Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM Lens for Canon SLR Cameras - Fixed

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This is my only lens longer than 50mm, because its all I need. I am shooting this both film and digitally, and both full-frame and 1.6x crop. I have bought and sold an embarrassingly large number of other long lenses (70-200 f/4L IS, 70-200 f/2.8L IS II, 180L, 100 macro, 135 SF, 100 f/2, 85 f/1.8, 70-300 DO, 70-300L, 200L, off the top of my head) before realizing that this single, compact, light-weight, high quality, discreet, constrasty lens is all that I really needed. (Seriously, Ive owned all those at one point -- cutting down on clutter is like a breath of fresh air.) This lens, at least for my shooting style, really does it all: * 135mm is an excellent long portrait length * f/2 is very fast, and allows for long shots at dark events where flash isnt allowed or desired * image quality if superb in all uses, but equally holds up for landscape photos where compression of distant vistas is desired I love having this one simple option that covers me in so many different situations. Every photographer has their own shooting style as well as their favorite subjects, but if you primarily shoot landscapes, events, and portraits, then I highly recommend trying out this long lens.

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This lens has been on my want list for a long time. I have the Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS and it is great for versatility but it is not an easy lens to carry around all day due to the weight and the white color makes it stand out. The 70-200 produces good bokeh but the best is at 2.8 and 200mm and isnt always possible. I purchased the 135mm f/2 to save on weight, black coating and the bokeh at f/2. This lens has not disappointed me and the image quality is superb. The auto focus is fast and accurate when mounted on my 5D Mark III. The isolation of the subject from the background produces fantastic results that make pictures stand out. For most of my photography needs this a good lens to compliment my 35mm f/1.4. I can shoot most subjects and I know that both lenses will deliver great results. The weight savings of the primes compared to the 24-70 and 70-200 is huge and makes the day more enjoyable by not being burdened by the weight of equipment. This lens and focal length does take some getting used to and for some subjects is probably not the best choice. I have found that I do sometimes miss the versatility of the zoom when I am taking pictures of my son playing and he is constantly changing his distance from me and I cant always get the picture I want. If he is is playing and moving more parallel to me this isnt an issue but depending on your subject it is something to keep in mind. I wouldnt call this lens a replacement for the 70-200 but more of a compliment to it. I enjoy the results from both lenses and am satisfied with both. For me most of the time I will grab the 135mm just because I prefer the results that I get and it is much easier to take with me everywhere. Pros: - Ablility to shoot at f/2 and have sharp pictures without stopping down. - Much lighter lens than the 70-200 2.8 - Awesome Bokeh that makes your subject stand out against every background. - Decent price for an L lens - Consistent results - Black coating doesnt stand out - Great lens to use with the 35mm 1.4 Cons: - Lack of versatility - IS would be a nice but it would take away from some of the other things I like about this lens (weight and price). Conclusion: I would say that this lens is a specialty lens and may not be for everyone. The pictures that it takes are outstanding and very few lenses can come close in terms of price and quality. You do give up some versatility but this lens has delivered on all the aspects that are important to me and is my second most used lens behind my 35mm 1.4. I would not hesitate to recommend this lens to anyone but I would suggest that you look at any of Canons excellent 70-200 lenses first if you do not have one.

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Beyond amazing. Speed, sharpness, feel, durability, bokeh, etc. I can shoot wide open f/2 and still have my focus point tack sharp (first images shot at f/2). My most prized lens. I typically have it on one of my cameras at all time during a wedding or portrait session. I also use it for action shots of dogs because it is fast enough to track running pups.

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A lot of other people have written very thorough reviews of this lens. I read a number of them before buying it. I wont bore you with my own account of those details; there are plenty of other reviews that cover all aspects. What I will say is its all true, what people say about this lens. Its far from being the newest Canon lens out there. Its relatively inexpensive for an L series lens. An updated version of the lens is rumored to be in the works. This isnt the latest thing, but for what it delivers its certainly my favorite. The thing is, this lens produces astonishingly beautiful images. I put it on my Canon 5D mkIII and spent several hours just wandering around my back yard taking pictures. Its also magical for shooting video. I set the camera on a low tripod and racked the focus through a hedge with bright sunlight splashing through the leaves. As boring as that might sound, this lens allowed me to capture the most amazing footage! You wont be sorry to add this lens to your collection.

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Cant say enough how pleased I am with this lens. First, I purchased it used from a third-party seller on Amazon. Saved 25% off the new price. Second, it came with everything (box, instructions, protection bag, lens cap). Third, this is my first L glass. Wow, what a difference. Although Im shooting on a APS-C camera and Im not getting the full-frame affect, the quality of the photos is stunning. Very happy I made the leap to L glass.

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I was in the market to expand my prime collection. I had a rewarding experience with purchasing an 85 f/1.8 (a fantastic lens), and was interested in exploring the 135. After reading all of the reviews here (yes, every single one) as well as reviews on other sites, I got to thinking: can this lens actually be THAT good? A part of me didnt want to believe it. I wanted to think it was some sort of mass hysteria. But another part of me knew that such accolades arent tossed so casually here. So I broke down and bought one. And I havent looked back. Ive been used to using zooms--and L zooms at that. I thought they were wonderful. I loved them. I never thought Id want for more. However, this lens really drives home the difference between primes and zooms. The performance of the 135 is nothing short of stunning. I had read the reviews of people using this lens and then marveling at the results. I thought this was quaint, and a result of "lens placebo." But after seeing what this lens produced for me, I knew all the gushing was true. I then took comparison shots with this lens and my 70-200 f/4L. The results were quite convincing: sharpness and color produced by the 135 are definitely on another level than the 70-200 f/4L (and I wont even talk about bokeh because of the f/2 vs. f/4 difference). Since I bought the 135, I havent put the 70-200 on my camera except to make the comparison shots. Believe the hype. This lens is THAT good.

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I am an amateur photographer. I love this lens. it makes shooting action shots in my living room look professional with the blurred background.I had a canon T5I Rebel

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I had long heard and read for years the optical quality of Canons unsung hero and relatively forgotten secret gem of the L line ... Wish Id bought it sooner. Even being one of Canons older members of the family, it still performs well against the more newly engineered 70-200 IS MkII. Though I havent done a side by side to the 85mm L MkII, Im willing to bet this lens is very close in sharpness performance. Its really the perfect focal length for head shots and even more full length portraiture (because of the longer focal length compression) if you have the distance to back up. This should be a go-to lens in any serious photographers bag. If Canon does ever make a new version of this lens I doubt it will be much more than to add Image Stabilization to it.

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Bought used on the marketplace. Item as described with minor wear near lens hood ring. This lens blows everything else (FF) i have ever used. The MF ring is a little loose for my liking, but AF is quick and accurate. This FL flattens your DoF a bit, making the bokeh "pop" in that characteristic pleasing way. Between this and the ~$350 85mm F1.8, you have the kit you need on a full-frame sensor to shoot sharp, memorable portraits. Get this item, a speedlite, and spend your time practicing your craft for impressive results.

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I wasnt sure about purchasing this lens since I already have Canon lenses/cameras that address the types of subjects and range of this lens ( 70- 200 mm f/4.0 IS L lens; 85 mm f/1.8 lens; 24-105 mm f/4.0 L; 100 mm f/2.8 L macro; 15-85 mm f/3.5 crop lens with 60 D Canon camera). But I couldnt resist the fact that with a small black prime L lens with f/2.0 speeed, that can take a 1/4 extender, I could emulate the 70-200 MM L lens w/out drawing much attention for journalistic purposes as well as providing terrific low-light capabilities for portrtaits, macro, sports--in and outdoors. So I bought it. You only live once. I absolutely dont regret it. Fast, fantastic resolution, and color rendition--particularly with my Canon 5d MkII full frame. What a lens-- for sheer clarity and color-- cant beat a prime, particularly a fast L prime. No regrets.

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