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EF 135mm F2L USM
- 135mm
- f/2.0
- Prime
- 750 g
- Min focus 0.9 m
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Quick answer
A fast 135mm telephoto prime, long known for sharpness and strong subject isolation. A favorite among Canon portrait and event photographers.
Pros
- f/2 aperture
- Very sharp
- Fast focus
- Pleasing background blur
Cons
- No image stabilization
- Long for tight spaces
- Narrow focus margin at f/2
Verdict
A long-serving portrait and event prime. The RF 135mm f/1.8 adds IS for mirrorless.
About this lens
Canon EF 135mm F2L USM: a fast short-telephoto prime lens with a 135mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/2, made for Canon EF mount cameras, from the Canon L series with ultrasonic-motor autofocus. A fast L-series telephoto prime prized for portraits, sports and indoor events.
Canon EF 135mm F2L USM specifications
- Brand
- Canon
- Mount
- Canon EF
- Focal length
- 135mm
- Maximum aperture
- f/2.0
- Lens type
- Prime
- Format coverage
- full-frame
- Released
- 1996
- Optical construction
- 10 elements in 8 groups
- Aperture blades
- 8
- Autofocus motor
- USM
- Minimum focus distance
- 0.9 m
- Maximum magnification
- 0.19x
- Filter thread
- 72 mm
- Weight
- 750 g
- Length
- 112 mm
- Diameter
- 82.5 mm
Specification source: global.canon
What can you shoot with the Canon EF 135mm F2L USM?
- Portraits
- Indoor sports
- Concerts
Its fast maximum aperture helps in dim light and gives good subject separation.
Full-frame equivalent and field of view
Calculated from the focal length and crop factor. Not measured.
| Sensor | Crop | Equivalent | Horizontal FOV | Diagonal FOV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full frame | 1.0x | 135mm | 15.2° | 18.2° |
| APS-C | 1.6x | 216mm | 9.5° | 11.4° |
Frequently asked questions
Does the Canon EF 135mm f/2L have image stabilization?
No. At 135mm, handheld shooting is manageable at 1/250s or faster, and the f/2 aperture helps keep shutter speeds up indoors.
Is the EF 135mm f/2L good for portraits?
Yes. The compression and blur suit headshots and half-length portraits, and the f/2 aperture helps isolate the subject.
EF 135mm f/2L vs EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS?
The 135 is lighter and faster at f/2. The zoom is more versatile and stabilized.
Alternatives for Canon EF from other brands
All Canon EF lensesSame mount, overlapping focal range, closest maximum aperture first.
