135L for 'stealth'

Does anyone have an opinion on the 135L on a crop as an indoor stealth lens for taking shots of kids/babies? I know the working distance on the 135L will be long but it's fast to focus- right? I want some distance to capture the kids indoors without them seeing me. I have a big open-plan home so getting 10' away is no big deal.

I have 35L and am about to get the 85L. The 85L is for more stationary portraits.

I could use the money to upgrade cameras, but my current 40D is working fine. I may go full-frame later.

The 135L will likely be a good lens for your purpose. You have another lens that will zoom to 135mm, so as long as the focal length works for you, I don't think you'll have an issue.

I would think that 135mm would be too long on a crop for this, but Tim's suggestion of trying the focal length via your 28-135mm is excellent. Also check 85mm -- I would think the 85mm f/1.8 would be a better focal length for this, and it's considerably less expensive.

how about a 60D upgrade? nothing like an articulated live view to be stealthy with

timnosenzo wrote in post #11415473
The 135L will likely be a good lens for your purpose. You have another lens that will zoom to 135mm, so as long as the focal length works for you, I don't think you'll have an issue.

That's a great idea! I'll give the 135 end of the zoom a try with my speedlight and see how the focal length works.

Hmm - 60D? If I upgrade it will have to be for the 5D series for the low light capabilities.

135L is very fast focus. As expected its a bit long indoors on a crop.

workerdrone wrote in post #11415583
how about a 60D upgrade? nothing like an articulated live view to be stealthy with

I really don't see how this could help him out in this situation?

You could also try the 85mm on your zoom lens, if it fits you more than the 135 you could buy the canon 85mm 1.8.

The 135 is a great choice for what you want to do.

I have six nieces & nephews under the age of six and would never try to get any candid/action shots with a 135L, esp on a crop camera. Even if they were sitting perfectly still, it would still be a challenge to compose the frame properly at 10ft. An 85mm is more reasonable, and 50mm better yet. As for "stealth", kids are much more aware of what's going on around them than you probably think...

There are plenty of reasons to get a 135L, but I don't think this is one of them.

i think it will be fine as long as u have enough room in your home. if not, try the 85 1.8. the AF on that is lightning fast...

On a 1.3x crop, 1dmarkIII, I find the 135 a bit too long for indoor candid/portrait shots on an 1 year old. Head and shoulder shots are fine. Full figure, I would need something like 20ft away from the subject shooting in portrait orientation. I think you should try a 85mm.

I'm thinking of mainly head and shoulder shots. My 35L works well for environment/full length and I do plan on getting the 85L at the same time as the 135L. The slower focus of the 85L may be a pain but the results seem to justify the attempt. The question is really to see if I'm wasting my money on the 135L. It seems that most believe it would work.

The stealth aspect wasn't to be completely unnoticed. more to be out of their faces so that they continue to do their thing. I'm getting tired of the 'what you doing daddy?' facial expression.

I think part of the answer will not be in what lens, but rather your technique.

gasrocks wrote in post #11416452
I think part of the answer will not be in what lens, but rather your technique.

I think a fast zoom lens may be better suited for your needs. As for the stealth part... hang at one spot, point camera on kids running around, zoom for framing, focus, adjust zoom and reframe, refocus if needed, click.

Zooming is eliminated with a 135 or 85 prime or just foot zoom when framing. Oh yeah, wear clothing that blends with the environment. Heh.

If you are set on getting a prime try out 85, 100, 135 "set" on your 28-135 to check which FL really works for you as others have suggested.

I found it to be ideal on a full frame camera for what you are suggesting. For a 1.6 crop I'd look at the 85 1.8.