My quick and dirty, yet completely unscientific test shots of the 135mm f/2

Bokeh test at f/2

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I love this lens. Unfortunately, its just a weird focal length for my needs. Who knows, maybe Ill ditch the 70-200, grab this lens and then grab a 400mm 5.6 for the telephoto side of things...

In my limited use of the 135mm f2, image quality was superb.

ERMAHGERD.

BERKEH.

I'm selling my 70-200 now that I have this.

Berkeh berkeh boo!!!

I sold my first 135L after I got 70-200mm f2.8 IS II. I sold my 2nd 135L after I got sigma 85mm f1.4.

No offense to the OP but this is another example where "test shots" might illustrate something "technical' but from an aesthetic pov - they don't show anything that solicits a good feeling in one's soul...... just saying

usually "bokeh test at f2" is a dead giveaway to not expect soul rendering beauty.

Is it just me or does the "bokeh test at f2" not even feature particularly pleasing bokeh? It looks like something that could be done with the background blur filter in photoshop.

bobbyz wrote in post #16337246
I sold my first 135L after I got 70-200mm f2.8 IS II. I sold my 2nd 135L after I got sigma 85mm f1.4.

And I sold Sigma 85 and 135L for the 70-200 f2.8 II, and don't miss the 135L the slightest bit after re-purchasing the Sigma 85

elleana wrote in post #16337448
Is it just me or does the "bokeh test at f2" not even feature particularly pleasing bokeh? It looks like something that could be done with the background blur filter in photoshop.

I think it looks great. One would have to be a photoshop ninja to get the transitions that smooth and natural. And even then, someone would be able to tell.
You'd change your tune when looking at a big fat RAW file @ f2
Dang, starting to feel that 135 f2 burn in my loins...

gnome chompski wrote in post #16337495
I think it looks great. One would have to be a photoshop ninja to get the transitions that smooth and natural. And even then, someone would be able to tell.
You'd change your tune when looking at a big fat RAW file @ f2
Dang, starting to feel that 135 f2 burn in my loins...

Oh, I'm an idiot. I was looking at the second picture (the two jags side by side) and thinking the bokeh was very very normal..

gnome chompski wrote in post #16335907
I love this lens. Unfortunately, its just a weird focal length for my needs. Who knows, maybe Ill ditch the 70-200, grab this lens and then grab a 400mm 5.6 for the telephoto side of things...

In my limited use of the 135mm f2, image quality was superb.

I use it very often but still outside it is quite a bit long. But i just step a few meters back and its okey however such a great piece of glass!!

Aside from MA I don't think this is a lens that needs 'testing'

i used the 135mm once, it indeed created very beautiful bokeh, but at f2 oftentimes the bokeh is too painterly and fake like someone standing in front of a canvas. i also like the 85mm 1.8, found great pictures on the lens archive thread, this lens remind me of some leica pictures i've seen.

For my 'absolutely-last-and-forever' lens purchase, I had to decide between the 135 ƒ2 and the 35 ƒ1.4. I had two 'holes' - between my 100 and 200, and between my 24 and 50. The latter won out as being far more practical and useful. 24 - 35 - 50 is a really useful spread, given I have bodies in all three formats

But the 135 still tugs at me.

I resist, but have the feeling the 200 2.8 will eventually go in favour of its wee brother, since I also have a 70-200 2.8.

I thought I'd outgrown lens fever. It seems not.