Portrait photographers run into this comparison sooner or later because on paper the math looks simple. An 85mm lens on an APS-C crop camera produces roughly the same field of view as a 135mm lens on a full-frame body. So framing the subject — head and shoulders portrait for example — ends up looking almost identical. Stand at roughly the same distance, frame the same composition, and the scene inside the frame feels very similar.

Sigma has announced a groundbreaking addition to its celebrated Art series: the Sigma 135mm F1.4 DG | Art, the world’s first autofocus 135mm F1.4 prime lens designed for full-frame mirrorless cameras. Scheduled for release in late September 2025 at a retail price of $1,899 USD, this lens is set to redefine professional portraiture and establish new benchmarks for optical excellence. The 135mm focal length has long been a favorite among portrait photographers for its natural compression and immersive depth.