Samyang Samyang 135mm f/2.0 ED UMC Lens for Nikon F Mount Review
The Samyang 135mm f/2 is a budget portrait lens that forces you to choose: great focal length and bokeh, or autofocus and good build quality. You can't have both.
Overview
The Samyang 135mm f/2.0 is a weird, niche lens that does one thing really well: it's a budget-friendly portrait machine. If you're shooting on a Nikon DSLR and want that classic, compressed 135mm look without spending a fortune on a Nikon or Sigma Art version, this is your ticket. Just know you're getting a bare-bones, manual-focus experience that feels a bit dated compared to modern mirrorless glass.
Performance
The optical performance is solid for the price, landing in the 34th percentile overall. That's not amazing, but the f/2.0 aperture and 9-blade diaphragm deliver surprisingly smooth bokeh that hits the 63rd percentile. Where it really falls short is in the hand. The build quality is in the brutal 9th percentile, so it feels plasticky and cheap. And with no autofocus or stabilization, you're doing all the work.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Fantastic focal length and aperture for portrait work on a budget. 92th
- Produces genuinely nice, creamy bokeh for the price point. 77th
- Full-frame compatible and includes basic electronic contacts for metering. 72th
- Comes with a lens hood, which is a nice touch at this price. 69th
Cons
- It's manual focus only, which is a dealbreaker for many shooters. 22th
- The build quality feels cheap and is not weather-sealed.
- Huge and heavy at 816g, making it a terrible travel companion.
- Minimum focus distance is nearly 2.6 feet, so forget about any close-up work.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Telephoto |
| Focal Length Min | 135 |
| Focal Length Max | 135 |
| Elements | 11 |
| Groups | 7 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/2 |
| Min Aperture | f/22 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Build
| Mount | Nikon F |
| Format | Full-Frame |
| Weight | 0.8 kg / 1.8 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 77 |
AF & Stabilization
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 800 |
Value & Pricing
At around $429, the value is a mixed bag. You're paying for the optical formula and focal length, not the experience. If you specifically need a 135mm f/2 and don't mind manual focus, it's a steal. If you want a modern, versatile lens, it's a hard pass.
vs Competition
This lens doesn't really compete with the listed 35mm and 55mm options—those are wider, often autofocus primes for mirrorless. A real competitor is the used market for older Nikon 135mm f/2 DC or Sigma 135mm f/1.8 Art lenses, which cost more but offer autofocus and superior build. For Nikon shooters on a tight budget who only do static portraits, this Samyang is the cheapest way to get the look. For everyone else, especially those wanting AF, look at an 85mm f/1.8 instead.
| Spec | Samyang Samyang 135mm f/2.0 ED UMC Lens for Nikon F Mount | Meike Meike 55mm F1.4 Standard Aperture APS-C Frame AF | Viltrox VILTROX 25mm F1.7 f/1.7 AF Lens for Fuji X Mount, | Canon Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens | Nikon Nikon S-Line Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II Lens (Nikon Z) | Tamron Tamron Di III Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Lens for Sony |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 135mm | 55mm | 25mm | 24mm | 24-70mm | 17-70mm |
| Max Aperture | f/2 | f/1.4 | f/1.7 | f/1.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Mount | Nikon F | Nikon Z | Fujifilm X | Canon RF | Nikon Z | Sony E Mount |
| Stabilization | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | false | false | false | true | false |
| Weight (g) | 812 | 281 | 400 | 269 | 676 | 544 |
| AF Type | - | STM | STM | Autofocus | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Lens Type | Telephoto | - | - | Zoom | Zoom | Zoom |
Verdict
This is a specialist's tool, not a general-purpose lens. I can only recommend it to a very specific user: a Nikon DSLR shooter who does posed portraits, has a steady hand for manual focus, and prioritizes focal length and aperture over everything else. For 99% of people, the lack of autofocus and clunky build make it a frustrating choice. If that's not you, save up for a used AF model or look at a shorter, more modern prime.