Sony 135mm f/1.8 GM - First Mirrorless Version
Autofocus f/1.8 135mm primes have only been around since 2007 (Zeiss) and they had the marke to themselves on the Sony Alpha DSLRs for a decade Then we got the ikonic Sigma DSLR version, in 2017, which set the standard for 135mm image quality. I bought the Sigma as soon as it came out. It's image quality blew me away and put every other lens I'd ever used to shame! Unfortunately it didn't get enough use because it was too heavy, mostly how front heavy it was and especially noticeable on a mirrorless camera (Sony A9). Fortunately Sony decided to make the first mirrorless version for the Sony FE mount in 2019, but would it be as good?..
Sony A1 - bokeh pano
Fast 135mm AF Lenses
Nikon's novelty 'Defocus Control' 135mm (1995) was the first f/2.0 AF lens, but only a year later Canon's 135mm f/2.0 L USM showed everyone how sharp these fast tele lenses could be. It held the crown for over 20 years and is still a damn good lens today. However, since they were late to the AF DSLR lens party, neither got a redesign, but other manufacturers were about to shake things up...
In 2007 Zeiss built the first f/1.8 135mm (for the Sony Alpha DSLRs). With Sony's first full frame DSLR (A900) a year later, the combo was impressive, but it weighed a hefty 1,950g (4.3 lbs). Some say that the optical performance was good, not great, but the rendering sure was pretty! For another decade nobody else tried to make a fast 135mm lens. Could this have been just too fast and expensive to build and sell well?...
In 2017 Sigma decided to take things up a notch. They set a new standard for optical performance with their 135mm f/1.8 DG Art (DSLR lens) and right from the widest aperture. It was even more heavy, but most people agreed that the quality was worth it. Now Nikon and Canon DSLR owners could experience this awesome lens as well. The only problem was that DSLRs were killed by something else that came out in 2017 - The Sony A9, so the Sigma version of this lens is unfortunately destined to be largely forgotten about. I really hope that Sigma makes a mirrorless version of this and their 105mm f/1.4 DSLR lenses soon.
In 2019 Sony would make the first mirrorless design, with the 135GM. Maintaining most of the Sigma's performance, while cutting its weight to under one kilogram (2.2 lbs). Soon, the floodgates on 135mm f/1.8 AF mirrorless lenses would open.
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2007 - Zeiss A - 1,210g (2.67 lbs)
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2017 - Sigma - 1,255g (2.65 lbs)
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2019 - Sony FE - 950g (2.09 lbs)
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2022 - Samyang FE - 772g (1.7 lbs)
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2023 - Canon RF - 935g (2.06 lbs)
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2024 - Nikon Z - 995g (2.19 lbs)
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2025 - Viltrox Z/FE - 1,300g (2.87 lbs)
In 2017, the Sony A9 & Sigma 135mm lens was a formidable combo, but it weighed 1,928g (4.25 lbs), which made it heavier than the DSLR combo from almost a decade prior (Sony A900 + Zeiss 135 - 1,900g / 4.19 lbs). Two years later, the Sony 135GM lens brought the mirrorless combo down to a more manageable 1,623g (3.58 lbs) while improving image quality and AF performance. The weight alone wasn't as important as its distribution (nicely concentrated towards the back end). Although the Samyang is the lightest lens option, let's combine the Sony 135GM with the lightest Sony full frame camera (A7C), that would give you a total system weight of 1,459g (3.22 lbs). Since they've been available for a couple of years, they can be picked up for a relatively reasonable price (especially second hand).
An all Nikon option (Z5) would cost nearly double and weigh (220g / 0.49 lbs) more, or if you combine that camera with the Viltrox lens, it would cost about 20% less, while weighing (520g / 1.15 lbs) more.
Canon has no third-party options for a 135mm f/1.8 lens. Although their lightest camera (R8) has no body stabilization, their 135mm f/1.8 lens does and that combo would only (1,396g / 3.08 lbs). That's a fraction lighter than the all Sony combo (63g / 0.14 lbs), but again, it would cost nearly double.
Build Quality
The lens is really Generally well built, with great weather sealing. I have taken it out in heavy rain and snow with no issues at all. It has some nice controls too, including a declickable aperture ring, two custom buttons, a focus limiter and AF on/off switch. The hood is nice and big, with a rubberized front ring and a locking button. I don't think you could ask for much more given its price and weight.
On the downside, I have an anecdotal story of woe regarding the build quality on this lens. I have to preface this with the fact that I take great care of my photography equipment, and this lens has never been dropped. However, the front assembly just came off. If this plastic ring, which is held on by four tiny plastic clips, comes off, you can no longer fit the hood or front lens cap. Also, with this part missing, the front glass is exposed, so if you were to put the lens down its front the glass would touch the surface. Since I was no longer under warranty, the repair cost me around €350. I was fearful it would be even worse, so I hadn't even touched the lens for over a year. This is a shockingly bad piece of engineering on an otherwise well built product.
Image Quality
If it wasn't for the Sigma version of the 135mm f/1.8 lens I would say the Sony is pretty image quality perfection. Both are pretty great on sharpness, even right into the corners when wide open, but I did feel the bokeh rendering on the Sigma was a touch nicer. That's a bit subjective of course, but one thing that wasn't was the CA & ghosting from strong light sources. The Sony isn't bad, it's probably better than most other high performing lenses, it's just the Sigma was insane. I could have the sun in frame and there would be nothing on the other side of the frame, as long as you weren't stupidly using a filter to "protect" your lens.
Focusing
The focus speed from the dual linear XD motors is extremely impressive considering it's massive glass elements. It tracks subjects really well on the Sony A1 and it nearly totally silent.
The minimum focus distance of 69cm (27 inches) makes this lens capable of closeups on people's faces or prducts. It also makes it a half decent macro lens too, especially when you pair it with a high megapixel body like the A1 (see below).
Similarly if you're shooting things further away a 50mp sensor does so well on this lens that you can kind of use it to increase your usable focl length. For example, the results from this lens can be cropped very use-ably to a 200mm f2.7 (23mp) or even a 300mm f/4 (10mp) equivalent. Since it performs well at its widest aperture you can almost always shoot at low ISO and reliably crop like crazy without concern. Although it's not a cheap lens I think it's actually reasonably priced for what it is. Even when cropped to 200mm it let's in more light and provides better subject isolation than the Sony 70-200GM II.
Bokeh Panos
This focal length can feel a bit restrictive, so if you want a winder angle with the dreamy shalllow depth of field you can use the bokeh panoramas technique (A.K.A. "Brenizer Method"). Just shoot a bunch of images with locked settings and stitch them together. I have been shooting these for 15 years now, they're much easier to shoot on mirrorless cameras and lighter lenses,
