Quick answer
A 135mm prime with an adjustable soft-focus effect built into the optics, made for portrait photographers.
Pros
- Variable soft-focus effect
- f/2.8 aperture
- Classic portrait length
Cons
- Soft-focus ring is niche
- Older design
- Soft effect reduces sharpness
Verdict
A creative lens that can be used sharp or soft.
About this lens
This 135mm f/2.8 short-telephoto prime lens from Canon fits Canon EF mount cameras. The focal length is a classic choice for portraits and details.
Canon EF 135mm f/2.8 Soft Focus specifications
- Brand
- Canon
- Mount
- Canon EF
- Focal length
- 135mm
- Maximum aperture
- f/135.0
- Lens type
- Prime
- Format coverage
- full-frame
- Released
- 1987
- Filter thread
- 52 mm
Specification source: en.wikipedia.org
What can you shoot with the Canon EF 135mm f/2.8 Soft Focus?
- Portraits with a soft look
- Creative effects
- Dreamy glamour shots
Its smaller maximum aperture favours daylight shooting and keeps the lens compact.
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
How does soft focus work on the Canon EF 135mm Soft Focus?
A ring adjusts how much spherical aberration is introduced, softening the image while keeping the subject recognizable.
Can it be used as a normal 135mm?
Yes. With the soft setting at zero, it behaves like a normal sharp lens, so you can switch between sharp and soft looks.
Is the EF 135mm f/2.8 Soft Focus full-frame?
Yes. It covers full-frame and APS-C EF bodies, where it behaves like a roughly 216mm equivalent.
Alternatives for Canon EF from other brands
All Canon EF lensesSame mount, overlapping focal range, closest maximum aperture first.
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