DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register
 

DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Canon EF 135mm f/2.8 Soft Focus
Pages:  
Showing posts 1 - 9 of 9, (reverse)
AuthorThread
12/18/2019 02:10:20 PM · #1
Between the size and price, I'm never likely to buy the Canon EF 135mm f/2.0, so when I saw an ad for a used EF 135mm f/2.8 Soft Focus, it seemed rather tempting.
I've read mixed reviews though, so I'm unsure whether to go and see it. It sounds like an interesting lens, but I'm not sure how much I'll use it. I already have a vintage 135mm F3.5 which I'm too lazy to use, partly because I don't often carry my larger lenses with me and partly because it's manual focus. But this one is faster and has AF so it seems more user friendly.
Obviously at the end of the day only I can decide what's right for me, but I was wondering if anyone at DPC has used this lens and can tell me whether it's good or bad.
12/18/2019 07:50:01 PM · #2
It's a pretty good performer, but it is an old beast. The biggest risk is something goes wrong, you may not be able to get it serviced.
12/18/2019 08:52:11 PM · #3
Originally posted by GinaRothfels:

... I was wondering if anyone at DPC has used this lens and can tell me whether it's good or bad.

37 DPCr's own it.
12/18/2019 10:01:08 PM · #4
Originally posted by kirbic:

It's a pretty good performer, but it is an old beast. The biggest risk is something goes wrong, you may not be able to get it serviced.


I would not worry about the servicing, I had a 35/105mm once and it constantly was over exposing by a full stop,made using slide film a .bit of a worry

they put it on their lens machine and dialed it back that one stop,and I never had another problem with it again..
12/19/2019 04:36:14 AM · #5
Originally posted by glad2badad:

Originally posted by GinaRothfels:

... I was wondering if anyone at DPC has used this lens and can tell me whether it's good or bad.

37 DPCr's own it.


I know. I was kind of hoping to get some advice from some of them.

Unfortunately looking at their profiles, the majority have never participated in a challenge and most of the others have moved on years ago. The only two who have participated in any challenges this year are krnodil and thierr26 and neither of them has been seen on this site since October.

Originally posted by kirbic:

It's a pretty good performer, but it is an old beast. The biggest risk is something goes wrong, you may not be able to get it serviced.


It's being sold by a camera shop, so I'm assuming they know it's in decent condition. So far I've never had a lens go wrong, so hopefully this won't be the first time - if I buy it.
12/20/2019 11:01:32 AM · #6
I have to say that despite owning some very serious glass, the 135L f/2 remains a loved favorite among the lens collection.

I dig that it may not be in reach, but I'd recommend stretching to get that glass, if there is any possible way to do so. It's exceptionally good.

In fact, the ONLY other lens I like better is the 200mm f/2, and that's a pretty huge step up in terms of supposed quality.

Message edited by author 2019-12-20 11:02:08.
12/20/2019 01:32:15 PM · #7
It's not just about the price, the size and weight are issues too. I'm really trying to keep my equipment as small and light as possible, which is why I recently bought the M50 and hardly use my 80D anymore.

I went to see the 135mm f2.8 sf today and I'm still confused. I tried it out in the shop and the autofocus didn't seem to do that well, though I haven't checked my photos on the computer yet. Results looked better with manual focus, but for that I've got a decent vintage lens, so it wouldn't be worthwhile. I need to try the vintage lens with a soft focus filter and see what kind of results I get.

Perhaps I'd be better off considering something like the 100mm f2.0, though there isn't a used one available right now.
12/21/2019 07:27:57 PM · #8
The sigma 20mm f/1.4 has been a real stunner for me so far, if you're just looking for something awesome and different.

Of course, it's way better for full body shots than straight portraits, however, the crispness and detail are stunning.

Though, come to think of it, it may be as heavy as the 135L f/2... dunno. Maybe try each one of you can? I don't find either heavy or hard to handle.

LOL, I'm useless here. ;-)
12/21/2019 08:15:03 PM · #9
There are some decent EF-M lenses at the wider end, so the Sigma 20mm isn't for me. There's a new EF-M mount 16mm f1.4. It's not available in South Africa yet, and it's probably a bit big for me. And there's quite a tempting pancake 22mm f2.0 - I'm struggling to justify that right now because I have the EF-S 24MM f2.8, but I may buy it eventually.

However what I'm keen on right now is something longer than my 60mm macro with a fairly large aperture. It's nothing out of the ordinary, but I'm starting to think that the 80mm f1.8 may be my best bet.

And then there's a part of me wondering whether I should be buying anything at all or whether I'm just suffering from GAS.
Pages:  
Current Server Time: 03/29/2024 12:53:58 AM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Prints! - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2024 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 03/29/2024 12:53:58 AM EDT.