Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG Art Lens for L Mount

Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG Art Lens for L Mount Summary

With its fast f/1.4 aperture and classic 135mm focal length, the Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG DN Art Lens for L Mount is a prime that brings something distinctive to the full frame L Mount line-up. As the world’s first 135mm autofocus lens to feature such a wide aperture, it offers an exquisite mix of sharpness, subject separation and depth, which is a compelling choice for portrait photographers who want to create stunning subject definition with smooth, natural background rendering.

As a recently developed DG Art Series lens, this is exclusively for mirrorless cameras from Sigma, Leica and Panasonic, and features a floating focus system with a pair of High-response Linear Actuators (HLAs) that drive the autofocus with speed and precision. This design enables consistent sharpness across the entire focusing range, even when working at the maximum aperture of f/1.4.

The optical design includes 17 elements in 13 groups, with four FLD and two aspherical elements which help to suppress chromatic aberration and maintain edge-to-edge clarity. A 13-blade diaphragm helps ensure defocused areas remain rounded and soft, with clean transitions between subject and background.

Weighing in at 1,430g, the lens is surprisingly manageable for handheld shooting, while a detachable Arca-Swiss compatible tripod collar provides support for longer sessions. Weather sealing is included throughout the barrel, and the front element features a protective water and oil-repellent coating.

Handling is enhanced with a de-clickable and lockable aperture ring, dual customisable AFL buttons, and a manual focus mode switch, as well as the ability to update via the USB dock. For L Mount creators who capture portraits, fashion or commercial, this is a unique prime with flagship credentials.

Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG Art Lens Features

• World’s first autofocus 135mm lens with an f/1.4 aperture
• Dual HLA motors for fast, precise autofocus with high torque
• 17 elements in 13 groups with 4 FLD and 2 aspherical elements
• Close focus of 110cm with 1:6.9 maximum magnification
• 13-blade diaphragm produces circular bokeh at all apertures
• Aperture ring with lock and de-click switches for flexible control
• Rugged construction with dust and splash-resistant design
• Removable Arca-Swiss compatible tripod socket
• 105mm front filter thread
• Support for switching between linear and non-linear focus ring settings
• Compatible with USB Dock UD-11

Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG Art Lens for L Mount in More Detail

Bokeh That Sets It Apart

What immediately stands out with the Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG Art is the size of its bokeh. It goes beyond what most portrait lenses offer, even surpassing Sigma’s own 105mm f/1.4 Bokeh Master in terms of background blur. You get a level of subject separation and compression that gives images a distinctive sense of depth, particularly when shooting wide open at close-to-moderate distances, which is even comparable to the Sigma 200mm F2 DG OS | Sports for L Mount.

The 135mm focal length naturally suits headshots and upper-body portraits, and when taking into account the f/1.4 aperture, the look becomes far more layered and 3D than you’d typically see from an f/1.8 lens.

Optical Design and Rendering

Sigma has used 17 elements in 13 groups, including four FLD and two aspherical lenses, to tackle chromatic aberration and preserve sharpness across the frame. One of the key achievements is how well the lens produces sharp details with softness in the background with crisp edges, clean colours, and defocus, which falls off gradually and naturally.

You also won’t run into distracting highlight shapes or obvious vignetting, even wide open. Bokeh highlights stay circular, even towards the corners, and the transition between in-focus and out-of-focus areas is impressively smooth.

A rounded 13-blade aperture helps to render rounded bokeh with soft backgrounds, while Sigma’s aspherical glass plays a big part in the rendering, delivering a clean, refined look in images.

Consistent Sharpness Across the Focus Range

Despite being optimised for portraiture, this lens still resolves well throughout the focus range. A floating focus system moves two internal lens groups independently, helping to maintain high resolution at any distance. It’s particularly useful if you’re shooting environmental portraits or working with tighter framing where sharpness right to the edges is important.

Backlight and Ghosting Control

Strong resistance to flare and ghosting is provided by Sigma’s Super Multi-Layer Coating, which holds up well even when shooting into sunlight or with artificial light sources just outside the frame.

Dual Autofocus System

Autofocus is responsive despite the size of the internal optics thanks to Sigma utilising two separate HLAs (High-response Linear Actuators), one for each focus group. This gives the lens both speed and torque, which is a combination that’s often difficult to achieve in large-aperture telephoto designs.

Focus is quiet, fast, and very accurate, with little hesitation, whether you’re shooting in single or continuous AF modes. Even subtle expressions or movements are picked up reliably, which makes the lens suitable for events, fashion, and other types of portrait photography.

Handling and Controls

There are two customisable AFL buttons placed for easy access in horizontal and vertical orientations, along with a wide manual focus ring, a physical focus mode switch, and a manual aperture ring. The aperture ring can be locked to prevent accidental changes and de-clicked for video recording.

Linear and Non-Linear Focus Support

For L Mount users, the manual focus ring supports switching between linear and non-linear operation on compatible cameras. This gives control over the way focus responds to input, for either a consistent throw distance (linear) or varying it based on rotation speed (non-linear), depending on your shooting preference or the demands of your workflow.

Art Line Build Quality

Materials include aluminium and magnesium alloy in key structural areas, alongside Sigma’s TSC (Thermally Stable Composite) for balance and weight management. This helps the lens to feel solid without being too heavy.

It’s also comprehensively weather-sealed, with dust and splash-resistance, and the front element has a water and oil-repellent coating to help keep the glass clean.

Accessories

The lens includes a carbon fibre-reinforced petal lens hood, which locks into place with a button mechanism to add impact protection as well as shading from incidental light. You’ll also find a removable Arca-Swiss compatible tripod collar, which is made from magnesium alloy, improving stability for longer shooting sessions. This can be swapped out for a protective cover if shooting handheld.

USB Dock Compatibility

The 135mm f/1.4 DG Art for L Mount is compatible with Sigma’s USB Dock UD-11 (sold separately), allowing firmware updates and fine-tuning of lens settings via Sigma’s proprietary optimisation software.

What’s in the box

• Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG Art Lens for L Mount
• Lens Hood LH1126-01
• Front Cap LCF-105 IV
• Rear Cap LCR III
• Tripod Socket TS-181
• Protective Cover PT-61

Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG Art Lens Specifications