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Body for Sigma 135mm 1.4 (Sony or Nikon)

  
 
drimer
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p.1 #1 · Body for Sigma 135mm 1.4 (Sony or Nikon)


Howdy FM,

I'm in the process of selling my 200mm f/1.8 and considering the new Sigma 135mm 1.4 as a lighter replacement. Problem is, I'm a Canon and Fuji shooter. Would appreciate your input because I'm lost trying to figure out the differences between all these bodies. Primary usage would be portraits, but I would foresee some event use and some landscape/scenery images. Have no current plans to fully swap systems, I'm just in search of a body that could mount the Sigma. But I could see myself buying 1-2 compact Sigma or OEM primes in the future depending on the system.

I care about color rendition, autofocus accuracy, and comfortable ergonomics/grip, in that order. Colors reference: I have an Rx1RII (my only Sony, ever) and don't like its output for portraits indoors, but otherwise I am close to happy with its colors (but they veer a bit yellow-green for my liking). I've edited A7III photos and was never impressed, so for Sony I think I'd need something newer/different from that. I know I like D850 colors, and Canon R5/R3 is what I'm used to and enjoy. GFX 50R is probably my all-time favorite. Grip reference points: Love the Canon R3, like the R5, do NOT like the A7II or III, enjoyed D850 and Z9 that I borrowed a few years ago. A7IV in store felt almost too hard-edged for being so deep and a7RIII (I think it was) mostly felt decent. AF: the GFX 100S is my minimum floor for Eye-AF tracking, and it's fairly bad. Mostly happy with Canon R5 (original) and trust the Canon R3. As good as the Rx1RII or better should be sufficient for my needs.

Considering a Nikon Z7 with FotodioX, or an A7RIII/RIV, an A7IV, or an A9. 40MP+ preferred so I can still crop to 200mm f/2 equivalent when appropriate.

Would prefer to stay under $1000 for the body. If I were willing to exceed $1500, it seems like a used A7RV at around $2,000 would be the way to go.

I think what I want is a Z7, since it's actually on budget, has a nice grip, and has ISO 64/fairly rich color rendition. But I think I would lose all profile corrections on the Sigma, which seems to have significant distortion. I've also heard mixed things about AF with adapted glass, but it also sounds like the Z7 has gotten better with firmware. Your input is appreciated—let me know what you recommend!



Sep 11, 2026 at 08:17 AM
DWOfPaul
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p.1 #2 · Body for Sigma 135mm 1.4 (Sony or Nikon)


Unless you plan to add some Z mount lenses, I think a Sony Body would be your best bet since you don't need to deal with adapting.

Since you care about colors, your best bet is probably the newest set of Sony cameras (a1II, a7rVI, A7V), but the a7rV will probably get you very close color wise and be closer to your budget.

On the Nikon side, I would at least get the Z7II, which is definitely an improvement over the Z7. But really, you want an Expeed 7 camera (Z9, Z8, ZF, Z6III, Z5II) to get the best experience. If you are okay with 24mp you can often get the Z5II for 1,600 new, which is quite a powerful camera for its price. If you want a fun camera, the ZF is very fun at around 2,000 new, but again you're at 24mp and the ergonomics might not match well with such a heavy lens. The Z8 is truly the most powerful Nikon Z camera, and is practically an a1ii at 1/2 the price. Currently, you can get one new for around 3,4000 new or 3,000 used. It's about double the price your looking to spend, but could be worth if if you want a really good landscape lens like the 24-120mm f4 S or a good wildlife lens like the 180-600mm f6.3. Also, while Sigma lenses are capped to 15fps using AF-C on Sony, you get the full 20FPS when adapting to Nikon Z.



Sep 11, 2026 at 03:35 PM
freaklikeme
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p.1 #3 · Body for Sigma 135mm 1.4 (Sony or Nikon)


Someone else will have to answer about the Z7 and adapted lens AF. I have a Z7II, but all I've adapted to are F-mounts, an Otus 55 and an AF-S 300/4 with a broken AF motor, so I don't even know there. That's a good question for the Nikon forum.

As for the Sonys, I'm fairly certain the 7III and rIII share the same grip, so it's probably not going to thrill you. If you can stretch that budget a bit, I'd look at the rIV. The rV's falling prices impacted the older model as well, and it's more substantial camera than the rIII. The EVF's good, the sensor's good, the AF's better than what's in the GFX 100s (not by much, but it is faster and more accurate) and it's not difficult to find one that's been babied for right around $1500. And, if you don't like Sony's profiled colors, that's very simple to change in software.



Sep 11, 2026 at 11:36 PM
wind30
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p.1 #4 · Body for Sigma 135mm 1.4 (Sony or Nikon)


drimer wrote:
Howdy FM,

I'm in the process of selling my 200mm f/1.8 and considering the new Sigma 135mm 1.4 as a lighter replacement. Problem is, I'm a Canon and Fuji shooter. Would appreciate your input because I'm lost trying to figure out the differences between all these bodies. Primary usage would be portraits, but I would foresee some event use and some landscape/scenery images. Have no current plans to fully swap systems, I'm just in search of a body that could mount the Sigma. But I could see myself buying 1-2 compact Sigma or OEM primes in the future depending on the
...Show more

I have both the a7r5 and nikon z8. I also have the nikon 85mm f1.2 which is "similar size" to the 135mm f1.4 you are considering. Colors no comment as it is very subjective.

AF accuracy, I think it would be better on the native sony body. I have gotten a megadap etzpro adapter and the contacts became unreliable. I also have a Viltrox etz adapter but the experience was not very smooth. I have since given up on using adapter glass on my nikon bodies.

Ergonomics, this is big plus for nikon IF you are using the z8 body. Lens which I felt heavy unbalanced on my sony size bodies become a joy to use on the Z8. you just have to try it. If you are looking to use lens as heavy as the 135mm f1.4, a bigger body like z8 will be better.

My sony nowadays is used with 14mm f1.8 gm kind of lens where it is light and balanced.



Sep 12, 2026 at 01:55 AM
RoamingScott
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p.1 #5 · Body for Sigma 135mm 1.4 (Sony or Nikon)


My recommendation is don’t buy a third brand camera for a single lens, especially if that body isn’t even the native mount.

If you’re trying to keep the camera high res, obviously the Z7 first gen is your only choice on Nikon. In no world would I recommend that camera to anyone in 2026 unless they need a crash cam. I would also dissuade you from adapting AF lenses to it as the native AF is bad enough as it is.



Sep 12, 2026 at 07:47 AM
 


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aCuria
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p.1 #6 · Body for Sigma 135mm 1.4 (Sony or Nikon)


&t=372s


This was an interesting watch, if you care about color compared to Fuji Medium format.



Sep 12, 2026 at 08:07 AM
Jack Flesher
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p.1 #7 · Body for Sigma 135mm 1.4 (Sony or Nikon)


First, what @RoamingScott said above. Second, there probably isn’t a great solution inside your stated budget.

Broad generalizations. Best AWB goes to Nikon. Best AF in a high resolution body probably always ticks towards the newer body, in this case Sony A7R6 is probably a bit better than Nikon Z8/9; but all are well out of your budget. Ergonomics are personal. I hated Sony’s cramped ergos on the early A7. Nikon Z felt at home as did Fuji GFX; and I managed with a smaller XH2. But I recently made the move to Sony for size and af, and my big hands now get along with the smaller A7CII (with added grip base) and the A7R6 just fine. Colors from all these, Nikon Z, Fuji GF and X, and newer Sonys were all excellent, but I shoot raw. Cannot speak to older Sony models.



Sep 12, 2026 at 09:07 AM
drimer
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p.1 #8 · Body for Sigma 135mm 1.4 (Sony or Nikon)


freaklikeme wrote:
Someone else will have to answer about the Z7 and adapted lens AF. I have a Z7II, but all I've adapted to are F-mounts, an Otus 55 and an AF-S 300/4 with a broken AF motor, so I don't even know there. That's a good question for the Nikon forum.

As for the Sonys, I'm fairly certain the 7III and rIII share the same grip, so it's probably not going to thrill you. If you can stretch that budget a bit, I'd look at the rIV. The rV's falling prices impacted the older model as well, and it's more substantial camera
...Show more

---------------------------------------------

RoamingScott wrote:
My recommendation is don’t buy a third brand camera for a single lens, especially if that body isn’t even the native mount.

If you’re trying to keep the camera high res, obviously the Z7 first gen is your only choice on Nikon. In no world would I recommend that camera to anyone in 2026 unless they need a crash cam. I would also dissuade you from adapting AF lenses to it as the native AF is bad enough as it is.


---------------------------------------------

Jack Flesher wrote:
First, what @RoamingScott@ said above. Second, there probably isn’t a great solution inside your stated budget.

Broad generalizations. Best AWB goes to Nikon. Best AF in a high resolution body probably always ticks towards the newer body, in this case Sony A7R6 is probably a bit better than Nikon Z8/9; but all are well out of your budget. Ergonomics are personal. I hated Sony’s cramped ergos on the early A7. Nikon Z felt at home as did Fuji GFX; and I managed with a smaller XH2. But I recently made the move to Sony for size and af, and
...Show more

Thanks everyone for the helpful feedback. As a longtime Canon shooter I've gotten tired of not having access to any of the innovations in lens design for the past five years. Eye control AF is great, but that and familiarity seem to be the only real benefits to sticking with Canon right now. I shot with a Sigma 105mm 1.4 in my DSLR days, but didn't love its front-heaviness on mirrorless. Having a similar "profile" to the 105mm without the adapter, and at a slightly lighter weight, is appealing to me. Obviously this is a big and heavy lens, but as a sawed-off replacement for a 200mm it's the lightest and smallest route to a 100mm (ish) aperture. The comments on the Z7 autofocus are reminding me of adapting that Sigma 105mm to the GFX 50R, which is why I sold it for the native 110mm (loved the focal length, but needed seaworthy autofocus).

Good to have confirmation that there are no great solutions on this budget. I'd have loved to find a cheap-ish body that still performed well, to just toss on the back of the excellent lens, but it sounds like swapping between Nikon and Sony may not be that answer.

Looks like my best option is probably waiting and saving up for an A7RV (or just switching to Sony). Even if I just got the one lens and the body, it's a better all-around option than the only optically comparable alternative for RF, the heavy and discontinued EF 200mm f/2.0, which costs around the same as the 135 and an a7RV cost used anyway. I'm not particularly interested in any manufacturer's 135mm 1.8 lenses, as the look at 135mm is similar and at 200mm is even closer with my 70-200mm 2.8. The RV would be an upgrade over my Canon R5 in some ways, and might be a good way to dip my toes in the water (and try a few of the better/cheaper third party options) before deciding whether to finally jump ship. Thanks all for weighing in, I'll keep thinking on this and see what comes up for sale in the coming weeks.




Sep 12, 2026 at 06:43 PM
freaklikeme
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p.1 #9 · Body for Sigma 135mm 1.4 (Sony or Nikon)


Have you tried the Laowa 200/2 for EF? It's a little less expensive (about $100 new) and is a little heavier (about 100g). I've no idea how it does with the adapter, but I'm betting someone in the Canon forum knows.


Sep 12, 2026 at 09:26 PM
mogul
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p.1 #10 · Body for Sigma 135mm 1.4 (Sony or Nikon)


I think a Panasonic is in your future with that lens.


Sep 12, 2026 at 11:37 PM







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