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135mm L if I already got the 100mm L?

Nov 17, 2013
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I've got the 100mm L and I'm very pleased with the IQ.
I've seen very nice pictures made with the 135mm L, not only portraits, but also flowers etc.
Do you think the 135mm L will be used if I already got the 100mm L.
Or will a buy be a waste of money.
The 70-200 mm will be another target in the nearby future by the way.
 
I have both and a 70-200 2.8 II and use them all quite a bit. To me the extra stop of light (f/2) of the 135L sets it apart from the zoom and Macro. Here is what I use each for:

100L Macro - Macro, limited portraits and occasionally as a longer compliment to my 24-70 2.8 II
135L - Portraits and light weight tele option to go with my 24-70 2.8 II. Terrific sports lens and I use to shoot my sons high school wresting and golf meets.
70-200 - Great all purpose lens for outdoor activities with the kids in conjunction with a wider lens (35-50mm or EOS M and 22/2). I also use it for portraits when I want something longer than 135mm

I really enjoy the 85-200mm focal ranges, so for me having these three lenses works out well. I have a friend who thinks I'm crazy for having all three, but he prefers and takes most of his pictures from 17-85mm, so he has 7 primes in that range. So, depends on what you shoot and your personal preferences.
 
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I usually don't shoot macro, so when I wanted a shorter, more portable telephoto lens to accompany my 70-200 II, I naturally went for the 135L.
I am pretty happy with my decision, and since have purchased a 500D close up lens for those very rare macro moments.
In your case, it is hard to say- do you envision a situation when the additional f-stop will come handy? For me, the portability of the 135L was the main incentive. If I had another short tele I already liked, I wouldn't have dropped several hundred dollars just for the 1-stop and bokeh advantage.
 
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Jack56 said:
I've got the 100mm L and I'm very pleased with the IQ.
I've seen very nice pictures made with the 135mm L, not only portraits, but also flowers etc.
Do you think the 135mm L will be used if I already got the 100mm L.
Or will a buy be a waste of money.
The 70-200 mm will be another target in the nearby future by the way.

I do not have 100mm L. However, I have 135L & 70-200 f2.8 IS II.

Since I have two 5D III, my setups are:
1. Decent lighting & short distance: 24-70 II + 70-200 f2.8 IS II
2. Decent lighting & longer distance: 70-200 f2.8 IS II + 400mm f2.8 IS II
3. Extreme low light: 50L + 135L
4. Portrait: 85L II

Of course you can always mix-it-up when having mutliple lenses
 
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bholliman said:
I have both and a 70-200 2.8 II and use them all quite a bit. To me the extra stop of light (f/2) of the 135L sets it apart from the zoom and Macro. Here is what I use each for:

100L Macro - Macro, limited portraits and occasionally as a longer compliment to my 24-70 2.8 II
135L - Portraits and light weight tele option to go with my 24-70 2.8 II. Terrific sports lens and I use to shoot my sons high school wresting and golf meets.
70-200 - Great all purpose lens for outdoor activities with the kids in conjunction with a wider lens (35-50mm or EOS M and 22/2). I also use it for portraits when I want something longer than 135mm

I really enjoy the 85-200mm focal ranges, so for me having these three lenses works out well. I have a friend who thinks I'm crazy for having all three, but he prefers and takes most of his pictures from 17-85mm, so he has 7 primes in that range. So, depends on what you shoot and your personal preferences.

-1

Some people think I have too many similar lenses ::)
 
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I have both the 100L and the 70-200/2.8L IS II, and I bought the 135L last of the three. The 135L is the go-to lens for indoor sports, where even at f/2, I'm at up to ISO 6400. It focuses faster than the 100L, even with the limiter on the latter. Still, the 70-200 II gets the most use of the three.
 
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I have the 70-200 MK II, the 100L, and 135L.

Since getting the 70-200, my 135L is going from my most used lens to least used. Its a wonderful lens, and I get beautiful results with it, but with the high ISO 5D MK III, I am able to use the f/2.8 zoom, and it is versatile.
 
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