Samyang Samyang 135mm f/2.0 ED UMC Lens for Canon EF Mount Review

The Samyang 135mm f/2.0 is a lens that knows its job and sticks to it. It scores a 69.8 out of 100 for portraits, which is its whole reason for being. With an f/2 aperture and a 75th percentile ranking for bokeh, it's built to give you that classic, creamy background separation that makes subjects pop. But with a total score of 57.8, it's clear this isn't a do-it-all lens. Its weakest area is travel, scoring a dismal 29.1, which makes sense when you see it weighs 830 grams and lacks any weather sealing. You buy this for one thing: flattering portraits on a budget, where it scores a 62.

Performance-wise, this lens is a specialist. Its optical quality sits in the 68th percentile, and that f/2 aperture is in the 69th. That means you're getting sharp, contrasty images with beautiful out-of-focus areas. The trade-off is everywhere else. Autofocus lands in the 47th percentile, so it's just okay, not lightning fast. There's no stabilization (39th percentile), so you'll need good light or a steady hand. And with a minimum focusing distance of 800mm, its macro capability is basically non-existent at the 42nd percentile. It delivers where it counts for portraits, but don't ask it to do anything else.

At around $429, the value proposition is straightforward. You're paying for portrait-specific optics. You get that great f/2 aperture and top-tier bokeh without the price tag of a first-party 'L' series lens. But you're giving up autofocus speed, build quality, and any semblance of versatility. If your budget is tight and your subject is people, it's a compelling option. If you need a lens for more than just portraits, your money might be better spent elsewhere.

Compared to other budget primes, the Samyang 135mm is in a different league—literally. Lenses like the Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 or the Meike 55mm f/1.8 are wider, lighter, and more versatile for everyday shooting. They might have similar aperture specs, but they can't touch the focal length compression and bokeh quality this 135mm delivers for headshots. The trade-off is huge, though. Those other lenses are generalists; this Samyang is a pure specialist. It's also heavier and less well-built than something like the Fujifilm Viltrox 25mm. You're choosing between a versatile tool and a single-purpose instrument.

Here's the deal: if you shoot portraits on a Canon EF camera and want pro-level background blur on a budget, this lens is a no-brainer. The data backs it up with strong scores for bokeh and aperture. But the data also screams that this is a one-trick pony. Its terrible travel score and low percentile rankings for build and versatility mean it'll spend most of its time in your bag. Only buy it if you're okay with that. For dedicated portrait shooters who need that 135mm look, it's a great value. For anyone else, it's probably the wrong tool for the job.