The Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM (Amazon, B&H) is primarily a photography lens, though it will be used for video.
In this article let’s take a comprehensive look at the important features and specifications of the Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM and see how good it will perform specifically for video, cinematography and filmmaking.
The aim of this article is to provide you with enough information and perspective so you can decide for yourself whether this lens is right for your film or video.
Important: This article is a comprehensive overview of the lens with available information; and an analysis based on our experience shooting for almost two decades. It is not a hands-on review. If and when we get hold of the lens we’ll be sure to publish a detailed review. If this is not your cup of tea you can stop reading.
Click to what you want quickly:
- TLDR;
- Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM vs Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM
- Features:
- Control:
- Basics:
- Alternatives to the Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM
TLDR;
What you need to know for video work about the Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM (Amazon, B&H):
- The Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM is a great telephoto lens.
- This could be a great lens for nature documentaries, wildlife filmmaking and sports coverage. It’s not telephoto enough for lots of work, but will be great for everything else.
- The f/1.8 aperture is great for low light work.
- 11 circular blade aperture for softer, better bokeh.
- Aperture ring on the lens itself will make it easier to ride the aperture.
- Linear manual focus aka fly by wire for better, more precise control of the manual focus.
- Two customizable buttons
- Sony claims the Eye AF is quick and precise. That’s a major USP for low light shooters.
- It exhibits breathing.
Can be great for the following types of filmmaking:
- Wildlife filmmaking
- Sports Filmmaking
- Wedding filmmaking
- Documentary filmmaking
Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM vs Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM
| Lens | Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM | Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM |
| Filter Thread | 82mm | 82mm |
| Size | 89.5 x 127 mm | 91.4 × 140.9mm |
| Weight | 950 g | 1,230 g |
| Closest focusing distance | 0.7 m / 2.3 ft | 0.8 m / 2.62 ft |
| Aperture Ring | Present, De-Clickable | Absent |
| Customizable Button | Present | Absent |
| Max. Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.8 |
| Min. Aperture | f/22 | f/16 |
| Aperture Blades | 11 blades | 9 blades |
| Angle of View (Diagonally) | 18 | 18.2 |
The Sigma 135mm f/1.8 Art DG HSM (Amazon, B&H) is heavier and bigger than the Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM (Amazon, B&H).
Sony GM lenses have a focus hold button specifically designed for ease in videography, it also has a de-clickable aperture ring which makes it easier to ride the aperture. This puts the FE Sony 135mm f/1.8 GM at a great advantage over the Sigma 135mm.
Sigma 135mm has a farther minimum focusing distance than the Sony 135mm. The Sony lens has more aperture blades than the Sigma for a theoretically better, softer bokeh.
How about their MTF charts? Here’s a look:
Upon comparing the official MTF charts of both the lenses you can infer that Sony is better when it comes to sharpness and corner to corner performance.
The aesthetic ability of each lens is subjective and you might want to test both lenses. However, on the whole, the Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM (Amazon, B&H) is to me the clear winner.
Features
Coverage
The Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM is a full frame lens. It is designed to completely cover a sensor the size of 36mm x 24mm.
If you are considering this lens for an APS-C sensor or other cinema camera, check out this article:
Focal Length
The focal length is 135mm. This is considered telephoto on a full frame 35mm sensor.
This focal range is very useful for telephoto work and close ups.
Aperture
The maximum aperture is f/1.8 and the minimum aperture is f/22.
There is an aperture ring on the lens. The aperture can be de-clicked with the turn of a switch on the lens. This helps you ride the aperture in a smooth manner to control exposure during a shot.
Having f/1.8 is great for low light. Pairing it with Sony’s ISO sensor, low light shoots should not be a problem for you.
The Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM (Amazon, B&H) has 11 circular diaphragm blades. One expects a smooth bokeh, considering the number of blades, but it’s not always a given.
To know more about bokeh:
Resolution
From Sony’s official MTF charts:
The Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM is razor sharp in the center and stays rocksteady throughout. Phenomenal performance.
With the variance in the Sagittal and Tangential lines, you can infer (somewhat) that the bokeh won’t be proportionally smooth as the best prime lenses on the planet. However, it should be decent, and they correlate to each other well so there is some harmony in the design.
If you really want this lens at its sharpest you’re better off stopping down to f/2.0 or even f/2.8 for best results.
If you are curious and want to read the MTF chart for yourself. Here’s a guide on how to read them easily.
Close Focus
The closest focusing distance has two modes and can be controlled by a close focus switch on the lens. The two modes are:
- 0.7 m/2.29 ft (at “0.7 m – 2 m” position)
- 1.5 m/4.9 ft (at “1.5 m – infinity” position)
This promotes versatility of the lens which can do close ups, some macros and as well as telephoto shots.
Image Stabilization
The Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM (Amazon, B&H) lens does not have Optical Steady Shot. However, you can get some image stabilization if you use it with the a7sIII or Alpha 1.
Control
Manual focus system
The Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM (Amazon, B&H) has an infinite turn ring for its focus ring and can turn infinitely one way or the other. Sony 135mm has a Linear MF Focus system which is very similar to fly by wire.
What is the meaning of focus by wire and fly by wire?
Focus by wire: Let’s say you turn the focus ring to change focus from point A to B. You’d expect the focus to shift accordingly. When you stop point B will be in focus. Now bring the focus point back to A and try again, but at a different speed. Slower or faster, doesn’t matter. Now, even if you precisely rotate to the exact same degree, the focus will not be on point B! The speed of rotation determines which point it is focused on. That’s just completely useless for follow focus work. If an actor or person moves at a different speed, evens lightly, you’ll never get the same focus. Avoid focus by wire lenses like the plague (for video work).
Fly by wire: The distance of focus shifted is directly proportional to the speed at which the ring is turned. This is how a manual focus ring is supposed to operate for video and cinematography.
Linear Response MF refines controls for manual focusing operability. The focus ring features high control resolution so that user input is precisely followed when focusing manually. Linear Response MF also realizes intuitive focusing and is almost equivalent to mechanical manual focusing. The focus changes linearly in response to focus ring rotation, giving the user the control immediacy needed for fast, accurate manual focusing.
Sony
This decision to include fly by wire or linear MF by Sony makes this lens a great choice for cinematographers and videographers.
Autofocus system
Sony’s Autofocus is, without a doubt, one of the most revered video autofocus systems in the world. They claim that this lens supports Eye AF, contrast AF and Phase Detection AF. The switch on the side of the body to switch from autofocus to manual focus can be very useful too.
Sony’s innovative XD (extreme dynamic) linear motors also play an important role, making it possible to maintain focus on moving portrait subjects, performers on stage, or similarly dynamic subjects with impressive speed, precision, and reliability, while also providing quiet, low-vibration AF control.
Sony
Basics
Filter Thread
The Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM (Amazon, B&H) has a filter thread diameter of 82mm. This is a common filter diameter for telephoto lenses.
Build Quality
The majority of the lens exterior is plastic, although Sony claims the lens is made of magnesium alloy.
The optical design consists of 13 elements in 10 groups, including spherical aberration compensation, XA (extreme aspherical), Super ED (Extra-low Dispersion) and ED glass.
Size and Weight
The Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM (Amazon, B&H) has a diameter of 89.5mm and a length of 127mm. It weighs around 950 grams. It is not featherweight but light enough for its focal length.
Weather resistance
Sony claims that all GM lenses are weather resistant. In addition to their usual dust and moisture resistance they have claimed to add an extra seal to this lens.
But again this only holds true if the camera body you will be using is also weather sealed. No camera is truly and officially weather sealed, so the best you can hope for is reliable weather resistance.
This is a G Master series lens and we can expect it to perform as such.
In addition to the normal dust and moisture sealing measures, a seal has been added at the lens-body interface for even further protection and reliability in challenging environments. Shoot with confidence in light rain or windy conditions.
Sony
What’s in the box
This is what you get in the box (other than the lens):
- Hood (model): ALC-SH156
- Lens front cap: ALC-F82S
- Lens rear cap: ALC-R1EM
- Case
The hood might be useful for photography and some cinematography. Some people like to put it on to protect the front element in case of a fall. The hood takes the impact and shatters, but saves the lens. I’d keep it on unless you have good reason not to.
Alternatives to the Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM Lens
The Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM (Amazon, B&H) is a great telephoto lens. There only alternatives are:
- Sigma 135mm f/1.8 Art DG HSM (Amazon, B&H) – Same aperture, lesser blades, cheaper, heavier and bigger, worse AF.
- Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro (B&H, Amazon) – Wider field of view, macro, smaller aperture, no OSS – not really a replacement.
- Sigma 105mm f/1.4 Art (Amazon, B&H) – Wider field of view, larger aperture, worse AF.
I hope you found this overview of the Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM (Amazon, B&H) useful. If we have missed out on something, please let us know in the comments below.
