Good to see more 135 options. Another excellent option is the Samyang/Rokinon 135 1.8 that retails for $799 US. I picked up a used one for $500 to replace the outstanding Sigma 135 DGDN I’d owned since 2018 which was heavier than I cared to carry around. The Samyang has excellent IQ and it’s low weight is a plus. Viltrox 1300g, Sony 950g, Samyang 772g. PS- not a fan of unmarked custom buttons that can cause problems you may not see until you’ve uploaded your images.
YES!!! I love my Samyang 135mm F1.8. And as a DxO user, a lens module is available for the Samyang. In the past, DxO has been unable to develop modules for the outstanding Viltrox 27mm F1.2 and 75mm F1.2 lenses, so I decided not to wait for this Viltrox. And I was right! Christopher Frost rated the Samyang as the sharper lens! And the problem with the weight: The Samyang compensates a little for my heavy Sigma 60-600 DG DN OS in my backpack 🙂!
@@tomirwinphoto you mean DG HSM? I don't believe Sigma has released a DG DN but if they do it will be interesting how it compares to the other 135mm F1.8s
@@tomirwinphoto 1245g bare lens is Viltrox Lab 135 1.8’s problem. If I want budget and almost half if its weight, there is Samyang. If you want the craziest FPS with Sony bodies and probably the best AF, there is 135GM and also still about 300g lighter.
One example for the button on the lens can be set to control your AF, you can assign far-shift to the lens button and near-shift to the AF button on the back of the camera, while half-shutter controls normal focus lock/track. Some longer lens/telephoto lens can be unsure of the subject at a distance when there are lots of elements at different depths, like a bird in a tree with lots of branches. Pushing either button will snap the focus out of confusion pushing the focus either forward or backwards before your subject flies away etc. It has saved my butt countless times, I wouldn't leave the house without this set up.
I bought the Viltrox 16mm f1.8 LAB in 2022 and was very impressed. To the point, I retired my Zeiss 18mm f2.8 in favor of the Viltrox for my Sony a1. I won't get the Vitrox 135 f1.8 because I already have the Sony 135 GM f1.8 (purchased 6 years ago). I would consider 85 f1.2 from Viltrox as I don't have the Sony 85GM1.4 mk2.
@@riverfrontresidences1451 This comment is for people who sae the title, click the video and go immediately to the comments which is a large amount of people. Saves them 7:45 of their time from watching the video
The TTArtisan 75mm f/2 has become my favourite lens lately for how small and light it is, any FE options for a compact 135mm? - maybe an f/2.8 one or something? - This Viltrox is great, but it's so huge!
How large is the image projection? is it designed like the Nikon Plena where the image projection is so big that the whole sensor is filled with 100% corner to corner sharpness? If so, then that would explain the weight and size of this thing.
I would go for the Zeiss 135mm f/2 APO Sonnar, which you can buy second-hand for less than £700. Yes, it is manual focus and it is a f/2, but the lens is astonishingly good (Basically up to Otus quality). Or if you want to spend a little more, have weather sealing and a clickless aperture, the Milvus version is only a couple of hundred more second hand.
Hey Tom, what are your thoughts? 75 1.2 + APS-C OR 135 1.8 + fullframe? Viltrox has both of these models. First thoughts are the 75 1.2 + APS-C seem more practical? Because of the size and weight that is. Also ... glad to see you back and settle in.
It's odd seeing everyone dropping videos about this lens when Viltrox came out and said it's been delayed up to two months since they found issues with 5% of the lenses they sent out.
As for the lock, maybe they could do it via firmware update. Tamron 70-180 g2 has no display but you can control the aperture via ring and pushing the button enables/disables that function so basically it's a lock switch. You can customize it via PC software.
I’ve got Viltrox 16mm f1.8 and quality is pretty good but it’s so slow… sometimes when I turn on my a7II I have to wait about 2-3 seconds for lends to turn on and it’s so annoying, I tried to plug in lends to the and download some of new data but it didn’t help, I mean the lends is perfect for prise but in my software version it run slow i I don’t know why
depends for me id go with r8 since its fullframe and have everything that i want for videos and photos so in my opinion you should think of what you want to do first because if you care about open gate videos then xm5 is the only one that can do that
I don't get it. By your own discussion at 7:43, this lens has no advantage over the Samyang? You jokingly say the weight doesn't matter if you're a gymbro, but what advantage does this really have? You say the Samyang has better chromatic aberration performance too. The weight is also less on the Samyang.
As far as I've seen in most reviews, AF is way better on the Viltrox than on Samy. Not the GM level, but very-very close. The Samy don't have bad AF per se, but for quick and erratic action (sports good example) the Viltox and GM have the edge over the Samyang and the Sigma. Also there is no quantitative comparison for it, but the Viltrox seems to be better sealed, but I'm not sure about it
I don't see what you're getting at? At no point have I said the Viltrox is better than the Samyang. My argument is that the Viltrox is better than the current Sony and Sigma offerings, particularly in terms of value for money and features. I then suggest another option that is also potentially better than all of these options (the Samyang). With that information it's then down to you to decide which one is best for you as everyone has different requirements.
@ Can you name one reason to go for the Viltrox over the Samyang? Is it sharper? Faster autofocus? Better breathing? When people are already looking at the third party lenses category, it’s important that the viewers have a straight answer for what will be the best value for money. If one product can’t have any reason to be better than a competitor, then it should be stated clearly.
As I said in the video, I haven't tested those two lenses side by side, so I can't comment conclusively as that wouldn't be fair. But from my experience, the Samyang is lighter, has less CA and is cheaper. I literally said all of this in the video and even pointed to a video that would further help viewers with their own decision making. 🤷🏻♂️
Viltrox makes some excellent lenses that occupy unique niches on the market, like 16mm 1.8 and 1.2 lenses for APSC, but this 135mm makes me wonder what they were thinking. Did they start to develop it before Samyang appeared and did not want to stop? Now I suspect all the reviews of Viltrox will only serve to remind people of Samyang which at the time may have arrived rather unnoticed ).
I find it weirder that people can't make it to the end of a video before commenting and accusing me of not mentioning Samyang, when there's a whole section of the video talking specifically about that lens 🤣🤦🏻♂️
That’s not even the problem. The problem is there seems to be no actual reason to by the Viltrox over the Samyang. If there is, I would love to know. I’m not a fanboy of either company. I don’t own any of their products. My collection is entirely Lumix/Leica lenses and some vintage primes. I’d just like to know honestly why the Viltrox might allegedly be better. It is not clear at all.
The weight is just... Vintage :D In the dslr days for a well built bright top of the line tele prime it wasnt that rare. The Sigma Art 135mm for Canon EF is 100g lighter only
@@leventebandi I am mostly comparing this to my Tamron 35-150 f2-2.8 which is gigantic beast on its own, but since it is a fast super zoom which I can make excuses for it. I mean for professional portrait, the weight is probably OK, but can't see myself taking only this lens for anything that isn't for work lol
@@leventebandiIf you talk about DSLR 135 f 1.8 / 2 lenses. Canon EF 135mmalthough is f2, is the lightest and best can use extenders! Beautiful small premium lens! Works also great on A7 series bodies.
I don't think Sigma and Sony are cooked. While optical performance and price are two of the more important aspects of the value proposition, they aren't the only ones. Others include reliability, serviceability, and support. These shouldn't be dismissed and given the lack of history with the new lens, those aspects are not readily apparent which means you are taking a chance. Well that's my response to the video title. Now I suppose I should also watch the video...
I do have that lens and I really like it. However it does not feel premium, given it's plasticy build quality and having no aperture ring... also I heard people complain about purple fringing. However this Viltrox one also has purple fringing at f1.8 - seems to be a thing on this focal length - if you watch Christopher Frosts review. But actually I have shot dope pictures with it.
Great that a couple of good and cheaper 135mm alternatives are now available for sony users. I myself though cannot part with how good and lightweight the canon EF 135mm f2 so I went that route using an 7artisan adapter.
Just so you know : the Sigma 135mm f/1.8 Art is an absolute piece of art optically. It's basically matching the Nikon 135mm f/1.8 Plena when it comes to sharpness and bokeh, with only slightly more vignetting wide open in the corners. This is truly amazing performance for a lens that is more than a decade old. Also, you can find and EF version for something like... 600 to 650 bucks used? Couple that with a Sigma MC-11 adapter that will cost you something like 100 bucks and you have one of the best 135mm lenses ever released on your E mount Sony mirrorless body. And it's better corrected than both the Viltrox and Samyang options, not really much heavier and cheaper. I like VIltrox and what they're pushing for budget high quality prime lenses... however I don't think this 135 LAB is as great as it seems to be. Especially with the Samyang basically matching the optical quality at a lower price and weight, and the Sigma being straight up better and cheaper if you get the EF version (or Nikon F mount version, which is even slightly cheaper... this is the one I'd use since I use a Nikon Z camera + FTZ adapter)
For EF mount, maybe, but for Sony, the Sigma 135mm isn't perfect. Trust me, I owned it for a while and have tested it on this channel. The AF isn't great and it suffers from bad fringing, likely due to it being modified to fit Sony cameras.
@@TomCalton oh, well that sucks. That or it didn't have the correct lens profile? I couldn't find a difference testing a Sigma 135 vs a Plena on Nikon, and the Plena is a damn fine piece of glass so that's pretty surprising. Focus speed is much slower of course, though not terribly slow either.
1. amazing lens 2. I dont think Sigma is under a lot of pressure here. Their 105mm f1.4 may not be as rich in user options but in terms of light transmission and bokeh it is actually superior to the 135mm lineup, including this lense and it is of course unbelievably sharp even at 1.4. sure, its also more expensive, but not by that much. So all of these lenses are ultimately very similar.
If sometimes you feel like no one cares about you, imagine being the samyang 135mm 1.8 at €759 watching this video 🫠🫠 Edit: he mentioned the lens in his video, my bad
And, like Tom himself says, at almost half the weight too... I already own the Samyang, so I'm biased, but if I were looking at these two lenses side by side and making a buying decision now there's no way I'd go for the Viltrox solely on the basis of the extra size and weight. My Samyang struggles in some situations, but otherwise when it's good it's stellar.
@@joelconolly5574 Quite so. I don't get why all these reviewers act as if the Samyang didn't exist - which of course if the point of your comment, but I'm really confused here.
@@apricanephoto I feel like most of the reviews have acknowledged the Samyang, and pointed out that its image quality and autofocus speed are significantly behind the Viltrox lens. Still perfectly capable of good images, but the Viltrox is arguably *better* than the Sony GM equivalent, while also being a fraction of the price.
![เปิด อาณาจักร หมื่นล้าน "สาระตั้ม" l [Nickynachat]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/3XE0nPF4YkQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Good to see more 135 options. Another excellent option is the Samyang/Rokinon 135 1.8 that retails for $799 US. I picked up a used one for $500 to replace the outstanding Sigma 135 DGDN I’d owned since 2018 which was heavier than I cared to carry around. The Samyang has excellent IQ and it’s low weight is a plus. Viltrox 1300g, Sony 950g, Samyang 772g.
PS- not a fan of unmarked custom buttons that can cause problems you may not see until you’ve uploaded your images.
YES!!! I love my Samyang 135mm F1.8. And as a DxO user, a lens module is available for the Samyang. In the past, DxO has been unable to develop modules for the outstanding Viltrox 27mm F1.2 and 75mm F1.2 lenses, so I decided not to wait for this Viltrox. And I was right! Christopher Frost rated the Samyang as the sharper lens! And the problem with the weight: The Samyang compensates a little for my heavy Sigma 60-600 DG DN OS in my backpack 🙂!
I have the Samyang 135 and its absolutely incredible. I can't recommend it enough.
@@tomirwinphoto you mean DG HSM? I don't believe Sigma has released a DG DN but if they do it will be interesting how it compares to the other 135mm F1.8s
@@tomirwinphoto 1245g bare lens is Viltrox Lab 135 1.8’s problem. If I want budget and almost half if its weight, there is Samyang. If you want the craziest FPS with Sony bodies and probably the best AF, there is 135GM and also still about 300g lighter.
This. Too much “this blows the lid off Sony” but don’t compare ALL options.
4:22 I lost it when I noticed what you named your lens! XD
One example for the button on the lens can be set to control your AF, you can assign far-shift to the lens button and near-shift to the AF button on the back of the camera, while half-shutter controls normal focus lock/track. Some longer lens/telephoto lens can be unsure of the subject at a distance when there are lots of elements at different depths, like a bird in a tree with lots of branches. Pushing either button will snap the focus out of confusion pushing the focus either forward or backwards before your subject flies away etc. It has saved my butt countless times, I wouldn't leave the house without this set up.
Kinda love that you made this ultrawide, I never get to view videos full screen on my 21:9 monitor
Canon made the best 135. The EF 135 L f/2 one of the sharpest lenses with amazing 3D pop.
I bought the Viltrox 16mm f1.8 LAB in 2022 and was very impressed. To the point, I retired my Zeiss 18mm f2.8 in favor of the Viltrox for my Sony a1. I won't get the Vitrox 135 f1.8 because I already have the Sony 135 GM f1.8 (purchased 6 years ago). I would consider 85 f1.2 from Viltrox as I don't have the Sony 85GM1.4 mk2.
Actually, Viltrox is also going to release an 85mm 1.2, so I would suggest waiting for that one.
Samyang AF 135mm F1.8 FE sells on Amazon for 699€ right now. Have a look at that one before considering buying this more expensive one.
7:43
@@TomCaltonikr bro didnt even watch the whole video
@@riverfrontresidences1451 This comment is for people who sae the title, click the video and go immediately to the comments which is a large amount of people. Saves them 7:45 of their time from watching the video
@@riverfrontresidences1451 I commented after I watched the entire video.
@@cris_stn no you didn’t. Stop lying. You went to the comment section and wanted to feel cool so you just repeated the top comment. See it all day.
How does it compare to the Samyang 135 f/1.8?
The TTArtisan 75mm f/2 has become my favourite lens lately for how small and light it is, any FE options for a compact 135mm? - maybe an f/2.8 one or something? - This Viltrox is great, but it's so huge!
Samyang 135mm f1.8 is 770g...I think that is as light as it gets for this focal lens
How large is the image projection? is it designed like the Nikon Plena where the image projection is so big that the whole sensor is filled with 100% corner to corner sharpness?
If so, then that would explain the weight and size of this thing.
I want Viltrox to bring out some smaller Lab series Primes, like a 35mm or an updated 28mm.
Expected later this year.
Yeah if they do a 35mm 1.4 with this same quality then I’m all in
I would go for the Zeiss 135mm f/2 APO Sonnar, which you can buy second-hand for less than £700. Yes, it is manual focus and it is a f/2, but the lens is astonishingly good (Basically up to Otus quality). Or if you want to spend a little more, have weather sealing and a clickless aperture, the Milvus version is only a couple of hundred more second hand.
Hey Tom, what are your thoughts? 75 1.2 + APS-C OR 135 1.8 + fullframe? Viltrox has both of these models. First thoughts are the 75 1.2 + APS-C seem more practical? Because of the size and weight that is. Also ... glad to see you back and settle in.
I use the lens button for switching between Ambient and Flash Preview which I use a lot
It's odd seeing everyone dropping videos about this lens when Viltrox came out and said it's been delayed up to two months since they found issues with 5% of the lenses they sent out.
That delay announcement was made after people finished shooting their videos.
Samyang 135mm 1,8 is 400 Gramm lighter, has similar image quality and is cheaper.
Samyang is sharper and have no CA
Mm the viltrox appears to be cheaper for me (in canada) by over $200
@@averobinramos1496 But it doesn't have the dick screen. Check-mate!
As for the lock, maybe they could do it via firmware update. Tamron 70-180 g2 has no display but you can control the aperture via ring and pushing the button enables/disables that function so basically it's a lock switch.
You can customize it via PC software.
i like the new little studio setup you’ve got going on! very very simple yet thoughtful and phenom composition 👌
Thank! Glad you like it 😁
I’ve got Viltrox 16mm f1.8 and quality is pretty good but it’s so slow… sometimes when I turn on my a7II I have to wait about 2-3 seconds for lends to turn on and it’s so annoying, I tried to plug in lends to the and download some of new data but it didn’t help, I mean the lends is perfect for prise but in my software version it run slow i I don’t know why
idk, I use custom button on my sigma 24-70 2.8 A (lens I live with 99.9% of time), to change AF zone, works great for me
Viltrox is killing it man!
which would you reccomend canon r8 or sony a6700 or fuji xm5
Hybrid full frame: R8
Hybrid apsc: a6700
Open gate video or travel stuff: X-M5
depends for me id go with r8 since its fullframe and have everything that i want for videos and photos so in my opinion you should think of what you want to do first because if you care about open gate videos then xm5 is the only one that can do that
R8 has no IBIS
@@muttishelfer9122 so does X-M5 while having open gate video capability
Us 21:9 aspect ratio viewers appreciate you. Great video!
Thank you 🤘🏻
That`s great lens you have there.
Pitty it ways a TON.
1,4Kg heavy.
set the custom button for AF on...
Waiting for the Viltrox 85mm 1.2 announced earlier in the year
Feel like you haven’t reviewed a lens in a while, I definitely bought the 55mm Zeiss based on your 50mm comparison video
Yeah, it's been a while for sure. If people enjoy the lens reviews I'll be sure to make more though
e eu 50YN pela imagem qualidade kkk
I don't get it. By your own discussion at 7:43, this lens has no advantage over the Samyang? You jokingly say the weight doesn't matter if you're a gymbro, but what advantage does this really have? You say the Samyang has better chromatic aberration performance too. The weight is also less on the Samyang.
The viltrox is over $200 cheaper than the samyang where I live
As far as I've seen in most reviews, AF is way better on the Viltrox than on Samy. Not the GM level, but very-very close. The Samy don't have bad AF per se, but for quick and erratic action (sports good example) the Viltox and GM have the edge over the Samyang and the Sigma.
Also there is no quantitative comparison for it, but the Viltrox seems to be better sealed, but I'm not sure about it
I don't see what you're getting at? At no point have I said the Viltrox is better than the Samyang. My argument is that the Viltrox is better than the current Sony and Sigma offerings, particularly in terms of value for money and features. I then suggest another option that is also potentially better than all of these options (the Samyang). With that information it's then down to you to decide which one is best for you as everyone has different requirements.
@ Can you name one reason to go for the Viltrox over the Samyang? Is it sharper? Faster autofocus? Better breathing?
When people are already looking at the third party lenses category, it’s important that the viewers have a straight answer for what will be the best value for money. If one product can’t have any reason to be better than a competitor, then it should be stated clearly.
As I said in the video, I haven't tested those two lenses side by side, so I can't comment conclusively as that wouldn't be fair. But from my experience, the Samyang is lighter, has less CA and is cheaper. I literally said all of this in the video and even pointed to a video that would further help viewers with their own decision making. 🤷🏻♂️
I have the Samyang and I absolutely love it!
I'm sad that canon rf sigma lens options is very limited :(
What about Rokinon / Samyang?
7:43
Viltrox makes some excellent lenses that occupy unique niches on the market, like 16mm 1.8 and 1.2 lenses for APSC, but this 135mm makes me wonder what they were thinking. Did they start to develop it before Samyang appeared and did not want to stop? Now I suspect all the reviews of Viltrox will only serve to remind people of Samyang which at the time may have arrived rather unnoticed ).
Best review so far
I appreciate that, thanks!
What's the camera behind you on the shelf?
There are 2 behind me, but my fat head blocks one of them most of the time.
There's a Leica M8 and a Fujifilm X-Pro 2 😊
@@TomCalton What lens do you have on the X-Pro?
35mm f/1.8
Samyang 💪
Viltrox is the new Sigma. And I'm a Sigma guy. Now if only Viltrox can make a 24-70mm 2.0 and a 70-200 2.8
They don't make zoom lenses just like Sigma didn't do for a while.
CUSTOM BITTONS ARE NOT POINTLESS ,,,
a tiny button next to the tiny LCD would be best ...
Weird how many Samyang employees came here to troll Viltrox…
I can’t imagine Tom had this many Samyang diehard fans 😂
I find it weirder that people can't make it to the end of a video before commenting and accusing me of not mentioning Samyang, when there's a whole section of the video talking specifically about that lens 🤣🤦🏻♂️
That’s not even the problem. The problem is there seems to be no actual reason to by the Viltrox over the Samyang. If there is, I would love to know.
I’m not a fanboy of either company. I don’t own any of their products. My collection is entirely Lumix/Leica lenses and some vintage primes.
I’d just like to know honestly why the Viltrox might allegedly be better. It is not clear at all.
@@thatsreallyamoon parece ser melhor no af somente
não é fâ da samyang... é fã da 135 samyang! kkkk é uma lente de um padrão muito alto comparada as outras lentes pelo mundo, não só 135
Why no one talking about sirui 85mm f1.4
Because Sirui didn't send out free review copies to youtubers?
tbh this lens is perfect but ... 1.3kg is diabolical for a prime, I am dying on this hill
🤣
The weight is just... Vintage :D In the dslr days for a well built bright top of the line tele prime it wasnt that rare. The Sigma Art 135mm for Canon EF is 100g lighter only
@@leventebandi I am mostly comparing this to my Tamron 35-150 f2-2.8 which is gigantic beast on its own, but since it is a fast super zoom which I can make excuses for it. I mean for professional portrait, the weight is probably OK, but can't see myself taking only this lens for anything that isn't for work lol
@@leventebandiIf you talk about DSLR 135 f 1.8 / 2 lenses. Canon EF 135mmalthough is f2, is the lightest and best can use extenders! Beautiful small premium lens! Works also great on A7 series bodies.
Title of the video, someone finally said it!
Great Video!
People need to quit sleeping on Canon's EF 135 F2.
no native high FPS though :/
Viltrox has been cooking lately!
I don't think Sigma and Sony are cooked. While optical performance and price are two of the more important aspects of the value proposition, they aren't the only ones. Others include reliability, serviceability, and support. These shouldn't be dismissed and given the lack of history with the new lens, those aspects are not readily apparent which means you are taking a chance. Well that's my response to the video title. Now I suppose I should also watch the video...
I hope its l mount
At that weight I would rather pick 70-200/2.8 than this. Even older DSLR glass was about 1.3-1.4 kg.
dum can run in viltrox 135mm
Lots of grifters grifting today about a lens many people will go out and buy and expect to one day take a decent picture.
SAMYANG 135MM F1.8 AF For Sony FE Entered the Chat: Am I invisible to you!?!?!?!
I do have that lens and I really like it. However it does not feel premium, given it's plasticy build quality and having no aperture ring... also I heard people complain about purple fringing. However this Viltrox one also has purple fringing at f1.8 - seems to be a thing on this focal length - if you watch Christopher Frosts review.
But actually I have shot dope pictures with it.
I bought my Samyang 135 1.8af when they had it on sale for 50% off at like $499. WILD value.
@@taylorv4 when did this sale happen?
Plastic like build? I like it. Still solid build, lighter and able to take a fall better than all metal bricks.
7:43 🤦🏻♂️
CUSTOM POINTLESS ARE BUTTONS
Simply too heavy. 1200g?
The Samyang is 770g and is the same price.
Great that a couple of good and cheaper 135mm alternatives are now available for sony users. I myself though cannot part with how good and lightweight the canon EF 135mm f2 so I went that route using an 7artisan adapter.
At 1235g I’ll stick to my 70-200mm.
viltrox is to lenses what sony was to mirrorless cameras.
cooked
I thought it was a COOKE lens 😂
Have you deliberately forgotten about the #samyang135mmf18? I love it.
7:43 🤦🏻♂️
I'll be damned if I spend $900 on a PRC lens. Big ass monster, lots of CA and mechanicals of unknown durability? No thx.
I'll wait for the next Sigma.
04:20
Let's be honest
Cheaper YES, Better? NO
Even the Samyang is sharper from Center to corner and the CA is almost zero. Lighter and also cheaper.
Better than Song and Sigma? Probably, in terms of value for money.
Better than Samyang? I agree, probably obably not.
I looks great
The weight destroys it and it is so overpriced for no apparent reason, Samyang did a much better job
I already own the Samsung version of this lens and it’s a ridiculously good lens for its price.
21:9
Bro forget samyang 135mm 1.8
Bro didn't watch the video 🤦🏻♂️
Way too heavy.
Just so you know : the Sigma 135mm f/1.8 Art is an absolute piece of art optically. It's basically matching the Nikon 135mm f/1.8 Plena when it comes to sharpness and bokeh, with only slightly more vignetting wide open in the corners. This is truly amazing performance for a lens that is more than a decade old.
Also, you can find and EF version for something like... 600 to 650 bucks used? Couple that with a Sigma MC-11 adapter that will cost you something like 100 bucks and you have one of the best 135mm lenses ever released on your E mount Sony mirrorless body.
And it's better corrected than both the Viltrox and Samyang options, not really much heavier and cheaper.
I like VIltrox and what they're pushing for budget high quality prime lenses... however I don't think this 135 LAB is as great as it seems to be. Especially with the Samyang basically matching the optical quality at a lower price and weight, and the Sigma being straight up better and cheaper if you get the EF version (or Nikon F mount version, which is even slightly cheaper... this is the one I'd use since I use a Nikon Z camera + FTZ adapter)
For EF mount, maybe, but for Sony, the Sigma 135mm isn't perfect. Trust me, I owned it for a while and have tested it on this channel. The AF isn't great and it suffers from bad fringing, likely due to it being modified to fit Sony cameras.
@@TomCalton oh, well that sucks. That or it didn't have the correct lens profile?
I couldn't find a difference testing a Sigma 135 vs a Plena on Nikon, and the Plena is a damn fine piece of glass so that's pretty surprising. Focus speed is much slower of course, though not terribly slow either.
Cooked ??? Who is teaching y’all the new lingo lol
I learned it from you dad
are they cooked skibidi sigma no cap?
@@alex532 I was tilted when I saw the title but he came in clutch and ATE that lens, he's definitely a mewer Chad, was like bruh...
Spoken like a true Sigma
1:1
for a chinese product priced as if it was made it the west. it's expensive.
No it is not better ! It is much too big and heavy !
1. amazing lens
2. I dont think Sigma is under a lot of pressure here. Their 105mm f1.4 may not be as rich in user options but in terms of light transmission and bokeh it is actually superior to the 135mm lineup, including this lense and it is of course unbelievably sharp even at 1.4. sure, its also more expensive, but not by that much. So all of these lenses are ultimately very similar.
105 is old and due for an update, Sigma glass are unbelievably sharp for the most part, never seen an unsharp Sigma
Sigma 105 is an amazing lens. I used one briefly and it was great! Huge lens though haha.
@@thatsreallyamoon facts, its the best lens ive ever used. The sharpness at 1.4 is unbelievable. absolutely incredible piece of glass
Viltrox is attacking Sigma and Sony badly! :-D
Wasnt this dude suppose to quit YT like 2 months ago?? And yet here he is with the same click bait titles 😅
tired of seeing u advertising cheap Chinese products
GM boy kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
These youtubers talk and talk about gear yetshow amatorish photos! They apparently spend more time foundling cameras than mastering composition!
Well, not everyone can be a master, like you.
@@pablovi77 At least I used my cameras 315,689 photos taken in the last 10 years!
@@ezragonzalez8936 If you have taken that large amount of photos, most are probably not very good. You need to be more selective of what you take.
Can you share your portfolio with us please so we can learn from you oh wise one?
Viltrox is a junk brand, the Sony 135mm is much cheaper imported from Hong Kong so no contest 🙂
@Viltrox... RF please 😢
If sometimes you feel like no one cares about you, imagine being the samyang 135mm 1.8 at €759 watching this video 🫠🫠
Edit: he mentioned the lens in his video, my bad
I bet the Samyang is lighter than this
And, like Tom himself says, at almost half the weight too... I already own the Samyang, so I'm biased, but if I were looking at these two lenses side by side and making a buying decision now there's no way I'd go for the Viltrox solely on the basis of the extra size and weight. My Samyang struggles in some situations, but otherwise when it's good it's stellar.
It's cheaper and lighter so you got your money's worth already.
@@joelconolly5574 Quite so. I don't get why all these reviewers act as if the Samyang didn't exist - which of course if the point of your comment, but I'm really confused here.
@@apricanephoto I feel like most of the reviews have acknowledged the Samyang, and pointed out that its image quality and autofocus speed are significantly behind the Viltrox lens. Still perfectly capable of good images, but the Viltrox is arguably *better* than the Sony GM equivalent, while also being a fraction of the price.