I was wondering what the best way to hold the 135/2 was. It truly is a great lens but the focusing ring is relatively large and loose, so that when you grip the lens tightly you may inadvertantly cause misfocus by moving the focusing ring slightly. Is there a good way to support it tightly without shifting that focusing ring?

Thanks!

mjmyap wrote:
I was wondering what the best way to hold the 135/2 was. It truly is a great lens but the focusing ring is relatively large and loose, so that when you grip the lens tightly you may inadvertantly cause misfocus by moving the focusing ring slightly. Is there a good way to support it tightly without shifting that focusing ring?

Thanks!
Funny, I just got one (135 F2 L) and noticed the same thing. Why on earth do we need such a wide focus ring on this lens? (I mean, it's not a macro). I'm just balancing mine on finger tips near where it connects to the body.

I just put my left hand under the body and maybe a finger or two on the base of the lens. If you keep your arms tight to the body with you elbows against your belly, you have hold it very steady...imho.

I use the hood as a wider grip and can handhold 1/20th if I'm super careful. This also negates the focus ring issue.

How about using a monopod?

What camera are you using it with? I find it much easier to use with my 5D2 when I have the grip attached.

I uses both the Shane & Jeremy way depending what I am shooting. Both works well IMHO.

Da Grip by Joe McNally

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDsx3-FWfwk

I shoot with this lens quite a bit and I had to mount it to see how I hold it; I put my left thumb under the barrel near the mount and maybe my index finger at the end beyond the focus ring.

With you on wondering why the size of the ring. Weird.

A monopod? lulz. Just gotta keep your left hand closer to the body.. Plus it has a USM, so if your using AF the manual focus ring is decoupled...