Have you ever tried a 105 or 135mm lens?! Have an amazing Sunday!! Come say hi on IG instagram.com/pierretlambert ▹ The 135mm Lens price: geni.us/BYOmo (Amazon) ▹ How I edited the photos (street collection): pierretlambert.com/presets
135mm is by far my favorite focal lengths for portraits or candid street. people dont even notice you. The compression and bokeh is just 2nd to none (exept the old legendary 200mm f1.8)
I heard that based on data Sony gathered, around 135 mm was used for a ton of event, portrait and sports photography so they decided to make it a 135. I love this lens, I use it primarily for portraits and sports. For sports where the distance is controlled, it's absolutely excellent. Extremely sharp, amazingly fast autofocus (same motor tech as the 400 2.8)
I know this is an old post. But if you see this do you mail sharing your autofocus settings when shooting sports? I have the A7RV and the 135 1.8 GM and I am struggling to nail focus on my son during soccer games
@josephinevera9966 sports will require a higher shutter speed. Also, make sure you are on AF-C so it's constantly adjusting the varying distances and movement .
Personally, I am shooting with 135mm modern and vintage for years - and the first thing that comes into mind when I watch your video - I would go much closer and try to catch his facial expressions while jumping. You are shooting basically environmental shots with a 135mm .. this focal length is not made for this kind of shot - yet I find your results refreshing. Still, I guess you also find the compression too much - you are a great photographer but I feel the 135mm is not made for this use case here. The high compression will make the shot look flat - better go with 85mm or 50mm in this case.
My kit consists of the 24mm 1.4 GM, the 50mm 1.2 GM, and the 135mm 1.8 GM. With the ability to punch in with an APS-C crop on the A7IV with the push of a button (which will give you focal lengths loosely comparable to 35mm, 75mm, and 200mm respectively albeit with an APS-C DoF for a given composition), there's basically nothing I can't get with these.
I actually bought this 135 gm and use it with the sigma 105 1.4. Now i need an 85! The 135 gm; It really is an astonishing lens but it really requires a trained eye and love for 135. If anyone thinks this is a heavy lens then try the sigma 105 1.4 😁 What also makes this lens special is the fact that you can focus real close and it has lightning fast AF....and sharpness beyond anything. Everyone has different tools for different needs so it's cool to see you try it and go back to 85. 😊👍
The 135mm is great for portrait and (some) low light event photography. It's heavier, but not as heavy as the 70-200mm GM. Definitely a no-go when it comes to street or tavel. Overall, next to my 24mm GM, it's my favorite lens.
For me, this lens would right at home. I find my hit rate with super telephoto is much better than wide. I suck with wide. Telephoto lets me single out subjects or have good compression that automatically adds some magic to pictures!
If I'm not using 24GM then it's usually the 135GM, then 85 1.8 or 55 1.8. I love the isolation and bokeh of 135 more than 70-200 or 85. 135GM is more expensive but lighter and more accurate than Sigma.
"Find the one that works for you": that's good BUT it takes time to learn if a new focal length works or doesn't work, possibly weeks or even months, because it's about getting used to it and then comes the creativity, and only then it's possible to know "okay it's not for me", in my opinion.
What is funny is that is was really hesitating about buying a 135mm prime lens, and I decided to buy one after you (Pierre) recommended to use long focal in a former video. I agree it is difficult to get used to that focal length (135mm), and I was very confused at first. I’ve been using it for one week on a trip in Mexico, and yesterday I took shots I was very satisfied about. I think it’s great for street photography because it is discrete (you don’t need to get too close to your subject) and because you can really isolate your subject. In addition to that, it is an unusual lens for street photography and I think it makes us more creative.
Anyway I don’t have the 70-200. Having both is redondant I think. (Merci Pierre et félicitations pour cette naissance ! C’est très dur au début mais ça en vaut la peine. Certains en font même un deuxième 😉)
Bought this and the 24GM together with the A7R4 and absolutely love the 135! Now the 24Gm not quite so much - need more time with it. Both really sharp though.
Right. It depends what one shoots. I used my 24mm GM less then 10 times for a whole year. Love my 135mm and don’t even think of getting 85mm unless they renew it.
We love our 135 GM. Fantastic compression and subject isolation. We also have the 70-200gm and 85gm. Three different beasts, but we love shooting video with all of them.
It's a real difficult focal length to be boss of. Especially when most of us love rolling on those 24mm and 35mm focal lengths. Those skater images turned out awesome though, it's all about discipline, one week with that lens and you'll own it. Thanks for the film, have a great 2020 💥
Hi Pierre !! I've always used a 135 but not automatic. The best use is for taking head and bust shots at a distance. I always used it with Tri-X boosted for indoors. 1.8 would be absolutely Awesome for that. I know what you mean tho. There are a lot of times when I'm using a wide angle lens where I wish I could get objects closer like with a telephoto but still maintain the same field of view.
Just got back from Chicago and used my 135mm quite a bit. I shot my 70-200 at 135 most of the time so I like that fov to start. Having the lowlight capability really helped, and I was able to get some great vertical panoramic shots. I think the Batis 135 would be ideal because it’s lighter, but I’m committed to learning this lens. Definitely going to look for a deal on the Sony 85 1.8, but doubt I’ll sell the 1.4 I already have. Always appreciate your work, and trust me, sleep can be made up later.
I can relate to what you're saying. The 135 feels uncomfortably far compared to the 85. The 70-200 on the other hand feels like a magnifying glass because you know you've got a distance to cover.
I can absolutely relate to it 😂 travel, landscape and adventure is my cup of tea. I never liked any of the 135mm I used, but just recently got a 105mm sigma for a bargain and that one fits like a glove for me
@@MrLiesAngeles absolutely! Sharp, fast abd somewhat unique. 105mm feels familiar to me, 135mm doesn't unfortunately 🤷♂️ Shot a Krampus portrait you can look up in the Sony A7III Facebook group for example
My newly purchased 135 is on its way to me now. I have a wedding shoot coming up, and think this lens will compliment my 24-70 nicely, giving me the extra reach and separation I will need at times. I am a little nervous about receiving my new lens after watching this review, lol, but 90% sure I have made the right choice for me. I could have rented it, but I think I will need at least a good few weeks to get used to the lens.
Even as a portrait photographer the 135 is odd. I rented the lens and couldn’t quite wrap my head around it. But I kept enjoying the images I saw with it. I eventually bought it and have spent time with it. Two or three shoots later and I’m finding ways to use it for these lifestyle, almost voyeuristic portraits of my subjects that I’m really happy with. But for me, because of the compression, the shallow DOF and pretty narrow field of view, I think this works best with careful planning and haven’t enjoyed it as a walk about lens. And then of course it’s fantastic for headshots, but that’s an almost too obvious use for that FL. I’m really happy with the lens, but it’s absolutely not an aspiration lens for everyone in every genre.
The 135 G Master and it's smaller sibling 24mm f/1.4 are my two favorite lenses... I had a chance to rent it for an event, and fell in love with it, it is simply AMAZING, crazy-sharp and resolves beautifully... Unfortunately there are NOT a lot of uses for it due to it's range (an 85, which you can use in 35mm mode and thus have a '127.5mm' equivalent gives you more flexibility) but it's SO much fun and creates such great shots, I look for excuses to use it!. Btw it's FANTASTIC for family photos, though you will basically have to 'yell the posing instructions' to your talent due to having to stand so far away lol... Also fantastic for Landscape and shooting Cityscapes (such as shooting New York City from across the river...) hope to see you make a video like that!!
Thing is: this is a focal length that takes getting used to. It’s also really hard for street photo as you need space. I use the Canon 135 f2 and I love it. It usually takes the place of the 70-200 when I don’t have room in my bag. It is also on my second camera body when I shoot sports like rugby. At $2k, it’s not a viable option to be a lens you use only to get more reach when the 85 falls short. But if you have the use for it, it’s an amazing focal length.
Hy Pierre, i love 135mm lenses, i have 3 lenses i use the most with 135mm, Tair 11A 135mm f2,8 with 20Aperture Blades ;-) , Carl Zeiss Jena 135mm f4 and Porst 135mm f1,8, love it for Street-Shots ;-)
I have a 105mm lens that I use, but I don't usually use it for street photography. I used it recently in a small club photographing the performers and I've used it for portraits.
It's definitely a niche focal length, but 135mm lenses tend to be super sharp and have amazing bokeh for portraits. I also love it for street photography shooting candid portraits. Hope you get some sleep!
I actually love this lens but it does have some pros and cons with the focal length. I have 3 little kids and this or an 85 is perfect in my opinion for most pictures. And this lens is pretty sharp.
Hi Pierre, thanks for be honest with us, that's hard to find nowadays. I would like that you share more about how you take your photos, I mean about your focus mode, speed, etc. The pics of the skater boy were amazing.
Funny, I’m just the opposite - I shoot people running, and 85mm is just okay, but this 135mm lens is a major step up for that job. The right tool for the job. Thanks for the great videos!
Dude I totally like my 105mm more than a 135mm. I totally get what you're saying. It feels way tighter than even the 70-200! I thought I was the only one!
Thanks for the honest feelings yet like someone said,its a portrait style prime lens.That's like me wanting to go jogging but i put some Stacy Adams on my feet.Next,if i hear one more grown man cry about the weight of a lens,i will scream and laugh at the same time.I am in NYC,and I have seen women and children,with backpacks and DSLRs,full sized mirrorless,and not one of them looks like they are about to die,top over,or develop a physical disability.Even with a daypack with essentials 2-3 lenses,and the body,its probably less than 20=30 lbs.Photography can be expensive and the gear can have some weight,and we can pick and choose what tools we use.
I returned mine for the same reason, it's too heavy to one-hand without shake and I seem to notice things around the 85mm range, trying to train my brain to look much further away for action felt pretty awkward, 85mm seems perfect!
@Rich Clark Productions I one-hand my 85mm all the time for street portraits, it looks less sketchy, maybe that's not your style, that's fine haha but it's what I do
Awesome photos Pierre, totally get your views on the 135 for street photography but for weddings/portrait and what you did with the boarder etc it’s a fabulous focal length at 1.8 😃
from around the beginning of the video when I saw some samples from this lens, i really thought it's more for portraiture rather than street photography. Away from street photography, why not use it for taking "street portraiture" (in case you are not into having a studio and lighting systems ...etc)
yeah its mostly for portraits. or close ups its not much useful for tight spaces. but i want it someday for the image quality and the way it compresses things!
135mm, for some landscapes, is life-saving, when 85mm is sometimes just too wide. But as you said, it’s a question of getting used to it. I have both of these focal lengths for film and I am almost not taking the 135mm out. Bulk does have a role in this. 85mm f/2 is ridiculously tiny. Anyway. I hear you. And, as I think you missed my previous comment about sleep, just don’t skip opportunities to sleep. It’s really paramount, in the long run (over a few months, that is).
I just bought this lens please help me to decide if my copy has an error or not. Namely when the lens isnt attached to the camera and i tilt the lens down or lift it up it feels like something heavy(glass) is moving around inside. Did you noticed something similar?
Hey Pierre, the selected photos you show along the video are the ones that come out from the camera or are the post-processed ones? Keep up with the excellent work. Love your vids.
I currently own the 135mm GM, but I quickly realized that it is not a lens for me, the focal length is just too long. When I shot portraits with it I felt like I had to scream to the model because of the distance lol I'm currently going to wait and see it Sony are going to release a 105mm 1,4 GM instead and pick one up.
I think I’m having a somewhat similar issue. I rec’d a Sony 85 mm for Christmas. But I put it on an APSC so I think it is closer to a 105 mm (yes?). Anyway, I’m having a hard time getting far enough away from subjects. But, I love the quality of the lens and what it can do. Plus, it’s not big and bulky. So, I can’t wait to work with it more. I’m sure I will adjust to the “tightness”.
@Rich Clark Productions got it, I shoot mainly with the 35 and 85. Thank you for the insight. I couldn't really see how it'd be great for sports but I could see how for weddings it could be useful. For me, if I needed that length the 70-200 would probably be the way to go.
Thanks for putting this out there. I've been considering a 135, but wasn't certain. I have a 55-250 that I rarely use, and now I think I really won't get a 135 prime.
Ok, just kidding. I mean the shots really are insane, but usually fixed focal length lenses have the advantage (besides lower f stops) that they are small and easy to carry. So I probably also wouldn‘t use this regularly. I briefly tested the Sigma 135mm and it was cool, but also yelling at the people I take photos of from a distance is not what I want to do. 😂
I feel like 85-100mm is still sort of photography. 135mm and above and you are starting to just document things. This is especially true with something like the 200-600. Very little creative room and very much just trying to get as close and clear as possible to the bird.
135 is great for portraits but awful for a street lens. My highest prime is a 85mm. I don’t see the need for more then that. I have a 70-200 if I need longer.
I have the 135gm and the sigma 105, I almost never use the 135.... It's super sharp and fast focusing, has good minimum focusing distance BUT my 105 has a better 3D pop factor, which is why I feel the 135 was not the best choice
you understand that the separation is higher on a 135mm F1.8 then a 105mm f1.4 right? It simply depends on the distance between background and subject. The 3D pop factor should be higher on the 135mm when you use it in optimal conditions. Only if you come closer the 105 will give you better full-body shots.
Did somebody noticed the glass or something heavy is moving around when tilted or lifted...!? Is this an issue of a bad copy or this is normal as it has a special construction ...??? (Also when connected to the camera and switched on the movement dissapears..)
I usually shoot with a 50mm, and have recently limited myself to a 40mm I had just collecting dust. Took about a week for me to start feeling it. Not a massive shift, but enough to jar me. Haha
That’s odd, the 70-200 weighs 530 grams heavier than the 135 - guess “similar weight” is subjective I’m selling my 70200 GM in part due to its size and weight cause for me and my pack when traveling for shoots (or just going out to shoot with one lens), 530 grams is a VERY noticeable difference. Opinions vary I suppose
Thanks. Great video Pierre 👍🏻📸 I want switch for sony. I have got 5dmarkiv. But Sony it’s for video too. I haven’t dicided yet a7iii or a7riii. Wich one do you advice me? :)