Canon EF 135mm f/2.0L USM (1996–2022)
At 750 grams, it feels solid and deliberate in the hand, and it's ready to isolate a face in the dimmest room.
Overview
The Canon EF 135mm f/2.0L USM is a telephoto built to separate the subject from the background. Canon introduced it in 1996 and retired it in 2022 after a 26-year run. It was a fast, fixed focal length telephoto in the L-series lineup, designed for decisive moments where light was scarce and precision was not negotiable.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Canon |
| Focal Length | 135mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/2.0 |
| Mount | Canon EF mount |
| Diaphragm Blades | 8 |
| Filter Size | 72mm |
| Dimensions (Diameter x Length) | 82.5 x 112mm |
| Weight | 750g |
Key Features
Ultrasonic AF Motor
Autofocus on the EF 135mm f/2.0L USM is driven by an ultrasonic motor. That let photographers fine-tune focus without switching modes, which helps in portrait sessions where expressions shift in milliseconds. The lens expects to be pre-focused or gently nudged. It does not like being yanked across the frame.
Two UD-Glass Elements for Chromatic Aberration Control
Canon specified two UD (Ultra Low Dispersion) glass elements in the optical formula to correct secondary spectrum and minimize color fringing. This was a hallmark of L-series optics, and in practice it delivered sharp, high-contrast images even at f/2.0.
Compatibility with EF Extenders
Unlike many fast primes, the EF 135mm f/2.0L USM was engineered to work with Canon's Extender EF 1.4x II and 2x II teleconverters. With the 1.4x, it becomes a 189mm f/2.8, still fast enough for many low-light scenarios, and it keeps autofocus on most EOS bodies of the era. The 2x extender pushes it to 270mm f/4. That is slower, but still usable on high-ISO-capable cameras. The extra reach carried the lens beyond portraiture into candid and stage photography, where distance was often unavoidable.
Collectibility & Value
The EF 135mm f/2.0L USM never commanded the collector premiums of rare manual-focus lenses, but its value has stayed stable among working professionals and portrait specialists. A refurbished unit was listed at $719 in 2017 after a 10% discount from Canon USA. In recent listings, used examples have appeared for €975 excluding VAT, which indicates strong demand in European markets.
eBay Listings
As an eBay Partner, we earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support our independent vintage technology research.