Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I bought this lens because I needed its focal length on my 5D. It seems like a toy when compared to L-glass, so I was a little worried. The manual focus ring is a joke, put it on the 5D and took a few shots, I was surprised at how sharp this lens was wide open. I even tried the soft focus feature......nice and soft, yet still in focus. There is a little learning curve with the soft setting, but nothing a few test shots won't solve. On a crop sensor camera its a bit tight. For the money I spent, not bad, not bad at all. I'm very happy with it!

I am an amateur photographer using this lense on a Canon 40D to take portraits or anything that requires some reach. The lense is light, which I love, since I can carry it with me everyday. The built is solid and more than well enough to hold up with my use- lots of tossing in the bookbag type of handling.
The lense autofocus (AF)is from the older generation of AF by Canon. It makes this cool, sharp, and distinct wirring sound that isn't too lound that I like. All my other Canon lenses are just plain quiet and I do miss that mechanical buzzing of things that actually moves. The manual focus is disable whenever the autofocus is turned on. For my usage, which is casual everyday multipurpose photo snapping that includes some wildlife, candid, low light, and photojournal photography, the autofocus is more than fast enough. For low light situation, I have used this lense indoor during the evening with decent lighting and it performs fine. So far, I have not encountered any flaring or optical aberrations that catch my attention as an amateur photographer.
As for sharpness, contrast and image quality, I find the lense very good. I can't tell the differences between this lense and my 70-200 f/4L IS. Of course, I am not a pixel maniac, so I can't tell the differences if any exist. If you need or want a high performance 135mm lense, then perhaps you should look more into the 135mm f/2L lense that Canon has. That seems to be the most popular choice for people when they talk about 135mm lense. However, if your need is a consumer level 135mm lense, then this lense is the one.
Finally for the highlight of this lense. Its unique, and best feature of soft focus put it in a class of its own. Soft focus allows the photographer to soften an otherwise very sharp image into that glamorous superstar type of shot that looks very good for facial portraits and creative uses. With some side lighting or back lighting, I get to have a lot of fun with glamor photography through the use of soft focus; it is a wonderfully fun lense, and I am so glad to have one. No other Canon lenses on the market can do what this lense does, and I think that other makers such as Nikon don't even have it in their lineup, with the exception of a very few makers such as Pentax. When the soft focus is turned off, it is a sharp, sharp little lense. Of course, I am aware that through graphic programs like Photoshop, one can try to mimic what this lense can do in post processing, but it isn't the same. It will also take some work to imitate the effect.
For its versatility of functionality, creativity, and value in prices. I rate this lense top notch!

I bought this lens based on the reviews that I read here. I shoot weddings in a professional context, and own both L and non-L lenses, including the 50mm 1.4 and the 85mm 1.8 that are in a similar price bracket.

I really wanted this lens to be great, because a light, 135mm 2.8 lens that was sharp would mean that I could hand-hold in situations that I couldn't with a 70-200 f4, or even a 70-200 f2.8. Unfortunately, I can't give it a good review.

I found this lens to be far from sharp, it was not contrasty like the 50mm 1.4 or 85 1.8, and it did not work well with my 40D's white balance - all the photographs taken through this lens looked reddish and too dark. It is light and it is a 2.8, so if you want the focal length for casual shots and if the fact that the image quality is not up to a pro's standards doesn't matter so much to you, then definitely go for it. But if you are purchasing this lens because you think it will produce really good photographs, you're in for a let-down.

If I can get my hands on another version of the lens (in case mine was a defective one), I'll update this review.

I bought this lens in the 1990s, chiefly because a number of my family members are older and don't appreciate photographs containing facial wrinkles. Although this problem can now be eliminated through the use of various Photoshop (TM) techniques, these techniques still leave the individual's skin with an artificially smooth appearance, or an appearance that is so perfect that it is not life-like. The soft-focus features of this lens allows the photographer to veil the subject's skin, to place a sort of glow on it instead, leaving matters in a more believable condition than what I can achieve in Photoshop (tm). Additionally the 135mm focal length of the lens gives an excellent perspective on the subject's face; the lens is ideal for portraits, though you do have to use it with care, so as not to do overdo the soft focus appearance.
If you use the lens as a short-length telephoto, all I can say is, don't use use it wide open. That said, the lens is a genuine bargain for its price, and for portrait use, excellent.

I purchased this lens two years ago, to use with my 40D camera. To get the effect this one lens give you, years ago I would buy Softar filters for my Hasselblad at over $200 each! Now, this Canon lens gives me sharpness, or different degrees of softness, like the old-fashioned portrait lenses, and all at a fraction of the price. Just be careful not to overdo the softness when doing portraits.

Great IQ even wide open at 2.8! Soft focus is fantastic. I only use SF between 0-1, over 1 is too blurry to me. If you believe PS can produce the same effect, good for you. I happen to believe the SF effect from this lens is far more richer and attractive. I use it on both Canon 350D and 40D. The old fashioned AF is in the same league as Tamron and Tokina. I shoot people and flower and everything else that happen to fit into the 135mm view finder. The results are fantastic! Only wish it has better macro capability! The closest focus distance is a bit long in some of the real world applications.

I bought this lens used(but mint) back in 1998. I loved using in on film bodys for portraits and general use. The portaits shot look like potraits should look.
On APC digital bodies I was dissapointed. Wrong perspective since it became a 216mm lens. I bought a 5D and this lens shines again. Don't bother with Canon APC cameras if you shoot portraits,you will be dissapointed, get a used Full Frame 5D and pick up this lens, you will love the Bokeh at f2.8-4,its the best in its range.Just keep the sf on 0.