Canon 135 2.8 with Softfocus

[brault]

Is anyone using the Canon 135 2.8 soft focus lens? Canon says it can be used either in soft focus mode or for "razor sharp snapshots" (do they mean it is not good only for snapshots?). Photodo gives it a 3.9 rating and it is a light very low priced lens. Too good to be true?

Frank B

[RGorrill]

brault wrote:
Is anyone using the Canon 135 2.8 soft focus lens? Canon says it can be used either in soft focus mode or for "razor sharp snapshots" (do they mean it is not good only for snapshots?). Photodo gives it a 3.9 rating and it is a light very low priced lens. Too good to be true?

Frank B

Frank,

The Canon 135 f/2.8 is a terrific lens and a real bargain for the money. There are two degrees of soft focus available and, when you want sharpness, it is as sharp as a tack. I have been using one for several years now and have felt it is one of the best lenses for the money at that focal length.

Bob

[brunz]

I agree with Bob. Its a great lens for the money. Buy one and I don't think that you will regret it.

[brault]

Thanks for your comments. It sounds like a great lens. Alas, I want to use it with the Canon tele extenders instead of a zoom and the Canon site indicates the 1.4 and 2x extenders are not compatible with it. I may consider the 135mm f2, but it is much heavier and more costly.

Frank B

[CyberDyneSystems]

It is strange,. with that F/2.8 it would seem that it should work with a 1.4 or 2 x extender? Very odd that it doesn't.

[justme_dc]

The 135 2.8 soft focus lens is worth every cent! I've had one forever and I'll never get rid of it! You'll be very happy with this lens even if you never use the soft focus feature. It gives you a bit more working room than the 85mm does which is nice when you are trying not to crowd a model to get a headshot. The 135 f2L is great too! It's actually quite a bit better but as you said it is way heavier and lots more expensive.

On the subject of tele-converters, There are clearance issues with the rear elements on some to the EF lenses which don't allow for the use of tele-converters. This is not a design flaw or a way to "cheat" people out of using converters on everything but merely a product of weighing the probable use of the lens versus what is the best optical design. There are sacrifices everywhere.


Good luck with your choice.