Carl Zeiss Milvus 135 mm f/2 § 03 Head to head
Carl Zeiss Milvus 135 mm f/2 vs Sigma 135mm F1.8 DG HSM Art
Zeiss 135mm f/2 focuses 7 cm closer. Sigma 135mm f/1.8 is 0.3 stops brighter maximum aperture.
Both lenses are made for the Canon EF mount: the Carl Zeiss Milvus 135 mm f/2 is a 135mm f/2 prime, and the Sigma 135mm F1.8 DG HSM Art is a 135mm f/1.8 prime. On paper they trade blows, with 2 advantages each.
Carl Zeiss Milvus 135 mm f/2 
Sigma 135mm F1.8 DG HSM Art 01
Key differences
Why is the Carl Zeiss Milvus 135 mm f/2 better than the Sigma 135mm F1.8 DG HSM Art?
- Focuses 7 cm closer (0.8 m vs 0.88 m)
- Smaller filter thread (77 mm vs 82 mm)
Why is the Sigma 135mm F1.8 DG HSM Art better than the Carl Zeiss Milvus 135 mm f/2?
- 0.3 stops brighter maximum aperture (f/1.8 vs f/2)
- Newer design (2017 vs 2016)
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Which should you buy?
- portrait For portrait photography, the Sigma 135mm F1.8 DG HSM Art has the edge: its f/1.8 aperture gathers more light than f/2.
- low-light For low-light shooting, the Sigma 135mm F1.8 DG HSM Art has the edge: its f/1.8 aperture gathers more light than f/2.
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Specification
| Specification | Carl Zeiss Milvus 135 mm f/2 | Sigma 135mm F1.8 DG HSM Art |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 135mm | 135mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2 | f/1.8 ◆ |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/16 |
| Lens type | Prime lens | Telephoto prime lens |
| Format | Full frame | Full Frame |
| Weight | 1123 g (39.61 oz) ◆ | 1,130 g (2.49 lbs) |
| Dimensions | 89.7 x 115 mm | 91.4 mm (diameter) x 114.9 mm (length) |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.80 m (31.50 inches) ◆ | 0.875 m (34.4 in) |
| Maximum magnification | — | 0.2x |
| Image stabilization | No | No |
| Weather sealing | Yes | Yes (dust and splash resistant) |
| Aperture ring | No | No |
| Aperture blades | 9 | 9 (rounded) |
| Optical construction | 11 elements / 8 groups | 13 elements in 10 groups |
| Filter size | 77 mm ◆ | 82 mm |
| Lens mount | Canon EF, Nikon F | Canon EF, Nikon F, Sigma SA, Sony E |
| Released | 2016 | 2017 |
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Size
- A · Carl
- B · Sigma
- 115 × 89.7 mm
- 114.9 × 91.4 mm
The Sigma 135mm F1.8 DG HSM Art is 7 g heavier than the Carl Zeiss Milvus 135 mm f/2.
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Sample frames
Sigma 135mm F1.8 DG HSM Art
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which lens has the brighter aperture, the Carl Zeiss Milvus 135 mm f/2 or the Sigma 135mm F1.8 DG HSM Art?
- The Sigma 135mm F1.8 DG HSM Art opens to f/1.8, against f/2 on the Carl Zeiss Milvus 135 mm f/2, 0.3 stops brighter.
- Which is lighter, the Carl Zeiss Milvus 135 mm f/2 or the Sigma 135mm F1.8 DG HSM Art?
- The Carl Zeiss Milvus 135 mm f/2 weighs 1123 g, 7 g less than the Sigma 135mm F1.8 DG HSM Art (1130 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Carl Zeiss Milvus 135 mm f/2 or the Sigma 135mm F1.8 DG HSM Art?
- The Carl Zeiss Milvus 135 mm f/2 focuses down to 0.8 m, against 0.88 m for the Sigma 135mm F1.8 DG HSM Art.
- Do the Carl Zeiss Milvus 135 mm f/2 and the Sigma 135mm F1.8 DG HSM Art have image stabilization?
- No, neither lens has optical image stabilization; rely on in-body stabilization if your camera has it.
- Is the Carl Zeiss Milvus 135 mm f/2 or the Sigma 135mm F1.8 DG HSM Art better for portrait photography?
- For portrait photography, the Sigma 135mm F1.8 DG HSM Art has the edge: its f/1.8 aperture gathers more light than f/2.
- Is the Carl Zeiss Milvus 135 mm f/2 or the Sigma 135mm F1.8 DG HSM Art better for low-light shooting?
- For low-light shooting, the Sigma 135mm F1.8 DG HSM Art has the edge: its f/1.8 aperture gathers more light than f/2.
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Other comparisons
- Carl Zeiss Milvus 135 mm f/2 vs Nikon Nikkor MF 135 mm f/2
- Carl Zeiss Milvus 135 mm f/2 vs Samyang 135 mm T2.2 ED UMC VDSLR
- Sigma 135mm F1.8 DG HSM Art vs Sony FE 135mm F1.8 GM
- Sigma 135mm F1.8 DG HSM Art vs Sigma A 135 mm f/1.4 DG
- Sigma 135mm F1.8 DG HSM Art vs Viltrox AF 135 mm f/1.8 LAB
- Samyang AF 135 mm f/1.8 FE vs Sigma 135mm F1.8 DG HSM Art
- 7Artisans AF 135 mm f/1.8 Max vs Sigma 135mm F1.8 DG HSM Art