FE GM version.
Really amazing lens. Just don't break filter thread/hood mount...it cost me 200€ to fix it :)
Ouch!
@@cameralabs Yep ouch. It's basically just a plastic ring, but you can't get it separately even if it looks easy to replace. Entire front metal ring has to be replaced.
can you shoot sports with this lens?
Did you see that part in the video where I talk about action? Beyond that, a lot depends on the camera you're using. I found it ok for mild action with the A7 III and A7r III, but on the A9 it's much more successful.
I did not see it, Id like to think that if i had seen it I wouldnt be asking again. But thanks for repeating your answer for me. It helos
Nice review, thanks!
You're welcome!
Thankyou Sir Mamallapuram SunLight Studio
I feel like I should get some credit for the 27 takes I did to get your video AF test to your demanding specifications.
you are the unsung hero sidekick David... however any credit is diminished by your trying to find an AF mode that didn't exist on that model...
A classic Portrait focal length but a 70-200 f2.8 is so much more handy.
Yes, but it's more expensive and much bigger and heavier.
Gordon Laing Yes bigger and heavier but not more expensive when you calculate the cost of all the other focal lengths you would need to buy to match the 70-200. :)
@@terrywbreedlove true and that's what you have to weigh-up - literally sometimes!
nose of the barrels massive
@@69_MK it's the same as other 135mm f1.8 lenses...
Excellent review...thank you Gordon. I own two Sigma 135s for my Nikon and Canon...and considering the Sony GM 135 if I buy the A7R IV, but it's about $900 more than the Sigma.
Hmm hotpixels on two bokeh balls just left of the center starting from 2:40?
I want to see a 50mm 1.4 G Master
Sony SEL50F14Z Planar is already the best ! you don't need the red G ! :-)
bingo! now its 50mm 1.2 GM !
Another great review - have you had chance to compare much with the sigma 135mm optically?
The bokeh doesn't look as round as the 85GM at wider apertures, but still looks great!
Is the focus hold button on the top awkward in use?
Thanks! I hope to do an in-depth comparison in the future.
@moo ah that makes sense
Gordon Laing Please! We need Sony Zeiss 135 1.8 VS Sony 135 1.8 GM VS Sigma 135 1.8 ART comparison.
anyone else think that Gordan sounds like Gavin Hoey
Oh haha I had just finished watching a vid by Ted Forbes when this one came up - really makes me wanna get it but im trying to stay away from buying more gear
glad you found my video!
does not have IS??
no, but all of the new full-frame bodies have it built-in.
Gordon if you want to attach this lens to the Panasonic S1 which adapter is available? I’ve searched with no luck 😕
I haven't looked into adapting lenses to the L-mount yet, but if the lens is already designed for mirrorless, the flange distance may be too small.
awesome
Pretty good
Great vid - you may as well say it’s a 1 kilogram lens
yes, that would be easier to understand!
Makes me want to get a Sony. Great review.
Thanks, glad you found it useful!
I am not yet convinced that this lens sets the bar for image quality, i will wait to see some good comparisons done against the Sigma, I am sure the Sony will have some focusing advantages, and a little weight advantage, but i am talking about image quality alone. if Zeiss and Sigma were smart they would do a $100 dollar price drop right now to stop a bunch of the pre orders of this new GM
I plan on doing some detailed comparisons in the future as I really want to see how they measure-up.
Gordon the sigma is slow to AF on Sony bodies , nowhere near as fast or accurate. That alone is worth the extra $$. And the Sony is sharper than any other 135 on market...actually it has been called the sharpest lens ever tested by many including roger cicilia at lensrentals
It's a whopper GG. 😎😎😎
Are you being a bit priggish by rating this lens as "4 stars" on your website when you otherwise rate it excellently in its optical aspects? I have an idea -- you design a lens like this and create it so we can test it, and then we'll give you our review!
i prefer the sigma version of this lens
Is there anyone who likes cat's eye bokeh? I can't see how that is something you would want in a lens that costs over £1500! I would be interested to hear views in favour.
I actually quite like it, and find when I post images which show it, most non-photographers really like it too. Plus as I showed, you can eliminate it by closing down to f2.8 if you really want to.
The f2.8 Bokeh is way better look and enjoy than f1.8 Bokeh... The f1.8 Bokeh give a headache😓
bear fly it only gives a headache to photographers. If you didn’t point it out to a client they’d never notice.
I actually like the cats eye shape, but at least you can reduce it by f2.8 and still enjoy some shallow DOF effects.
Colours and overall image rendering looks flat. Not nearly as good as a 400$ 135 mm Samyang Lens.
Samyang make some great lenses and you get to save money.
This is not my impression by looking at the first Images - do you have samples of Samyang photographs looking better? Wide open the Sony is sharper and more contrasty than the Samyang at f/1.8, as comparison-tests already have shown.
First
Thanks for watching!
Gordon Laing thanks for all your brillant reviews. I have been following your channel since the release of the first Canon 7d ☺️ 2009 😱
@@ashj1979 almost since the start, thanks for following and sticking with me.
Gordon Laing it is a pleasure!
First, beginners/amateurs want HSS. Now, they want that lousy Depth-of-Field looks.
Heck, I & many pros still dreaming NONE of that on our 300, 400, 500 & 600mm lenses.
An in depth review after 90 minutes of usage.. hmm.
No Charlie, if you listened to my intro you'll know I took it home and tested it solidly for several days after the press event, which is why I have photos, videos and results that no-one else does yet. All those ones of the seaside with the birds, the city and star night shots and also the fairy light bokeh test, all mine from home afterwards.
telephoto lenses are just so boring.
Sony lenses are such ugly beasts...
I think it looks rather fetching. Who's lenses do you find attractive?
Sony sucks!
why?
Excellent review...thank you Gordon. I own two Sigma 135s for my Nikon and Canon...and considering the Sony GM 135 if I buy the A7R IV, but it's about $900 more than the Sigma.
Great review, thanks!
Thanks, glad you liked it!