Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM Lens ( Camera Shake )

Well, it is a 135mm lens.

Re>Defective Lens, or just me?<

I can't figure out how the lens would shake itself sometimes, giving you motion blur, and be still other times, giving you sharp pictures.

I remember reading a Joe McNally piece where he deomonstrated how he wrapped himself up in a kind of ball, with arm supporting shoulder supporting other arm, etc., positioned so his side was facing  the subject, rather than his front facing the subject.

So, perhaps you should work hard on being steady.

BAK

Ricky005 wrote:

On the other hand, many photos with shutter speeds of 1/400 and greater showing some camera shake as there was nothing crisp in the shot, which should have been.

You seem to be making the deduction that because nothing was sharp, it must be camera shake. Maybe nothing was in focus?

But assuming you're right and it's camera shake - at a shutter speed three times faster than 1/f - then it has to be an issue with technique.

I have a Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art lens which I have no problems with camera shake in my photos.

It's almost a third of the focal length, so much easier to hold steady. And it's a stop faster, so potentially you could be shooting at a faster shutter speed as well, if you haven't done a controlled test.

Ricky005 wrote:

Bought a new Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM Lens and testing for the past week on my Canon 6D. I am coming to find out this semi telephoto lens needs to be mounted on a monopod or tripod (in my case) if I want to eliminate all camera shake. I have been testing outdoors and naturally hitting very high shutter speeds which I did not expect to see camera shake in those photos.

Keep in mind I am pixel peeping, viewing photos full size might would only look slightly soft where it should be sharp. Pixel peeping, most all of the photos where indicating camera shake, now their where a few shots that where surprisingly free of camera shake. For example, a shot with a shutter speed of 1/160 came in crisp and clear, can only conclude it was just luck on my part. On the other hand, many photos with shutter speeds of 1/400 and greater showing some camera shake as there was nothing crisp in the shot, which should have been.

I have a Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art lens which I have no problems with camera shake in my photos. By the way, the Sigma 50mm ART is an awesome lens and it is making me question the quality of the Canon 135mm copy. It was very difficult for me justifying the cost for the Canon 135mm and the shake has taken away the excitement I had for the lens. The main reason I bought the Canon 135mm lens was for doing portrait gigs. Now I will be forced to shoot with a monopod now, which will only slow me down on location portrait shoots. However, the shots will be without camera shake.

Defective Lens, or just me?

First thing to do is set the camera on a tripod, or firm surface, use either a release or delayed action and take photographs at various apertures and shutter speeds. This will help you discover whether the lens is performing as it should or not. It should be pin sharp from f:2 through to f:11. It is a great lens. If the lens is okay, you need to work on your technique. You should be able to take a sharp photograph from 1/160 (1/200)second or shorter. If you find it difficult, just fire some test shots at 1/300th or 1/400th.

it is important to be balanced, steady and press the shutter release gently. Don't hold your breathe, breath out gently and slowly as you press the release.

Practise makes perfect. If you still have a problem, a monopod is an excellent idea..

Let me start by saying that while I am primarily a Nikon shooter, I bought a Canon body specifically to be able to use Canons' 135 f/2 L. Like you, I had heard all the praise about the 135L and had been dissatisfied with Nikon's 135 f/2 DC. After a year, the Canon 135 L ranks as one of my all time top lens buys and favorite lenses to use. You did state that some images are crisp, suggesting that the lens is optically OK, have you ruled out focusing errors? From your description you may be punching the shutter release, transmitting movement into the camera body, even at shutter speeds as short as 1/400, the longer 135mm focal length will exaggerate this. Your comment about improvement or success on a tripod tends to point that way. If you have not been hand holding a longer than normal focal length lens, don't give up on it yet, I think it is a case of technique and adjustment rather than a faulty lens.