OVERVIEW

The Canon 135L has its roots from the manual focus 135mm F2 in the FD mount (amongst several other 135mm lenses). For the EF mount Canon redesigned the 135L, increasing the element count from 6 to 10 and adding two “UD” elements. With the addition of the UD elements, the 135mm F2 L has optical performance similar to Canon’s super telephoto lenses, so it is not surprising that  the 135L is often cited as one of Canon’s best lenses.

UD refers to “ultra low dispersion” glass. According to Canon, the use of two UD elements provides the same benefit as using one fluorite element. Fluorite elements are used to reduce (or eliminate) chromatic aberrations. Fluorite glass is expensive to manufacture, so UD elements are used in its place. UD glass provides the same benefits, but is cheaper to manufacture.

Part of the 135mm focal length’s attraction is its ability to isolate subjects from the background. In the 1960‘s and 1970’s the 135mm focal length was in vogue for model and portrait work due to the flattering nature of mid-range telephoto lenses. The 135mm focal length was known for compression, minimizing backgrounds and perspective. Compression means flattening the depth in a image; objects behind a subject seem closer than they really are. Minimizing background relates to blurring the areas behind and in front of the focus plane, thus isolating the subject and allowing it to stand out. And perspective pertains to the narrow field of view, less sensitivity to the upward/downward angle of the lens and the sense of a vanishing point. These three characteristics increase as the focal length increases (ie - 200mm, 300mm, 400mm, etc). The 135mm focal length is the tipping point where these characteristics are noticeable and distinguishable from other short telephotos such as the Canon 85L.

BUILD QUALITY AND HANDLING

The 135L’s build quality is similar to Canon’s other L lenses, such as the Canon 24-105L and Canon 200L. The lens barrel construction is a mix of metal and durable plastic. The 135L feels solid, durable and balanced. The Canon 135L has full-time manual focus, USM focus motors, internal rear-focus design and two UD elements.

Internal rear focusing provides several benefits. First, the lens remains a constant size when focusing. The front element does not move or rotate, which is good when using polarizer and graduated filters (72mm front filter thread). Nor does the barrel extend, decreasing the likelihood dust will find its way into the lens. Rear focus designs generally provide fast(er) auto-focus performance., and the Canon 135L definitely has fast auto-focus. A focus limiter switch on the lens barrel sets the minimum focus distance at either .9 meters or 1.6 meters. Focus speed is fast at either setting, and almost instantaneous when set at 1.6 meters. The ring-type ultrasonic motor provides smooth, noise-free auto-focus. For all intents and purposes, auto-focus operation is silent.

Manual focus is smooth, but it lacks the dampened feel often found in manual focus lenses. Unlike the Canon 200L F2.8 II, the Canon 135L does not have a provision for a lens collar. For my needs this is irrelevant, but for someone shooting indoor gymnastics (as an example) using a monopod, the lack of a tripod collar will be an inconvenience. Lastly, the 135L comes with a lens hood and lens pouch. Canon’s lens hoods are made of plastic with a satin black finish - which scuffs easily. With the lens hood attached, the Canon 135L measures about 8 inches, so there is nothing discreet about a 135L. The Canon 135L also comes with a standard issue grey lens pouch. It is nothing to write home about, but at least there is one.