Sony FE 135mm F1.8 GM

Sony

FE 135mm F1.8 GM

Released April 2019

A full-frame E-mount telephoto prime with an F1.8 aperture, four XD linear autofocus motors and a floating focus design.

Mount
Sony E
Focal length
135 mm
Max aperture
f/1.8
Stabilisation
No
Weight
950 g

What reviewers say

Both praise outstanding sharpness, smooth background blur, accurate autofocus and strong construction, while finding the price and size substantial. Photography Blog sees slightly reduced sharpness at F1.8, improving by F2; Amateur Photographer describes exceptional wide-open resolution. Amateur Photographer also finds the switches stiff and autofocus slower on older bodies. Both note mild corner darkening.

From amateurphotographer.com, photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com and photographyblog.com

Optics

Lens type
Prime
Focal length
135 mm
Maximum aperture
f/1.8
Minimum aperture
f/22
Optical construction
13 elements in 10 groups
Special elements
XA extreme-aspherical, Super ED and ED glass elements
Coatings
Nano AR Coating; fluorine coating on front element
Diaphragm
11 rounded blades
Angle of view
18° full frame; 12° APS-C

Mount and compatibility

Mounts
Sony E
Image circle
Full frame
Image circle detail
Full-frame coverage; 202.5 mm equivalent field of view on APS-C
Teleconverter support
Not compatible with SEL14TC or SEL20TC

Focus and stabilisation

Autofocus
Yes
Minimum focus distance
0.7 m
Maximum magnification
0.25×
Optical stabilisation
No
Autofocus detail
Four XD linear motors, two per focus group; floating focus design and internal focusing
Focus distance detail
Minimum focus 0.7 m; Linear Response MF; focus limiter selects full, 0.7–2 m or 1.5 m–infinity
Magnification detail
Maximum magnification 0.25×
Stabilisation detail
No lens stabilisation; compatible bodies provide stabilisation

Design

Dust and moisture resistant
Yes
Filter diameter
82 mm
Maximum diameter
89.5 mm
Length
127 mm
Weight
950 g
Controls
Aperture ring with click on/off, AF/MF and focus-range switches; two customisable focus-hold buttons
Weather resistance
Dust- and moisture-resistant design; not guaranteed completely dust- or moisture-proof
Weight detail
Approximately 950 g lens; separate hood and caps excluded
Lens hood
ALC-SH156 round bayonet hood with release button
In the box
ALC-SH156 hood, ALC-F82S front cap, ALC-R1EM rear cap and soft carrying case
Release detail
Sony Europe specified April 2019 shipment; Japan specified 19 April, distinct from 5 March pre-orders; North America specified late April. Main date preserves April precision. Maker specifies XA glass, rather than the AA label in Amateur Photographer; maker 0.7 m minimum focus also resolves a 0.70 cm typo in Photography Blog’s conclusion

Pros and cons

Pros

  • F1.8 maximum aperture
  • 0.25× maximum magnification
  • Aperture ring with switchable clicks

Cons

  • 950 g lens weight
  • No optical stabilisation

Closest rivals

Model
MountFocal lengthMax apertureStabilisationWeightReleased
Sony E85 mmf/1.8No371 gMar 2017
Sony E100 mmf/2.8Yes700 gMar 2017
Sony E85 mmf/1.4No820 gMar 2016

Sources

  1. sony.jp/ichigan/products/SEL135F18GM/spec.html
  2. sony.jp/ichigan/products/SEL135F18GM/feature_1.html
  3. sony.jp/CorporateCruise/Press/201902/19-0227
  4. sony.mediaroom.com/2019-02-26-Sony-Electronics-Inc-Announces-New-Full-frame-135…
  5. mynewsdesk.com/sony-europe/pressreleases/sony-announces-new-full-frame-135mm-f1…
  6. amateurphotographer.com/review/sony-fe-135mm-f1-8-gm-review
  7. photographyblog.com/reviews/sony_fe_135mm_f1_8_gm_review

Photo: sony.jp

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