Canon EF 135mm f/2.0L USM (1996–2022)
At 750 grams, it balances like a promise—solid, deliberate, ready to isolate a face in the dimmest room.
Overview
The Canon EF 135mm f/2.0L USM isn’t a lens for the hesitant. It’s a telephoto built for separation—of subject from background, of signal from noise, of competence from mere interest. Introduced in 1996 and quietly retired in 2022 after a 26-year run, it occupied a rarefied space in Canon’s L-series lineup: a fast, fixed focal length telephoto designed for decisive moments where light was scarce and precision non-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. This allowed photographers to fine-tune focus without switching modes—a critical advantage in portrait sessions where expressions shift in milliseconds. It was a lens that expected to be pre-focused or gently nudged, not yanked across the frame.
Two UD-Glass Elements for Chromatic Aberration Control
Canon specified two UD (Ultra Low Dispersion) glass elements within 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. When paired with the 1.4x, it became a 189mm f/2.8—still fast enough for many low-light scenarios and retaining autofocus compatibility on most EOS bodies of the era. The 2x extender pushed it to 270mm f/4, a reach that, while slower, remained usable on high-ISO-capable cameras. This flexibility extended its utility 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 gems, but its value has remained stable among working professionals and portrait specialists. A refurbished unit was listed at $719 in 2017 after a 10% discount from Canon USA, As of recent listings, used examples have appeared for €975 excluding VAT, indicating strong demand in European markets.
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