Canon 135mm f/2L. I want one!

squareballoon

Does anyone else have this lens and love it? I want to trade in my macro 100mm L in order to get the 135mm but had a few questions that I was hoping someone could answer.

I have the 70-200 2.8L and love it for outdoors. Would there be a huge difference in shooting style and bokeh between the 70-200 and the 135? Do you have to be really far away from your subject to get a full body shot? and finally.. how sharp is it?

Also if I was to get one http://www.procamerashop.co.uk looks like the cheapest place. Does anyone have any negative experience with them?

kensutz

It doesn't exist and is based in Kowloon.

squareballoon

Oh phew! I'm so glad you posted! ok I'll keep looking and maybe try second hand also. Thank you!

kensutz

In relation to the lens, it's a fantastic lens and if you shoot portrait (which you do) it's an unbelievable addition to your collection. I went looking for one at a time but they were so hard to find and prices increased. It's one lens I'd definitely look into buying in the future.

squareballoon

Thank you, I've seen beautiful results but it's hard to tell online if it's sharp closeup. I suppose I should rent one before buying.

dirtyghettokid

i've been following your macro on adverts... waiting for my D80 to sell, i would buy the macro from you! argh.
if you rent the 135, please give us a review!

squareballoon

I hope you sell your d80 because I'd love the macro to go to someone I 'know'
I'm not in a hurry to buy the 135 but you know when you've your heart set on something....

dirtyghettokid

squareballoon wrote: »

I hope you sell your d80 because I'd love the macro to go to someone I 'know'
I'm not in a hurry to buy the 135 but you know when you've your heart set on something....

thanks! i've been wanting the 100mm L macro for a while now, but i just can't do it without selling the D80 first. and even then that's only half the money :eek:
do have a bit of cash set aside, but nowhere near enough!
we'll see what happens!

gloobag

I have it and love it. It's razor sharp when you nail focus. It's actually considered to be one of Canon's sharpest lenses. Which is strange considering it's one of the cheapest of the L series. It's also very fast to auto focus.

There's rumors that Canon are going to discontinue this lens and replace it with a more expensive f/1.8 IS version in the next year, so if you want o buy it brand new, now would be the time.

You can get it for about €800 from keaphoto.com

squareballoon

ooh, good to know Brian. Onestop digital also have it for about €780 but I'm never sure about buying from HongKong.

dirtyghettokid

i've bought a couple of lenses and a flashgun from kea, no hassle! if you pay to have it shipped via courier that is. i wouldn't trust ordinary HK post.

Splinters

For what its worth Ive heard good things about onestop-digital. they have a fairly unique shipping policy which they seem to enforce too where by you are guarenteed to only pay the lens price plus shipping fee. If it gets stopped for any import duty you simply pay it and then fax them the paperwork and they'll return it to you. I havent used them myself but there no shortage of good reviews for them. Theres always good old simply electronics. They're slow as hell but your stuff always gets there in the end and they technically only ship from UK so no import chages either.

Sorry wasnt trying to derail the topic. I dont own a 135L but Ive used one a few times and likewise its well and truly on my wish list. Wonderfully sharp and beautiful bokeh would be the 2 things that jumped out from my brief use of one.

gloobag

squareballoon wrote: »

ooh, good to know Brian. Onestop digital also have it for about €780 but I'm never sure about buying from HongKong.

Well, I can vouch for Kea as I've bought from them many times. Delivery is usually very quick. If you order on a Monday, you'll usually have your package that same Friday.

Also, I don't know how they do it, but I've never had to pay customs/VAT on anything I've bought from them.

WheresMyCamera?

PM sent!

WheresMyCamera?

gloobag wrote: »

Well, I can vouch for Kea as I've bought from them many times. Delivery is usually very quick. If you order on a Monday, you'll usually have your package that same Friday.

Also, I don't know how they do it, but I've never had to pay customs/VAT on anything I've bought from them.

I've bought from Kea in the past too. The were based in the uk and he imported the lens first. Then resold as a UK based trader. (hense no VAT/Customs)

the_monkey

Was gonna say that keaphoto have it for around €780 and cannot recommend them highly enough.

Parcels will arrive secure quick and safe.

squareballoon

I bought it! couldn't wait. I love it so far but it'll take some getting used to using a prime outdoors when I'm always used my 70-200 up to now. I bought it from Keaphoto which worked out great so thanks for all the recommendations about them