Sony FE 135mm F1.8 GM

Reviewers rank it at or near the top of every resolution test on Sony E, with sharpness wide open into the corners and very low colour aberrations. Bokeh is smooth and well controlled, though not quite as soft as the 85mm GM in some comparisons, and vignetting at f/1.8 is moderate.

AF speed and accuracy are excellent for a fast telephoto prime. The criticisms are weight at 950g, the 82mm filter, the price, and the lack of teleconverter support. Some testers point out that the Samyang and Sigma 135s are cheaper but cannot match its AF.

Portrait, wedding and indoor sports shooters praise the hit rate and the sharpness at f/1.8, and many say it is the lens they reach for when results matter most. The focus limiter and hold buttons are widely used, and the aperture ring is liked by video users.

The complaints are size and weight in long sessions, the large hood, and the need for room to work at 135mm indoors. Some owners say it shows focus breathing on video and that the price is hard to justify unless 135mm is a core focal length.