Canon · RF

RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM

Released January 2023

A full-frame f/1.8 telephoto prime for EOS R cameras with optical stabilisation, Nano USM autofocus, two customisable lens function buttons and dust and moisture resistant construction.

Mount
Canon RF
Focal length
135 mm
Max aperture
f/1.8
Stabilisation
Yes
Weight
935 g

What reviewers say

Both reviews praise sharpness, quick autofocus and stabilisation. Digital Camera World enjoys its portrait rendering but notes the space needed and front-heavy handling on smaller bodies. OpticalLimits finds unusually strong resolution across the frame, yet less pleasing background transitions and heavy raw vignetting. Digital Camera World's lab sees comparatively weaker corners, so their corner-sharpness assessments differ.

From opticallimits.com and digitalcameraworld.com

Optics

Lens type
Prime
Focal length
135 mm
Maximum aperture
f/1.8
Minimum aperture
f/22
Optical construction
Seventeen elements in twelve groups
Special elements
Three UD elements
Coatings
ASC and Super Spectra coatings; front-element fluorine coating
Diaphragm
Nine blades with circular aperture
Angle of view
Approximately 18° diagonal

Mount and compatibility

Mounts
Canon RF
Image circle
Full frame
Compatibility
Canon RF mount for full-frame and APS-C EOS R cameras
Teleconverter support
Canon RF 1.4× and 2× extenders not compatible

Focus and stabilisation

Autofocus
Yes
Minimum focus distance
0.7 m
Maximum magnification
0.26×
Optical stabilisation
Yes
Autofocus detail
Nano USM; full-time manual focusing supported in One Shot AF and Servo AF on compatible EOS R-series cameras
Focus distance detail
Minimum focus 0.70 m; no distance limiter switch
Magnification detail
Maximum 0.26×; approximately 135 × 91 mm field of view at minimum focus
Stabilisation detail
Up to 5.5 stops optical IS with EOS R; up to 8 stops coordinated with EOS R3 IBIS, under CIPA yaw/pitch testing
Video features
Focus breathing correction available on compatible cameras

Design

Dust and moisture resistant
Yes
Filter diameter
82 mm
Maximum diameter
89.2 mm
Length
130.3 mm
Weight
935 g
Controls
Separate electronic manual-focus and customisable control rings; two customisable lens function buttons default to AF stop; AF/MF and stabiliser switches
Weather resistance
Dust and moisture resistant construction with rubber mount seal; front-element fluorine coating
Dimensions detail
Approximately 89.2 mm maximum diameter × 130.3 mm length
Weight detail
Approximately 935 g lens
Lens hood
ET-88B hood included (Canon UK store)
In the box
Lens, ET-88B hood, LP1319 lens case, E-82 II front cap and RF dust cap (Canon UK store)
Release detail
January 2023 marketed month in Canon Camera Museum

Pros and cons

Pros

  • f/1.8 maximum aperture
  • Optical stabilisation
  • Two customisable lens function buttons

Cons

  • 935 g lens weight
  • No focus limiter switch
  • Canon RF extenders not compatible

Closest rivals

Model
MountFocal lengthMax apertureStabilisationWeightReleased
Canon RF100 mmf/2.8Yes685 gJul 2021
Canon RF85 mmf/2Yes500 gOct 2020
Canon RF85 mmf/1.4No636 gSept 2025

Sources

  1. downloads.canon.com/nw/camera/products/lenses/RF135mm/RF135mm-spec-sheet.pdf
  2. canon.co.uk/store/canon-rf-135mm-f1-8l-is-usm-lens/5776C005
  3. global.canon/en/c-museum/product/rf521.html
  4. opticallimits.com/canon/canon-rf/canon-rf-135mm-f-1-8-l-is-usm-review
  5. digitalcameraworld.com/reviews/canon-rf-135mm-f18l-is-usm-review

Photo: Canon Asia Photo Library; official press archive member L320_Slant.jpg; complete supplied canvas and white background retained.

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