135mm f/2L USM, any other option for this range lens for 5d? in zeiss or canon?

[ssrdd]

hello,

it seems i have only 2 options in 135mm range lens
135mm f/2L USM or 135mm f/2.8 soft focus.

is there any better lens than both? (no zooms)
zeiss or sigma or canon?

[bvukich]

The 135/2L is, for the money, probably the best portrait lens made.  What exactly do you find lacking in it?

[CR Backup Admin]

hello,

it seems i have only 2 options in 135mm range lens
135mm f/2L USM or 135mm f/2.8 soft focus.

is there any better lens than both? (no zooms)
zeiss or sigma or canon?

I've owned both.  I did not need the soft focus model, so I sold it.  I currently have two 135mm L's.  There is no better lens available in this focal range for Canon, or for anyone else that I'm aware of.  I checked my lens usage last year in Lightroom.  I have more images with the 135mm L at f/2 than all of my many "L" lenses put together, the 35mmL is second.

[neuroanatomist]

The 135mm f/2L is an excellent lens.  Truly.  If you want to soften the focus, apply a Gaussian blur in post.

[ssrdd]

I havent used any of those lenses yet, want to buy one.
before that i just want to know that any other brand making such lens.
usually below 100mm every focal length has been made by multiple companies  like ziess, canon, nikon, sigma etc.

but its interesting to me why 135mm i isolated focal length. like there r only 2 numbers, that to made by canon.

my primary use for video with 5d?

thank u for the comments.
ssrdd

[neuroanatomist]

Zeiss makes a 135mm f/1.8 prime, for Sony mount only (well, technically, Sony makes it in Japan under the supervision of Zeiss).  Nikon makes a 135mm f/2 for their mount.  Canon is the only manufacturer with two primes at 135mm.  None of the 3rd party vendors (Sigma, Tamron, Tokina) make a 135mm prime.

For video, I hope you'll have excellent camera support - 135mm would mean a big effect from camera shake.

[Cornershot]

You can always go old school with the soft focus. A little Vaseline on a UV!

[ssrdd]

how predictable is having shake with 135mm for video?
as my primary usage is for video, what is the safe way to use this lens?

[neuroanatomist]

how predictable is having shake with 135mm for video?
as my primary usage is for video, what is the safe way to use this lens?

The longer the focal length, the narrower the angle of view, and the more pronounced the effect of shake.  That's the basis for the 1/focal length rule for still images (e.g. with a 135mm lens you need a shutter speed of at least 1/135 s, meaning 1/125-1/160 s, to avoid blur from camera shake) - the same logic applies to video.

You need a stable tripod with a fluid head, or a steadi-cam, etc.

[adamdoesmovies]

It is surprising to me to read that no other companies make a 135. Among the "classic" prime lengths, 135/2.8 was once exceedingly common, and it is still incredibly easy to walk into almost any thrift shop and find a 135 or two (usually M42, Minolta, or Pentax K mount) alongside the 50mm's, in every brand variation you can think of (I have a modified "JCPENNY" branded Cosina one along with a few others, for instance).

[ssrdd]

how predictable is having shake with 135mm for video?
as my primary usage is for video, what is the safe way to use this lens?

The longer the focal length, the narrower the angle of view, and the more pronounced the effect of shake.  That's the basis for the 1/focal length rule for still images (e.g. with a 135mm lens you need a shutter speed of at least 1/135 s, meaning 1/125-1/160 s, to avoid blur from camera shake) - the same logic applies to video.

You need a stable tripod with a fluid head, or a steadi-cam, etc.

For 135mm, shutter is around 1/135. thats interesting way to calibrate. i am gonna need a little info on it.thank u
what about the cadency if i cross over 1/50 shutter for video ?

[neuroanatomist]

For 135mm, shutter is around 1/135. thats interesting way to calibrate. i am gonna need a little info on it

Try this linked article.  Or Google "1 focal length."

[MK5GTI]

i seriously see a lot of potential for Sigma to make their own version of 135/F2 with HSM, with Canon, Nikon, Sony mount. price lower than the L, that will get a lot of buyer especially the Zeiss isn't cheap

[macfly]

The 135 f2 is the sharpest lens Canon make, quite frankly not to buy it is madness. It is the quality of that lens alone that keeps me with my EOS set up.

If in doubt check out Photozone's review of it, it is one of very few lenses that gets their green thumbs up rating. http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/430-canon_135_2_5d?start=2

[hlphoto]

The longer the focal length, the narrower the angle of view, and the more pronounced the effect of shake.  That's the basis for the 1/focal length rule for still images (e.g. with a 135mm lens you need a shutter speed of at least 1/135 s, meaning 1/125-1/160 s, to avoid blur from camera shake) - the same logic applies to video.

Very true for pictures, but not applicable to video at all. 1/160s shuttertime in video will only make your image look worse unless you plan to use your footage for slowmotion.

You need a stable tripod with a fluid head, or a steadi-cam, etc.

Very true.

how predictable is having shake with 135mm for video?
as my primary usage is for video, what is the safe way to use this lens?

the safest way of using 135mm in video handheld is buying a 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM (Mk1 or Mk2, your choice) and keeping IS on. This will force you to lose a stop though... So I would go steadicam.