Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM

[briansquibb]

Re: Canon EF135mm f/2L USM

These were all handheld, no monopod, M, AI servo, zone select, f2, autoISO, and shutter speed adjusted via viewfinder exposure meter.

"autoISO, and shutter speed adjusted via viewfinder exposure meter"

Any adjustments you make would be undone via auto iso- do you mean exposure compensation?

I like the pictures - bit like street candids but on a sports field. A different, but valid, take on sports photography

 

[Crapking]

Re: Canon EF135mm f/2L USM

What I meant is I control the shutter speed, choosing 750, or 1000 based on what my viewfinder meter 'tells' me and the autoISO would then adjust itself, usually to 1600, or 3200, or occasionally down to 800.
I've tried Tv mode but my keeper rate is higher when I do it myself.

As far as composition / style - basketball is not my usual sport, and I had a tough time on the ACTION/SPORTy moments, so I chose to go after the more personal / candid shots.

My volleyball parents always like to see the emotion of the moment, rather than the stop-action hand on ball so to speak. What I REALLY like about the 135 is the bokeh, really isolates the player IN the moment. Next week, I am shooting a VB tourney for 2 days, and I am renting a 1D Mark IV as a trial...trying to decide 1D MIV vs 1DX.....

 

[briansquibb]

Re: Canon EF135mm f/2L USM

What I meant is I control the shutter speed, choosing 750, or 1000 based on what my viewfinder meter 'tells' me and the autoISO would then adjust itself, usually to 1600, or 3200, or occasionally down to 800.
I've tried Tv mode but my keeper rate is higher when I do it myself.

I use Manual mode with auto ISO in a variable light situation (so that is nearly always ;D )

I use the 135 mostly on F/2 or F/2.8 as it lifts the subject out of the background

 

[briansquibb]

Re: Canon EF135mm f/2L USM

Next week, I am shooting a VB tourney for 2 days, and I am renting a 1D Mark IV as a trial...trying to decide 1D MIV vs 1DX.....

You wont want to hand back the 1D4 ...

 

[JR]

Re: Canon EF135mm f/2L USM

What I meant is I control the shutter speed, choosing 750, or 1000 based on what my viewfinder meter 'tells' me and the autoISO would then adjust itself, usually to 1600, or 3200, or occasionally down to 800.
I've tried Tv mode but my keeper rate is higher when I do it myself.

I use Manual mode with auto ISO in a variable light situation (so that is nearly always ;D )

I use the 135 mostly on F/2 or F/2.8 as it lifts the subject out of the background

Hey Brian, you must be shooting those with your 7D or 1D4 correct? Because my 5D mkII does not have autoISO in manual mode (well ok from 100-400 :-\) so I would kill for autoISO in manual!

Just on a trip now and I only brought the 135L to force me to get use to it and it rocks! Will post pictures apon my return.

 

[briansquibb]

Re: Canon EF135mm f/2L USM

I use Manual mode with auto ISO in a variable light situation (so that is nearly always ;D )

I use the 135 mostly on F/2 or F/2.8 as it lifts the subject out of the background

Hey Brian, you must be shooting those with your 7D or 1D4 correct? Because my 5D mkII does not have autoISO in manual mode (well ok from 100-400 :-\) so I would kill for autoISO in manual!

Just on a trip now and I only brought the 135L to force me to get use to it and it rocks! Will post pictures apon my return.

Started using it with the 7D and continued it with the 1D4. Just bought a 1Ds3 - hope that works the same (will pick it up on Monday)

 

[fear_through_the_eyes]

Re: Canon EF135mm f/2L USM


Fence of thousands bras by Fear_Through_The_Eyes, on Flickr

 

[Cornershot]

Re: Canon EF135mm f/2L USM

@ fear_through_the_eyes Great photo! Love the color and depth of field.

 

[briansquibb]

Re: Canon EF135mm f/2L USM

Cant beat that creamy background

 

[fesapo]

Re: Canon EF135mm f/2L USM

I'll never understand fashion in Tokyo:


Authentic Artifice by Fesapo, on Flickr

 

[JR]

Re: Canon EF135mm f/2L USM

I am starting to love this lens as a walk around lens. The only thing I find is color vibrance is not as nice as with the other newer L lenses I have. In both pictures below I played with the vibrance setting in Lightroom...

 

[funkboy]

Re: Canon EF135mm f/2L USM

I am starting to love this lens as a walk around lens. The only thing I find is color vibrance is not as nice as with the other newer L lenses I have. In both pictures below I played with the vibrance setting in Lightroom...

I'd agree that the 135L is more neutral than a lot of other Canon lenses; for example the 50mm f/1.4 always seemed kinda hot in the yellow/green department to me. I'm a big fan of the "look" of Zeiss images (the microcontrast in particular just knocks my socks off when you get a good shot with it). The 135L seems more "Leica-like" to me, but that's no bad thing .

 

[briansquibb]

Re: Canon EF135mm f/2L USM

I like the neutral starting point as it gives more scope for filters and/or pp changes

 

[JR]

Re: Canon EF135mm f/2L USM

I like the neutral starting point as it gives more scope for filters and/or pp changes

Which filter do you like to use with your 135L Brian (beside a polarizing filter I mean)?

I'd agree that the 135L is more neutral than a lot of other Canon lenses; for example the 50mm f/1.4 always seemed kinda hot in the yellow/green department to me. I'm a big fan of the "look" of Zeiss images (the microcontrast in particular just knocks my socks off when you get a good shot with it). The 135L seems more "Leica-like" to me, but that's no bad thing .

U right, more neutral is more like it. I wonder if it is the coating on the lens of newer "L" series that makes them more snappy? My 85 1.2L II or any other L I own for that matter have a different feel then the 135L. I wonder if Canon will ever update this wonderful 135L lens...

 

[jasonsim]

Re: Canon EF135mm f/2L USM

Great bokeh. I like it most for it's smallish size and low weight. And that it is black and not noticed as much.

--Jason

 

[briansquibb]

Re: Canon EF135mm f/2L USM

I like the neutral starting point as it gives more scope for filters and/or pp changes

Which filter do you like to use with your 135L Brian (beside a polarizing filter I mean)?

I use a range of Cokin filters, for example:

Grad sunset
Grad blue
ND/Grad ND

With the Cokin/Lee approach you can stack the filters nicely, for example ND grad from the bottom, gap in middle, Grad Sunset from top + Polarisor gives a lovely sunset over the sea.

 

[dr croubie]

Re: Canon EF135mm f/2L USM

With the Cokin/Lee approach you can stack the filters nicely, for example ND grad from the bottom, gap in middle, Grad Sunset from top + Polarisor gives a lovely sunset over the sea.

Of course now we're all going to be asking for example photos...

 

[JR]

Re: Canon EF135mm f/2L USM

I use a range of Cokin filters, for example:

Grad sunset
Grad blue
ND/Grad ND

With the Cokin/Lee approach you can stack the filters nicely, for example ND grad from the bottom, gap in middle, Grad Sunset from top + Polarisor gives a lovely sunset over the sea.

Thanks Brian! I will look into those. I have been meaning to expand my knowledge of filters as right now it is limited to polarized and clear ones! I will give them a try.

 

[briansquibb]

Re: Canon EF135mm f/2L USM

With the Cokin/Lee approach you can stack the filters nicely, for example ND grad from the bottom, gap in middle, Grad Sunset from top + Polarisor gives a lovely sunset over the sea.

Of course now we're all going to be asking for example photos...

ND grad at top 3/4 + polarisor

 

[JR]

Re: Canon EF135mm f/2L USM

ND grad at top 3/4 + polarisor

Very good balance. Have you used or tried the B+W grad filters? Are they as good as the ones you are using?