While the 85mm focal length is the classic choice for portrait photography, 135mm is a popular alternative, and there are some real gem lenses to be found there. One such option is the Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM, and this great video review takes a look at the lens and the impressive performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.
Coming to you from Dustin Abbott, this excellent video review takes a look at the Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM lens. I have always had a soft spot for 135mm lenses. My first professional lens was the legendary Canon EF 135mm f/2L, and I loved it so much that when I stupidly sold my copy after having had it for almost a decade, I found myself in a coffee shop just a month later, buying another one. Sony's version comes with a variety of features that make it a fantastic option, including multiple elements for correcting aberrations and increasing sharpness, Nano AR Coating for deeper contrast, and a rounded 11-blade diaphragm for smoother bokeh. No doubt, it is quite the impressive performer. Check out the video above for Abbott's full thoughts on the lens.
a 135 lens is not just overkill for portraits; it flattens the subject and throws character out the window
it's also far too heavy - at 1.8 - to carry around all day.
given that the whole fleet of sonys has stabilization, nobody needs a 1,8, unless they need to substitute bokeh or blur for thoughtful choosing backgrounds
--- "a 135 lens is not just overkill for portraits; it flattens the subject and throws character out the window"
Par for course, you were probably doing something wrong. 135 is fine for portraits.
https://i.imgur.com/QXnUbP6.jpg
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--- "nobody needs a 1,8, unless they need to substitute bokeh or blur for thoughtful choosing backgrounds"
Thoughtful super bokeh backgrounds can be useful such as this example.
https://i.imgur.com/38Qits6.jpg
That nice portait is not shot at f/1.8.
More likely at f/5.6 or f/4, but no way at full aperture.
I own a the Nikkor 105mm f/2 DC and I am unable to get such "deep" DOF at f/2 with alike framing/distance to the subject.
it is nice to have f/1.4 or f/1.8 or f/2 portait lenses, but I am glad you did not show a "only one eye in focus" portrait that sooooo many "pros" are raving about whereas they nuked a beautiful subject because they shoot at full aperture and only half the subject is in focus.
But whatever, the lens choose its model, some people are nicer with shorter lenses, other are nicer with longer lenses.
That SONY lens is a marvel. Not useless at all, and not that heavy until you are looking for a light lens for a hike.
And all other manufacturer have as nice and good portrait lenses like that SONY. Glad SONY users have a nice option too.
--- "I own a the Nikkor 105mm f/2 DC and I am unable to get such "deep" DOF at f/2 with alike framing/distance to the subject."
If you study the first image above, 105 won't have the same compression as the 135. And, I think (don't quote me), that blue image was probably with a 70-200 @ f2.8 or f3.2. I only posted it up to show Charles an example why one would want super bokeh backgrounds.
Here's a example of a 135 at f1.8.
https://i.imgur.com/pDUs3Op.jpg