135 L or. . . I don't know!

[goatee]

So, my 30th is fast approaching, and my wonderful wife asked if there's a lens I want. The only lens I would like (and is anyway affordable) is a 135 f/2 L (otherwise the 50mm f/1.2L would be on the list!). The thing is, she said she's more than happy to co-ordinate between her and my family, and hers to get everyone to chip in to pay for one, and. . . . I'd have the most awesome portrait lens that I would treasure for ever. If not, well, I don't know - she's sorting something out for me, and said I'd still get it, but a very scaled down version if she gets me the L (plus my family, and in-laws will just chip in as opposed to getting me different things).

Now, if I don't go for the L, there's next to no chance of me being able to afford it for around 20 years - the kids are growing fast, and their demands on my wallet are also growing! But, I still have my 85mm f/1.8 (her present to me last year :D), so it's not as though I'm without a great portrait lens. . . .

[bacchanal]

If you like the FL, I don't think you can go wrong buying the most affordable L prime that I can think of. If it were me, I'd want the 35L, which would be great indoors around the house and isn't too much more expensive.

[KAS]

Personally, I think 135 woudl be a bit long on a 20d...so I say have a fun birthday with whatever they have planned, and wait for the next lens announcement....

but then again, it is a great lens...

just my 2 cents

[DavidEB]

awesome for portraits, awesome for indoor events (think of those kid music performances on a poorly lit school auditorium stage), awesome for sports (fast fast fast focus). Get the 1.4x tc with it -- this lens performs really well with that combo and adds a lot of versatility.

I love mine. Can't take a bad photo with it.

[inthedeck]

I was thinking about the same thing. Either the 135L, or the 15mm Fisheye. I spoke to my wife about it...and she said either one would be a great addition...but since I have been wanting the 15mm fishy for a while, I opted to get that instead. Should be here soon...

As for the 135L...that might show up later this year...once we move...or around that time. Who knows...it's on my list...and from what I hear, is a great lens. I doubt many owners would have a hard time recommending it. Go for it!

[Stan43]

I think David nailed it. The 135 is a little long on a crop body but it offers all the things in his reply. There will be many uses for this fast ,sharp, contrasty lens.
I know you will love it.

Stan

[goatee]

Well, when I was talking about it with my wife, I said it would only be useable outdoors because of the focal length, and she quickly piped up "yes, but you spend increasing amounts of time outdoors with the boys", which is true. Hmm, atm it's looking like the lens :).

[markbluemica]

goatee when i had my 30d id never use my 135 on it as i did find it too long but its a dream on my 5d

[Bill Roberts]

I don't think you'd regret going for the 135L. Just about everything about it is good. Plan to add a 1.4 TC to it for your next birthday and it'll be even better.

[Roger Cicala]

I'll be the alternative viewpoint: I loved my 135L on a 20D when I shot it. It gave superb head and shoulders portraits outdoors or at a distance indoors. And as David mentioned good at school events, kids sports, etc. It lived on my camera.

[goatee]

Thanks for the votes of confidence for it on a crop body. To be honest, I love my 85 on a crop body, and 105mm isn't that far from 135 and is useable indoors carefully - though the extra 2 stops of light that the 135 has will be lovely, not to mention the colours, contrast, and razor sharp focus. . . Hmm, I think I'm definitely falling for the 135 :). The TC is a great idea for next year's pressie - is the 2x TC useable, or should I stick to the 1.4?

[inthedeck]

1.4xTC has been better for me. Used to have a 2xTC, but sold it. Didn't think to keep it, but didn't really like it. The 1.4xTC will never leave.

[Mark_Cohran]

Ah, go with the 135L. Once you've used it a while, you'll love it. I've used it on both 1.6 crop, 1.3 crop and FF bodies and it's just a lovely lens all the way around.

Mark

[inthedeck]

Mark hath spoken. You can count on his advice, should you need further persuasion.

[goatee]

Hmm - 85% of the polled results (with no hanging thingummies) so far go with the lens. Will talk to the wife tonight :)

[mrfourcows]

seriously try shooting at the 105mm end of your 24-105L for everything and see if you will be able to get used to it.

don't buy it just because you 'want' it. besides, you can get a few more shorter primes for the price of a 135L.

[pturton]

Get the 135L and start saving for the 35L. The 135L is great for those tight crop portraits and some indoor sports and stage venues. The only reason to stop down is to get more DOF. It is very useful on crop bodies and works well with the EF 1.4 TC.


Almost forgot....
Happy Birthday and many more!

[Ianfp]

People told me I would find the 135L too long - I'm glad I ignored them! You can shoot close up indoors from around 1.5m and the results are fantastic. I haven't had much opportunity to shoot outdoors with it, but the few shots I have taken are really pleasing. It is a great lens!

[huhging]

135L is not the lense that stays on my 20D all the time, but it is the lense that I reach for when I anticipate best shots outdoors, and when I want a nice shoulder-up portraits shots.
I use it more than 70-200 2.8L.
It's that good.

[mrfourcows]

You can shoot close up indoors from around 1.5m and the results are fantastic.

actually its 0.9m, isn't it. and the foucs limiter brings it to 1.6m thereafter.

[jr_senator]

I have a 20D and the 135L and the 1.4x TC. When I was shooting 35mm film the 200mm lens was one of my most used. The 135L gives me a simular field/prospective on the 20D that I was used to with the 200mm on my 35mm camera. It's too long for a serious head and shoulder shot (flattens prospective too much), I used a 90mm with the 35mm camera for these shots. I use my 24-70L for portrait, I would think you could do well with your 24-105L if you don't go too long.

[mrfourcows]

don't buy it just because you 'want' it. besides, you can get a few more shorter primes for the price of a 135L.

you know what? i take back what i said. i too bought the 135L for the sole reason of wanting it. but i subsequently bought all the shorter primes too.

[goatee]

lol. Actually, I do find that I use the 105 end a reasonable amount, and can see that I would really like the 135. When I got my 85mm I used it as my walkaround for weeks - now I save it for portraits. My only concern is that my 85mm lens won't see so much action - unless of course I sacrifice it to help finance the 135. . .

[poah]

get the 135 f2. FL is good on a crop body and if its too long swap to 85 and job done.

[goatee]

Thanks poah - I think you're probably right - then the only other lens I'll want to complete my setup is the Sigma 30mm f/1.4.

[Ianfp]

actually its 0.9m, isn't it. and the foucs limiter brings it to 1.6m thereafter.

Yes, you are right!

BTW I bought an extension ring to allow closer work and I am planning on adding a 1.4TC to give me effectively a 200mm f/2.8 for longer stuff! So it is quite flexible and has stunning IQ even if not as practical as a zoom.
Ian