Samyang 135 mm T2.2 ED UMC VDSLR § 03 Head to head
Samyang 135 mm T2.2 ED UMC VDSLR vs Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135 mm f/1.8
Samyang 135mm f/2 is 165 g lighter. Sony 135mm f/1.8 is 0.3 stops brighter maximum aperture.
The Samyang 135 mm T2.2 ED UMC VDSLR is a 135mm f/2 prime, and the Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135 mm f/1.8 is a 135mm f/1.8 prime. On paper the Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135 mm f/1.8 comes out ahead, 3 advantages to 2, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
Samyang 135 mm T2.2 ED UMC VDSLR 
Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135 mm f/1.8 01
Key differences
Why is the Samyang 135 mm T2.2 ED UMC VDSLR better than the Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135 mm f/1.8?
- 165 g lighter (830 g vs 995 g)
- Newer design (2015 vs 2006)
Why is the Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135 mm f/1.8 better than the Samyang 135 mm T2.2 ED UMC VDSLR?
- 0.3 stops brighter maximum aperture (f/1.8 vs f/2)
- 8 mm shorter (114.5 mm vs 122 mm long)
- Focuses 8 cm closer (0.72 m vs 0.8 m)
02
Which should you buy?
- portrait For portrait photography, the Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135 mm f/1.8 has the edge: its f/1.8 aperture gathers more light than f/2.
- low-light For low-light shooting, the Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135 mm f/1.8 has the edge: its f/1.8 aperture gathers more light than f/2.
03
Specification
| Specification | Samyang 135 mm T2.2 ED UMC VDSLR | Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135 mm f/1.8 |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 135mm | 135mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2 | f/1.8 ◆ |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/22 |
| Lens type | Prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | Full frame | Full frame |
| Weight | 830 g (29.28 oz) ◆ | 995 g (35.10 oz) |
| Dimensions | 82 x 122 mm | 88 x 114.5 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.8 m (31.50 inches) | 0.72 m (28.35 inches) ◆ |
| Image stabilization | No | — |
| Aperture ring | Yes | — |
| Aperture blades | 9 | 9 |
| Optical construction | 11 elements / 7 groups | 11 elements in 8 groups |
| Filter size | 77 mm | 77 mm |
| Lens mount | Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony A, Micro Four Thirds, Sony E | Sony A |
| Released | 2015 | 2006 |
04
Size
- A · Samyang
- B · Sony
- 122 × 82 mm
- 114.5 × 88 mm
The Samyang 135 mm T2.2 ED UMC VDSLR is 8 mm longer and 165 g lighter than the Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135 mm f/1.8.
05
Sample frames
Samyang 135 mm T2.2 ED UMC VDSLR
Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135 mm f/1.8
06
Video reviews
07
Questions
- Which lens has the brighter aperture, the Samyang 135 mm T2.2 ED UMC VDSLR or the Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135 mm f/1.8?
- The Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135 mm f/1.8 opens to f/1.8, against f/2 on the Samyang 135 mm T2.2 ED UMC VDSLR, 0.3 stops brighter.
- Which is lighter, the Samyang 135 mm T2.2 ED UMC VDSLR or the Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135 mm f/1.8?
- The Samyang 135 mm T2.2 ED UMC VDSLR weighs 830 g, 165 g less than the Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135 mm f/1.8 (995 g).
- Which focuses closer, the Samyang 135 mm T2.2 ED UMC VDSLR or the Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135 mm f/1.8?
- The Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135 mm f/1.8 focuses down to 0.72 m, against 0.8 m for the Samyang 135 mm T2.2 ED UMC VDSLR.
- Is the Samyang 135 mm T2.2 ED UMC VDSLR or the Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135 mm f/1.8 better for portrait photography?
- For portrait photography, the Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135 mm f/1.8 has the edge: its f/1.8 aperture gathers more light than f/2.
- Is the Samyang 135 mm T2.2 ED UMC VDSLR or the Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135 mm f/1.8 better for low-light shooting?
- For low-light shooting, the Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135 mm f/1.8 has the edge: its f/1.8 aperture gathers more light than f/2.
08