Canon Lens Help (135 L)

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twist

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Guys I need some advice. I already have a Canon 85mm 1.8 USM and Im extremely pleased with its performance but am looking at selling my zooms and moving to primes. The lens I am considering is the 135 L F2.

Need opinions on wether this would be a good buy and worthwhile spending the funds to use alongside the 85mm, I know L lenses hold their value but lets ignore that bit and think purely of performance.

I mostly do portrait photography on my 5D.

Appreciate all members advice
 
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use search and you will see that everyone that has this lens, loves it
it never came off mine 5d2(when I was still Canon)
 
Yeah, I have no doubt its an amazing lens just wondering if its worthwhile for an average Joe to use it alongside a 85 or is the money better spent elsewhere.

Also guys, is there a lot of sample variation with this lens or do most of them tend to be spot on when it comes to sharpness & focus?
 
postcardcv said:
I got one last year and have been amazed by just how good it is, fast AF, pin sharp at f2 and lovely bokeh. I didn't think about sample variation and bought a used copy from here (without testing it) and it is spot on with no need for calibration.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input :)
 
It's just one of those lenses that it's difficult to pinpoint a weakness in. If I had to highlight a shortcoming then it would be its vignetting at wide apertures although I don't dislike the effect. Put a 1.4x on it and it is a damn good 190/2.8 and also a very acceptable 270mm with a 2x if you can afford to drop it down a few stops.

Providing you want 135mm then I can't see you being disappointed with it.

Bob
 
Just ordered, I now have a very random set of primes and a zoom for my 5D.

Samyang 35 1.4, Canon 50 1.8, Canon 85 1.8, Canon 135 L and Canon 24-105 L.
 
twist said:
Just ordered, I now have a very random set of primes and a zoom for my 5D.

Samyang 35 1.4, Canon 50 1.8, Canon 85 1.8, Canon 135 L and Canon 24-105 L.
Click to expand...

Well done, you will be hooked on L primes from now!

50L next?

btw, How easy do you find manual focusing your Samyang 35 1.4 on the 5D, have you changed the focusing screen?
 
That's what I'm worried about. Tough choice really, probably 50 though as I'm very pleased with the Samyang IQ even though it's MF only, just wish they'd make a 50.

I found with the standard screen it was okay focusing but definitely found my keeper rate went up with the S type screen so worth the £30. The only thing is that the viewfinder gets darker with slower lenses like the 24-105 I'd say 1 1/2 to 2 stops but it still focuses fine so not an issue IMO. I'd switch out the focus screen if I knew its the only lens I'd use on that day, 2 min job.
 
i reckon the 135 f2 is probably the best bang for your buck fast L prime in the canon range.

Canon Bob is spot on about the vignetting on FF - here is an unprocessed shot:

6864981649_9ed63f21d4_b.jpg


but one thing is for sure you won't be disappointed: the bokeh, sharpness and colour/contrast is awesome.

here's a couple of shots recently:

6700386981_c4dfd98876_b.jpg


6826091317_254700db44_b.jpg


AF is very fast too. Great lens.
 
Great shots mate, lens arrived today, first impressions, weighty, very well built, focus speed even in a dim room on my 5D is fast. Only took a couple very quick test shots but so far very impressed with sharpness wide open. Looking forward to trying it over the weekend.

Oh no, I want more L primes!!!
 
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