135mm f/2.8 Soft Focus

Recently back with canon after a few years shooting Nikon. I’m Looking for some modern opinions on this old lens.

I picked up a 135 L, but I’m not yet completely in love with the sharpness and flaring after a couple shoots. (This could totally be on me still getting acquainted with the new setup)

Also, I almost destroyed it yesterday after a slip and fall while hiking in a muddy riverbed.
I figure at $160, the soft focus gives me some piece of mind in doing the more adventurous things, while keeping my favorite focal length available.

Anyone still using it in 2020?
Anyone using it with mirrorless?
How is the sharpness?
How is the AF
How does it compare to other EF lenses at 135mm?

Thanks in advance for any opinions you all have to offer!

I bought one of these used about fifteen years ago on an impulse because of the low price. I haven’t used it for many years, so this may not be a terribly helpful reply, but this is what I can say....I bought it partly because I was interested in trying out the SF feature, and partly because I thought it might be a useful light telephoto lens in a minimalist travel kit. neither use panned out well, though that may be me rather than the lens. I never got results with the SF feature that wowed me, though portraits aren’t really my photo style. I have never had any interest at all in the f/2 or f/1.8 versions of this focal length, so I can’t claim to be a typical user.

As part of a light travel kit, without IS I never really felt happy using a lens of this focal length without a tripod, so that never worked out. I remember that the lens was very light for its size, but always surprised me with how large it was when I pulled it out and considered taking it on a trip. Autofocus speed was fine for my landscape and travel uses, but not impressive for speed. As you’d expect for a lens of this weight, price, and vintage, build quality was not impressive. The last time I used it I was shooting a Canon 1Ds, and image quality was fine on that camera. I wouldn’t count on it being satisfactory if you pixel peeped on a modern full frame, but don’t really know.

Sorry this isn’t a more helpful reply, but I suspect you won’t find a lot of users of this lens now! I don’t think it ever really clicked for a lot of people.

I’ll take whatever I can get! Thanks for your thoughts.

I’m surprised at how obscure this lens is I can find very few reviews with it. I guess you get what you pay for and there’s a reason these are cheap. It seems I’ll need to take the plunge and find out for myself what this lens is like. I will follow up here once I get my hands on one.

There is a 135/2 L and a 135/2.8 SF. Which lens are you talking about?

FEChariot wrote in post #19163435
There is a 135/2 L and a 135/2.8 SF. Which lens are you talking about?

The OP clearly states “135mm f/2.8 Soft Focus”.

A review (including the manual as a PDF) of that lens can be found at https://www.the-digital-picture.com …oftfocus-Lens-Review.aspx.

Note that the “degree” of soft focus is adjustable so perhaps that is contributing to the issue.

John from PA wrote in post #19163579
The OP clearly states “135mm f/2.8 Soft Focus”.

A review (including the manual as a PDF) of that lens can be found at https://www.the-digital-picture.com …oftfocus-Lens-Review.aspx.

Note that the “degree” of soft focus is adjustable so perhaps that is contributing to the issue.

He also clearly stated it as an L lens. These two statements are mutually exclusive.

FEChariot wrote in post #19163855
He also clearly stated it as an L lens. These two statements are mutually exclusive.

No he didn't. He said he "picked up a 135L."
Regarding the 135 soft focus, he said "I will follow up here once I get my hands on one."

Summary:
Got the 135 f2 L, added it to gear list, unhappy with sharpness and flaring. Noticed 135 soft focus are cheap, asks for opinions.

Choderboy wrote in post #19164061
No he didn't. He said he "picked up a 135L."
Regarding the 135 soft focus, he said "I will follow up here once I get my hands on one."

Summary:
Got the 135 f2 L, added it to gear list, unhappy with sharpness and flaring. Noticed 135 soft focus are cheap, asks for opinions.

Nailed it

Answering my own question. I got a mint example from Japan for $180. I’m immediately impressed with the size and weight. Focus is quick and accurate with EOS R. More detailed review to come later, as I’ll be revisiting the last couple locations where I used the 135 L.