Some of my favorite YT time spent is simply watching PMR talk about Sony glass haha. I own the venerable 135gm because of him. He’s spot on, it’s special.
Sorry to hear about your mom. Your parents must really appreciate those monthly visits. I’ve been shooting the a7Cii alongside the a7R5 for about a year now. Just picked up the 40 - pumped about that! Thanks for sharing the lens hood info. I also picked up the 70-200 ii, and I was sooo close to getting the 135 instead. That will have to wait. Merry Christmas Patrick. Thanks for all of your videos!
Great to see an another video from you Patrick. Sending love to you and the family. I’ve been fortunate to work with clients in Tokyo twice this year and on both trips carried the 135 as my walk around lens. I found the iPhone fine for the ultrwide. The photos that came from using it as a street photo lens were truly special.
I got the 135GM In September and used it on a wedding trip to Seattle. Most of the trip was touring the city with my other visiting family while the engaged couple were busy but the pictures I got of my family around the city were fantastic. I use it for sports, portraits, concerts and whatever else I shoot. It's definitely one of my favorite lenses and so far I'm really liking the 28-70 f2 as well.
I agree with the 135 GM. During Covid I got my photo fix by acquiring all of the GM primes from 14mm to 135mm. The 135 GM is the best lens I've ever used. And, fwiw, I've been shooting for 50 years and used a lot of lenses.
Thank you so much. Really enjoy these types of videos from you. I own the 135/1.8 GM and the A7CII + 40/2.5 G but I’ve really been wanting to add the 300/2.8 GM even though I own the 70-20/2.8 GM II, 100-400/4.5-5.6 GM, and 200-600/5.6-6.3 G. I’m actually decided for me to sell one of my two A1’s and get the 300/2.8 GM and hold off on the A1 II. Take care.
I own the 40mm f2.5 lens and I agree with your opinion. The reason I'm making this comment is to support everything you've said about the 135 f1.8. It's an amazing one of a kind lens. I shoot a lot of theater and the sharpness and colors are unmatched. I sold my 70-200 because I can put my a9 of a7 iv in crop sensor mode and now have a 200mm f1.8.
Enjoying hearing your thoughts on which lens are the most special. I've heard so much about the 300 F2.8, it's tempting to pick up. Sorry to hear about your Mom, I hope you are able to spend as much time as you can with her. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts on your special lenses.
This is a brilliant video because it favors how I like to shoot. The 40g is on the camera when I am going portable. I was glad to hear you mention the 24GM and 50/1.2GM, because those are my go-to lenses. There are only 3 lenses left that I am considering, 14GM, 135GM, and the 300GM, so I was really glad to see you con firm my choices. I really don't like zooms (I have a Tamron 28-300 and a 1020pz If I need to go wide) And surprisingly I may have an A9iii in my future. Sony is hitting it out of the park! Thank you for another entertaining video.
I love the story about your favorite lenses and why. Agreed about the 40mm length. I have a Zeiss Batis 40mm that I love. I enjoy the 50mm 2.5G. I LOVE the a7cR for pretty much the same reasons you mention. It's perfect for me to carry all the time too. Probably that's the combination I love most as well is the a7cR and the 40mm Batis. Everything else is great but that combination for me is just special.
Thanks for spending the time to be personal and explain the effortless ways these lenses integrate into a process. It seems, by anecdote, that the process can be unencumbered with these lenses. I'm always hoping my life changes in a way where I can manage a 300mm f2.8 for wildlife. Happy holidays.
You are spot on for all 3 lenses. The 300 in-particular has become my go-to for pretty much all sports, and the fact that I can easily carry it on a strap and shoot hand-held makes it a no-brainer. I still kept my 400 for football and soccer (just to get that much closer), but for pretty much everything else the 300 is king. Thanks for the video!
I just paused the video. I only recently came across your videos here and I’m thoroughly enjoying them. More importantly, I’m so sorry to hear about your mom’s diagnosis. Glad you’re getting to see your folks as often as you can.
I am principally a wildlife photographer and have got all three of those lenses. That is often the combo I take on safari in Africa. The 300 is the one I use the most, and its combination of stunning image quality with and without teleconverters, combined with its lightness means it has largely replaced my 400 and 600. I like to drop the camera out of the vehicle on monopod when on safari to get low level shots. I can do that with the 300, but the 400 and 600 are just too heavy. Also can be hand held for prolonged periods, while the 400 or 600 soon start feeling heavy, at least for this older guy. When the animals come a bit closer I use the 135 to also get awesome images blowing out distracting backgrounds, although am considering taking the 85 GMii next tour to try instead, as it has the advantage of lightness and still being able to get complete animal in frame if they come a bit closer. So will see if that now replaces my 135 GM in kit. I too would love a GMii 135, lighter with TC option. The 40 G is perfect to capture the whole scene and a general travel lens, particularly when combined with the A7C cameras (A7CR in my case). I generally much prefer the look of the 40mm aspect ratio to 24mm which has become so ubiquitous with smartphones, while 40 is more versatile that 50mm.
Rented the 135mm for a few days hiking. The only lens I too and really loved how it rendered colors. Some foggy dawn pictures, sand hill cranes flying by.... Nothing better.
I have the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 but I´ve been watching so many videos about that 135mm that I reeeeeally want that one too now :D Gonna use it for dog photography. Just bought a used a7rV and the Tamron 70-180 1.8 version 2. Great combo. After watching this video, I guess there are no more excuses not to buy the 135 now :) Thanks for another super chill and very informative video. Have a merry Christmas Patrick 🎄
I think one of the most special Sony E lenses is the E 20 f1.8G. It is almost, but not quite, as good as the Nikon Z 20 f1.8S, which is the best ultra wide or wide, prime or zoom, of any system, of any format, period, end stop. Kudos to Sony on that one, and that is a very special lens indeed. The E 300 f2.8GM is only "special" for Sony E, because Sony's 1st party E super tele lineup almost does not exist. The E 100-400, E 400 f2.8 and E 600 f4 are all in bad need of a refresh, and it is what it is on the E 200-600. In any case, 300 f2.8's are pretty much the least useful/desirable super tele lenses you can have in your bag for sports action or wildlife. I would rather get a 100-300 f2.8, 200-400 f4 TC, 300 f4 (light option), 400 f4/4.5 (light option), 400 f2.8 TC, 500 f4, 500 f5.6 (light option), 600 f4 TC, 600 f5.6/6.3 (light option), 800 f5.6, 800 f6.3 (light option), 100 to 400/500 variants (light option), 150-600 variants, etc., all before getting a 300 f2.8. Also, if you think the Sony E 300 f2.8GM is "just stunning" with TC's...prove it, because no one else seems to be able to. They say it, but they can't produce images to back up that claim. Those that have tried show there is a notable reduction in sharpness with the 1.4xTC and a huge reduction in sharpness with the 2.0xTC, and, mind you, these are external TC's which are just as inconvenient to use today as they were yesterday. Maybe if Sony had in internal 1.4xTC (and it was actually good with that TC engaged), you could argue this lens had a little bit of special in it. But it doesn't, so swing and a miss.
I relate hard with the 'comfort' comment you made. While I have a wide variety of Sony lenses, there is nothing like grabbing one that I just know, no what, I am getting results that I will love. I don't have the 40mm though I still use the 35mm GM lens a lot and really like the focal length.
I have both the 135 and the 300, absolutely killer combo! I don't own a 70-200, but very rarely do I miss not having one with these 2. If you're on the fence about getting either of these lenses, just do it, you won't regret it!
Thank you for the video and I'm glad I own 300mm and 135mm I'm a wildlife photographer and I love them and can't go to safari without them together with 400mm
The 300GM is absolutely incredible and this is coming from someone that owns the 600GM. I have only did the one week loan through Sony on the 300 but have contemplated selling my 600GM and replacing it with this.
I refuse to buy the 300GM. I will hold my #### until a new 400GM debuts. Got the 135GM this year, its a wicked lens but it is a boat anchor compared to the 50 1.2
Some of my favorite YT time spent is simply watching PMR talk about Sony glass haha. I own the venerable 135gm because of him. He’s spot on, it’s special.
His voice is also the most perfect to listen to.
Sorry to hear about your mom. Your parents must really appreciate those monthly visits. I’ve been shooting the a7Cii alongside the a7R5 for about a year now. Just picked up the 40 - pumped about that! Thanks for sharing the lens hood info. I also picked up the 70-200 ii, and I was sooo close to getting the 135 instead. That will have to wait. Merry Christmas Patrick. Thanks for all of your videos!
Terrific video. Passionate about your craft. Beyond the technical. Thanks.
Great to see an another video from you Patrick. Sending love to you and the family. I’ve been fortunate to work with clients in Tokyo twice this year and on both trips carried the 135 as my walk around lens. I found the iPhone fine for the ultrwide. The photos that came from using it as a street photo lens were truly special.
I got the 135GM In September and used it on a wedding trip to Seattle. Most of the trip was touring the city with my other visiting family while the engaged couple were busy but the pictures I got of my family around the city were fantastic. I use it for sports, portraits, concerts and whatever else I shoot. It's definitely one of my favorite lenses and so far I'm really liking the 28-70 f2 as well.
Absolutely agree on 135. It is the default lense on my A7R5
The image quality is so good that I never miss 200.
I agree with the 135 GM. During Covid I got my photo fix by acquiring all of the GM primes from 14mm to 135mm. The 135 GM is the best lens I've ever used. And, fwiw, I've been shooting for 50 years and used a lot of lenses.
Thank you so much. Really enjoy these types of videos from you. I own the 135/1.8 GM and the A7CII + 40/2.5 G but I’ve really been wanting to add the 300/2.8 GM even though I own the 70-20/2.8 GM II, 100-400/4.5-5.6 GM, and 200-600/5.6-6.3 G. I’m actually decided for me to sell one of my two A1’s and get the 300/2.8 GM and hold off on the A1 II. Take care.
For the hobbyists out there, Samyang 35 f1.8, 45 f1.8, 75 f1.8 and 135 f1.8 are great lenses.
Spot on as usual!
I own the 40mm f2.5 lens and I agree with your opinion. The reason I'm making this comment is to support everything you've said about the 135 f1.8. It's an amazing one of a kind lens. I shoot a lot of theater and the sharpness and colors are unmatched. I sold my 70-200 because I can put my a9 of a7 iv in crop sensor mode and now have a 200mm f1.8.
in crop mode...not full frame
Enjoying hearing your thoughts on which lens are the most special. I've heard so much about the 300 F2.8, it's tempting to pick up. Sorry to hear about your Mom, I hope you are able to spend as much time as you can with her. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts on your special lenses.
This is a brilliant video because it favors how I like to shoot. The 40g is on the camera when I am going portable. I was glad to hear you mention the 24GM and 50/1.2GM, because those are my go-to lenses. There are only 3 lenses left that I am considering, 14GM, 135GM, and the 300GM, so I was really glad to see you con firm my choices. I really don't like zooms (I have a Tamron 28-300 and a 1020pz If I need to go wide)
And surprisingly I may have an A9iii in my future. Sony is hitting it out of the park! Thank you for another entertaining video.
I love the story about your favorite lenses and why.
Agreed about the 40mm length. I have a Zeiss Batis 40mm that I love. I enjoy the 50mm 2.5G.
I LOVE the a7cR for pretty much the same reasons you mention. It's perfect for me to carry all the time too.
Probably that's the combination I love most as well is the a7cR and the 40mm Batis. Everything else is great but that combination for me is just special.
Thanks for spending the time to be personal and explain the effortless ways these lenses integrate into a process. It seems, by anecdote, that the process can be unencumbered with these lenses. I'm always hoping my life changes in a way where I can manage a 300mm f2.8 for wildlife. Happy holidays.
You are spot on for all 3 lenses. The 300 in-particular has become my go-to for pretty much all sports, and the fact that I can easily carry it on a strap and shoot hand-held makes it a no-brainer. I still kept my 400 for football and soccer (just to get that much closer), but for pretty much everything else the 300 is king. Thanks for the video!
I just paused the video. I only recently came across your videos here and I’m thoroughly enjoying them. More importantly, I’m so sorry to hear about your mom’s diagnosis. Glad you’re getting to see your folks as often as you can.
A 135mm has been on my wish list for many years. You just might have pushed me over the edge :)
Not even a Sony shooter here, but I enjoyed this video till the end.
I am principally a wildlife photographer and have got all three of those lenses. That is often the combo I take on safari in Africa. The 300 is the one I use the most, and its combination of stunning image quality with and without teleconverters, combined with its lightness means it has largely replaced my 400 and 600. I like to drop the camera out of the vehicle on monopod when on safari to get low level shots. I can do that with the 300, but the 400 and 600 are just too heavy. Also can be hand held for prolonged periods, while the 400 or 600 soon start feeling heavy, at least for this older guy. When the animals come a bit closer I use the 135 to also get awesome images blowing out distracting backgrounds, although am considering taking the 85 GMii next tour to try instead, as it has the advantage of lightness and still being able to get complete animal in frame if they come a bit closer. So will see if that now replaces my 135 GM in kit. I too would love a GMii 135, lighter with TC option. The 40 G is perfect to capture the whole scene and a general travel lens, particularly when combined with the A7C cameras (A7CR in my case). I generally much prefer the look of the 40mm aspect ratio to 24mm which has become so ubiquitous with smartphones, while 40 is more versatile that 50mm.
Rented the 135mm for a few days hiking. The only lens I too and really loved how it rendered colors. Some foggy dawn pictures, sand hill cranes flying by.... Nothing better.
I have the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 but I´ve been watching so many videos about that 135mm that I reeeeeally want that one too now :D
Gonna use it for dog photography. Just bought a used a7rV and the Tamron 70-180 1.8 version 2. Great combo.
After watching this video, I guess there are no more excuses not to buy the 135 now :)
Thanks for another super chill and very informative video.
Have a merry Christmas Patrick 🎄
I think one of the most special Sony E lenses is the E 20 f1.8G. It is almost, but not quite, as good as the Nikon Z 20 f1.8S, which is the best ultra wide or wide, prime or zoom, of any system, of any format, period, end stop. Kudos to Sony on that one, and that is a very special lens indeed.
The E 300 f2.8GM is only "special" for Sony E, because Sony's 1st party E super tele lineup almost does not exist. The E 100-400, E 400 f2.8 and E 600 f4 are all in bad need of a refresh, and it is what it is on the E 200-600. In any case, 300 f2.8's are pretty much the least useful/desirable super tele lenses you can have in your bag for sports action or wildlife. I would rather get a 100-300 f2.8, 200-400 f4 TC, 300 f4 (light option), 400 f4/4.5 (light option), 400 f2.8 TC, 500 f4, 500 f5.6 (light option), 600 f4 TC, 600 f5.6/6.3 (light option), 800 f5.6, 800 f6.3 (light option), 100 to 400/500 variants (light option), 150-600 variants, etc., all before getting a 300 f2.8. Also, if you think the Sony E 300 f2.8GM is "just stunning" with TC's...prove it, because no one else seems to be able to. They say it, but they can't produce images to back up that claim. Those that have tried show there is a notable reduction in sharpness with the 1.4xTC and a huge reduction in sharpness with the 2.0xTC, and, mind you, these are external TC's which are just as inconvenient to use today as they were yesterday. Maybe if Sony had in internal 1.4xTC (and it was actually good with that TC engaged), you could argue this lens had a little bit of special in it. But it doesn't, so swing and a miss.
I relate hard with the 'comfort' comment you made. While I have a wide variety of Sony lenses, there is nothing like grabbing one that I just know, no what, I am getting results that I will love. I don't have the 40mm though I still use the 35mm GM lens a lot and really like the focal length.
I own all three! And I agree!
I have both the 135 and the 300, absolutely killer combo! I don't own a 70-200, but very rarely do I miss not having one with these 2. If you're on the fence about getting either of these lenses, just do it, you won't regret it!
Once again, PM-R and I are in agreement. On all points in the video as well as owning the same.
Prayers for you Sir, and sorry to hear about you mom
Thx for the video…excellent!
Thank you for the video and I'm glad I own 300mm and 135mm I'm a wildlife photographer and I love them and can't go to safari without them together with 400mm
my favorite three will be 50 1.2 GM, 135 GM 1.8, and 300 2.8 GM. the 14 GM 1.8 is amazing too.
Thanks for making me hate all my lenses 😂
For me its 35GM 85GM and 300 GM.
So good.. This 3 lens do everything I need to do. My most used lens.
The 300GM is absolutely incredible and this is coming from someone that owns the 600GM. I have only did the one week loan through Sony on the 300 but have contemplated selling my 600GM and replacing it with this.
This was awesome - thank you!! And sending prayers for your parents 🙏🙏
Some examples shot with each lens would make this video much more informative.
Mis mejores deseos para ti. Gracias por compartir tanto.
Nice Vid, thanks! Why the A7CII over the A7CR??
I need to get the 135 too. hopefully v2 comes out soon.
maybe in half a decade
I hope the new 135 1.8s which all give the GM its run for its money will push sony for a mark II. TC support could be a big differentiator
I refuse to buy the 300GM. I will hold my #### until a new 400GM debuts. Got the 135GM this year, its a wicked lens but it is a boat anchor compared to the 50 1.2
135mm > then the 70-200GM (1 or 2) for sure
Mothers.... you have to love them. I feel for you, I'd like to know your Moms name so I can go light a prayer candle for her (and you) in our church.