Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
by Canon
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Category: Digital Camera
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: CanonModel: 2520A004
Product features:
- EF mount; telephoto lens
- Ultra-low Dispersion glass with Fluorite elements; inner focusing ring
- 135mm focal length f/2 maximum aperture Ring USM motor
- Comes with Leather bag & lens hood
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
Customer Review: SHARP SHARP SHARP. Did I mention this lens is SHARP?
Summary: 5 Stars
This lens is sharp. And at the cost of repeating myself, this lens is SHARP.
For 135/2, this is rather compact, the hood is almost half the length of the lens and makes it look bigger and heavier. That was the first thing that struck me when I took it out of the box. Exactly the same size as a Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 (without the hood), probably twice as heavy. With this lens, hood, a 20D, battery pack and 580EX, you know you are carrying something in your hand that will make heads turn. You look through the lens and realize that the opening is W-I-D-E...
Not very handholdable with 1.6X even at f2...minimum 1/250s required, atleast for me. My hands are not the steadiest, quite shaky. So I dont go below 1/250s.
The color saturation, richness, unparalleled. Im tempted to say that the 50/1.8 gives the same amount of sharpness and color..im even tempted to say that the 50 is a tad sharper, but my reasoning would be that the 50 is more handholdable than the 135. A lot more handholdable.
Be warned, this is a high maintenance lens - if you are taking a portrait, (i) stand in the right distance (ii) focus on the eyes (iii) recompose (iv) make sure you dont loose the focus or move (v) click.
You move 2 mm, the focus is off at f/2. The subject moves a little or shakes his/her head, you probably need to refocus. Thats when the focus override comes handy. Seems simple, but needs practise...just a little.
Hood, prefer it with a crimped finish, removing and replacing the lens cap is a bit of a pain.
Built solidly like a tank, branded with a prominent red ring to be recognized by those who know what it stands for. Yet to test it in proper day light, but I think I am going to be pleased, this one is a keeper. My wife is no photographer, but loves the pictures and suggested that she likes this lens and wants to keep this one.
Oh, and if I dont talk about the bokeh, either I dont know what it is, or Im just plain dumb. The BESTEST bokeh I have ever seen, buttery creamy milky smooth. I would pay $900 for the bokeh. The combo of 135 and f/2 makes it a killer. And if I use this on my EOS-3 (35mm), I will be closer to my subject while the background is still far away, making the bokeh even smoother.
This is the only lens which I can turn to f/32 for infinite depth of field. Yet to take broad daylight shots with that. The only reason I will stop down the lens is for the depth of field. For everything else, I know I am going to use f/2.
Great lens, buy it. It doesnt get better than this. Take a look at the two pictures I posted, especially the Indian decor.
Update on 23 July 2007
I have taken many pictures with this lens at f/2, f/2.8 and f/4 and simply put, this is a lens that will have its place in the Photography Hall of Fame. If you stand at the right distance, you can keep the aperture at f/2 and still get most of the person in full focus without the ears or shoulders out of focus. Having said that, there is absolutely NO necessity to stop down unless you want more dof.
This one is a keeper, beg borrow or steal $900 to buy this lens.
Update on 12 feb 2008.
Oh boy, I love this lens all over again, any excuse to take this out and shoot. I will do free portraiture if necessary. One of the pros that I didnt think was highlighted enough in the above reviews (one or two mention it, not all) is that this lens gives a verrrry pleasing 3 d effect to the images. The background is completely compressed into one thin sheet and looks like a (very pleasing) backdrop and the subject has so much pop and clarity that it creates a very good 3D effect. If the 85mm/1.8 makes the subject stand out in a crowd, this lens make the subject pop out of the picture. Simply put, the best portrait lens if u have the distance on a cropped sensor. 6 stars out of 5, again, beg borrow or steal $900 to buy this lens.
Description of Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
The fastest 135mm telephoto lens in its class. Ideal for indoor sports and portraits with background blur. Two UD-glass elements correct secondary spectrum for outstanding sharpness and color. Compatible with Extender EF 1.4x II and 2x II.The fastest 135mm telephoto lens in its class, the Canon EF 135mm f/2L lens is ideal for indoor sports photography and portraits with background blur. Although the lens offers complete automatic focusing capabilities thanks to its Ultra Sonic Motor (USM), you can still take advantage of its manual focus function even when the camera is in AF mode. The lens also offers two UD glass elements that help minimize chromatic aberrations, giving your images outstanding sharpness and color. Other details include a 3-foot close focusing distance, an 18-degree diagonal angle of view, and a 72mm filter size. The lens--which is compatible with EF 1.4x II and 2x II extenders--carries a one-year warranty.
Specifications
- Focal length: 135mm
- Maximum aperture: f/2.0
- Lens construction: 10 elements in 8 groups
- Angle of view: 18 degrees
- Closest focusing distance: 3 feet
- Focus adjustment: Rear focusing system with USM
- Mount: Canon
- Filter size: 72mm
- Dimensions: 3.2 inches in diameter and 4.4 inches long
- Weight: 1.7 pounds
- Warranty: 1 year
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