| Customer Reviews Collected from usa.canon.com |
Canon - EF 135mm f/2L USM Telephoto Lens - Black
Average Customer Rating:
4.9
Rating breakdown 39 reviews
5 Stars
36
4 Stars
3
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Star
0
100%of customers recommend this product.
(
35 out of
35)
Customer Reviews for Canon - EF 135mm f/2L USM Telephoto Lens - Black
Customer Rating
5
all of the rumors are true...
on January 23, 2014
Posted by: AlexOK
from Oklahoma
I had read for years that this was perhaps Canon's sharpest prime. After shooting with it for several months now, I have to agree. The focal length is a little bit of an adjustment when shooting casually on a hike or in the street, especially if you are used to a 50mm or zoom, but once you get comfortable, this lens will hardly leave your camera. With a still subject, such as an arranged portrait, this lens shines. The f/2 is plenty big to work with in 95% of conditions, and the lack of IS is not big deal. I would think the focal length would be a bit funny on a crop sensor, but have not tried it yet. I opted for this in place of a 70-200, and have not thought twice about it since. With this price tag, especially with a rebate, every serious shooter should have one.
Pros: sharpness, strong build, weight, fast af
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Bokeh Bokeh Bokeh
on March 19, 2016
Posted by: swngdncr
from Little Elm, TX, United States
I had one of these lenses last year.......... the most amazing Bokeh ....... I have rented the 85mm f1.2 ............. Lens against Lens .......the 135 mm f2 the the sharpest lens on the planet.............. the Sharpnest is in a word " Blazing" ! As soon as my piggy bank catches up .............. I will buy another
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Now the best lens in my kit
on February 19, 2017
Posted by: Cytography
from New Mexico, United States
I had this lens on my "bucket list" for some time now and recently bought it used from a local photographer. All the reviews and videos I've seen about this lens informed me that this was one of the best out there for creamy backgrounds and super sharp focus. Boy it does not disappoint! When you shoot this thing wide open the background melts into a dreamy swirl of color that allows the subject to really pop! I have several other Canon lenses, but when I want to isolate a subject and make the background a beautiful, creamy blur, this is the lens I reach for. I'm so glad I purchased this lens!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Posted by: Pradeep San
Verified Purchase:Yes
Now I know why this 23 year old design is still the bokeh monster. Incredibly buttery bokeh! Amazingly sharp at f2.0. Light weight in its category. Fast focus for its age. Started to love this as soon as i took my first picture with this lens.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Posted by: rictum
from Texas
Verified Purchase:Yes
razor sharp, beautiful background, one of the best canon lenses.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Simply a stunning lens!
on July 7, 2009
Posted by: amfoto1
from San Jose, CA
I recently got this lens and have been using it on 50Ds and 5D Mark II.... It's great on either full frame or crop sensor.
Others have noted it's very sharp and I agree. But what does that really mean? Well, using it alongside other lenses in my kit, under identical circumstances, I find more fine detail in images than you will see with, say, 70-200/2.8 IS. Not that the zoom is a slouch in any way. It's not! Fantastic lens too... for a zoom. But the 135/2 will out-resolve it or any other zoom every time, no matter what camera you use it on.
The 135/2 is no lightweight. You know immediately when you pick it up that there is some impressive glass inside! It feels very solid and overall handles quite well. Build quaility is high-end, L-Series. The lens hood is big, but works well.
AF is plenty fast, color rendition and fidelity are super, and there are few lenses that will render a nicer out of focus background (300/2.8 and 500/4 can, and certainly had better... and maybe the 85/1.2 and 200/2, but I don't have them to compare). But, at this focal length, it's got to be the best lens available, bar none.
The 135/2 is also the shortest Canon tele that can use the 1.4X II and 2X II. In particular, the 1.4X will be useful on it, giving an effective 189mm f2.8 lens. I haven't tried the combo yet, but hear that it works well.
Probably the only thing lacking from this lens is Image Stabilization. If it had IS, it would be just about perfect and even more useful on crop sensor cameras and/or with teleconverters. It is still plenty useful on a crop sensor camera, just watch your minimum shutter speed stays around 1/200 or better when handheld, or use a tripod/monopod.
IS with this particular focal length probably is not as critical on full frame. Plus higher ISO capable cameras can help keep shutter speeds faster, too. But, Image Stabilization is a great feature on most any telephoto lens, regardless. It would be nice to see it on this lens.
Otherwise, don't mess with this super lens, Canon!
Pros: Super-sharp images, Superior build quality, Fast auto-focus, lovely bokeh
Cons: no image stabilization
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
BUY THIS LENS!
on July 23, 2010
Posted by: pilot2969
from Toledo, OH
The 135mm is one of the sharpest lenses I have ever used. On my 5D and 1D MKII the images are just mind blowing. This thing is TACK sharp, doesn't matter if you're at f2.0 or f4.0.
AF speed is awesome on the 1DMKII, even in low light with all focus point activated.
I've seen comments about how IS would be helpful, and although I agree, I would hate to see the IQ suffer from this addition. I just make sure that I am using fast enough shutter speeds to eliminate hand shake. I usually aim for 1/160th of a second or faster, and every image I shoot is a keeper.
I own the 70-200 2.8L IS, and this lens beats it every time. I have become a prime lens convert... now I just need the 35L and I'll have the perfect setup.
Pros: fast af, unsurpassed iq, excellent build quality
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Pretty Great
on January 29, 2014
Posted by: Mr. B
from Las Vegas, NV
Of course it is fine quality, fast focusing, and tack sharp. I knew all that before I bought it. What has continually stood out to me about my 135 is how BEAUTIFUL my photos turn out; so very pleasing to the eye. For my needs (and low light photography is one of the things I really enjoy) IS would not be a meaningful addition to this lens.
This lens is a bargain. It is also a specialist. It will not do everything of course, but even when you stretch it outside of its forte the result can still be impressive.
The rare annoyance: Make no mistake this lens is NOT a substitute for a 70-200. You will be kind of frustrated if you are trying to use it in place of the 70-200. If you're one of those people trying to choose between the two and are only going to buy one of them, get the zoom (2.8mk2 of course). But seriously, at half the price/size/weight, when you're using the 135 really well, you may never care that you didn't have your big white zoom.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com