Sigma 135mm F1.8 DG HSM | Art

Testers rated it among the sharpest 135mm lenses made, with excellent wide-open contrast, minimal CA and negligible distortion. Bokeh is smooth with only mild outlining of highlights.

The usual caveats apply: it is heavy, the HSM AF is not quick enough for serious action, and without stabilisation the long focal length needs care on bodies with older IBIS. Sony's FE 135mm F1.8 GM later matched it optically with much faster AF.

Owners use it for headshots, events and stage work and praise the compression and separation. Many say it was the best value way to get a fast 135 on Sony before the GM arrived.

Complaints centre on weight, AF that hunts occasionally in dim light, and the lack of a tripod collar. Some found the focus noise noticeable in quiet venues.