The Canon 135L f2.0 USM Prime Lens. Reviewed by NYC wedding photographer William Chang.
The Canon 135L f2.0 is a favorite lens, one that professional photographers love to use for every day “walking around” shooting, wildlife and portraits. Its sharp, beautifully saturated images make it a classic “must have” lens, and as prices are stable at around $1100, it is a lens worth saving for to add to the collection of new photographers. A superior offering from the excellent Canon “L” series, (the letter indicating luxury) the 135L f2.0 draws only approval and very little criticism from the photography community at large, unusual for any lens.
Basic Specifications of the Canon 135L f2.0 USM lens explained
* Fixed Focus Lens
This lens does not have any zoom capabilities, hence the fixed designation. The photographer’s legs do that work, but the extra quality and sharpness present and typical in the best fixed lenses make them worth the effort to master.
* L Series
Canon’s luxury series are more expensive than any other lenses they make, but in this case the extra expense is more justified, since the superior build has produced a winner. New photographers are often advised to buy cheaper camera bodies and save the cash for quality lenses. This one would be a great beginning to any collection.
* DSLR Lens
Cameras used by professional photographers and serious amateurs are mostly in this DSLR class. The major difference with this lens comes when it is used in combination with a full frame camera, one that does not have any crop factor. The full power of the 135L f2.0 is available with this largest class of sensor, opening up a vast range of possibilities to every photographer, since post shooting editing can crop images down and still see a degree of sharpness that is simple stunning.
* USM Feature
The USM or Ultra Sonic Motor is that which drives the auto focus. In this case, Canon has used the ring style, as opposed to the cheaper Micromotor ultrasonic drive found in lenses of lesser build quality. This offers a considerable advantage in terms of speed and quiet camera operation, invaluable for photographers taking pictures of birds and other animal that can be spooked by loud drives.
More Canon 135L f2.0 USM Specifications
* Official Model No: 2520A004
* Mount type: EF
* Min and Max focal length: 135mm
* Min.focal range: 35in
* Max aperture: F 2.00
* Angle of view: 18 degrees
* Weight: 26 oz
* Length: 4in
Some of the advantages offered by the Canon 135L f2.0 USM
* It takes photographs that are an eye opener to any who have not previously tried a lens from this class. The “bokeh,” or unfocused background portions of shots are better than almost any other lens we have tested.
* Portraits’ shooting is enhanced by the extra “reach’ offered, when compared to the popular 85mm lens used for this style.
* Excellent color saturation
* Seriously sharp images.
* Great Macro shooting
The “Room for Improvement” Department
* No I.S. (Image Stabilization) so tripod use may necessary for some shots
* The weather proofing could be better.
* A hard case in the box would be appreciated.
In conclusion, it seems the Canon 135L f2.0 USM holds a top position; by populate acclaim, in the Canon range of lenses.
~William Chang | NYC wedding photographer
