Samyang AF 135mm f/1.8 FE 135mm
The f/1.8 aperture combined with three ED elements and an ultra-precision aspherical element delivers sharp subject separation and suppressed aberrations for full-frame Sony E-mount cameras. Its weather-sealed, 772g build and 11-blade diaphragm provide durable handling and smooth bokeh at a competitive price point. This lens is best for portrait and astrophotography shooters who prioritize fast autofocus and optical clarity without the premium cost of first-party glass.
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong af (87th percentile) 87th
- Strong optical (81st percentile) 81st
Cons
- Below average aperture (21st percentile)
- Below average user sentiment (22nd percentile)
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
- Below average bokeh (35th 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 13 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 | f/22 |
| Min Aperture | f/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 | Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD | Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 | Sigma Contemporary 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12060 | Sony G SELP28135G.SYX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 135mm | 17-70mm | 17-28mm | 16-28mm | 12-60mm | 28-135mm |
| Max Aperture | f/22 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/4 |
| Mount | Sony E | Fujifilm X | Nikon Z | Sony E | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
| Stabilization | false | true | false | false | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weight (g) | 772 | 544 | 450 | 450 | 320 | 420 |
| AF Type | Linear STM AF Motor | RXD | Stepping Motor | Stepping AF Motor | linear motor | SSM |
| Lens Type | prime | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | User Sentiment | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samyang AF 135mm f/1.8 FE 135mm | 87.4 | 34.5 | 54.9 | 51.4 | 80.6 | 21 | 22.1 | 33.3 | 55.9 | 37.8 |
| Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Compare | 53.7 | 87.4 | 69.6 | 85.9 | 91 | 84.6 | 63.3 | 89.3 | 85.1 | 83.4 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 Compare | 87.4 | 87.4 | 75.9 | 85.9 | 88 | 84.6 | 90.8 | 67.3 | 68.8 | 37.8 |
| Sigma Contemporary 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN Compare | 87.4 | 87.4 | 75.9 | 77.8 | 97.2 | 84.6 | 75.5 | 68 | 62.7 | 37.8 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12060 Compare | 98.1 | 87.4 | 84.6 | 51.9 | 91 | 84.6 | 44.2 | 93.1 | 67.8 | 83.4 |
| Sony G SELP28135G.SYX Compare | 94.4 | 78.4 | 77.7 | 34.1 | 88 | 67.1 | 63.3 | 92.4 | 55.7 | 93.4 |
Price
Value & Pricing
B&H Photo 1 offer From CA$828
Amazon.ca 1 offer From CA$1,314
Price History
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
