The Viltrox 1335mm finally came in today and out the box there was something I had to know... YES, it is shorter and heavier than the 70-200mm GMII. Looking forward to see how it shoots.
That’s a tremendous lens at that price. When you did the comparison shots I knew immediately which was which as the 135 GM seems to have something about it that reminds of me of my 35 GM. Can absolutely see people having a preference one way or the other with the characteristics but either way they are both producing beautiful shots. Wild that’s possible given the price difference between them. Great review.
Very very impressed they were able to get such good performance at the price point. Especially with it being a less common focal length for many folks, I think it could make sense to save on this one and invest in GM for something like a 35 or 50
Other reviews like Dustin Abotts more in depth one.. have mentioned that this Viltrox has better "bokeh" especially around the edges..the Sony still gets that developing "cats eye" while the Viltrox does not have that..which that alone the Viltrox is impressive..lol
I suspect a 135mm lens is rarely used, especially when a 70-200 or the Tamron 35-150mm is available. So a used Samyang 135 1.8, which weighs much less and should also be very good, should be the more reasonable solution.
Comparing zooms to primes is apples to oranges. I have the 35-150 and love it to pieces for events and weddings. But this lens in a controlled environment or in very low light would be a game changer.
@taylor1038 I think y haven't read what I wrote. A used Samysdng 135 1.8 should be the more reasonable solution. And for, DOF reason y would use. 2.8 in = zoom
i dont know why - but here in germany that lens costs 1199 in preorder - thats 1284 $US at the current exchange rate including tax. I can have the Samyang 135mm for 699€ all in, can get it now, weighs roughly 500 grams less and is optically pretty much on par. only missing the display and aperture ring, allthough the focus ring can double as one. I welcome competition, but that one isn't for me. Had the Viltrox 27 and 75mm 1.2 for my Fuji X-H2, and they were just amazing. Razor sharp to the edge wide open at 40MP APSC - thats requires more resolving power than a Lens on an A7RV or even Fuji GFX 100. Both the A7RV and GFX have a Pixel pitch of 3.76µm, the X-H2 has 3.04µm - That speaks volumes for the quality they achieved there. But with this one i'm somewhat disappointed to be honest, because its not the level of the Pro Lineup.
@StephaanBOSS56 I can find it for 999€ on Amazon here... And even if I could get it at 765€, I'd still get the Samyang, for the weight savings. I don't need the display, I have their 16mm 1.8 and there I use it just for the hyperfocal distance reading, which doesn't really matter on a 135mm.
Thank you! Asa fellow a7CR user, how was handling this during your photoshoot? Honestly the weight is my only concern as the entire reason I went with the CR was the compact size.
If weight is a concern the. You might want to look into samyang/rokinon 135mm f1.8 AF. The the lightest of these three and has about the same size as the sony GM. Also cost the least.
Somehow everybody is comparing this Viltrox to GM, while another 135 1.8 lens exists that is according to many reviews optically as good or better than GM, also less than half the price of the GM, and lighter than GM. This is Samyang 135 1.8. I have not compared it to anything cause it is the only 135mm that I own, but I love everything about it: sharpness, bokeh, no CA, quiet focus motor, clean minimalistic design. AF of Samyang is supposed to be not as fast as Sony GM, but for me it kept up with bats flying in virtual darkness, so good enough. Not sure what kind of focus motor they employ, but it is certainly different and much better than e.g. Samyang 50mm 1.4 gen II (which I also own, and it's a good lens, but not stellar like 135mm).
That's very interesting. I bought the Samyang 135mm f/1.8. I returned it because the AF on my Sony A7R III was unacceptable. I really liked how light it was. What body are you using the Samyangs on? How is the AF of the 50mm f/1.4 AF II? (That's another Samyang lens I've been considering.)
@@AAJJ007 I use it mostly on a1. I also have a7RIII and used Samyang on it on a few occasions, did not notice anything wrong, but did not test it fully. On a1 it was fine for amateur roller hockey and, as I said, even for bats in flight, not 100%, but more than acceptable for me. 50mm 1.4 AFII is quite acceptable too, except in video it has a tendency to catch up on a wrong subject or sometimes not to catch up at all. 135mm is virtually silent, in contrast to 50mm which is clearly audible and less smooth. Here is an example of 50mm AF II being stuck in video ruclips.net/video/YhbvWj5TKEU/видео.html , but with an unexpected artistic result ). Here is also 135 1.8 quite shaky cause handheld and not stabilized, but AF OK ruclips.net/video/VSwjDbNvwhM/видео.html , in a crop mode ruclips.net/video/Clsgxh9Bchs/видео.html . All videos with a1. If you have FB, I can also give you references for many photos shot with Samyang 135mm.
I found the Af to perform incredibly well. It might not keep up with 120fps shooting on the a9iii, but I’m guessing you’re not using that since more folks don’t 😅
@kylemeshna True, online prices. I truly hope they release an 85mm f1.2 and a 35mm f1.2 (instant buys for me)...big middle finger to Sony, I literally got a Canon just for the 85mm f1.2.
Great video and amazing portraits man!
Can you try and adapt it to the ZF? Would love to see how it performs so when it finally comes to the Z mount we’ll know how it is
The Viltrox 1335mm finally came in today and out the box there was something I had to know... YES, it is shorter and heavier than the 70-200mm GMII. Looking forward to see how it shoots.
Lens A - Sony, Lens - Viltrox. I guess I'll find out in a sec. Super excited about this!
That’s a tremendous lens at that price.
When you did the comparison shots I knew immediately which was which as the 135 GM seems to have something about it that reminds of me of my 35 GM. Can absolutely see people having a preference one way or the other with the characteristics but either way they are both producing beautiful shots. Wild that’s possible given the price difference between them.
Great review.
Very very impressed they were able to get such good performance at the price point. Especially with it being a less common focal length for many folks, I think it could make sense to save on this one and invest in GM for something like a 35 or 50
Other reviews like Dustin Abotts more in depth one.. have mentioned that this Viltrox has better "bokeh" especially around the edges..the Sony still gets that developing "cats eye" while the Viltrox does not have that..which that alone the Viltrox is impressive..lol
@ldmndz4652 you’re saying that like I didn’t mention and show that in my video 😂
I suspect a 135mm lens is rarely used, especially when a 70-200 or the Tamron 35-150mm is available. So a used Samyang 135 1.8, which weighs much less and should also be very good, should be the more reasonable solution.
I’ll say, the look of a 135 1.8 prime is MUCH better than a 2.8 zoom.
i was thinking about that.
talking about costs and benefits,
the 35-150mm f2-f2.8 can be a better option
for 400$ more.
Comparing zooms to primes is apples to oranges. I have the 35-150 and love it to pieces for events and weddings. But this lens in a controlled environment or in very low light would be a game changer.
@taylor1038 I think y haven't read what I wrote. A used Samysdng 135 1.8 should be the more reasonable solution. And for, DOF reason y would use. 2.8 in = zoom
Viltrox is pushing back the release date to perfect the built. It sent out a statement about it.
Significant durance in sharpness between the two lens. You get what you pay! :)
Viltrox Nailed It!👌
That’s the “Pro Glass”
i dont know why - but here in germany that lens costs 1199 in preorder - thats 1284 $US at the current exchange rate including tax. I can have the Samyang 135mm for 699€ all in, can get it now, weighs roughly 500 grams less and is optically pretty much on par. only missing the display and aperture ring, allthough the focus ring can double as one. I welcome competition, but that one isn't for me. Had the Viltrox 27 and 75mm 1.2 for my Fuji X-H2, and they were just amazing. Razor sharp to the edge wide open at 40MP APSC - thats requires more resolving power than a Lens on an A7RV or even Fuji GFX 100. Both the A7RV and GFX have a Pixel pitch of 3.76µm, the X-H2 has 3.04µm - That speaks volumes for the quality they achieved there. But with this one i'm somewhat disappointed to be honest, because its not the level of the Pro Lineup.
It's 765 EUR on Amazon.
@StephaanBOSS56 I can find it for 999€ on Amazon here... And even if I could get it at 765€, I'd still get the Samyang, for the weight savings. I don't need the display, I have their 16mm 1.8 and there I use it just for the hyperfocal distance reading, which doesn't really matter on a 135mm.
Thank you! Asa fellow a7CR user, how was handling this during your photoshoot? Honestly the weight is my only concern as the entire reason I went with the CR was the compact size.
It’s certainly a big lens but I didnt find it to be too bad from a handling perspective
If weight is a concern the. You might want to look into samyang/rokinon 135mm f1.8 AF. The the lightest of these three and has about the same size as the sony GM. Also cost the least.
Somehow everybody is comparing this Viltrox to GM, while another 135 1.8 lens exists that is according to many reviews optically as good or better than GM, also less than half the price of the GM, and lighter than GM. This is Samyang 135 1.8. I have not compared it to anything cause it is the only 135mm that I own, but I love everything about it: sharpness, bokeh, no CA, quiet focus motor, clean minimalistic design. AF of Samyang is supposed to be not as fast as Sony GM, but for me it kept up with bats flying in virtual darkness, so good enough. Not sure what kind of focus motor they employ, but it is certainly different and much better than e.g. Samyang 50mm 1.4 gen II (which I also own, and it's a good lens, but not stellar like 135mm).
That's very interesting. I bought the Samyang 135mm f/1.8. I returned it because the AF on my Sony A7R III was unacceptable. I really liked how light it was.
What body are you using the Samyangs on?
How is the AF of the 50mm f/1.4 AF II? (That's another Samyang lens I've been considering.)
@@AAJJ007 I use it mostly on a1. I also have a7RIII and used Samyang on it on a few occasions, did not notice anything wrong, but did not test it fully. On a1 it was fine for amateur roller hockey and, as I said, even for bats in flight, not 100%, but more than acceptable for me. 50mm 1.4 AFII is quite acceptable too, except in video it has a tendency to catch up on a wrong subject or sometimes not to catch up at all. 135mm is virtually silent, in contrast to 50mm which is clearly audible and less smooth. Here is an example of 50mm AF II being stuck in video ruclips.net/video/YhbvWj5TKEU/видео.html , but with an unexpected artistic result ). Here is also 135 1.8 quite shaky cause handheld and not stabilized, but AF OK ruclips.net/video/VSwjDbNvwhM/видео.html , in a crop mode ruclips.net/video/Clsgxh9Bchs/видео.html . All videos with a1. If you have FB, I can also give you references for many photos shot with Samyang 135mm.
@@AVerkhovsky Amazing! Thanks Man! Yes, of course I have FB. Where do I find those photos?
@@AAJJ007 I posted links here, but it seems my reply did not go through. I wonder if the links to FB are blocked here.
@@AVerkhovsky what's your FB name?
Can the Aperture be turned off?
How is the auto focus in very low light? I do mostly festivals and circus shows
I found the Af to perform incredibly well. It might not keep up with 120fps shooting on the a9iii, but I’m guessing you’re not using that since more folks don’t 😅
@@kylemeshnait won’t go beyond 15 fps since it’s a 3rd party lens.
If its difficult to be super extremely good. Become speciality lens. Just like milvus 135 and z 135 plena
Sigma 105mm f1.4 art + aps-c x1.5 = 157mm f2 very beautiful .. test 🙏🏼
Does it come fit for Nikon Z
E mount to start, but Z Mount should be coming soon is my understanding
It will be costly for Z mount.
No one in their right mind would buy this over the samyang which is a no compromise alternative to the Sony GM and weight almost half the Viltrox
I thought lens A was Sony...
2100-900 = 1200 ; dude, this numbers are a lot !!!
9.22 your graphic says "Tamron"
Hah... Whoops.
Not better than Samyang 135 which is ONE pound lighter at the same price.
So you've already tested both of those side by side?
It is better. I own the Samyang.The Viltrox is sharper.
Samyang is trash
@@tnproduction7674 nice, another dude who doesn't know what he's talking about...
Nah... Samyang cost a bit less too.
Sports shooters don't bother your not gonna get the 20-30fps, stay with the 135mm GM
Sports shooters are already aware of that
@kylemeshna I wasn't when I bought the samyang 135mm so I'm just telling others!
It is not the best and it is much too big and heavy !
… well, there is absolutely no sign of a GM killer if you use a Viltrox lens on an a1 or a9 … 😂 …
If you need that level of High+ drive mode, you're already well aware that you need to pay for a GM
Buy a used 135mm GM...
Average used price is $1300-$1500
@kylemeshna True, online prices. I truly hope they release an 85mm f1.2 and a 35mm f1.2 (instant buys for me)...big middle finger to Sony, I literally got a Canon just for the 85mm f1.2.