FE 135mm F1.8 GM

Reviewer verdict

Across 17 YouTube reviews, the Sony FE 135mm F1.8 GM earns an Index score of 3.9/5, ranking #16 among Lenses. Reviewers most often praise its image quality, build quality, autofocus, while the most common criticisms concern focal length/range, build quality.

Praised as one of the sharpest lenses ever made, this G Master prime delivers outstanding edge-to-edge resolution and incredible detail. Its optical prowess extends to its rendering, producing beautiful, creamy bokeh and excellent subject-background separation ideal for portraits and weddings. The autofocus system, powered by fast and silent linear motors, is exceptionally quick and reliable, confidently tracking subjects and nailing eye-AF. This top-tier performance is housed in a premium, weather-sealed body that features a host of professional controls, including a de-clickable aperture ring, customizable focus-hold buttons, and a focus limiter. Its close-focusing capability is another frequently cited benefit, allowing for near-macro shots with dramatic background blur.

The primary drawbacks are its high price and substantial size and weight, which can make it cumbersome and front-heavy on some camera bodies. Its 135mm focal length is highly specialized, offering less versatility than a zoom and requiring significant distance from the subject, which can be limiting in tight spaces. Furthermore, the lack of in-lens optical stabilization (OSS) is a significant omission, placing greater demand on in-body stabilization for sharp handheld shots, particularly during video recording. Some minor focus breathing and cat's-eye bokeh in the corners when shooting wide open were also noted by reviewers.

Analysis based on 17 YouTube reviews (2h 46m of video) with 203 pros and 78 cons extracted.

Pros (203)

Cons (78)

Review sources

• Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM lenses review with samples (Full-frame & APS-C) by Christopher Frost — 25 pros, 11 cons
• Sony FE 135mm f1.8 G Master - IN-DEPTH review by Gordon Laing — 16 pros, 7 cons
• Sony FE 135mm F1.8 GMASTER Review | The BEST Sony portrait lens 😍 by Georges Cameras TV — 17 pros, 3 cons
• Sony 135mm f1.8 GM | In-Depth Hands on Review 14 pros, 6 cons
• Sony 135mm f/1.8 G Master is a BEAST of a Lens by Kai W — 17 pros, 2 cons
• Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM on Sony A7III Review | The King of CINEMATIC by Kensei Akatsu — 13 pros, 5 cons
• The NEW Sony 135mm 1.8GM | Is it better than the 85mm 1.4GM? by Manny Ortiz — 13 pros, 4 cons
• Sony 135mm f1.8 GM long term review 4K by David Oastler — 13 pros, 2 cons
• Sony 135mm F1.8 G Master Review by TheCameraStoreTV — 10 pros, 5 cons
• Sony FE 135 G Master Lens Review 11 pros, 3 cons
• The Sony 135mm F/1.8 G Master Experience Review! A Bokeh MASTER! by HiFi Huff — 12 pros, 2 cons
• Sony 135mm GM - You NEED This Lens For Your Wedding Films (Review) by Matt WhoisMatt Johnson — 9 pros, 5 cons
• SONY 135MM F1.8 GM | SONY FULL FRAME LENS REVIEW by Peter Lindgren — 8 pros, 4 cons
• The Sony 135mm 1.8 GM Lens Review | Award-Winning Portrait Photographer Reviews the 135 1.8 (+ RAWs) 8 pros, 4 cons
• Sony 135mm f/1.8 GM Review On The Field! by Pierre T. Lambert — 4 pros, 7 cons
• One Lens, One Country. (Sony 135mm f1.8 GM in Iceland) by James Popsys — 6 pros, 5 cons
• the lens that makes backgrounds disappear. by Chris Brockhurst — 7 pros, 3 cons

Frequently asked questions