Canon vs Nikon vs Sony: The Great 135mm SHOOTOUT!

Thanks to Westcott, PetaPixel's preferred lighting partner. The bokeh tests were lit with the following products:

The Sony GM 135mm f/1.8, Canon RF 135mm f/1.8L IS and Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 Plena are three of our favourite lenses ever made. We wanted to know how they compare, so we've tested them in a variety of categories to see which 135mm reigns supreme!

Rental equipment provided by The Camera Store

0:00 - Intro
1:49 - Similarities
2:32 - Flare
3:46 - LoCA
4:47 - Bokeh
7:03 - Sharpness
8:29 - Conclusions

[tristatedogstories]

I used the plena for dog action shots on my Z8 and totally blown away by the consistency. The quality is outstanding and it so sharp it’s ridiculous really.

[justindsphotos]

I wish I had a Nikon mirrorless just to experience the Plena!

[MattisProbably]

135mm really are a great focal length. My work horse is my 70-200/2.8 but when I take portraits of the animals at the zoo where I work I always end up at around 135mm. Even when I don't look at the zoom ring and just dial everything in as I look through th viewfinder, more often than not I usually end up at 135mm or very close to it.
It just *works* for portraits!

[jakers]

I bought the plena last week and although due to weather haven't been able to play with it too much outside, the photos I have taken surely make me happy!!

[chaibhav]

Nikon killing it with the latest series of lenses. Impressive how good the Sony holds up still!

[JoshChristiane]

Nikon glass really is top notch, and I can't help but to think that it's because they're primarily an industrial optics company first and foremost. Nikon doesn't make as many products or rely on consumer cameras nearly as much as Sony or Canon. As a result of being an optics company I think that research and development carries over to their consumer glass. I've owned Canon, Nikon, Panasonic, and Sony cameras/glass, and they're all SUPER good these days... But something about Nikon glass just always gave me that extra quality. I like that they tend to be heavier, and I hope they don't cut corners to make them lighter. Use a monopod or tripod if the weight is a problem, but don't make worse glass for the sake of weight.

[whatthenihon]

So glad to see Nikon really making an amazing comeback...they had me worried for a bit...now I've my eye on the Zf 😀

[DustinAbbottTWI]

Finally got around to testing the Plena over the past few weeks. Still haven't done the Canon, but owned the GM for years. The problem for the GM and the Plena is now the LAB, which is optically equal of them. Sony (thus far) has still proven to the best autofocusing 135mm that I've tested. Fun video, Chris and Jordan!

[ConfusedAstroStation-mbch]

Always wanted to get 200 f/2 but it's super heavy and impractical for some use.. Getting the Plena for my Z9, smaller size, great optics, same if not better bokeh to the 200 f/2, almost there with compressing subjects and backgrounds..

[sgpork]

yea finally the 135 battle... 135 are usually the best lenses any company can make..
very interesting video and comparison here.

[florinG]

I believe the Plena is also better in terms of vignetting compared to the other 2.

[NotAnotherChannel_Channel]

I have the Fujifilm 90mm. It’s amazing. Seeing the specular highlights on the Plena being so perfect, I may need to test it out on the 90. The 90 has a very pleasing bokeh. Great review.

[emeryfred]

Thanx :) I am waiting for a better weather to play more with my Plena

[ilaion]

I suspect the Plena would effortlessly cover the GFX format with that vignetting figure on full frame. Of course, I wish Nikon would make a medium format around the 100mp sensor that would accommodate Z lenses through an adaptor.

[fokas.automotive]

As a Sony user myself, i can appreciate the Nikon 135mm as it looks to be the best out of all 3.

[photographydiscourse]

The Plena is an optical masterpiece. Nikon is finally taking advantage of the superior Z mount (shortest flange distance and widest throat diameter). This lens is the first of many to come, I suspect, that will be in a league of their own that the other manufacturers will not be able to match unless they change their mounts. Nikon is back to their roots of being an optics company - no doubt they can make the best lenses when they want to - its been their core business for 100 years.
-PD

[soumyonath]

Do a review on the Viltrox 75mm and 27mm pro lenses

[mrdarryljones]

Shooting some nice indoor basketball with the Plena!

[Ekegamo]

Love this comparison, thank you guys! As great as always :)

[jeroenvdw]

I have the Sony 135mm for a few years now and it's one of my favorite lenses I have. Never fails me even wide open, even on fast moving subjects coming towards me. Tack sharp on Sony A7RV