135mm f/1.8 Lenses Compared
Introduction Table Recommendations
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July 2025 Better Pictures Canon Nikon Sony Fuji OM SYSTEM LEICA Zeiss HASSELBLAD All Reviews
Why Fixed Lenses Take Better Pictures
Introduction top
All these lenses are equally superb optically and have mostly similar specifications.
The Canon RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM is the only lens with optical stabilization, however the others work well with in-camera stabilization
Click the images to go to complete reviews of each lens:
Roughly to scale: |
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Works on |
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Announced |
November 2022 |
Spring 2025 |
September 2023 |
February 2019 |
f/min |
f/22 |
f/16 |
f/16 |
f/22 |
Filter Size |
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Filter Threads |
Plastic |
Metal |
Plastic |
Plastic |
Diameter |
3.51" 89.2 mm |
3.66" 93 mm |
3.86" 98 mm |
3.52" 89.5 mm |
Length1 |
5.13" 130.3 mm |
5.77" 147 mm |
5.49" 139.5 mm |
5.00" 127 mm |
Close Focus |
2.3' 0.7m |
2.4' 0.72m |
2.7' 0.82m |
2.3' 0.7m |
Macro Ratio |
0.26× |
0.25× |
0.20× |
0.25× |
Stabilized |
Yes |
no |
no |
no |
Bokeh |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Sharpness |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Fn Buttons |
Two, same function |
Two, different functions |
Two, same function |
Two, same function |
Second Control Ring |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes (dedicated to aperture control) |
Control Ring Clicked? |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Clicks Switch |
No, have to pay service department to disable them |
Yes |
no |
Yes |
LCD |
no |
Yes |
no |
no |
AF/MF Switch |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Stabilizer Switch |
Yes |
no |
no |
no |
Focus Limiter Switch |
no |
Yes |
no |
Yes |
Focus Scale |
no |
Yes, very precise digital display on LCD |
no |
no |
Diaphragm |
9 blades |
11 blades |
11 blades |
11 blades |
AF System |
Nano UltraSonic Motor (USM, only makes the quietest sliding sounds) |
Linear Voice-Coil Motors (slight hum) |
STM Stepper Motor (slight hum) |
Linear Voice-Coil Motors (silent) |
Instant MF Override |
Not usually |
Yes (Nikon version) |
Yes |
Rarely |
Made in |
JAPAN |
China (domestic) |
Thailand (offshored) |
China (offshored) |
Weight2 |
32.8 oz. 931g |
44.1 oz. (mostly metal!) 1,250 g. (mostly metal!) |
35.1 oz. 995g |
33.5 oz. 950g |
Price, 07/2025 |
1.) Extension from flange.
2.) Actual measured weights. Average between the Nikon and Sony versions for the Viltrox.
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Recommendations top
For Canon, your only option is the RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM, which is a wonderful lens. Done.
For Nikon or Sony, I'd go with the Viltrox AF 135mm f/1.8 because its optics are just as superb, it's from a Chinese company making their own lenses in China rather than how Nikon and Sony offshore their lenses to other countries — but aren't sharing the discount with us.
The Viltrox is less than half the price, and it has a real metal filter threads. Plastic threads drive me nuts, since they make it so easy to cross-thread and I can't just flick a filter and have it spin itself home. Since the optics and focussing are the same, the metal filter threads make me prefer the Viltrox. There is no joy in owning a Nikon or Sony lens made outside of Japan, and out of plastic!
These all take 82mm filters.
I use a clear (UV) protective filter instead of a cap (exactly like an iPhone) so I'm always ready to shoot instantly. I only use a cap when I throw this in a bag with other gear without padding — which is never. The UV filter never gets in the way, and never gets lost, either.
The very best protective filter is the 82mm Hoya multicoated HD3 UV which uses hardened glass and repels dirt and fingerprints. The Nikon NC 82mm is also an excellent choice, but not as resistant to the environment, fingerprints and physical abuse as the HD3 UV.
For much less money, the Hoya multicoated 82mm UV is also optically superb, but the Hoya HD3 is the toughest.
Any of these filters protects as well and gives ultrasharp images, but since filters last a lifetime, you may as well get the best since the Hoya HD3 is tougher and stays cleaner than the others since it repels oil and dirt.
The Nikon 82mm Polarizer is superb.
All these filters are just as sharp and take the same pictures, the difference is how much abuse they'll take and stay clean and stay in one piece. Since filters last a lifetime or more, there's no reason not to buy the best as it will last you for the next 40 years. Filters aren't throwaways like digital cameras which we replace every few years, like it or not. I'm still using filters I bought back in the 1970s!
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