Why You Need a 135mm f2 Lens 

Thanks for watching! Subscribe for weekly videos! More regular content from me in these places: 💌 newsletter: mwroll.com 🎞 instagram: instagram.com/mwroll 🪙 patreon: patreon.com/micaelwidell 🐦 twitter: twitter.com/micaelwidell Samyang (the one I took all photos in this video with): amzn.to/2DUx0Tp Canon: amzn.to/2BFZejd Sigma: amzn.to/2DiQb8e Nikon: amzn.to/2zz2drO Carl Zeiss: amzn.to/2C6Vif9

I watch this video repeatedly, it makes me so emotionally moved, i have tears running down my cheeks sometimes, hearing your passion is really inspiring, the music accompanying the video just hits me, the video throughout is beautiful, the ending when you are praising your fans like me, it is really nice and refreshing to see a person like you making the videos and pictures that you do, thank you, thank you for so much, it is soooo inspiring!!! wonderful!!!

Thanks for creating this video. I’m a camera enthusiast as well and most of the time collect too many lenses and cameras, so it’s nice to find something that stands out in the crowd.

Awesome overview. I too was blown away by this lens. Glass of this quality for this price is rare indeed. The 85mm F1.4 is also mind blowing. Many THANKS!

I just purchased an Asahi Pentax Super Takumar 135mm F3.5 and an adapter for Nikon from eBay. This video is perfect timing as it should be here in two weeks. Thanks for the info.

Great video. I own a Samyang 135 f2 and absolutely love it. Just the greatest image quality and so cheap.

Seen a couple of your vids now and loved them both. You have a great style, and a very inspiring passion. Keep up the great work mate!

I've really enjoyed the videos you've made so far in 2017 and very much look forward to seeing more in 2018. Thank you Micael.

That's okay, I am obsessed with watching RU-vid about lenses

Very useful video I have to say, congratulation - the way you present is very hands on and you addressed the points that are often very important when shooting a portrait. Thank you!

Second time watching this, and was really was struck with the comment regarding the advantage of a base aperture being at f2. Wow, that also makes the manual focus option more attractive! Great video, very helpful!

I'm happy that you've found a niche, please keep making videos!

Not sure if I necessarily need one, but I now certainly want one. Thank you Micael. :)

Love your videos. Great production and commentary.

I purchased my 135 f/2L a few years ago used for $800. It is easily my favorite lens. The images are beautiful.

Thank you for this clear and concise review. Lovely images, too! Thank you!

I have a Zeiss 135mm f2, and while I don't use it that much, it's probably one of my favorites, very sharp. Very nice video, thanks for sharing...

I gave this video a thumbs up right after the intro. I notice that not many RU-vidrs mention the fact of carrying a lens that’s very expensive. You want to be able to enjoy the lens not worry about if the glass is gonna scratch on your hoodie zipper. Great point!

Thank you very much for sharing! Please keep sharing your passion and ideas please!

Thank you for sharing. Very informative. And you do beautiful work.

Great inputs and valuable feedback Micael 👍👍👍👍

Thank for the review. I really like your pictures in the video. I was into those expensive af 135mm lenses, but you successfully convinced me. I think I would get this lens soon. I might be able to enjoy the pictures coming out of this lens. Subbed to your channel.

Thank you for the video. Wonderful images.

I was looking for this lens and with your excellent video I bought it and I have decided, excellent video, congratulations!

Great video with impressive pictures. I own several 135mm vintage lenses, but never gave them attention. Am going to test them ….. thanks

Lovely photos ! You just convinced me to get a nice 135 mm vintage camera.

very knowledgable video, great stuff!

Great review. You nailed the magic of the combination of long focal length - which flattens perspective - and wide open f2 aperture: narrow depth of field and creamy bokeh. It's a specific tool and what a great one. I was wanting a telephoto and not wanting the mediocre aperture of the standard kit zoom but not sure of the alternatives. Obviously, it comes down to that extra 3-4 fstops, which create the magic of that gorgeous isolation that you use with such skill. Your photos are awesome and moving and you made it clear what about the lens' cocktail of attributes makes that magic possible. Now I know exactly how to procede. I'm using cropped APS-C so I might end up getting a slightly shorter focal length in the end, but you showed me why I want a medium telephoto with a big aperture. Thank you for the education. I'll be checking out your other videos, for sure.

Mate this was great, cheers from Ireland

That is such superb quality, damn thanks for the inspiration for my next lens, it's expensive but worth it. Thanks.

Good points! Love your explanation.

So chilling and relaxed. Your experience of using this lens wants to make me buy one! I'm now looking at some old vintage 135s. Great video!

Your videos are a revelation, i like them very much and leran a lot from them, thank you very much for your effort into creating them.

Awesome video and awesome pictures👍🏾

looks at wallet. Continues to use kit lens.

Such a good review. Thank you for including so many photos that give credence to the point you are making. So many people doing reviews just want to get their own face on the screen. Ego.

Nice vid man🙌👍💯 got the canon one and it’s a superb lens. Definitely agree wt you on this 135,f2 lenses

This lens is pretty awesome. Definitely many of my favorite shots are with this lens. Especially for portraits. Would like to try other shots as well, thanks!

I've never shot in 135mm, i'm excited to try a new focal length. I've only ever really shot in 24-70 as it covers a decent range in both directions but i have been longing for some reach a telephoto can achieve. Thanks for the info! 👍

The cat photograph at 2:40 is simply beautiful. I'd say it was a perfect photograph. Well done man. I have a beautiful 135mm f3.5 Nikkor, and that's gorgeous. I also have a Nikkor 300mm f4.5 IF, that takes gorgeous photos - but it's a little hard to use. Yes, I'm a lens slut. I also have a Jupiter 9 - 85mm f2 I think, which is just dreamy. Great work, and thank you for the video.

GREAT VIDEO! Thank you for posting! I subbed and excited to see more. I want as well to read some of your articles and will be looking out for them. Thank you again! Peace!

thank you for posting a very informative video.

Nice video and congratulation for the article being published. I just would like to mention that I do have the Samyang 135 mm f2 (purchased it based on this video as well) and I too like it very much. Also, purchased the Nikon 135mm DC f2 AF, which is incredible. I had a bit more success with this lens then with the Samyang. Nikon users call it the 'Kind of Portrait', which I find it appropriate :). One last thing I would like to mention is that I got blown away by the Nikon 180mm f2.8 AF as well. Thank you again for the great video and wish you continues success.

One of my favorite vintage combinations is the 135mm f/2.8 Meyer-Optic Gorlitz Orestor lens on a Sony APSC camera adapted with a Kipon M42-NEX 0.7x Focal Reducer/Adapter. The focal reducer does away with the crop factor and adds a full f/stop. In other words, I am shooting with a 135mm equivalent f/2.0 lens on my APSC Sony A6600 camera. Manual focusing but, with the Sony camera, that is no big problem.

I love my Rokinon 135f/2. Just subscribed.

Super sharp and gorgeous bokeh.

Thanks for the video. I use two 135mm f/2 lenses: 1. Nikon 135mm f/2 AIS which I primarily use for portraits. 2. Zeiss 135mm f/2 APO Sonnar ZF 2 which I primarily use for reportage.

Awesome lens review. Thank you!

Your article in DP Review finally persuaded me o pull the trigger on the Rokinon 135. I got it today and I love it. I don't know why I waited so long to buy it.

I found this after purchasing the new Nikon 135 "Plena". Thanks for inspiring me about using my new lens

Great work! love your honesty and modesty, very clear and smart tips! I used to own the canon 135 for years and it was my favorite lens. After moving to nikon few years ago i've been missing a very good performance 135 lens. i recentely bought a sigma135A for the Nikons and after some calibration results are second to none (to non of my high glass etc)other lens, among them some super-tele ...) keep on with the good work!

So helpful - thanks.

Hey Micael, i saw this Video a few month ago and couldn't stp thinking of it. Actually i am waiting for the Samyang 135 2.0 for my Sony a7r2 :) can't wait for it. Thanks for your great work, this is really special :)

I have the Canon 135. I agree 100% with everything you have said about this lens and it's spec. It is THE PERFECT portraiture lens.

keep up the good work !

Great video. I have this wonderful lens. Thank you. RS. Canada

Thanks for your valuable opinions. You make more common sense than many of the other photographers! You think like I do!

AMAZING REVIEW!!

I got the Nikon 135mm F2 DC 2 weeks ago and the pictures are amazing. I took a portrait of my wife and it's my favorite one of her so far.

Killer review and very nice video..

Good thoughts I totally agree!

Inspired by you. Bought it also. Amazing lens. For just 360 Euro new it worth every euro. Thank you.

Sweet. Some really fabulous looking photos there. At least to my novice eye.

Great info here my friend. I own a Sony a6000 and planning on buying the Sony FE 85mm 1.8 which would be a 127.5mm in my crop sensor camera, instead of the new sigma 56mm for apsc which is a 84mm full frame. I believe the longer focal length will suit me better as you also recommend on this video. Greetings from Argentina!!

Great review. I am using the sigma 135 and I have to say this is a magic focal length and love the iq

I bought the Canon 135 f2 a few months back; absolutely brilliant… snap snap snap

Perfect review

Great Job!

Great video! I wish I had considered a 135mm lens before I bought a Canon 100mm lens.

love your videos

very useful. Thanks

Super sharp at all apertures? Wow

I got Minolta 135mm f2.8 for $20, though it’s a manual focus but it dos a great job in terms of sharpness and colour quality.

Very useful. I just bought the Canon.

I love the Zeiss 135mm f/2 for me it is the best lens I have ever use, though I have never been able to justify buying the lens. The problem with 135mm is its lack of practicality indoors, compared to the 85mm or 105mm (I own both) and it is very hard to justify buying the lens in that situation. When I seriously went over to Fujfilm (after dabbling for several years) I bought the X-H1 and soon after the 90mm f/2 (equivalent 137mm (f/3 depth of field)) and whilst you are not getting quite the aperture of the f/2 or f/1.8 lenses to be honest I haven't found a situation where I am that bothered. Of couse if I really needed f/2 performance, I would mount my Zeiss Milvus but the lens is huge and technically a 135mm should have slightly more depth of field. One of the other things you mention is sharpness, which is really bugging me now days when people talk about cameras and lenses. I have some of the sharpest lenses on the market and the reality is whilst if I was to compare the Ziess 85mm Milvus against a Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D at normal viewing distances. I wouldn't really be able to see a difference a lot of the time. When pixel peeping yes, the difference is dramatic but that is not how most people view an image and there are much more important things than just sharpness when it comes to lenses.

I bought the FD 135mm f2.5!

great review

thank you 2 mate

Hello from Tampa Florida! Great video Micael, just learned about your channel from Mathieu Stern's RU-vid channel. I will be watching and commenting, so keep up the great work. Be well and stay encouraged!!!

Nice vid as I was looking to add a MF to my Leica SL2-S body. I found a like new in box Zeiss APO Sonnar 135/2 for $800. Can't wait to receive it.

I was equally surprised at how sharp the canon 135 was when i bought it - even though i was well aware of its reputation

You convinced me, this is the portrait lense to get

Depth of field is very small both on a 85/1.2 or a 135/2, and you can always stop down a bit.

85mm on a crop sensor. The Tamron SP VR 1.8f. One of the lenses out there that’s beating almost every manufacturer.

Nice video. The zeiss APO is an incredibly sharp lens. Most likely the sharpest of any lens here. I am a fan of the DC nikkor's both the 105 and the 135. Low element count lenses that have a beautiful rendering to them. Sharp to but not APO sharp. Ultimately all the lenses you have on your video are capable of taking beautiful images. You are right about longer focal length giving greater compression. Although technically it is about distance that is not how photographers work in portraiture. Photographers will frame their subject regardless of what focal length they are using and therefore a longer focal length will give you greater compression.

@ 0:57 a Saab 9000 drove by. I love those cars.

I love my 40 year old Olympus 135mm lens on my micro four thirds

I'm very interested in getting the Nikkor 135mm F2 DC.

But which one you will suggest really .. 100 mm canon or 135 mm canon ? Mostly for portraits / flowers / macro ? Pl advise

Another great advantage with the Samyang on a Sony is that the teleconverters also fit. This changes the lens to a 200mm 2.8 beast (1.4 converter with 1 stop loss)👍 If you then put it into crop mode it becomes a 250mm lens👍👍👍👍

I got a Samyang 135 for like 200 bucks in mint condition for my a7III. That lens is absolutely beautiful, it just slaps. It's also very versatile. I do a lot of portrait photography with a bit of astrophotography on the side. Amazing lens.

Zeiss is the best optically. I had the Canon and it was excellent. I chose the manual focus Zeiss after seeing photographer demonstrate how much better the Zeiss was than Sigma when he showed skin and face detail and color. So I got the Zeiss 135mm 2.0 Apo Sonnar

If I shoot with Canon, canon's 135/2 is my telephoto lens of choice in any case. I didn't try the Samyang, but focusing manual focus lens on a modern DSLR camera is a pain in the butt. However, focusing manual focus lens on a mirrorless camera of ANY BRAND as long as you are using focus peeking is a breeze. Mind you, I use a bunch of vintage lenses on my Fuji cameras, 135mm included...

I own a vintage Zeiss Sonnar T 135mm f2 (C/Y mount) which I use on my Canon 70D. It cost me about €200 used on eBay, and it's one of my favourite lenses. Have you ever used one?

It would have been nice if you had shown what aperture, shutter speed and iso was used for each picture.

One of my best and sharpest lenses. Only my Helios 40, 85mm 1.5 I like more.

Just got a used one for a bargain price, love it

Micael i use a Tamron 135mm 2.8 from the mid 70tis on a Canon 650d. I Like the Bokeh and sharpnes.

I had the Canon 135mm 2.0 L, but now I got the Sony 135mm 1.8 GM which have better close-up, but I miss a 1.4x teleconverter for the Sony which I had for the Canon.

I love 135mm, I have the 3.5 ai nikkor, amazing rendering, and best ever value for money!