FWIW - I returned my 100 L today due to unpleasant edge softness between 2.8-3.5 (center sharp though). Didn't work for portraits
Stopped down the lens is excellent with uniform sharpness across the frame and AF is faster than my 135L. The IS seems good but I don't think it's a 4 stop advantage.
24Peter...you got a bum one. Mine is tack sharp at f/2.8...it's only the very edges that get slightly softer than the center (though still quite sharp)...nowhere close to far enough in the frame to affect portraits of any tightness.
FWIW I find the 135L a very boring lens and it was my least-used lens. The focal length is neither here nor there. Did not miss the lens one bit after I sold it. I do miss my CV 125 APO Lanthar though. The 100L has a bit of CA, the CV 125 doesn't and is a little sharper (wide open) across the entire frame - but it's about $400 more than the 100L - for a used copy.
The 100mm focal length is actually the perfect portrait lens according to most books. You can use it indoors for head shots and outdoors for almost anything. It's also great for product shots. The 135L is too long for indoor use .... unless you have a big house! However, one's man's boring lens is another man's pet lens.
Bobby, as we know, copy variation is not exactly an unheard of thing with Canon lenses.
I guess, one has to be prepared to test the lens thoroughly immediately upon delivery and then exchange it if there are any doubts.
I have always felt that the L lens that was a dog was the old/original 16-35L. It's very hard to find a good copy of that lens. I remember trying 3 different copies and they were all not good. Fortunately Canon has come a long way in terms of QC and I think you have to be quite unlucky to receive a bad copy of the 100L or any one of the newer line of Canon lenses for that matter, although sample variation still exist, of course.
PetKal wrote:
Bobby, as we know, copy variation is not exactly an unheard of thing with Canon lenses.
I guess, one has to be prepared to test the lens thoroughly immediately upon delivery and then exchange it if there are any doubts.
I agree with Jman as I've just studied a couple of quick test shots and mine's incredibly sharp at the edge at 2.8/3.2 with only the slightest fall off at the edges that's barely perceptable. Sounds like you may have had a duffer unfortunately.
