Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM Lens for Canon SLR Cameras Reviews

Average Customer Rating - 5.0 out of 5 stars

52 customer reviews

Canon's sharpest prime is better than any 70-200 for a number of reasons, April 18, 2007
The 135 f2 is probably Canon's sharpest prime. And you know that most of Canon's prime lenses are moderately sharp so this speaks to the great quality of the 135.

The 135 is better than any of the 70-200 zooms for the following reason:

-It's less conspicuous: it's black instead of white, it's lighter and shorter. This makes it the foolproof lens for those people 'grab' shots at the mall or street carnival. The people will not be taken aback by you pointing a large lens at them. Instead, they may not know you are taking a closeup/semi closeup of them at adjectives since this lens looks like a wider lens.

-It's faster.

-It has better bokeh.

-It's cheaper than the slower f2.8 70-200.

As a semi-pro published photographer, I can recommend this lens. I originally purchased it (and still use it) for headshots (it's great for that) but found that within are a lot of other applications under which this lens excels.

One of the best Canon lens for going on for $1000, December 1, 2004
I believe this is one of the best lens for about $1000. Forget about zoom lenses even if they are L. This lens is far better than 70-200L within my opinion. It is very sharp at f2 and even more sharp at f2.5. With zoom lenses you enjoy to set to f/5.6 for better result and f/8 to match this lens. It is very in good health built but not excessive heavy, come with hood and pouch, but unfortunately, Canon have established to remove the hard cases for all the L lenses.

Combined beside a Tamron 1.4X teleconverter this lens provide very good optical standard on par with any zoom L lenses at 189mm focal length. Yes I know I lost the convenience of a 70-200 zoom lens. But I am really happy that I opt to change the plan of buying a 70-200IS to 135/2L+1.4X. This not only save me the money but also let me to get better pictures, especially at wide-ranging open. Better portrait lenses, like 200/1.8 and 300/2.8, would cost several thousands of dollars. Trust me, once you play near primes, you will not like zoom anymore.

I am also using a 24-70L to shoot my small kid. After using this lens, I don't like it anymore and thinking give or take a few change to primes someday, the only judgment preventing me doing that is the 1.6X crop factor of digital camera. A 35mm/1.4L will become 56mm which is really not good.

Order from Amazon next to free shipping even though it says not in stock. They shipped mine within 2 days and this happened before even though item stated "in stock soon".

Pros:
Very sharp at f2 and super sharp start from f2.5.
Very speedily lens with f/2
Very good bokeh (background blurring).
Overall extremely honest picture quality with right contrast/color.
Smaller size, less weight and black color compare to those white 70-200s.
It is a L lens: best build level, fast/quiet ring USM AF with FTM.

Cons:
No hard covering.
No inexpensive.
Effective focal length is 216mm on 10D/20D/Rebel/300D which is a little difficult to use for portrait.

135 f2 is amazing, January 10, 2006
Everyone gives this lens a rave so conceivably i should approach this terrific lens from a shooting POV.

Shooting wide open at f2at 135 give your pictures a distinct quality you would never get from zoom, there isn't a zoom at this focal length that is this speed any. A few primes come close but they're nowhere near as sharp wide uncap.

the af is fast and very accurate and the lens have a great feel on a 20d/5d/10d body even wo the battery grip of the cameras.

Close up magnification of .19x to.21 therabouts is a nice bonus of this lens, letting you seize closer wo being too in your obverse for tight headshots.

I always felt that photographers usually own a sweet spot when shooting certain things like some portrait photographers similar to the distance the 85mm gives them when approaching a subject, turns out I'm liking the 135 focal length moderately a bit for headshots and the 85 for torso and head shots.

One thing I approaching about this 135/f2 combo is that there's enough DOF to win most of the main subject in outlook and focus but the background will still be blurred out. It's really great when you want the subject in focus and zilch else, as opposed to the 85 1.2 parts of the subject could melt into the setting resulting in images that be a short time too ethreal for some tastes. Couldn't you just stop down the 85? Sure but the relationship of the foreground to environment would still be different with the 135.

The 135 f2 can dispense a result that's juuust right. The backgrounds just somewhat more compressed with the foreground but the foreground is sharp but the background is gone. Almost approaching you lurred the background in photoshop. But you'll never gain the same results from blurring in photoshop, for one item the highlights would get muddied in a blur treatment contained by PS while the highlights stay clean at f2.

Don't just use this item for portraits, use it the way you would use a 50mm and try and frame as such, again the focal lenth and wide aperture will provide an interesting result. I basically use it for candids and portraits during a wedding.

Fantastic lens, markedly sharp, very handholdable, the focal length is terrific for portraits and the bokeh is very lovely, equal in sharpness to the 85 1.2 or any of Canon's $5k lenses. This is probably the best lens you can get for the price, the solely lens I've used with better saturation and contrast is the 35 1.4L.

Downside: Not as handholdable as the 50,35 1.4 or the 85 1.2 during low light situations due to it's focal length.

One of the best lens contained by it's class, August 23, 2005
Man. what a lens! It's not cheap, and I dont' find the 135mm to be a particularly useful focal length near my 20D but after seeing glowing reviews of this one both at [...], I decided to buy one and try it for myself. It's not cheap at $900, but it's worth every penny. This one is an out-and-out stunner. I cannot believe my eyes at the sharpness at f2 and it improves very little when stopped down. The bokeh is unlikely! I dont' hesitate to shoot at f2 and I don't find it necessary to stop down a short time ago to increase sharpness. The size and build is perfect although I don't like Canon's hood design. Why can't they simply generate the hood with the same crincked finish of the lens?? Then they would not so glibly scratch. It's beyond me. But that's not a problem with the lens itself and whenever I use this lens, I know I own one of the best lenses ever designed. It forces me to excel myself knowing that now,the only cut is me, the photographer and not the camera or the lens. An absolute beauty. Go try it yourself. I try to shoot beside this as much as possible and the results are stunning. I just wish it come with weather proofing and Image Stablization like Canon's modern lenses but that's lately nitpicking. I love it as it is.

Perfect for "head hunting" and more., February 17, 2010
I shoot this on a 5D Mark II full-frame camera, so the 135mm is an actual 135mm for me.

Since it is very hard to find condemn with the lens (aside from the fact that they form you pay for it), I will stick with the highlights.

At f2.0, this is one bright lens. It scheme having the stop you need to rip a hand-held shot that you with the sole purpose get one crack at. It's native chore is people pictures, so when shooting candids you either get hold of the moment or you don't, and with this one f2.0 means you can draw from it in available light. I don't resembling spooking/annoying people with a flash. This lens let me shoot from the other side of a normal room, outside of people's personal space and possibly outside their notice. In a larger room, you achieve tight groups of people. It's probably a touch too long on a crop-sensor body, but this is such a sweet lens that it would be worth it to rent one to see.

When you aren't shooting candids "in the wild" and switch to posed portraiture, it gets even better. Fast to focus, nice perspective, but you might own to "frame with your feet" to get everybody into the shot.

The weightiness is quite reasonable and the handling is sweet. There is a break point within lens weight for me. This one is light plenty to shoot comfortably a long while. The Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L by comparison is just over that line, that one is a touch on the immense side and not as sweet to work. The two are somewhat close in size and weight, but the 135 f2.0 feel far lighter and handles better. When you have to move *now* this lens is only just light enough that you might attain off a one-handed shot without spilling the drink surrounded by your left hand.

Exquisite background. All those other comments people have posted give or take a few it are all true.

Incredible detail. This is one very sharp lens. It give all of those pixels on the 5d something worthwhile to do. Every individual eyelash is sacred to this lens.

This entity sees better in the foggy than I do. With the high ISO capabilities of the 5D dupe II, you can take other-worldly night-time shots on available frothy and hand hold them. "What did you do to get the sky that color?" "The sky *was* that color, this is a dark shot."

You do have to watch your depth of pen and focus point like a hawk. You can play games and do some powerfully artistic stuff that way, especially next to people's hair.

If the focal length is anywhere near right for your situation, the results will be ably worth every penny.

SHARP SHARP SHARP. Did I mention this lens is SHARP?, March 22, 2007
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 all along the lens and makes it look bigger and heavier. That was the first entity 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, freestyle pack and 580EX, you know you are carrying something in your hand that will manufacture heads turn. You look through the lens and realize that the opening is W-I-D-E...

Not amazingly handholdable with 1.6X even at f2...minimum 1/250s required, atleast for me. My hands are not the steadiest, moderately shaky. So I dont go below 1/250s.

The color saturation, richness, unparalleled. Im tempted to utter that the 50/1.8 gives the same amount of sharpness and color..im even tempt 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 dignified maintenance lens - if you are taking a portrait, (i) stand in the right distance (ii) focus on the eyes (iii) recompose (iv) variety 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 team leader, you probably need to refocus. Thats when the focus override comes handy. Seems simple, but needs practise...of late a little.

Hood, prefer it with a crimped finish, removing and replacing the lens panama is a bit of a pain.

Built solidly like a cistern, branded with a prominent red ring to be recognized by those who know what it stands for. Yet to audition it in proper day standard lamp, 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 like this lens and wants to keep this one.

Oh, and if I dont speech about the bokeh, either I dont know what it is, or Im only plain dumb. The BESTEST bokeh I have ever seen, buttery creamy milky smooth. I would settle $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 situation 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 appropriate broad daylight shots with that. The only explanation 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.

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Update on 23 July 2007

I own taken many pictures with this lens at f/2, f/2.8 and f/4 and simply put, this is a lens that will enjoy 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 return with most of the person in full focus minus 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 warden, beg borrow or steal $900 to buy this lens.
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Update on 12 feb 2008.
Oh boy, I love this lens all over again, any excuse to transport this out and shoot. I will do free portraiture if necessary. One of the pros that I didnt think be highlighted enough in the above reviews (one or two mention it, not all) is that this lens give a verrrry pleasing 3 d effect to the images. The background is completely compressed into one restricted sheet and looks like a (very pleasing) backdrop and the subject have so much pop and clarity that it creates a very good 3D effect. If the 85mm/1.8 make 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 own the distance on a cropped sensor. 6 stars out of 5, again, beg borrow or steal $900 to buy this lens.

The Stuff of Legends, August 2, 2007
I was surrounded by the market to expand my prime collection. I had a rewarding experience beside purchasing an 85 f/1.8 (a fantastic lens), and was interested in exploring the 135. After reading adjectives of the reviews here (yes, every single one) as well as reviews on other sites, I got to thinking: can this lens truly be THAT good? A part of me didn't want to believe it. I needed to think it was some sort of mass hysteria. But another constituent of me knew that such accolades aren't tossed so in a relaxed way here. So I broke down and bought one.

And I haven't looked back.

I've been used to using zooms--and L zoom at that. I thought they were wonderful. I loved them. I never thought I'd want for more. However, this lens really drives home the difference between primes and zooms. The ceremony of the 135 is nothing short of stunning. I had read the reviews of culture using this lens and then marveling at the results. I thought this was precious, and a result of "lens placebo." But after seeing what this lens produced for me, I knew all the gushing be true. I then took comparison shots with this lens and my 70-200 f/4L. The results be quite convincing: sharpness and color produced by the 135 are definitely on another smooth than the 70-200 f/4L (and I won't even talk about bokeh because of the f/2 vs. f/4 difference). Since I bought the 135, I haven't put the 70-200 on my camera except to clear the comparison shots.

Believe the hype. This lens is THAT good.

Surprised, April 5, 2006
Despite reading glowing reviews going on for this lens, I was still surprised to see how well it perform. The lens is SO sharp you can get very perfect cropped pictures of running athletes, from a distance of three quarters of a Football field away, shooting appendage held, with late afternoon night light, which will print a 5x7 and still look like a Pro took them!
If you want a tack sharp lens for indoor sports pictures and can't afford, or otherwise do not want another long lens for outdoor sports pictures, then you should donate this lens your serious consideration.

Great portrait and walkaround lens, February 14, 2007
I sold my 70-200 4.0L lens in order to bring back this lens and I am very happy beside my decision.
The ability to shoot at 2.0 aperture give you the ability to completely blur distracting elements from the background of your subject.
As near all L series lenses, the image aspect, sharpness, color and contrast are all excellent.
Also like adjectives L series lenses, this lens is built very solidly. Keep in mind that this lens may get the impression somewhat large and bulky to those who haven't used L series lenses before. The extra bulk is because of more glorious quality glass and the use of more durable materials (metal vs. plastic). I've grown to approaching the stability and the weight of the lens.
The focal length of 135 is not for everyone, on a full frame camera (film or the 5D for example), 135mm is a great portrait lens that allows you to isolate the face instead of only the head.
On a digital camera with a crop factor (like the 20D, digital rebel or the 30D), the 135 becomes something like a 210mm lens. This may be too much for portraiture though it would be adjectives as a lowlight or indoor sports lens.

The only real denial thing I have to enunciate is that the lens cap is very annoying to pocket off when the supplied hood is attached (not much room for your fingers to get to the releases). {see the customer photos} I mostly take the hood off and afterwards take the lens cap sour. Another option would be to get a different lens hat with a center release (Tamron makes these).

Simply the best!, February 1, 2007
Everything that other reviewers own said is true. This lens is SHARP even wide open and the bokeh is so fine. In fact, this is the sharpest lens that I own and I own several L lenses. It is even sharper at f/2 than my 70-200 f/2.8 IS at f/2.8. The image level only degrades immensely slightly when coupled with the 1.4x TC. Highly recommended!

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