Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM (Thread 3)

codewizpt wrote in post #17707056
85mm 1.2 is not a good choice to photograph kids. I would rather use 135mm outdoors and 35mm indoors.

85mm 1.2 is a lens to use in a controlled environment, IMO.

Ok. I hear you. Thank you.

mike_311 wrote in post #17707187
the 85/1.8 is much faster. might be the fastest focusing lens cannon makes. its a pretty stellar lens as far as image quality goes too.

Thanks!

I've heard lots of good things about the 85 F1.8. It sounds like a flawless lens.

Would the 85 F1.8 AF speed match that of the 24-70 F2.8L? I know it's a different lens, i.e zoom but that's what I have at hand to bench mark.

sirquack wrote in post #17707244
Beat me to it Mike. I have the 85 1.8 and it is by far my fastest focusing Canon lens. I have the Siggy 30mm 1.4 non art and it gives my 85 1.8 a run for its money on the focusing speed. But definitely different tools for different reasons.

And the 85 F1.8 isn't too affordable too!

So, now it'll be 85 F1.8 vs. 135L for me. The photos posted on this thread is really some of the best I've seen.

Aswald wrote in post #17707838
Thanks!

I've heard lots of good things about the 85 F1.8. It sounds like a flawless lens.

Would the 85 F1.8 AF speed match that of the 24-70 F2.8L? I know it's a different lens, i.e zoom but that's what I have at hand to bench mark.

The 85 1.8 is a great lens and a bargain, but its far from flawless. It has significant chromatic aberration wide open in high contrast situations and purple fringing. Its a nice lens but since you are in the 135L thread you should know its not close to the quality of the 135L.

adamg5 wrote in post #17706633
@F2.2

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/yjJj​Lh Olivia | Aptos, CA by Adam.Gutierrez, on Flickr

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/xEiu​SJ Olivia | Aptos, CA by Adam Gutierrez, on Flickr

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/yC5N​hv Olivia | Aptos, CA by Adam.Gutierrez, on Flickr

Love #1

gonzogolf wrote in post #17707851
The 85 1.8 is a great lens and a bargain, but its far from flawless. It has significant chromatic aberration wide open in high contrast situations and purple fringing. Its a nice lens but since you are in the 135L thread you should know its not close to the quality of the 135L.

+1 but the fringing, as long as it's not extreme, is easily controlled in LR.

Aswald wrote in post #17706693
Nice. No. 1 and 2.

flowrider wrote in post #17707904
Love #1

Thank you both

I agree I rebought the 85mm F1.8 and still hate it. I should have rebought the 100mm F2.0... which has less CA, but somehow it doesn't get much love.

gonzogolf wrote in post #17707851
The 85 1.8 is a great lens and a bargain, but its far from flawless. It has significant chromatic aberration wide open in high contrast situations and purple fringing. Its a nice lens but since you are in the 135L thread you should know its not close to the quality of the 135L.

Thanks for reminding me about the wide open CA on the 85. I guess I was more focused on the AF speed required.

If the 135L is anywhere near as fast as the 85, it'll be ideal for me.

FWIW - i use both the 85/1.8 and the 135/2 the CA doesn't bother me that much (i shoot into the sun constantly) and like was said the CA can be controlled with LR easily.

I prefer the 135, but sometimes the the 135 just puts me too far away from my subject and then there is the whole trying to work inside with the 135, plus the 85 can get an extra stop of light over the 135 in some cases, since neither is stabilized and you can shoot the 85 at slower shutters.

some day i'm going to get a 85/1.2 but I still cant justify the ~$1500 premium.... the 85/1.8 is a very, very good lens but its not the 85L and nor is it a 135L.

mike_311 wrote in post #17708160
FWIW - i use both the 85/1.8 and the 135/2 the CA doesn't bother me that much (i shoot into the sun constantly) and like was said the CA can be controlled with LR easily.

I prefer the 135, but sometimes the the 135 just puts me too far away from my subject and then there is the whole trying to work inside with the 135, plus the 85 can get an extra stop of light over the 135 in some cases, since neither is stabilized and you can shoot the 85 at slower shutters.

some day i'm going to get a 85/1.2 but I still cant justify the ~$1500 premium.... the 85/1.8 is a very, very good lens but its not the 85L and nor is it a 135L.

Yup, you've just described the dilemma I'm somewhat.

F2.8

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/yoJx​pa

Two recent photos with the 135/2. A lovely piece of glass.

/ Magnus

lovely background in the bird shot!