Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM

Canon · EF

EF 135mm f/2L USM

Released April 1996

An EF telephoto L-series prime with an f/2 aperture, two UD elements, ring USM autofocus and compatibility with Canon 1.4× and 2× extenders.

Mount
Canon EF
Focal length
135 mm
Max aperture
f/2
Stabilisation
No
Weight
750 g

What reviewers say

Both reviews praise central sharpness from f/2, build quality and fast, quiet autofocus. Photozone particularly likes the smooth blur but notes coloured out-of-focus fringing and wide-open shading. ePHOTOzine finds good value and weaker edges at f/2; its pincushion distortion is more noticeable than Photozone finds. Both see stronger across-frame sharpness when stopped down.

From photozone.de, photozone.de, photozone.de and ephotozine.com

Optics

Lens type
Prime
Focal length
135 mm
Maximum aperture
f/2
Minimum aperture
f/32
Optical construction
Ten elements in eight groups
Special elements
Two UD glass elements according to Canon Camera Museum
Coatings
Super Spectra coating according to Canon UK
Diaphragm
Eight blades
Angle of view
15° horizontal, 10° vertical and 18° diagonal according to Canon UK

Mount and compatibility

Mounts
Canon EF
Image circle
Full frame
Compatibility
Canon EF full-frame and APS-C cameras
Teleconverter support
Canon's manual confirms EF1.4X II gives 189 mm f/2.8 and EF2X II gives 270 mm f/4
Adaptor support
Canon UK confirms EOS M use with the EF-EOS M Mount Adapter

Focus and stabilisation

Autofocus
Yes
Minimum focus distance
0.9 m
Maximum magnification
0.19×
Optical stabilisation
No
Autofocus detail
Ring USM; mechanical full-time manual focus after One Shot AF while holding the shutter halfway according to Canon's manual
Focus distance detail
Internal focusing with constant length and a non-rotating filter thread according to Photozone and ePHOTOzine
Magnification detail
EF12 II provides 0.09–0.29× and EF25 II 0.20–0.41× according to Canon UK
Stabilisation detail
No optical stabilisation according to ePHOTOzine's exact-model specification

Design

Dust and moisture resistant
No
Filter diameter
72 mm
Maximum diameter
82.5 mm
Length
112 mm
Weight
750 g
Controls
Focus ring, AF/MF switch, distance window and 0.9 m–infinity or 1.6 m–infinity limiter according to Canon's manual
Weather resistance
No weather sealing according to ePHOTOzine's exact-model test
Dimensions detail
82.5 mm diameter × 112 mm length, excluding caps according to Canon's manual
Weight detail
750 g for the lens only according to Canon's manual
Lens hood
Supplied reversible ET-78II hood
In the box
Lens, E-72U front cap, Lens Dust Cap E, LP1219 case, ET-78II hood and user manual according to Canon UK's box list
Release detail
Canon Camera Museum records April 1996 marketing

Pros and cons

Pros

  • f/2 maximum aperture
  • Full-time manual focus
  • Canon extender compatibility

Cons

  • No optical stabilisation
  • No weather sealing

Closest rivals

Model
MountFocal lengthMax apertureStabilisationWeightReleased
Canon EF200 mmf/2.8No765 gMar 1996
Canon EF100 mmf/2.8No600 gMar 2000
Canon EF85 mmf/1.8No425 gJul 1992

Sources

  1. canon.co.uk/lenses/ef-135mm-f-2l-usm-lens/specification.html
  2. canon.co.uk/store/canon-ef-135mm-f-2l-usm-lens/2520A015
  3. global.canon/en/c-museum/product/ef335.html
  4. pdisp01.c-wss.com/gdl/WWUFORedirectTarget.do
  5. photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/430-canon_135_2_5d
  6. photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/430-canon_135_2_5d
  7. photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/430-canon_135_2_5d
  8. ephotozine.com/article/canon-ef-135mm-f-2l-usm-lens-review-23415

Photo: i1.adis.ws

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