Bokeh: 70-200 f2.8 vs 135L @ f2.8

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Bokeh: 70-200 f2.8 vs 135L @ f2.8 (archived topic)

JasonJ
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icon Bokeh: 70-200 f2.8 vs 135L @ f2.8

Sorry folks,

I know the Lens A vs. Lens B posts are a bit frustrating at times, but I had a question that I've been wondering about for some time now.

To explain, I am thinking about giving up my 135L to help fund a 70-200 f2.8IS. My biggest concern is the bokeh issue. How's the 70-200's bokeh? I guess a nice comparison would be seeing both lens wide open at 135mm with a subject at the same distance away.

Also, I know the 135L is EXTREMELY sharp, but the 70-200 can't be so bad right?

Any help would be appreciated, and again, I apologize for this post :)

Jason

Nov 02, 2007 at 04:16 AM

Nowhere Man
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icon Re: Bokeh: 70-200 f2.8 vs 135L @ f2.8

someone needs to start a website that purely shows shots from every lens available. then people can just scroll down to see all the shots. here's a shot from the 70-200, taken at 2.8.

boring shot but it was shot at 2.8 and shows some boken action straight out of the camera.i'll have to dig for a better one.

i've always been pleased and impressed by sharpness and bokeh on this lens.

.

Edited by Nowhere Man on Nov 02, 2007 at 04:34 AM GMT

Edited by Nowhere Man on Nov 02, 2007 at 04:35 AM GMT

Copyright © Nowhere Man

Nov 02, 2007 at 04:26 AM

DMSsix
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icon Re: Bokeh: 70-200 f2.8 vs 135L @ f2.8

I use both frequently and I think the 70-200 produces an OOF background that is very, very pleasing relative to the background itself, its distance from the subject, focal length, etc. at 2.8. So, no...it ain't so bad. My 70-200 could be a little sharper at 2.8 I think. I suppose I could send it in but it doesn't bother me that much. But the bokeh is excellent.

Nov 02, 2007 at 04:30 AM

njjuliano
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icon Re: Bokeh: 70-200 f2.8 vs 135L @ f2.8

Here's the 70-200IS

This image is copyrighted by the owner

And the 135

Nov 02, 2007 at 05:00 AM

Ariel Bravy
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icon Re: Bokeh: 70-200 f2.8 vs 135L @ f2.8

Is there anyone with both the 70-200 2.8 AND 135L who can shoot the same shot at 135mm, f2.8?

Nov 02, 2007 at 05:10 AM

akivisuals
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icon Re: Bokeh: 70-200 f2.8 vs 135L @ f2.8

I might be able to do a test tomorrow sometime. I own both lenses, but don't use the 70-200 IS all that much. It's a very heavy lens. The 135L is my favorite lens and gets a ton of use. The 70-200 isn't near as sharp wide open as the 135L, even at f/2.

Nov 02, 2007 at 05:44 AM

mh2000
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icon Re: Bokeh: 70-200 f2.8 vs 135L @ f2.8

ok, I happen to have these:

70-200/2.8 IS @ 135/2.8

This image is copyrighted by the owner

135L @ f2.8

and just for fun :)

the 135SF @ f2.8

Nov 02, 2007 at 05:51 AM

Blazing K
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icon Re: Bokeh: 70-200 f2.8 vs 135L @ f2.8

Hi all,

I have both lenses, and after purchasing the 135 I have changed my perception of primes. No more zooms for me.........I'll be using my feet to adjust the zoom range from now on. To the trained eye, the differences are marked. Everything about this lens is superior to the 70-200, Baring focusing speed and IS ofcourse.

Sample pics with 135.

Blazing K

Edited by Blazing K on Nov 02, 2007 at 07:00 AM GMT

Copyright © Blazing K

Nov 02, 2007 at 05:51 AM

Blazing K
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icon Re: Bokeh: 70-200 f2.8 vs 135L @ f2.8

.

Copyright © Blazing K

Nov 02, 2007 at 05:53 AM

Blazing K
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icon Re: Bokeh: 70-200 f2.8 vs 135L @ f2.8

.

Copyright © Blazing K

Nov 02, 2007 at 05:54 AM

Blazing K
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icon Re: Bokeh: 70-200 f2.8 vs 135L @ f2.8

.

Copyright © Blazing K

Nov 02, 2007 at 05:58 AM

Andy Wilson
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icon Re: Bokeh: 70-200 f2.8 vs 135L @ f2.8

I did the following not too scientific test on these lenses plus the non-IS 70-200 f4

Here's what I got - don't know if it will help. :D

The test scene:

This image is copyrighted by the owner

OOF highlights are reflections from scooter mirrors and leaves

Here's the 135 at f2.8

and the 70-200 f2.8 IS at f2.8 (135mm)

For interest here's links to the the other shots:

135L at f2

http://www.pbase.com/wislon/image/66880924

135L at f4

http://www.pbase.com/wislon/image/66880925

70-200 f2.8 IS at f4

http://www.pbase.com/wislon/image/66880927

70-200 f4 (non-IS) at f4

http://www.pbase.com/wislon/image/66880928

Edit to add the following: The 135L is of course stopped down at f2.8 and therefore the highlights are less circular than the f2.8. And secondly, I wouldn't judge the bokeh on this (probably flawed) test alone. I still, at least subjectively, feel the bokeh of the prime is better overall but the zooms in this range do pretty well. Of course you can use the 135 dof advantage between f2 and f2.8 creatively in some situations.

Nov 02, 2007 at 06:15 AM

JasonJ
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icon Re: Bokeh: 70-200 f2.8 vs 135L @ f2.8

Hmm thanks for the images guys. At a quick glance, the bokeh from both lenses seem similar enough. I have to admit, it's a hard decision for me to part with the 135L. It produces beautiful images and I can always count on it (that and it's very compact!). I could really use the IS though since I shoot indoors a majority of the time.

I shoot mainly with primes, but have considered switching to zooms for the convenience. I actually feel like I can compose better with a prime, but we'll have to see how things work out with the zooms.

Thanks again! Any more "scientific" tests would be appreciated ;)

Nov 02, 2007 at 06:25 AM

Joris Beverloo
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icon Re: Bokeh: 70-200 f2.8 vs 135L @ f2.8

The highlight OOF from the photos that Andy posted shows to me that the 70-200 is a little more rounded than from the 135. But this can have to do with the 70-200 being wide open (so diafragm blades have no influence) and the 135 being stopped down, so there the diafragm blades do have influence. But this is really being picky.
Oh hehe I should have read...you also did the test at f4 for both. Still looks like the 135 is slightly more edgy, but hardly any difference between both.

Nov 02, 2007 at 09:54 AM

Klaus Kunski
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icon Re: Bokeh: 70-200 f2.8 vs 135L @ f2.8

Looks to me that at this aperture you couldn't distinguish between the two lenses on bokeh alone. Your choice should be one of convenience.

If you'd appreciate the extra stop, and considerably lighter weight, and are prepared to give up the IS and and flexibility of the zoom, then the 135L is your bunny.

On the other hand, if you don't mind lugging around the beast in return for greater zoom control and the benefits of IS, then obviously go white.

I have the 135L. Not having IS is a bit of a pain.

KK

Nov 02, 2007 at 10:25 AM

Andy Wilson
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icon Re: Bokeh: 70-200 f2.8 vs 135L @ f2.8

Joris Beverloo wrote:
The highlight OOF from the photos that Andy posted shows to me that the 70-200 is a little more rounded than from the 135. But this can have to do with the 70-200 being wide open (so diafragm blades have no influence) and the 135 being stopped down, so there the diafragm blades do have influence. But this is really being picky.
Oh hehe I should have read...you also did the test at f4 for both. Still looks like the 135 is slightly more edgy, but hardly any difference between both.

I'm pretty sure it is the stopping down. The 135L highlights at f2 look very round to me.

Nov 02, 2007 at 02:16 PM

Daan B
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icon Re: Bokeh: 70-200 f2.8 vs 135L @ f2.8

Too bad you have to choose between the 135L and 70-200L... Both different lenses with different usage - best to have them both... Of course, the whole point of the 135L is that it is one stop faster.

Nov 02, 2007 at 02:48 PM

jxsq
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icon Re: Bokeh: 70-200 f2.8 vs 135L @ f2.8

if you know that you will need a zoom, then you have to go with 70-200/2.8LIS.

but if you are not sure, then keep the 135L.

Bokeh is not something you should worry about when you decide between these two.

Nov 02, 2007 at 03:31 PM

Lord Fluff
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icon Re: Bokeh: 70-200 f2.8 vs 135L @ f2.8

For a zoom I've always found the bokeh from the 70-200 f2.8 IS to be surprisingly good. For wedding it is often my go-to lens despite owning the 85L and 135L - the results are rarely that far behind either of the primes.

Nov 02, 2007 at 04:36 PM

dan727
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icon Re: Bokeh: 70-200 f2.8 vs 135L @ f2.8

Blazing K wrote:
Hi all,

I have both lenses, and after purchasing the 135 I have changed my perception of primes. No more zooms for me.........I'll be using my feet to adjust the zoom range from now on. To the trained eye, the differences are marked. Everything about this lens is superior to the 70-200, Baring focusing speed and IS ofcourse.

Sample pics with 135.

Blazing K

Edited by Blazing K on Nov 02, 2007 at 07:00 AM GMT

Well that goes without saying... less pieces of glass for the light to go through. But I was curious how that translates to prints. Is say and 8X10 shot with a 70-200 that much sharper than an 8X10 shot with the 135L? At what print size would the difference be noticeable?

I ask because I am a card carrying member of Photographers Anonynmous and have no resistance when it comes to purchasing expensive lenses.

Nov 02, 2007 at 05:06 PM

JasonJ
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icon Re: Bokeh: 70-200 f2.8 vs 135L @ f2.8

Everyones point on the weight/size issue is getting to me. I guess I will keep the 135L for now, but I really feel that the IS would help a lot at times. If only I could have both... :)

Nov 02, 2007 at 05:18 PM

tutumon
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icon Re: Bokeh: 70-200 f2.8 vs 135L @ f2.8

mh2000 wrote:
ok, I happen to have these:

70-200/2.8 IS @ 135/2.8

This image is copyrighted by the owner

135L @ f2.8

and just for fun :)

the 135SF @ f2.8

DO you happen to have the same shot shot at 135 f2.0? WOuld be nice to compare since you have all the others here!!!!

Nov 02, 2007 at 05:21 PM

mh2000
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icon Re: Bokeh: 70-200 f2.8 vs 135L @ f2.8

No, that wasn't the point to the test... then you could also ask about shooting the 70-200 @ 200 etc. etc.

>>DO you happen to have the same shot shot at 135 f2.0? WOuld be nice to compare since you have all the others here!!!!

Nov 02, 2007 at 07:18 PM

Roy Pertchik
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icon Re: Bokeh: 70-200 f2.8 vs 135L @ f2.8

mh2000 wrote:
ok, I happen to have these:

70-200/2.8 IS @ 135/2.8

This image is copyrighted by the owner

135L @ f2.8

and just for fun :)

the 135SF @ f2.8

Awesome test results. Interesting to see how similar the pics are. Bokeh and sharpness appear the same. I think I do see slightly more saturated darks in the135 f2 at 2.8 shot... this may be a PP difference, or it may mean more contrast available.. but noting a tiny tweak of PS curves couldn't equalize. Thanks for sharing your results. Incidentally, I let my 135 go recently relying on my 70-200 2.8 IS,... and I used that cash and also bucks from selling a 24-105, to buy an 85 1.2.... Now that nighttime-action-stopping-bokeh-machine does do some things that the 70-200 can't..:-)

Nov 03, 2007 at 03:07 AM

mh2000
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icon Re: Bokeh: 70-200 f2.8 vs 135L @ f2.8

Thanks! Natural light was used and it wasn't 100% stable. Examining these and others with the guys I did the test with, the consensus was that the 135L was the *winner* in all regards, but only *just*. The bokeh differences between the 24-70 and 24-105 were much more dramatic... and to put it in perspective, many people feel those two zooms are already close enough. For the record, the 135SF was mine... and I still haven't found a reason to upgrade to the L... but it's a bit long for my shooting style... so it is FL, not quality keeping me from using it... or needing to upgrade.

Nov 04, 2007 at 12:18 AM

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