Canon EF 135mm f/2.8 with Softfocus Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras

by Canon

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 5.7 x 3.8 x 3.6 inches ; 13.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00009R6WK
• Item model number: 2516A004AA
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 9, 2006

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

A unique, compact telephoto lens that gives the choice of razor-sharp images, or with the twist of a ring, two degrees of soft focus. It works by applying "softness over sharpness," using deliberate spherical aberration on top of a sharp "core" image at apertures from f/2.8 thru 5.6; images taken at apertures smaller than f/5.6 are always sharp. Autofocus continues to function, with or without the soft focus in use. This lens is an ideal addition to a portrait or scenic photographer’s arsenal. A perfect combination with an EOS Digital SLR, with the camera enabling review of soft focus effect on the LCD monitor.

Long and Fast
A telephoto lens is essential to any serious photographer. For sports action, you will need a fast shutter speed and a long focal length. A large maximum aperture allows a faster shutter speed. In this telephoto lens line-up, the focal lengths range from 135mm to 300mm. If you want compactness, choose a lens with a smaller maximum aperture.

Product Description

A unique, compact telephoto lens that gives the choice of razor-sharp images, or with the twist of a ring, two degrees of soft focus. It works by applying "softness over sharpness," using deliberate spherical aberration on top of a sharp "core" image at apertures from f/2.8 thru 5.6; images taken at apertures smaller than f/5.6 are always sharp. Autofocus continues to function, with or without the soft focus in use. This lens is an ideal addition to a portrait or scenic photographer's arsenal. A perfect combination with an EOS Digital SLR, with the camera enabling review of soft focus effect on the LCD monitor.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A cheap lens that performs like a million bucks!, September 26, 2006

By 

Matt - See all my reviews

This review is from: Canon EF 135mm f/2.8 with Softfocus Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras (Electronics)

When most people think of this lens, the soft focus feature comes to mind. This lens is certainly unique in this respect. But the truth of the matter is that most people find this to be a feature that they will probably find little (if any) use for. So most people pass on this lens in favor of some sort of zoom (ie the EF 75-300mm). But even if you have no use whatsoever for the soft focus feature, this lens is actually one great, large-aperture, telephoto prime. Oh, and it can be had for a song. I have seen this lens go for less that $200 used here at the marketplace, as well as on ebay and craigslist. Even new, it is pretty cheap.

Optically, this lens is a GREAT performer. Sharpness is GREAT, even at f/2.8. It is certainly a MUCH better performer here than ANY Canon telephoto zoom that does not have an L somewhere in it's name. And since it is SO much faster than any consumer-grade zoom, it is MUCH better in both low light AND in situations where you are looking for background blur. And, as is the case most of the time, both saturation and contrast are worlds better than your typical consumer-grade zoom. How does it compare with an L-series zoom? I can't say for sure. But it does cost MANY times less. And it is faster than the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4. So given both the price and performance, this is one GREAT lens.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding lens - one of my favorites, July 17, 2010

By 

Branden (Northern California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Canon EF 135mm f/2.8 with Softfocus Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras (Electronics)

This is going to be just another five-star review of this lens, but this is a lens that completely deserves it.

First off, if you're like me, you were drawn to this lens wondering what on Earth you'd ever want a lens that's intentionally soft for. Well, "soft focus" is not the same thing as being out of focus. No, even with this lens's soft focus features at maximum, the photo is still razor-sharp, there's just a soft glow coming off the bright parts of the image. This effect is controllable with both the "Soft Focus" dial (0, 1, or 2) on the lens, or through the aperture value. Soft Focus 2 and f/2.8 is the "softest", and decreasing the aperture size and soft focus value both lessen the effect. Additionally, you can shoot with the soft focus value not "clicked" into a number, but between the numbers.

But now, enough about that feature, since you'll likely rarely use it. Apart from stylized portraits and nature shots, you'll probably keep the Soft Focus dial locked into zero. So then, what is so great about this lens? The answer is simple: it is an amazingly sharp f/2.8 telephoto lens. This lens is the smallest and lightest f/2.8 telephoto lens on Canon's current lineup, but this is not to say it is constructed cheaply. It is a very solid build, with a metal camera mount, and thick rubber hood built-in. The dials and controls are an older Canon style, so the focus ring isn't as smooth or easy-to-use on the newer lenses, but it still works like a charm.

But let's get back to the part about how amazing this lens is. I shoot full-frame, so the "fringes" of lens's image areas are especially important to me. But this lens doesn't miss a beat -- even at f/2.8 it is sharp, focused, and free of distortion to the far edges of the frame. Drop it down to f/4, and there's a good chance this'll be the sharpest lens in your collection. Colors are always bright, out-of-focus areas are always smooth, and this lens is, without a doubt, a top level performer.

So why is this 135mm f/2.8 not decorated with a red ring and an "L" in the name? The lack of Canon's USM technology means this lens lacks the 'full-time-manual' feature. Despite this, the lens still focuses quickly and quietly. Another feature you won't find here is Image Stabilization, but with how light and compact the lens is, you won't miss that. And finally, the minimum focus distance is 131cm, which while not atrocious for a telephoto lens, is something you'll find yourself bumping up against while shooting.

But to wrap this up, none of the "drawbacks" of this lens matter when considering how amazingly sharp and versatile this supposed "soft focus" lens is. Canon's literature talks up this lens's portrait abilities. They are very true, once in your camera bag this will become your portrait lens. But you'll find yourself popping it onto the camera just about every opportunity you get, since it is such a joy to shoot with.

This lens is such an awesome hunk of glass, I have zero regrets adding it to my collection.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great lens for the price - and I still haven't used soft focus, May 17, 2007

By 

Jim (Santa Clara, CA, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Canon EF 135mm f/2.8 with Softfocus Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras (Electronics)

I wanted a longish, cheap, wide and sharp lens, and at 135mm/f2.8, this one fit the bill. I'm using it for taking pictures at conferences and fashion shows. Still haven't used the soft focus feature.

The only thing to watch is that its so long and wide, that the focal plane is really pretty short, so be careful with where your focus is. For that reason, it's probably not a beginner's lens.