Lastly...135 f2 as my one long lens?

Hello everyone again,

My last question to you all (for now)....

I'm wanting to buy myself a long lens.

I currently have a 24-70 f/2.8 mk ii

I will only be using a long lens occasionally and would prefer a smaller and more discreet lens than any of the big, white 70-200/70-300/70-400 zooms. (tho the 70-200 f4 is seems a possibility because its not "too" huge).

My options seem to be something like the 100mm f2.8 L.......but I've tried it out and because I'm not massively interested in the macro capabilities, I found its more general auto focus speed a tad slow.

I like the look of the 135 f2. The images it takes appear extremely good to me.

And I could use it quiet happily with a x1.4 or x2 extender, yes?

If anyone has an opinion about this or advice you could offer me, I would appreciate your input very much.

Thanking you all in advance for your time and consideration.

It's an astonishingly brilliant lens - the reason I bought into Canon in fact. It's my only telephoto, and I'm totally happy with it.

Cool.

Thanks for your reply.

(Have you used it with extenders?....and if so, is your experience good?)

135 f/2 is a unique and fantastic lens!!! Buy it any time and you shall never ever regret it. Warning! Once you buy this lens every other lens you have shot with might make you unhappy after you are used to results from this lens. Another one to consider is 200 2.8

Let me put it this way: despite my copy of the 135L being very problematic with focus I still love the thing.  The pics I get that are in focus are phenomenal.  Note that that the majority of copies will not have the focus problems mine does.

Hey, thank you for your reply.

I'm definitely thinking the 135 f2 will be right for me.

I just checked out some of your photos on flickr.....they're really good. Nice one!

Hi...thank you for your reply.

Can I ask what focus problems you have with your 135 f2? Are there specific things I need to be aware of or look out for?

Thanks again.

Owenmorris wrote:

Hey, thank you for your reply.

I'm definitely thinking the 135 f2 will be right for me.

I just checked out some of your photos on flickr.....they're really good. Nice one!

You are welcome! Thanks for the compliment. You can visit canonpricewatch.com and their subscribe to their price tracker for refurbished or new products. This tool notifies you of any lens, camera you are interested in and if it drops below the price you are interested in buying it. Sometimes Canon Refurb. website has great deals if they are on sale and this tracker can help you get notified as soon as they are available.

I will check out that site now. Thank you.

Though because I'm in the UK (I'm assuming this site is USA based, yes?) would it still be worth it for me (because of shipping costs and import duty etc)?

Apologies for yet another dumb question.....

Owenmorris wrote:

I will check out that site now. Thank you.

Though because I'm in the UK (I'm assuming this site is USA based, yes?) would it still be worth it for me (because of shipping costs and import duty etc)?

Apologies for yet another dumb question.....

oh, sorry. Did not realize that. I do not know if they advertise anything for UK based customers or how it would work out if you order from UK. But I can bet there must be similar sites or providers who can offer you "street prices" in UK. The overall concept is such that, dealers do want to offer discounts at times and they simply cannot advertise them below MAP (minimum advertised price) per manufacturer. If they are caught doing that, it can hurt their ability/relation with mfg in the future. So providers like canonpricewatch act as intermediary.. I am sure canonpricewatch must get some cut in this. However good thing is that a provider in the middle is actually doing all leg work for you whereby you can trust his/her ability to filter out bad apples and get you in touch with only trustworthy dealers. I find that to be the case with this provider at least.

I am sure you can even e-mail these guys to find out if they suggest a similar place, website for customers in UK. see what they say. In US, there is another (rather commercial and recently became popular) website called greentoe... it seems many have used this website to buy their camera equipment. Greentoe has a concept like priceline.com whereby you name your price and greentoe shall look for anyone offering product for that price or closer. Again do not know if greentoe works in UK.

Owenmorris wrote:

Hi...thank you for your reply.

Can I ask what focus problems you have with your 135 f2? Are there specific things I need to be aware of or look out for?

Thanks again.

It is a long story. Simply put my lens can only be MFA to either short distances or long distances. Not both.  Since I only use it for full head shots this is really not a huge problem for me but anyone who uses it for street photography or sports would have a huge issue.  This is not the norm for this lens though.  Also, I'm not quite sure if it is the lens or my body that is precipitating the issue.  I have a 70d which has a fairly strong focus issue history beyond 10ft with large apertures.  I haven't yet tested it on another body.

Also, I am not a professional. Just photos of family and friends.  Below are a couple recent shots with OVF and back button focus. These are focus hits IMO. You can look at the full versions to check sharpness.

I just checked out UK import duties on both new and used/refurbished lenses. It looks as though I'd have to pay 20% extra for used items and about 23% extra for new. So its quite possibly worth my while. I'm going to do some research.

Thanks again.

Owenmorris wrote:

I just checked out UK import duties on both new and used/refurbished lenses. It looks as though I'd have to pay 20% extra for used items and about 23% extra for new. So its quite possibly worth my while. I'm going to do some research.

Thanks again.

oh cool! Good to know! Also you could buy from canadian dealers like camera canada. I bought thru canonpricewatch and got a good deal on 100-400 II. the warranty is same for US/Canada and price was better due to exchange rate. Though beginning April Canon is increasing prices in Canada.

That sounds like quality advice. The US Dollar to UK Sterling exchange rate isn't great just now.

I will do my research.

Thank you.

xroxer wrote:

Owenmorris wrote:

Hi...thank you for your reply.

Can I ask what focus problems you have with your 135 f2? Are there specific things I need to be aware of or look out for?

Thanks again.

It is a long story. Simply put my lens can only be MFA to either short distances or long distances. Not both. Since I only use it for full head shots this is really not a huge problem for me but anyone who uses it for street photography or sports would have a huge issue. This is not the norm for this lens though. Also, I'm not quite sure if it is the lens or my body that is precipitating the issue. I have a 70d which has a fairly strong focus issue history beyond 10ft with large apertures. I haven't yet tested it on another body.

I would send it to Canon, or at least talk with them about it, that's the sort of thing they need to sort out at the service center. Sucks that you have issues with it.

The 135 f2 L is my favorite of Canon's lenses. It's not too big, the image quality is fantastic, CA is well controlled, it's sharp at f2, out of focus area is lovely, focus is fast and accurate...I really don't have anything bad to say about it. It's not my only telephoto lens, but it's my most used. I also have a 70-200 and 100-400, they are used for different purposes, generally if I can shoot with the 135L, I do.

As much as a like my 135/2, my 70-200/4 IS is more versitile and gets more use.  Don't let the white bother you if that is what you really need.  If not, the 135/2 is well worth it.  I wouldn't count much on using a 2x TC but the 1.4 would do well.

Hello Jonathan,

Thank you for your message.

I will definitely check out the 200 f2.8 (mk ii?) as you suggest.

I think I've occasionally seen it....but not really taken much notice....so far.

Thanks again for your help and advice.