Anyone out there use a Canon.....

digitalfailure

digitalfailure

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Anyone out there use a Canon 135 f2 L on a full frame body as a portrait lens?

I'm quite interested in this lens for environmental portraits with a lovely bokeh.
If you do use it, what's the normal distance to subject you keep in order to maintain a decent level of subject focus etc.

Other general thoughts on the 135 welcome.
 
I used mine on the 1D MKIII and the 1Ds MKIII and to be honest it was the only thing I missed when I switched to Nikon, the Nikkor 135 f/2 DC just wasn't quite as good (and I'm desperately waiting for a new version having sold it on).

It is bitingly sharp, creamy bokeh at f/2 and a great lens for portraiture, and for candid wedding photographs - it looks so small in comparison to the 70-200mm that people just assume you are not focussing on them when shooting candidly and less imposing for posed work. Still heavy enough though to balance nicely on a pro body and really well built.

Of course you vary the aperture to compensate for subject difference to keep them sharp front to back if that is what you want - you don't *always* have to shoot it at f/2 :D but at minimum distance and f/2 you'll be in focus on eyes, and eyelashes out of focus.

HTH
 
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Thanks for the reply Mike, The length Vs size is part of the reason for wanting to give it a try tbh, my 24-70 f2.8 and 70-200 f2.8 are the most commonly used lenses on my camera but I keep wanting more of that creamy bokeh to clear the messy or busy backgrounds i've been finding myself facing of late. Once in the studio f11 should be ok for the distances I have available to me.

I've read that the lens is a sharp design and I'm looking forward to that.
 
I got one about 2weeks ago and it's amazing.

Though do be prepared to start wondering if the rest if your lenses are faulty( it's that sharp!,)
 
Thanks Stu, as you have a 5d2 .... do you have any images online to browse?
 
digitalfailure said:
Thanks Stu, as you have a 5d2 .... do you have any images online to browse?
Click to expand...

I've now a mk3

I've done 1 wedding with it on Friday just , I can't really put any images up just yet but will give you a shout when I can
 
Hehehe 2 or a 3 won't make much difference to the appearance :D

:thumbs:
 
Isn't this what Cuthbert uses a lot? And Joe Scrivens? Check out their posts (in Portraiture forum) maybe.
 
Get hold of DuncanDisorderly, Brian... He uses one on his 5DMKIII! :)
 
Thanks Guys :)

I've been having a good look round and I think I'm going to go with one :D
 
I like to get people thinking with the titles :D

Great link to the thread...... not sure why it din't show up as a search...i'll have to go and feed the hamster i suppose.

I'm getting rather excited at the prospect of getting this lens for my birthday now :D
 
I love the 135 f/2.

I've got really used to the working distance, knowing where to stand to frame a shot how I want comes really naturally now and best of all, you're not right in your subjects face, also for a fairly long lens the mfd is sufficiently close that you can pretty much fill the frame with a face, should you want to.

The other thing you really get used to (and spoiled by) with the 135 is the AF is excellent. Very fast, very responsive, very accurate in servo mode. When I stick on my Sigma 85 or even the 35L, you really appreciate how fast the 135 is at focussing and how good it is a capturing candid moments when people are moving, even at F/2.

Here are a few recent shots that capture the environment at various subject distances with the 135. All at f2.

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Awesome shots there, I love the dog one !!!!


I placed the order this evening for one and those shots and your words just made it a little sweeter :thumbs:
 
My 135 is one of those lenses which is just a pleasure to use. As a landscape photographer I don't find that many occasions to use it but whenever I do it brings a smile to my face.

I've used it on a couple of weddings and events and it has been superb.

A quick example of mine.


Lone Foxglove by mark_mullen, on Flickr


It takes a 1.4 exii converter really well to give you a 187mm f2.8 which comes in handy and takes up less room if travelling light than a 70-200.
 
That's decided then, next upgrade path for me is full frame and a 135L! Beautiful shots, I love the second one - the silhouette of the kids on the beach. Brilliant colours, and the bokeh on the water reflections is really nice :)
 
I would love a 135mm, I'd almost managed to forget - damn your eyes ;)
 
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Be careful. After owning one for my 5Dc, I sold my 24-70L and never looked back. :)

I found that combo was just maigc, not for everyones needs but worked great for me.
 
Well I ordered it at tea time on the 7th and it was delivered before lunch on the 9th

fantastic order and delivery experience :thumbs:

Not had chance to put it on a body yet, but it's sure looking pretty :D
 
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