7Artisans AF 135mm F1.8 MAX
Launch MSRP
$689- Weight
- 1,014g
- Filter
- ⌀82mm
- Min focus
- 0.68m
- Max mag.
- 0.25×
- Formula
- 16E / 13G
- Released
- 2026
Specification sheet
Optical construction
- 6x ED
- 5x High Refractive
- Nano Multi-Coating
- Anti-Smudge Coating
- Aperture range
- f/1.8 — f/16
Physical & ergonomics
- Weight
- 1,014g
- ⌀ × length
- 91.2 × 130.0mm
- Filter
- ⌀82mm
- Weather sealed
- Yes
- Aperture ring
- Yes
Autofocus actuator
- Stabilisation
- Body IBIS
- Teleconverter
- Not supported
- AF speed score
- 7.2 / 10
Close-up performance
- Min focus distance
- 0.68m
- Max magnification
- 0.25× (1:4.0)
Optical character
The AF 135mm F1.8 is the first lens in 7Artisans' MAX line and a serious, low-cost alternative to the big 135mm f/1.8 primes. Its 16-element, 13-group design uses six ED and five high-refractive elements behind a 12-blade aperture. It is sharp in the centre wide open, and vignetting is unusually low for a fast 135.
It is a large metal lens at about 1014g and 82mm filters, with a 0.68m close focus that gives a strong 0.25x magnification. The Sony E version has a clicked aperture ring with an A position, plus two Fn buttons, an AF/MF switch, a dust-sealed mount, anti-smudge front coating and USB-C for firmware. Focus is driven by an STM stepping motor.
Reviewer consensus
Reviews of the Sony version rate it optically excellent for the money: a strong centre at every aperture, good corners at f/1.8 and excellent ones by f/5.6, and close-up performance that improves quickly by f/4. Vignetting is very low (about 1.2 EV wide open), colour fringing is well controlled, and bokeh is smooth.
The compromises are in mechanics and video. Flare and ghosting are easy to provoke without the hood, focus breathing is clearly visible, AF speed is only average with a faint whirr and occasional hesitation, and there is no focus limiter. The aperture ring feels dry and is easy to knock out of A.
Owner sentiment
Portrait shooters like the subject separation, the close focus and the price, which is a fraction of Sony's 135mm GM. Many see it as the best-value fast 135 for E-mount.
Common complaints are the weight on smaller bodies, the hood's lack of a lock, audible aperture blades and AF that is not quick enough for fast action. Owners recommend keeping the firmware current through the USB-C port.
Strengths, weaknesses & performance
Strengths
- +Sharp from f/1.8, excellent stopped down
- +Very low vignetting (about 1.2 EV at f/1.8)
- +0.68m MFD, 0.25x magnification
- +Metal build, dual Fn buttons, sealed mount
- +$689 price
Weaknesses
- −Heavy (about 1014g)
- −Flare and ghosting without the hood
- −Visible focus breathing
- −Average AF speed, no focus limiter
Six-axis rating
- Sharpness
- 9.0
- Bokeh Rendering
- 8.6
- Autofocus Speed
- 7.2
- Flare Resistance
- 6.6
- Build / Sealing
- 8.2
- Value / Size
- 8.8
Editorial 0–10 ratings synthesised from published reviews.
Technical specifications
| Mount | Sony E (FE) · full frame |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 135mm |
| Category | Telephoto |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/16 |
| Construction | 16 elements in 13 groups |
| Special elements | 6x ED · 5x High Refractive · Nano Multi-Coating · Anti-Smudge Coating |
| Aperture blades | 12 |
| Focus type | Autofocus |
|---|---|
| Drive | STM |
| Minimum focus | 0.68m |
| Max magnification | 0.25× |
| Stabilisation | None (uses body IBIS) |
| Teleconverters | Not supported |
| Weight | 1,014g |
|---|---|
| Diameter × length | 91.2 × 130.0mm |
| Filter thread | ⌀82mm |
| Weather sealing | Yes |
| Aperture ring | Yes |
| De-clickable aperture | No |
| Release year | 2026 |
| Launch MSRP | $689 USD |
Sources
Specifications
- 7artisans.store/products/af-135mm-f1-8-full-frame-lens-for-e-z-l
- en.7artisans.com/prod_view.aspx
- phillipreeve.net/blog/review-7artisans-135mm-f-1-8-max/
- exibartstreet.com/
Similar focal length alternatives
- VSAF 135mm F1.8 MAX vs 135mm F2.0 ED UMC
- VSAF 135mm F1.8 MAX vs AF 135mm F1.8 FE
- VSAF 135mm F1.8 MAX vs 135mm F1.4 DG | Art
- Samyang/Rokinon
135mm F2.0 ED UMC
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- 840g
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- MSRP
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MFRING - Samyang/RokinonAF
AF 135mm F1.8 FE
135mmF1.8- WT
- 772g
- FLT
- ⌀82mm
- MFD
- 0.69m
- MSRP
- $999
AFWR - SigmaArt
135mm F1.4 DG | Art
135mmF1.4- WT
- 1,420g
- FLT
- ⌀105mm
- MFD
- 1.10m
- MSRP
- $1,899
AFWRRING·DC
