135 f2 L

Thinking of buying a 135 f2 L again.
Being a person to take some notice of rumours, I'm wondering if I should hold off until the mk2 is announced.

I've heard talk of a version II. Personally, I don't think the current version needs an upgrade. It is excellent across the frame, even wide open. It focuses extremely quickly. I've used it for basketball and hockey. My only itch about it is my own issue. I have to shoot it at 1/250, or on a tripod; I'm getting a bit shaky. But I wouldn't pay $1500 for an IS version.

Bassat wrote in post #18390753
I've heard talk of a version II. Personally, I don't think the current version needs an upgrade. It is excellent across the frame, even wide open. It focuses extremely quickly. I've used it for basketball and hockey. My only itch about it is my own issue. I have to shoot it at 1/250, or on a tripod; I'm getting a bit shaky. But I wouldn't pay $1500 for an IS version.

Amen to an is version.

If the 35LII is any guide, the 135LII may also be quite a bit bigger and heavier than the MkI.

Bassat wrote in post #18390753
I've heard talk of a version II. Personally, I don't think the current version needs an upgrade. It is excellent across the frame, even wide open. It focuses extremely quickly. I've used it for basketball and hockey. My only itch about it is my own issue. I have to shoot it at 1/250, or on a tripod; I'm getting a bit shaky. But I wouldn't pay $1500 for an IS version.

I also have to shoot the 135L at 1/250 or faster to get a sharp image hand-held (my rule, supposedly, is always to shoot at 1/300 or faster). In itself it's not a problem, except that I sometimes forget or I shoot in aperture priority and let the camera set a lower SS for me.

I am fortunate also to have the 85L F/1.2 and, strangely, I don't have the same sort of issues. I can shoot at 1/100, sometimes slower, and my photos come out sharp.

I wonder if it's down to the sheer mass and the compact shape of the 85L. Is the 135L somehow less well balanced on the camera?

It does puzzle me.

[EDIT: My habit, for better or for worse, is to shoot wide open or thereabouts with both lenses, so it's not a depth of field related issue.]

Thorsten wrote in post #18391197
If the 35LII is any guide, the 135LII may also be quite a bit bigger and heavier than the MkI.

... which I would not like at all ...

DaviSto wrote in post #18391240
... which I would not like at all ...

I agree with you, completely. I had a 70-200 2.8. Big, heavy lens. I sold it for an 85 1.8, 135L, and 200 II. The I sold all of them for a 70-200 f/4L IS. Then I bought the 85, 135, and 200 AGAIN, for the aperture. Just call me Talley Jr.

Bassat wrote in post #18391243
I agree with you, completely. I had a 70-200 2.8. Big, heavy lens. I sold it for an 85 1.8, 135L, and 200 II. The I sold all of them for a 70-200 f/4L IS. Then I bought the 85, 135, and 200 AGAIN, for the aperture. Just call me Talley Jr.

You, sir, are no Talley Jr.

DaviSto wrote in post #18391247
You, sir, are no Talley Jr.

Guilty as charged. No way I could fly from Texas to NYC, visit B&H photo, and come out empty-handed. The man has a heart of stone.

You know, the 135 L was one of the first EF lenses I ever bought. To this day, it still has fast AF on my current equipment, and has good optics for a portrait type lens.

Atlanta recently lost a good brick and mortar store for photographic equipment: Showcase Photo/Video (had been in business for like 30 years). Even though they were trying to stay competitive with Amazon prices, they still lost out due to sales tax. I might go crazy if I was at B&H or Adorama's store fronts! Might be a good thing on my wallet that I can no longer window shop photographic equipment.

Bassat wrote in post #18390753
I've heard talk of a version II. Personally, I don't think the current version needs an upgrade. It is excellent across the frame, even wide open.

The 135L is very good.
The APO Sonnar 135 is excellent.

I had a Yachica C/Y mount (on FX3-S2K) 135mm f/2.8 MLc that I thought the world of about 30 years ago. I think it was made by Tokina. I kind of like AF on my long, fast lenses. DOF is too thin for my one good eye.

fordmondeo wrote in post #18390737
Thinking of buying a 135 f2 L again.
Being a person to take some notice of rumours, I'm wondering if I should hold off until the mk2 is announced.

It'll be just as good regardless of a replacement.

I hope a new one gets released soon. Then the MKI's will go down in used price.

Don't get your hopes up for IS.

Very best,

For being a good L series portrait lens, it's currently a pretty good price.