Canon 20d + Canon 135 f/2 L USM tests

[allonkira]

I got this fantastic lens a few days ago.

 

Here you can find some tests with my 20d:

 

http://www.pbase.com/allonkira/canon_135_f2_test

 

and a few shots wide open:

 

http://www.pbase.com/allonkira/image/76880872

 

http://www.pbase.com/allonkira/image/76735029

 

http://www.pbase.com/allonkira/image/76802868

 

http://www.pbase.com/allonkira/image/76802915

 

Have a great day and happy shooting,

allon

[stephen sullivan]

Those are amazing Allon.

 

It to shoot with the 20D. I have the 135 f/2.8 SF and it comes nowhere near close. Makes me want to trade in the SF for the L.

[m_barbu1]

Stephen, if you're interested in sharp photos, why would you buy a lens with "soft focus" in the name? ;-)

[jon_austin]

There's nothing wrong with the 135/2.8SF lens. The SF feature can be turned off. By all reports (I don't have one), it's quite a sharp lens in non-SF mode.

[richard_snyder]

Allon,

 

Congratulations! You have discovered one of Canon's miracle lenses. It is really hard to describe the magical qualities that images taken with this lens possess.

 

A note to M Barbu: The 135mm f2.8 Soft focus lens is incredibly sharp when the soft focus feature is turned off. The soft focus feature is simply an added bonus. Unfortunately, the lens is of a very old design and not well built compared to most modern Canon lenses. On the upside it is incredibly cheap sometimes selling brand-new for $275.

[m_barbu1]

Jon & Richard - thanks; I didn't know that!

[andre_reinders]

Wonderfully sharp - amazing!

[stephen sullivan]

M Barbu- I bought the 135 SF back in 1990 or 1991. I didn't get the best copy, it's been to Canon twice. First for a defective inner element. Second the AF/MF switch fell off.

 

The 135 SF is actually quite nice on the 20D, but the lens doens't compare to the 135L

 

Seeing pictures posted here and reviews elsewhere, makes me want to trade in my 135SF for the 135L

[robin_sibson1]

Additional capabilities of the 135/2L:

 

1. works well on the Extender 1.4x as a 189/2.8, although of course without IS, which is worth having at that focal length;

 

2. works well on the EF25 tube for long-working-distance close-ups, good for medium to large butterflies;

 

3. when used for close-ups, can be used with the MR-14EX or MT-24EX using the Macrolite Adapter 72C, with no vignetting even on FF.