Canon RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM Review

[Richard CR]

The Canon RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM has been out for a while now, as it was announced on November 2, 2022, and available in January of 2023. Still, I haven’t seen too many clinical reviews of it until Opticallimits got their hands on one and completed a review recently. Canon had big shoes to […]

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[Maximilian]

Thanks for sharing, @Richard CR.
And thanks to Opticallimits to put the lens to a test.
I spent a long time deliberating whether I should buy the EF 135/2 L.
Exactly the same with this lens. Still, uncertain... even with this review...
Not only the IQ is special, so is the price, too.

 

[Richard CR]

Thanks for sharing, @Richard CR.
And thanks to Opticallimits to put the lens to a test.
I spent a long time deliberating whether I should buy the EF 135/2 L.
Exactly the same with this lens. Still, uncertain... even with this review...
Not only the IQ is special, so is the price, too.

 

[Maximilian]

 

[roby17269]

I have one and I can confirm it is a very good lens that delivers. I like the image quality out of it and it is not at all unwieldy in my hands (but then I am comfortable with the 85 1.2).

It's a very specialized lens and less versatile (in my opinion) than an 85. My only issue with it is that it is not magic to my eyes like the 85 1.2 is YMMV

 

[Exploreshootshare]

Interesting read, thx for sharing.
I´m really interested in the 135mm focal length, but 2.500 € is too much for a specialized lens (at least for my use cases). I am looking at used EF 135mm F2 lenses. Does anybody know how the EF version holds up against its successor?

 

[candyman]

..... but 2.500 € is too much for a specialized lens ....................

You can find it in the grey market voor about €1615 new.
I bought a new RF10-20 f/4L in the grey market and it is working great. I saved around €750

 

[JDub]

Interesting read, thx for sharing.
I´m really interested in the 135mm focal length, but 2.500 € is too much for a specialized lens (at least for my use cases). I am looking at used EF 135mm F2 lenses. Does anybody know how the EF version holds up against its successor?

I had the affordable Sigma EF 135mm 1.8 and that was crazy crazy sharp too, only sold as I had the 105mm 1.4 and used that more.
The EF 135 2.0 by today's standards could be considered soft, however, not everything needs to be pimple revealing sharp.

For my workloads I'm not likely to notice a difference, but if I were creating wall sized posters the real world difference may be worth it.

Personally I'm saving for the 85mm 1.2 first. At 135mm you stand quite a way away from your subject/model.

 

[Ozarker]

Thanks for sharing, @Richard CR.
And thanks to Opticallimits to put the lens to a test.
I spent a long time deliberating whether I should buy the EF 135/2 L.
Exactly the same with this lens. Still, uncertain... even with this review...
Not only the IQ is special, so is the price, too.

I still have an EF 135mm f/2L. I don't think I'll ever give it up. I consider it was one of my best purchases at about $850(?). I'd really like the RF 135mm, but the price is very special.

 

[JacobHarris]

I have one and I can confirm it is a very good lens that delivers. I like the image quality out of it and it is not at all unwieldy in my hands (but then I am comfortable with the 85 1.2).

It's a very specialized lens and less versatile (in my opinion) than an 85. My only issue with it is that it is not magic to my eyes like the 85 1.2 is YMMV







The Canon RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM looks like an incredible lens, especially for portrait and event shooters who want sharpness with stunning background separation. I appreciate how reviews highlight its balance between speed and image stabilization. It reminds me of how preparation tools like a pa notary practice test give users confidence, just as this lens gives photographers confidence in their results.

I agree with you.

 

[Ozarker]

This is the upgrade I need from the original R, if it goes to 30mp. Perfect.

 

[Exploreshootshare]

I had the affordable Sigma EF 135mm 1.8 and that was crazy crazy sharp too, only sold as I had the 105mm 1.4 and used that more.
The EF 135 2.0 by today's standards could be considered soft, however, not everything needs to be pimple revealing sharp.

For my workloads I'm not likely to notice a difference, but if I were creating wall sized posters the real world difference may be worth it.

Personally I'm saving for the 85mm 1.2 first. At 135mm you stand quite a way away from your subject/model.

thx for your reply. I don´t mind softer lenses, sometimes I actually prefer them. But with the R5 "soft" often turns into "not sharp" oder even slightly blurry. I am experiencing this with RF 35mm. I loved the pics I took with EOS R, but have some trouble with the R5.

As for now, I'll probably just rent the 135mm for a weekend to play around. It should be fun and satisfy my curiosity.