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Does anyone use both the Sony 135/1.8 GM and the Sony 70-200/2.8 GM OSS II?

timgangloff
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p.2 #1 · p.2 #1 · Does anyone use both the Sony 135/1.8 GM and the Sony 70-200/2.8 GM OSS II?

After getting the 70-200 2.8 IS II to replace the v1, I sold my 135. But as largely a sports shooter and portrait shooter, the zoom made more sense for me. I could not see a difference in sharpness on the A1 between the 135 and 70-200.

Jul 05, 2022 at 11:06 AM

Editorrr
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p.2 #2 · p.2 #2 · Does anyone use both the Sony 135/1.8 GM and the Sony 70-200/2.8 GM OSS II?

I used the 70-200 GM lens of the first version for a long time, then I sold it and bought a 135 GM lens. Now I bought 70-200 GM II, but I will not sell 135 mm.
I mainly shoot volleyball. In dark gyms, there is not enough light for f/2.8 and I am forced to use a lighter 135 mm.
I sold the first 70-200 because of insufficient (for me) focusing speed and heavy weight. In the second version, this is all right.
Sorry for my bad English.

Jul 05, 2022 at 11:45 AM

MARKFER
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p.2 #3 · p.2 #3 · Does anyone use both the Sony 135/1.8 GM and the Sony 70-200/2.8 GM OSS II?

Do you need the 1.8? Really the deciding factor, otherwise the zoom II has you covered pretty well.

Jul 05, 2022 at 11:50 AM

jeffbuzz
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p.2 #4 · p.2 #4 · Does anyone use both the Sony 135/1.8 GM and the Sony 70-200/2.8 GM OSS II?

I had the 135 GM and really enjoyed the results. The only "problem" I had with it was the DoF was too shallow for my typical uses shooting outdoors sports. So I'd end up shooting it at f/2.8 which seemed counterproductive. For indoor sports or portraits the 135 GM is untouchable. The AF motors in the 135 make it super fast for tracking.

The old 70-200 was much heavier so the 135 offered a noticeable weight savings. The 135 is still much smaller than either 70-200 version so it still has an advantage there. But the weight difference versus the new 70-200 is negligible.

For me the 70-200 is more sensible in more situations.

Edited on Jul 05, 2022 at 12:57 PM · View previous versions

Jul 05, 2022 at 12:13 PM

Hodie
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p.2 #5 · p.2 #5 · Does anyone use both the Sony 135/1.8 GM and the Sony 70-200/2.8 GM OSS II?

I sold the original 70-200 GM in favor of the 135 GM to gain IQ and weight savings, and the decision hasn't bitten me too badly. Combined with the A1, the 135 GM does fantastic for a myriad of subjects: sports, landscape, close-up wildlife, portraits, and product photography. I don't see that changing with the 70-200 GM MkII.

The only time I wish I had the zoom was for my son's soccer games, where the distance to the action is often changing. All other times, I have been able to adapt pretty well with the fixed focal length.

Thus, I have rejected the temptation to sell the 135 GM for over two years. For me, it has proven to be a very versatile lens.

Good luck in your decision. It's easy to be tempted by something you don't have/no longer have.

Jul 05, 2022 at 12:32 PM

rdcny
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p.2 #6 · p.2 #6 · Does anyone use both the Sony 135/1.8 GM and the Sony 70-200/2.8 GM OSS II?

How does the 135 F1.8 do with macro? I ask because one can insert a spacer between the body and the lens maximizing close focus...

(2) Low light situations especially near waterholes at dusk (large mammals)...am about to head to Africa to test out this lens in those situations....

Jul 05, 2022 at 01:41 PM

jeffbuzz
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p.2 #7 · p.2 #7 · Does anyone use both the Sony 135/1.8 GM and the Sony 70-200/2.8 GM OSS II?

rdcny wrote:
How does the 135 F1.8 do with macro? I ask because one can insert a spacer between the body and the lens maximizing close focus...

(2) Low light situations especially near waterholes at dusk (large mammals)...am about to head to Africa to test out this lens in those situations....

How close do you want to get to a "large mammal" at dusk? The 135 GM already focuses down to less than 1 meter.

Jul 05, 2022 at 02:15 PM

tzhang4284
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p.2 #8 · p.2 #8 · Does anyone use both the Sony 135/1.8 GM and the Sony 70-200/2.8 GM OSS II?

I had both briefly and kept the Sony 70-200mm f2.8 GM II and sold the 135mm f1.8. I didn't see any noticeable image quality differences between the two on the Sony A1 at 135mm f2.8 upon close examination. I use my 70-200mm mainly for personal family photos, landscapes, and travel in that order.

It really comes down to do you want the flexibility of a zoom or f1.8. I didn't really feel f1.8 was needed for me - depth of field too thin and 135mm f1.8 wasn't great for low light still - I'd rather have a 50mm or 85mm f1.2/f1.4 as a fast prime.

As for being discreet - the 135mm f1.8 is not a discreet lens either - it's noticeably larger than a Zeiss Batis 135mm or a Sigma 90mm which could serve that purpose much better.

Jul 05, 2022 at 02:53 PM

AmbientMike
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p.2 #9 · p.2 #9 · Does anyone use both the Sony 135/1.8 GM and the Sony 70-200/2.8 GM OSS II?

smpetty wrote:
Trying to decide whether to buy the Sony 135mm f/1.8 GM, as I already have a great copy of the new Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II. The weight difference is minimal (the 135 GM is just 95 grams lighter) and both lenses have top tier AF accuracy and AF speed. I am not a portrait photographer.

The only reasons that I am considering owning both are:

1) The 135 GM is a bit more discrete, and I enjoy shooting events and street without calling attention to my gear
2) The 135 GM is 1-1/3 stops faster, which might come in handy in...Show more →

I haven't used these specific lenses but I used 135 & ~70-210 after getting into photography and I felt pretty synonymous. Just not as much difference between 135 & 200 as you'd think. I might go for 135/2 canon at some point.

As far as point 1, either is large enoughto attract attention imo. And either is probably good enough optically. Just depends on personal preference I suspect. For landscape I prefer zoom, portraits might not be a big difference, F/1.8 might be nice

Jul 05, 2022 at 03:45 PM

onthebeam
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p.2 #10 · p.2 #10 · Does anyone use both the Sony 135/1.8 GM and the Sony 70-200/2.8 GM OSS II?

If anyone is interested, I have an essentially new 135 GM that I have been meaning to list on Buy and Sell. I have used it only once for a family holiday portrait in the back yard.

An incredible lens and probably my sharpest of the 13 I own. Yet, as they say, time to thin the herd.

PM me if interested, please.

Jul 06, 2022 at 08:43 PM

sismailian
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p.2 #11 · p.2 #11 · Does anyone use both the Sony 135/1.8 GM and the Sony 70-200/2.8 GM OSS II?

I use the 135GM more a dedicated portrait lens and the 70-200 GM II more as a gun and shoot when I am in a bit more tight areas and need the flexibility of zoom. Both I adore and use alongside with my 85 1.4 dg dn. The 135 GM def gives more of a pop for portraits wide open that I love just like the 85 1.4.

Jul 07, 2022 at 01:57 PM

swldstn
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p.2 #12 · p.2 #12 · Does anyone use both the Sony 135/1.8 GM and the Sony 70-200/2.8 GM OSS II?

I own both and the 70-200/2.8 GM II I use more at events or if their is any action where I might need focal length flexibility. The 135/1.8 I bought when it came out since I’ve had a 135 in by bag for more portrait work since the days of the Canon 135/2L and even others before zooms became better.

You can also ask the same question when comparing the 85/1.4 to the 70-200/2.8.

Edited on Jul 12, 2022 at 03:35 PM · View previous versions

Jul 07, 2022 at 04:29 PM

SNJOps
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p.2 #13 · p.2 #13 · Does anyone use both the Sony 135/1.8 GM and the Sony 70-200/2.8 GM OSS II?

I don’t have the 135mm GM but since getting the 70-200mm GM II I feel like buying one even less than before. I think I could be tempted by a Sigma 105mm f1.4 DG DN though and I’ll definitely get an 85mm f1.2 GM should both lenses ever appear.

Jul 07, 2022 at 06:08 PM

boshek
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p.2 #14 · p.2 #14 · Does anyone use both the Sony 135/1.8 GM and the Sony 70-200/2.8 GM OSS II?

I have both and will only take the 135 when I am sure that I will have the room to use it, the 70-200 is so much more versatile. I will keep both because I have gear issues.

Jul 11, 2022 at 08:38 PM

rdcny
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p.2 #15 · p.2 #15 · Does anyone use both the Sony 135/1.8 GM and the Sony 70-200/2.8 GM OSS II?

135 at night in the Kruger at F1,8 - that's why I got this lens

Verreaux's Eagle-owl (10 July)

w A1

Greetings from South Africa - next to test the macro ability of this Sony 135 with an extender

The Bob

Verreaux's Eagle-owl near Oliphants in the Kruger National Park

Jul 11, 2022 at 09:23 PM

wordfool
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p.2 #16 · p.2 #16 · Does anyone use both the Sony 135/1.8 GM and the Sony 70-200/2.8 GM OSS II?

I owned both the 135/2 and 70-200/2.8 when I was in Canonland and it's clear they're designed for very different things. If you don't shoot indoors a lot and don't really do portraits then the 70-200 should suffice IMO, unless weight really is a big issue. The stealth argument is weak IMO because at 135mm+ you'll be far away from your subject anyway and either lens on a body is not exactly going to be discrete.

The 70-200 is a photojournalism lens, designed for maximum flexibility when you cannot control the setting. The 135 prime is essentially a portrait lens designed for when you can and want to control things more. If you can afford both, get both

If not, then perhaps consider how you currently use your 70-200, and what your most commonly used focal length(s) tends to be, before potentially choosing the 135 prime. Because as nice as primes can be they can also be very frustrating compared to a zoom if you do a lot of running and gunning, especially if that running and gunning pays the bills.

Jul 11, 2022 at 10:04 PM

speedmaster20d
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p.2 #17 · p.2 #17 · Does anyone use both the Sony 135/1.8 GM and the Sony 70-200/2.8 GM OSS II?

smpetty wrote:
Trying to decide whether to buy the Sony 135mm f/1.8 GM, as I already have a great copy of the new Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II. The weight difference is minimal (the 135 GM is just 95 grams lighter) and both lenses have top tier AF accuracy and AF speed. I am not a portrait photographer.

The only reasons that I am considering owning both are:

1) The 135 GM is a bit more discrete, and I enjoy shooting events and street without calling attention to my gear
2) The 135 GM is 1-1/3 stops faster, which might come in handy in...Show more →

I have them both, I use them for different subjects

135 is a portrait lens it makes better portraits than 70-200 II. It is better for low light shooting as well.
70-200 is an excellent zoom lens that does anything else better.

If you don't shoot a lot of portraits you may not need/appreciate the 135 as much, but if you like to have one for occasional use it is a great lens/ 135 is the sharpest portraits lens of any brand I have ever used, it is also a benchmark lens....

Jul 12, 2022 at 01:48 AM

Dj R
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p.2 #18 · p.2 #18 · Does anyone use both the Sony 135/1.8 GM and the Sony 70-200/2.8 GM OSS II?

Great info in this thread!
Real world feedback from the masses...
Thank you, if you're shared your input!

--

Recently came back to Sony, and from the Canon RF 70-200 - which is a midget.
I was spoiled there for a few years with an 85 1.2 and a small 70-200.
But I'm super excited to be back with Sony now.
I have owned the 135 GM in my former life. And the Sony 70-200 2.8 I.

I shoot indoor basketball and indoor tennis.
I have great flexibility at the venues where I shoot, so I'm not too concerned.
I had been using 70-200 RF 2.8 and 85 1.2 RF, alternating week to week to mix it up.
And I enjoyed both a great deal.
However, at the tennis venue I'm at fairly regulary, if it was night time or super cloudy (skylights over each court).... the 85 1.2 came in very handy.
Basketball, most of the venues had better light.

I also do weddings and portrait sessions and head shots. Either lens would be appreciated in those arenas.

Either way, I think we could make either work.

AF is instant with both. Optics are great with both.

How important is size, weight (although not really in THIS case), light gathering needs, and desire/ability to use your feet vs. putting a zoom to work.

A bigtime pro would have both lenses for sure.
I believe if any of us only wants to own ONE of these.....
The MOST IMPORTANT thing is to think about YOU and how you will approach things when the time comes to shoot....
so putting the technical aspects aside.....

How do you like to pack, what bags you own? Can you fit the 70-200 mounted in your shoulder bag?
If not, is that going to curtail it's use?
Would you pack the 135 and actually use it, MORE, b/c it's not as big?
Is being discreet a big deal? The size and color of the 70-200 may be a deal breaker again, here.
Or do you have bad knees? Would you use the zoom more b/c a zoom is more convenient for you?

So now that I'm done with this therapy session. I may have figured it out.
I think I'm going to finish off my holy quadrinity and check the b/s pages for a minty fresh 135

14 1.8 GM
35 1.4 GM
50 1.2 GM
135 1.8 GM

Edited on Mar 15, 2023 at 04:08 PM · View previous versions

Mar 15, 2023 at 11:13 AM

jeffbuzz
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p.2 #19 · p.2 #19 · Does anyone use both the Sony 135/1.8 GM and the Sony 70-200/2.8 GM OSS II?

Dj R wrote:
Great info in this thread!
Real world feedback from the masses...
Thank you, if you're shared your input!

--

Recently came back to Sony, and from the Canon RF 70-200 - which is a midget.
I was spoiled there for a few years with an 85 1.2 and a small 70-200.
But I'm super excited to be back with Sony now.
I have owned the 135 GM in my former life. And the Sony 70-200 2.8 I.

I shoot indoor basketball and indoor tennis.
I have great flexibility at the venues where I shoot, so I'm not too concerned.
I had been using 70-200 RF 2.8 and 85 1.2...Show more →

For your indoor sports work the 135 GM would be my first choice. Especially if you have some flexibility in your positioning.

Why do you feel the black 135 is not more discreet than the white 70-200? The only reason I considered keeping my 135 was because of its relatively small size and discreteness compared to the white zoom. Of course the 135's hood is almost as big as the lens. So it depends on your circumstances too.

Mar 15, 2023 at 12:48 PM

photomadnz
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p.2 #20 · p.2 #20 · Does anyone use both the Sony 135/1.8 GM and the Sony 70-200/2.8 GM OSS II?

Ive actually just picked this up as my work requirements have changed and I needed something around this length. Ive owned the 135 GM and played extensively with the 70-200II. I have to say that the glowing reports on this lens are entirely correct.

I came close to getting the 70-200 but I consider it a money lens and the look of the shots leave me a bit bored. Its crazy sharp and great to use but I want more character in my shots.

I would say the image quality of the Samyang 135 is just as sharp as the 135 GM, it has better flare resistance and hugely important for me, it actually has better bokeh then the 135 GM which is amazing!

You may lose the last bit of focus speed but I have the A1 and A7r5 and it drives the lens beautifully. Worth a look if you're in the market.

dave unwin wrote:
Maybe consider the Samyang 135mm f1.8? My experience is that AF is not quite as snappy as the 135 GM but image quality is as good as or better than the GM at half the price (and marginally lighter). Flare and CA performance seem especially good.

Mar 15, 2023 at 01:59 PM

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