Samyang AF 135mm f/1.8 FE 135mm
Its f/1.8 aperture and 13-element optical design with three extra-low dispersion elements and an ultra-precision aspherical element yield sharp, contrast-rich images with minimal aberrations. A weather-sealed barrel, 11-blade diaphragm, and linear STM autofocus add reliable handling and smooth, quiet focusing for both stills and video. This lens is ideal for portrait, event, and astrophotography shooters on Sony E-mount who need professional image quality in a cost-conscious package.
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong af (87th percentile) 87th
- Strong optical (78th percentile) 78th
Cons
- Below average aperture (25th 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.
- Q2 2024100/100
Buyers praised the lens as incredibly sharp and a fantastic value, especially when bought on sale.
- Sharpness praised, even wide open and at slow shutter speeds.
- Excellent value for money, especially at sale price.
- Works well with adapters on Z9 and a1 cameras.
- Dual function focusing feature appreciated by users.
- Q1 202433/100
One buyer reports a firmware update bricked their lens with unhelpful support; two others praise sharpness and performance. Mixed experience overall.
- Firmware update bricked lens; support unresponsive, lens now unusable.
- Lens described as tack sharp, quiet, fast, and a great addition.
- Sharp lens; considered similar to Rokinon 135.
Based on 12 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | prime |
| Focal Length Min | 135 |
| Focal Length Max | 135 |
| Elements | 13 |
| Groups | 11 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 |
| ED Elements | 3 |
| Coating | ultra multicoating |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | 22 |
| Min Aperture | 1.8 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 11 |
Build
| Mount | Sony E |
| Format | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 kg / 1.7 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 82 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | Linear STM AF Motor |
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 690 |
| Max Magnification | 1:4.2 |
vs Competition
| Spec | Samyang AF 135mm f/1.8 FE 135mm | Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS | Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD | Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR | Panasonic LUMIX G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES50200 | Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 135mm | 16-300mm | 18-300mm | 28-400mm | 50-200mm | 18-135mm |
| Max Aperture | 22 | f/3.5 | f/3.5 | f/4 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 |
| Mount | Sony E | Sony E | Fuji X | Nikon Z | Micro Four Thirds | Canon EF-S |
| Stabilization | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | true | true | false | true | true | false |
| Weight (g) | 772 | 615 | 92 | 726 | 655 | 515 |
| AF Type | Linear STM AF Motor | HLA | VXD linear motor | STM | linear motor | STM |
| Lens Type | prime | zoom | zoom | zoom | telephoto | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Af | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samyang AF 135mm f/1.8 FE 135mm | 86.6 | 40.8 | 46.7 | 44.6 | 78.4 | 24.5 | 34.1 | 52.3 | 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 | 99.6 | 78 | 99 |
| Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD Compare | 98.2 | 75.5 | 96.4 | 87.8 | 74.3 | 77.5 | 99.2 | 83.1 | 81.1 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR Compare | 86.6 | 78.4 | 50.8 | 81.2 | 97 | 71.8 | 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 | 88.3 | 65.9 | 96.3 |
| Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Compare | 86.6 | 75.5 | 46.6 | 33.2 | 79.8 | 77.5 | 96 | 78 | 92.5 |
Price
Value & Pricing
B&H Photo 1 offers From CA$828
Amazon.ca 1 offers From CA$974
Price History
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
