EF 135mm f/2 L in 2023

Own a 6D. If there is one 'legacy' EF lens to keep, this one (or the 100L) is probably it. What do you think?

Keep it,  I love it but not use it that much but, I'll keep it as long I'm still using the EF mount.

That will still be for a long time, also still shoot with analog Canon Eos gear:-D

This lens is on my wish list

Over in the R forum I see people are getting their R 135mm, and I am sure that this is a fine lens. But I won’t be able to afford any new lens soon.

But I have my EF/R adapter, and I have my EF 135mm f/2 L.

And I was thinking … as far as extra weight, what percentage is the adapter ?  Both the R and EF 135 are big lenses, not entirely lightweight either. The adapter doesn’t really add in that much as far as the total amount. Yes, it’s more, but not a lot more.

By selling the EF and getting a « R version », you don’t get a huge benefit.

But if there ever is a « R 40mm pancake », that would be more worth it. In that case the adapter and the lens are almost the same size. So by getting an R version of the 40mm pancake, you would drop your size and weight (not counting the body) by 50%.

AbuMahendra wrote:

Own a 6D. If there is one 'legacy' EF lens to keep, this one (or the 100L) is probably it. What do you think?

I'm not selling mine but the ef 200mm f/2.8ii is even more impressive IMO, I own both

There are actually many.  Especially since the EF RF adapters work seamlessly.  Far too many to list.

The only caveat is that with many of the legacy lenses the RF bodies will not achieve their highest frame rates.

Yup. Very much.

The 135mm f2 L is magical. I had moved to a Zeiss 135mm f2.

Trevor Sowers wrote:

AbuMahendra wrote:

Own a 6D. If there is one 'legacy' EF lens to keep, this one (or the 100L) is probably it. What do you think?

I'm not selling mine but the ef 200mm f/2.8ii is even more impressive IMO, I own both

I have rented the EF 200L II f2.8 and I agree, it is a really nice lens

tdbmd wrote:

Trevor Sowers wrote:

AbuMahendra wrote:

Own a 6D. If there is one 'legacy' EF lens to keep, this one (or the 100L) is probably it. What do you think?

I'm not selling mine but the ef 200mm f/2.8ii is even more impressive IMO, I own both

I have rented the EF 200L II f2.8 and I agree, it is a really nice lens

It is.  Only downside I noted was purple fringing wide open on a demanding 5DSR - so suspect worse on a R7 or 90D

I had only used it on the R6 and 7DII so not so many MP

AbuMahendra wrote:

Own a 6D. If there is one 'legacy' EF lens to keep, this one (or the 100L) is probably it. What do you think?

For its current price (used) it is a stunning lens. Technically not perfect but it has its huge magic. If you use it then it is definetely worth to keep. There are optically better lenses like Sigma and Canon 135/1.8 or Sigma 105/1.4 but they are bigger / heavier / much more expensive.

Unless you need the cash from selling it, another vote to keep it.  That and the 200 2.8 make a nice pair. Both are very good medium focal length telephotos. They dont stand out in a crowd like the bigger white teles. Both take the 1.4 tc very well, with very good IQ. On the mirrorless cameras they work excellent!!! Use them both in an R6.

Sittatunga wrote:

The RF 50mm f/1.8 is exactly ⅔ the weight of the EF 40mm + adapter and 6mm shorter. But an RF pancake lens much longer than about 24mm would have to be of telephoto construction (like that of the original Olympus mju), so not a great deal lighter than the 50mm.

These sort of issues are what I am thinking about these days. I think, for me, there are three variables:

1) how good the lens is (Image Quality) ?

2) how small is the total size (less is better) ?

3) how close is the setup to 40mm ?

Scoring less on one or two points is not enough to "sink the boat" (make me not like it), as long as it does well in another one or two points.

The RF 50mm f/1.8 does score some points, but even the EF 35mm f/2 IS with the adapter scores some points too. IQ, the EF 35mm f/2 does really well.

The big question for me is: when will Canon make an RF 40mm pancake ? Is it coming out in 2 months ? Two years ? Or four years ?

But it's all minor stuff. I am happy enough with all the choices I have today.  I can just wait.

AbuMahendra wrote:

Own a 6D. If there is one 'legacy' EF lens to keep, this one (or the 100L) is probably it. What do you think?

Will not sell my 6D and my EF 135 F2 if and when I move to RF..
The EF 135 F2 is the best lens in EF mount that I have .. the one lens that produces pictures so artistic it does not require post-processing to look good

Tom59 wrote:

Unless you need the cash from selling it, another vote to keep it. That and the 200 2.8 make a nice pair. Both are very good medium focal length telephotos. They dont stand out in a crowd like the bigger white teles. Both take the 1.4 tc very well, with very good IQ. On the mirrorless cameras they work excellent!!! Use them both in an R6.

EF 135 F2 takes the x2 converter very well

Here is an example of why I like my 135 f2. A new cat photo. An 8 month old kitten.