Canon 135mm f2 L USM is regarded as one of the best three prime lenses that Canon produce (Along with 85mm f/1.2 L USM and 35mm f/1.4 L USM).
The images from this lens are very sharp, contrasty and show a lot of details even in wide open at f/2. The depth of field is very shallow at f/2. As a result, the background will be compressed.
Because of that features, Canon 135mm is ideal for portrait, especially candid portrait, street photography and indoor sports.
Build quality is very good, the best Canon can made. The lens is not as big and heavy as telephoto zoom.
But unfortunately, this lens does not have Image Stabilization built-in. Image stabilization in telephoto is quite important so you can shoot with shutter speed lower than the focal length X crop multiplier. For example, when you attach this lens into crop sensor camera such as Canon Rebel series or 0XD series, then you need to set a shutter speed to at least 1/200 or greater to get a tack sharp result. It is also depend on how steady your hand is. If you have steady hand, then 1/160 will be adequate.
This lens have a decent closing focus (1m) this is better than most of the telephoto zoom range. You can also get a extension tube to get the focusing even closer (.6m with 2x extension tube).
Therefore, this lens will be quite good for macro photography.
Application
The application of the lens will be quiet narrow. Candid photography is one in my mind when I think about this lens. It is because the telephoto range, maximum aperture, and the size is not that big and obtrusive.
The second one will be close-up and head-shoulder portraiture, and then for indoor sports such as volleyball, basketball and so on.
The downside
This lens does not have a wide range of application because the inflexibility of fixed focal length lens (prime lens).
Although the focusing is quite fast, but it is not as fast as EF 50mm f/1.4 USM or EF 85mm f/1.8 USM. So in the fast action sport, expect to miss some shots.
Other alternatives:
Other lens that you might consider to buy is Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L or 70-200mm f/4 IS.
They are similar in price. the 70-200mm f/2.8 has more flexibility but bigger. The 70-200 f/4 L IS is great because it has IS but you don’t have the luxury of big aperture. The weight of f4L lens is almost the same, but the length is slightly longer.
Other ‘budget’ telephoto primes alternatives: Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 and 100mm f/2. Both are not as sharp and detailed as the Canon 135mm f/2 but when stopped own to f/2.8-4 they will impressed you.
In conclusion
You will love this lens if you are into close-up portrait, candid photography and indoor sports shooters. With extension tube, you can transform this lens into a super sharp macro lens.
Is it worth it? This lens has a narrow application, so if you are specialized in candid portraiture or indoor sports and want the sharpest lens. This lens is definitely for you.
If you are looking for more versatile lens, then investing on high quality telephoto zoom lens will be better.
Image Quality : Excellent 5/5
Build Quality : Very Good 41/2 /5
Price value: 3/5
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Quote [For example, when you attach this lens into crop sensor camera such as Canon Rebel series or 0XD series, then you need to set a shutter speed to at least 1/200 or greater to get a tack sharp result. It is also depend on how steady your hand is.]
Also the weight of the camera will help you, the more weight the better.
This is not true. If you can make a sharp photo on a Full Frame with 1/135 seconde, then you can make a sharp photo with the same time on a crop factor camera. The distance between your lens and your sensor is the key factor here, not the crop factor. Ofcourse it wil depend how steady your hand is
Hi leo, Honestly, I am not sure about this, but shooting at 1/135, i often get blur image. Maybe becuase of the hand steadiness, weight/balance thing.
The Admin is right. You need to factor in the sensor size when estimating hand-holdable shutter speeds. Using a 1.6x sensor, a shutter speed of about 1/200 second is the best general rule (as the calculation puts it at 1/216).