 |
|
|
Trevor Sowers
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Aug 14, 2009
Location: Canada
Posts: 111
|
|
Review Date: Feb 5, 2022
|
Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
|
|
Pros:
|
Light and Compact with great AF.
|
|
Cons:
|
nothing really
|
|
|
I have both the 200mm 2.8II and this lens and they are both outstanding and I can't really decide which one I like better, although I tend to use the 200mm more. I've used this lens for everything from wedding portraits and stage shows to indoor sports and it has never let me down.
|
|
 Feb 5, 2022
|
|
dbolle
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Aug 12, 2019
Location: United States
Posts: 1
|
|
Review Date: Jan 12, 2022
|
Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $600.00
| Rating: 10
|
|
Pros:
|
Great addition to the collection
|
|
Cons:
|
|
|
|
Absolutely stunning. there's just "Somethjing about it thatthe whole is nore than the sum of the parts. Fasntastic bokeh, sharp, great color. makes things "pop". Works great on EF bodies (5d3&4) and r6 with adapter. I even bought a second when I found it used - just sat in the showcase for some reason. ($380 - couldn't resist)
|
|
|
Jan 12, 2022
|
|
davidluque
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Apr 13, 2017
Location: Spain
Posts: 0
|
|
Review Date: Aug 31, 2017
|
Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
|
|
Pros:
|
Very sharp at f2, price, weight, amazing AF, IQ and the best bokeh.
|
|
Cons:
|
None for me
|
|
For my wedding photography is the best lens for portraits and candids moments with a medium telephoto. Its perfect to work in big distances like beaches, contryside, etc... The look in you photos is great!!! The bokeh....
You can see a lot of pictures of the 135mm here:
http://davidluqueblog.com/wedding-photographer-marbella/
|
|
|
Aug 31, 2017
|
|
louisvillewedd
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Jan 11, 2017
Location: United States
Posts: 3
|
|
Review Date: Jan 26, 2017
|
Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,000.00
| Rating: 10
|
|
Pros:
|
Sharp, fast, beautiful compression, pleasant bokeh
|
|
Cons:
|
Heavy
|
|
|
This lens is great! As a wedding photographer, I honestly thought the only thing I would use this for would be wedding photography in large Catholic Cathedrals due to the long focal length. However, as I began testing it out, I was extremely pleased with the super smooth bokeh, wonderful pleasant sharpness, and quick AF so much so that I find myself using it for just about anything. I compare the look to a more compressed version of the 85 f/1.2. Even though it's f/2 the compression makes it seem very shallow. I highly recommend this for wedding photographers who want a great lens with a longer focal length who need amazing portraits, quick AF, and great results.
|
|
|
Jan 26, 2017
|
|
Caleb Keiter
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Jul 5, 2007
Location: United States
Posts: 28
|
|
Review Date: Aug 9, 2016
|
Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $850.00
| Rating: 10
|
|
Pros:
|
Sharp - even wide open, fast and accurate autofocus, beautiful bokeh, wide aperture, has a unique "look" to the images
|
|
Cons:
|
No weather sealing
|
|
I've had this lens for over a year now and it has blown me away. The images are sharp, and I love the unique focal length. The images this lens produces have a very unique look to them. Just beautiful.
I've been compiling my thoughts and some example shots and put together a VERY in-depth review with lots of photos. I've listed 55 reason to buy and love this lens. Check it out!
http://www.calebkeiter.com/canon-135mm-f2l-review/
|
|
|
Aug 9, 2016
|
|
3tagebart
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Mar 15, 2016
Location: N/A
Posts: 0
|
|
Review Date: Mar 15, 2016
|
Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $990.00
| Rating: 10
|
|
Pros:
|
It is as good as they say!
Sharp, cheap (for a L) and not too big.
|
|
Cons:
|
Light LCA (purple fringing) wide open.
|
|
|
Great performance for the money. This really is a tremendous lens with soft bokeh and razor sharp images, even wide open. No wonder Canon keeps producing it till 1996!
My ideal portrait lens (headshot) on FF (6D)!
|
|
|
Mar 15, 2016
|
|
bigoak
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Nov 23, 2015
Location: United States
Posts: 13
|
|
Review Date: Nov 26, 2015
|
Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $500.00
| Rating: 10
|
|
Pros:
|
Allows you to take better pictures.
|
|
Cons:
|
Not a zoom
|
|
|
This is by far the best portrait lens i've ever touched. I dont care about the 85 1.2, i'm not interested. This focal length and aperture (great wide open, better at 2.8) is perfect. If you are on the fence and need a lens, buy this.
The only regret is that it is rather expensive (but L glass costs L price). I might have picked up the 100mm L macro if I didnt feel like this FL might give an advantage. I will update when i buy the macro to give an honest comparison between these two clearly great options.
|
|
|
Nov 26, 2015
|
|
DZR76
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Mar 26, 2013
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 0
|
|
Review Date: Feb 14, 2015
|
Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
|
|
Pros:
|
very fast, very sharp (even wide open!), fabulous bokeh!!! the lens does not attracting attention (black and not too big), price for such an excellent lens
|
|
Cons:
|
no image stabilizer (IS)
|
|
I use this lens mainly for portraits on a full frame camera (Canon 5D Mark III).
The lens is very sharp wide open! Almost too sharp for some portraits.  And the bokeh is simply gorgeous!
Thank you Canon!
|
|
|
Feb 14, 2015
|
|
Donald M. Price
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Nov 22, 2014
Location: Canada
Posts: 1
|
|
Review Date: Nov 22, 2014
|
Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,200.00
| Rating: 10
|
|
Pros:
|
AF speed, accuracy; wide-open sharpness; colour; DoF control; bokeh; build quality; price
|
|
Cons:
|
In my book, could benefit from modern coatings to improve flare-resistance (which is not at all bad to begin with). Really the only minor negative of which I can think. I can live without IS on this lens.
|
|
|
My true love. I've just ordered the Sigma 50mm Art, and I'm hoping the 135 hasn't created impossibly high expectations that will leave me disappointed by every other lens. I have a pretty fair collection of lenses, but this one stays on my 6D probably %95 of the time. For my preferred style of photography it is an absolute joy to shoot: after using it for a while it is just solid, predictable, and never gets in the way. The AF is silent and fast, the DoF can be as thin as you need it to be, the bokeh is creamy, and it's bitingly sharp wide open. The price is a bargain for what you get. Just everything a prime lens should be. I would love it if a mini version just like it were available for the 50mm focal length. I have great hopes for the Sigma 50mm Art, but I can't imagine the AF will be close to as fast or accurate. This lens revolutionized my photography. Never given me a shred of trouble. It's the real deal.
|
|
|
Nov 22, 2014
|
|
Jim Heine
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Apr 9, 2007
Location: United States
Posts: 321
|
|
Review Date: Oct 10, 2014
|
Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 9
|
|
Pros:
|
Very sharp even at f2, build quality, price, weight, autofocus is fast, bokeh
|
|
Cons:
|
No IS, flare, autofocus isn't quite as consistent as some newer lenses
|
|
|
I owned this lens for a long time, then traded it for the 70-200 2.8IS II. I liked the extra versatility of the zoom and the ability to shoot at 200mm. Well, after lugging that lens around for years, I'm experimenting with adding the 135L back to my kit. The 135L is half the weight of the 70-200 2.8IS. This is huge for me, as it allows me to be much more nimble with getting the right composition and angle. I found with the 70-200 made me lazy. Due to the weight, at times I didn't move my shooting position and just zoomed to a composition that worked.
This lens is very sharp, corner to corner wide open. It improves slightly stopped down.
Focal length is great. I thought I would miss shooting at 200mm, but 135mm is long enough for most portraits and gives a decent amount of compression.
F2 allows higher shutter speeds in lower light without raising the ISO. I just wish this lens had IS for low light and portraits with flash. With the high megapixel cameras, most people are going to ideally want to shoot at 1/200 or faster. You can go lower, but you have to watch your technique. IS would also help outside with wind.
Besides lack of IS, the only major issue I have with this lens is flare. It could really use an update to its coatings. This lens flares easily and the flare can be especially ugly if a sun or flash are in the frame.
Overall, spectacular lens. Could use a few updates.
|
|
|
Oct 10, 2014
|
|
Dragonfire
Offline
Buy and Sell: On
Registered: Jul 25, 2006
Location: United States
Posts: 8874
|
|
Review Date: Sep 25, 2014
|
Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $725.00
| Rating: 10
|
|
Pros:
|
Extremely sharp and very quick to focus with pleasing bokeh.
|
|
Cons:
|
Filters sometimes effect the image quaity.
|
|
|
The 135L was my first L prime in 2005 and although good, it was never great and it was sold in 2012.
A lovely lady from North Carolina sold me her copy and it is sharp as a tack on every body I own, and also on my friends.
I shoot this lens without a filter because some on FM have reported diminished IQ, and I suspect they are correct, because my first 135L always wore a B&W.
It is a great lens.
|
|
|
Sep 25, 2014
|
|
Soulphoto2014
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Sep 3, 2014
Location: N/A
Posts: 0
|
|
Review Date: Sep 3, 2014
|
Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $985.00
| Rating: 10
|
|
Pros:
|
THE BEST CANON PORTRAITPRIME EVER MADE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
|
|
Cons:
|
NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
|
|
THIS IS THE PERFECT PORTRAITPRIME EVER MADE!
RAZORFAST AF, SUPER DOF/BOKEH, 3D POP, SUPERSHARP @ F2, SUPERB PRICE/QUALITY, NO CA OR FLARE. PERFECT OPTICS!
CHECKOUT THE LENS SAMPLE DATABASE AND LOOK FOR POSTS OF MR.135L (DANKATA) AND YOU WILL BE CONVINCED IMMEDIATELY!
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1145005
JUST DON'T BUY IT ON CROP, IT'S TOO LONG!
I SOLD IT REGRETED IT AFTER SWITCHING TO FULLFRAME AND RE-BOUGHT IT. IT'S SO GOOD THAT I EVEN USE IT ON TOP OF MY 70-200 2.8L II AS A COMPACT LIGHT PRIME WITH PERFECT OPTICS.
A 10/10 FOR EVERY ASPECT OFFCOURSE!!
|
|
|
Sep 3, 2014
|
|
Dpedraza
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Jan 8, 2013
Location: United States
Posts: 1853
|
|
Review Date: Aug 4, 2014
|
Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $800.00
| Rating: 10
|
|
Pros:
|
SHARP!, Color rendition, contrast, AF, BOKEH
|
|
Cons:
|
|
|
|
I bought this lens because of all the hype I've heard about it. I must say that this lens is ridiculous. Very sharp wide open the results sooc are great. The bokeh is very nice. This lens does live up to the hype that surrounds it.
|
|
|
Aug 4, 2014
|
|
JesseShotland
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Jun 17, 2011
Location: United States
Posts: 345
|
|
Review Date: Jul 21, 2014
|
Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $600.00
| Rating: 10
|
|
Pros:
|
tack sharp, colour reproduction, contrast, low vignette, weight, unique look, fast AF, price
|
|
Cons:
|
not weather sealed!
|
|
|
Absolutely, without a doubt, unquestionably, the sharpest 35mm format lens I've ever used.
Great color, beautiful bokeh.
The focus ring is buttery smooth.
This lens is not weather sealed. keep that in mind.
|
|
|
Jul 21, 2014
|
|
klutterbooks
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Sep 4, 2010
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 0
|
|
Review Date: Sep 25, 2013
|
Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 9
|
|
Pros:
|
Portable, sharp and reliable.
|
|
Cons:
|
None
|
|
I've had this lens for a little while now, and I'm still getting to know it. I'm making the transition to the 135mm prime from my 200mm prime as a day to day lens on my 5DII. I used the 200mm f2.8 quite a bit before getting this lens, and I still like it, but I wanted a lens that was more useful in low light, indoors and close up(ish). In my hands the 135mm delivers fewer hits than the 200mm, but that's more a reflection of my ability at this focal length, and the kind of shots I'm trying to get. Obviously, the 135mm is sharper and faster than the 200mm, although not *that* sharp (by modern standards) if you believe the data on the dxo mark site. In fact, my 100mm is supposed to be sharper (you might wonder why I bothered with a 135mm if I already had a 100mm - it really is a great lens. Quick answer - speed, IS doesn't deal with motion blur created by too low a shutter speed at an ISO you don't want to go above). Anyway, great lens. Sample: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rgooday/9881102013/
|
|
|
Sep 25, 2013
|
|
trumpetjohn
Offline
Image Upload: Off
Registered: Sep 24, 2013
Location: United States
Posts: 1
|
|
Review Date: Sep 24, 2013
|
Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
|
|
Pros:
|
sharp, fast focus, light weight, image quality
|
|
Cons:
|
|
|
|
For around a $1,000 this is an amazing portrait lens! I have used it for family and engagement portrait sessions and it delivers images that are incredible. The subject just seems to pop in the image, which goes beyond just shallow depth of field. The subject has a vibrancy in color/contrast that is great. It is difficult to use this lens for events where I do not have enough room to move around. The 70-200 2.8 ii is a better choice for event coverage, but the images don't have the same sparkle or amazing out of focus areas. The 135 is great for kids photography, since they are smaller and you can get in a little closer.
|
|
|
Sep 24, 2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reviews
|
Views
|
Date of last review
|
|
399
|
607201
|
Feb 5, 2022
|
|
|
Recommended By
|
Average Price
|
|
96% of reviewers
|
$1,279.97
|
|
|
Build Quality Rating
|
Price Rating
|
Overall Rating
|
|
9.79
|
9.40
|
9.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
