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  Superb sharpness and very few optical aberrations, Dreamy bokeh, Superbly built

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  Rather hefty

The Sigma 135mm F1.8 DG HSM Art is a lens that portrait photographers will adore: It blurs backgrounds with aplomb and is one of the sharpest we've ever tested.

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  Razor sharp. Wide aperture. No distortion. Minimal falloff. Dust- and splash-proof design. Focus limiter switch. Available for Canon, Nikon, and Sigma systems.

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  Quite heavy. Expensive. Omits optical stabilization. May require focus adjustment.

Sigma brings us their latest Art lens, intended to represent the pinnacle of the lens makers' art, a super bright 135mm f/1.8. This is one of the most popular traditional focal lengths for full frame cameras, ideal for a wide range of subjects and particularly portraiture.

It may not be lens that most enthusiast photographers are likely to buy, but it would certainly be worth hiring for a special occasion. For portrait photography in particular, the Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art is very special indeed.

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  Superb sharpness and very few optical aberrations, Dreamy bokeh, Superbly built

• -

  Rather hefty

The Sigma 135mm F1.8 DG HSM Art is a stunning example of optical design. It is technically proficient in every metric of performance, but more importantly, it produces images that are simply beautiful to look at.

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  Very sharp, even at f/1.8, Beautiful bokeh, Fast, accurate autofocus, Weather-sealed mount, Three-position focus limiter

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  Big, heavy, No image stabilization

In this quick review of the Sigma 135mm f1.8 Art Lens, I will go over some of its features and...

In our review of the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 HSM DG ART we were pretty much stunned by its quality. However, the Sigma 135mm f/1.8 HSM DG ART tops that. Those who have followed us over the years know that we don't easily come up with superlatives but this time it's hard to avoid them really.

The Sigma 135mm f/1.8 HSM Art is everything i've ever wanted in a lens! The bokeh, sharpness and clear ability to separate the background in order to make the image pop out in almost 3D is remarkable. Combine that with fast focus, this is my go to lens for locations that I have the room to shoot.

Pro: +5 StarsProduce excellent sharpness even at F1.8Very nice Bokha effectCons: -1 StarsSometimes (~10% of the time) auto focus hunting appears and miss the correct focus if focusing from infinity to close focusing, and vise visa. This could be fixed with distance limiter on the lens.

I am a full time portrait photographer specializing in Senior portraits and have used the Canon 135 f2 for a few years with great results...this Sigma 135 f1.8 is a game changer because it is a prime lens with a quality build and it takes images to the next level!

Built like a tank but takes beautiful pictures wide open that can blow out the background in a full length portrait.

Pro: Great build quality, fast/accurate focus, best IQ on the market for EF mount 135 mm.Con: Heavy, 82mm filter type

I used nikon 85 1.4g, nikon 105 1.4, nikon 135dc, Sony 85 1.4gm for a period of time before, all are wonderful ....but believe me, this Sigma 135 Art is simply stand out from all of it, unbelievable sharp at wide open, smooth and wonderful bokeh (no cat eye, only sony 85 gm with 11blades can...

Amazingly sharp and crisp and contrasty on my D810, I can hardly wait to get my D850 but.....it weighs a ton. Oh well that's the price we pay for Otus like performance with auto focus at a fraction of the priced.

This lens + Sony A9 + Metabones IV running latest firmware = heaven. No different from a native lens. Eye-AF out to the corners in AF-C. Hit rate near 100%. This lens is the all-get-out best portrait lens I've ever used...sharp as a knife with gorgeous fall-off to buttery blurred areas..

This lens is F'ing SHARP! I own the Sigma 35 f1.4 art and the Tamron 85mm f1.8 and this lens is sharper than them both wide open! I honestly didn't think that ANY lens could be VERY much sharper wide open than the Tamron, but Man, this lens is!

It is a really beautiful lens. The sharpness is better than some of my Nikon lenses. The skin tones are outstanding with this lens.