Last October I bought a Canon 550d which came with 3 standard lenses, one being the 50mm f1.8, which hasn't left my camera since. I most enjoy street/candid photography and am looking to purchase a suitable lense, I am a cats whisker away from buying the 135mm f2 L USM lense and wondered if anyone has this lens and had any advise to share......on my way to shop now to have another little play!!!
If you are comfortable with a prime lens at such a magnification then go for it! Personally I'd imagine street photography might want to be a bit more versatile, something like the 24-70 or 24-105 (bit slow at f/4 though)
The reviews of the 135mm L are great though and I bet the results are fantastic I would just want a more variable range!
I do lots of street / urban photography and I can't imagine being limited to a 135... I have the 50 as well and find it frustrating for street - much prefer the flexibility of my 17-85... But then, I generally prefer to shoot at a wider angle... The main thing I find w the fixed length is that it is very limiting... I can't always position myself close enough or far enough from a subject to get a decent comp... But f/2 sure does sound sweet!
@jo13 i guess the 135mm L would be a good tele for portrait if you shoot full frame. For a cropped sensor it would be just too far. I would go for a zoom, like everybody said.
@jo13 I'm not sure what your budget range is for your next purchase, so please temper my comment with that in mind. Going into the 135mm range as a fixed focus may have you swapping lenses more than you'd like, especially while street shooting. If it's within budget, I'd recommend looking at the 70-200 f/2.8L. There are two models; one is Image Stabilized and the other is not. I have the IS version and it's a sweetheart of a lens. Focus is extremely fast, and the image quality is outstanding. The only major downside is that the lens is VERY heavy. (If you do want to go this route, I recommend renting on first, just to see if you're comfortable with the weight.)
If you do want to go to the 135mm f/2.0L, well, that is a very high quality lens. Just be aware that it's going to be a bit long for street photography on a crop sensor. Again, before putting down over $1000, you may want to rent one and take it for a test drive. (I did that will all of my L series lenses just to be certain before spending that much cash.)
@northy@gabrielklee@kannafoot Thank you so much for your thoughts, luckily the shop rents lenses so on your recommendations I am going to try a couple out. Speed and sharpness are a must.
@kannafoot@jo13
Some people say that 70-200 f2.8 L USM is "the best lens in the world".
Some people also say the red line in the L lens series is made of blood of virgins and unicorn horn dust.
Some people swear they hear an angels choir when they twist an L lens on their cameras.
im looking at the Sigma 70-200, 2.8 for my 7D its got great reviews and saves a huge amount over the Canon L series and will be even better when i eventually go full frame. Also have a Tamron 18-250 which is great for 'days out' as it covers a really good range and saves carrying other lenses.
I've tested the 135 L USM, and I have to tell you it is one of the finest canon lenses I've ever used. Of note is the quick and accurate focus; I've seen nothing like it. And image quality is absolutely superb. If the price were lower I would definitely get it, but for me, being limited to 135 just won't justify the expense no matter how great the lens is.
Have a go with a zoom Jo and see how you get on! You may find it more versatile for street photography than being restricted to one focal length or trying to change lenses quickly. (The 135 looks a beautiful lens though) : )
@markyl@grizzlysghost@rennes Thanks to all your advice ringing in my ears, I managed to leave the shop empty handed! Perhaps a zoom would be better.....it is a lovely lens though!!!
It's a great lens, 135mm is long on a crop-sensor, but will work well for street photography. I did a head and shoulders selfie with a 135mm prime on a crop camera with a working distance of about 12 feet, so for portrait use that's probably as close as you want to get.
For more flexibility, I'd save up and get something like the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 OS lens. You still get a fast lens that will throw the background out of focus, you get image stabilisation which is a huge benefit in challenging light, and you get a very flexible zoom range. It costs about 30% more than the 135L, but you might find something like that a more useful lens overall.
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The reviews of the 135mm L are great though and I bet the results are fantastic I would just want a more variable range!
If you do want to go to the 135mm f/2.0L, well, that is a very high quality lens. Just be aware that it's going to be a bit long for street photography on a crop sensor. Again, before putting down over $1000, you may want to rent one and take it for a test drive. (I did that will all of my L series lenses just to be certain before spending that much cash.)
Some people say that 70-200 f2.8 L USM is "the best lens in the world".
Some people also say the red line in the L lens series is made of blood of virgins and unicorn horn dust.
Some people swear they hear an angels choir when they twist an L lens on their cameras.
For more flexibility, I'd save up and get something like the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 OS lens. You still get a fast lens that will throw the background out of focus, you get image stabilisation which is a huge benefit in challenging light, and you get a very flexible zoom range. It costs about 30% more than the 135L, but you might find something like that a more useful lens overall.