Additional information:
The Canon EF 135 mm f/ 2 L USM is a professional L-series fast telephoto lens prime for Canon EOS digital and film cameras. It is considered to be one of the most successful EF lenses.
Equivalent focal length for APS-C cameras: 216 mm.
With the f/2.0 maximum aperture ratio the lens enables shooting with very shallow depth of field, as well as shooting in low-level-light conditions.
The aperture has eight blades. It features a nice out-of-focus blurring (bokeh). Circles of confusion shapes are close to an ideal circle.
The lens is already rather sharp even at f/2. You'd better use this aperture setting for portraiture - besides sharpness, it provides flexibility. The lens is very sharp from f/ 3.5 onward. There may be drops in resolution at the frame borders on 35 mm digital cameras.
Vignetting is visible only when shooting wide open. Vignetting is usually an advantage for a portrait photography, as it provides a picture with additional volume. If necessary, it is easily edited in RAW-converters. From f/2.8 vignetting is almost invisible.
The optical scheme includes UD glass elements, which affects aberrations, contrast and color rendering.
The Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM is well resistant to back and side light. In order to ensure a better image quality, it is recommended to use a hood.
Focusing is internal. The front lens does not rotate, which enables the use of a polarizing or gradient filter. Manual adjustment of sharpness is possible at any time by turning the focus ring.
Color rendering is natural, colors are saturated. Image contrast ranges from medium at f/2.0 to high at the rest aperture settings.
The built-in ultra-sonic motor makes focusing fast and silent especially if the lens is switched to 1.6 m - infinity mode. The lens provides steady focusing in poor lighting conditions.
The Canon EF 135 mm f/2L USM is perfectly fit as a portrait lens, as well as for the genres of photography where shallow depth of field is required.
Compatible hood: ET-78II
The lens comes completed with a hood and a soft case. Links to online resources: PDF Files: Posted by: Sergei Borodin Date of publication: 16.09.2010
|