Zeiss Milvus 135mm f/2 ZE 135mm
The Sonnar optical design with four low-dispersion elements and ZEISS T* coating delivers exceptional sharpness and contrast even at f/2, while the all-metal, weather-sealed barrel provides robust, tactile durability. Its manual focus design with a long, rubberized focus ring and floating elements system enables precise control for critical focusing at its 1:4 magnification. This lens is best for portrait photographers who prioritize optical rendering and build quality over autofocus speed.
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong aperture (90th percentile) 90th
- Strong bokeh (88th percentile) 88th
Cons
- Below average social proof (3th percentile)
- Below average user sentiment (8th percentile)
- Below average build (13th percentile)
- Below average versatility (34th percentile)
What owners think
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews — so you can see whether early praise held up.
Based on 8 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Focal Length Min | 135 |
| Focal Length Max | 135 |
| Elements | 11 |
| Groups | 8 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/2 |
| Min Aperture | f/22 |
Build
| Mount | Canon EF |
| Format | Full-Frame |
| Weight | 1.1 kg / 2.5 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 77 |
AF & Stabilization
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 800 |
| Max Magnification | 1:4 |
vs Competition
| Spec | Zeiss Milvus 135mm f/2 ZE 135mm | Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS | Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR | Panasonic LUMIX G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES50200 | Tamron Di III 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 | Sony E SELP1650 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 135mm | 16-300mm | 28-400mm | 50-200mm | 28-75mm | 16-50mm |
| Max Aperture | f/2 | f/3.5 | f/4 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 |
| Mount | Canon EF | Sony E | Nikon Z | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E | Sony E |
| Stabilization | false | true | true | true | false | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | true | true | true | true | false |
| Weight (g) | 1120 | 615 | 726 | 655 | 550 | 116 |
| AF Type | - | HLA | STM | linear motor | VXD | Stepping motor |
| Lens Type | - | zoom | zoom | telephoto | zoom | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Af | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | User Sentiment | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zeiss Milvus 135mm f/2 ZE 135mm | 54.9 | 88.3 | 12.8 | 40.8 | 40 | 90.1 | 7.5 | 34.1 | 2.7 | 35.9 |
| Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS Compare | 54.9 | 84.6 | 58.3 | 85.9 | 98.9 | 77.5 | 0 | 99.6 | 78 | 99 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR Compare | 86.6 | 78.4 | 50.8 | 81.2 | 97 | 71.8 | 0 | 98.9 | 83.1 | 98.2 |
| Panasonic LUMIX G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES50200 Compare | 98.2 | 86.4 | 54.6 | 22.8 | 95.9 | 84.1 | 91.7 | 88.3 | 65.9 | 96.3 |
| Tamron Di III 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 Compare | 54.9 | 86.4 | 63.2 | 84.8 | 91.2 | 84.1 | 80.8 | 78.5 | 91.7 | 35.9 |
| Sony E SELP1650 Compare | 86.6 | 75.5 | 93.6 | 35.1 | 64.4 | 77.5 | 63.6 | 83.5 | 74.1 | 92.5 |
Price
Value & Pricing
B&H Photo 1 offers From CA$3,161
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
