135 f2 makes the better photographer

[James Axford]

On going from the discussion about equipment vs. the photographer.
this lens does make the "better" photographer.
I could have never taken these with out this lens.
only had it for a week and i love the results.

here's a few
and the rest all with the 135mm
http://jaxford.smugmug.com/People/cambodian-faces/10486935_Hi3Cu#727709204_Xo5fh

[nisstrust]

Agreed!

[accesser]

One of my Flickr contacts use that lens it does give some great results.
(Love #2 shot the most btw)

[mudman]

I don't know about the lens making you a better photographer, but on my old film slr I had a 135mm and
it was regarded as an excellent portrait lens.
The images you have posted here would seem to re-enforce that opinion. Great shots.

[accesser]

It like any good lens is a great lens in the hands of the right person

[Steve Axford]

Good photos James. #2 shows some skill apart from just the lens, but you still needed the lens.

[Wobbles]

Fantastic shots James, particularly love 3. Can I ask if that was shot wide open at f2?
..hmmm another lens to add to the wishlist:rolleyes:

Cheers
John

[phild]

That's one sharp Lens James, your skill with it is equally impressive. The 135 F2 is also popular for Astrophotography.

[James Axford]

Fantastic shots James, particularly love 3. Can I ask if that was shot wide open at f2?
..hmmm another lens to add to the wishlist:rolleyes:

Cheers
John
yes, that's shot wide open. it's a stella lens. one of the best you can buy.

looking at the photos not i think i could have sharpened them a little more.

thanks for the all the replies.
I just wanted to make a point that it's more about the equipment than the photographer sometime.

[Xenedis]

On going from the discussion about equipment vs. the photographer. this lens does make the "better" photographer.


Respectfully, I'd have to disagree.

If you happen to be a terrible photographer, then having the best lens in the world will simply make you a terrible photographer with a terrific lens.

A good image starts behind the lens.

The 135/2L is a magical lens, though, and one I also own.

Sure, it can deliver results that other lenses cannot, but you still need a clued-up person operating the thing.

[James Axford]

Respectfully, I'd have to disagree.

If you happen to be a terrible photographer, then having the best lens in the world will simply make you a terrible photographer with a terrific lens.

A good image starts behind the lens.

The 135/2L is a magical lens, though, and one I also own.

Sure, it can deliver results that other lenses cannot, but you still need a clued-up person operating the thing.

you have to the the f stop the shutter speed and the subject... not very much really.
i could teach anyone in a day to take "good" (that is If you think these photos are good) photos with this set up. it's really not that hard.

[Xenedis]

i could teach anyone in a day to take "good" (that is If you think these photos are good) photos with this set up. it's really not that hard.

I'm not saying it is hard; I'm saying that gear alone does not make the photographer, nor the image.

A good photographer will capture a good image with any equipment; a bad photographer will capture a bad image with any equipment.

Of course, gear does help, but if the photographer has little or no capability, the gear won't compensate for that.

[mongo]

I’m not sure the lens makes the better photographer. However, it does far more easily produce the results which one would expect of a better photographer.

The results you have posted are a standout.

So lets talk chickens. Which came first – the better photographer or the lens ??

[JM Tran]

So lets talk chickens. Which came first – the better photographer or the lens ??

Ken Rockwell came first of course, duh!

lol

[Bails55]

Ken Rockwell came first of course, duh!

lol

That's gold!! I will go to my bed laughing! :D

(BTW, love the images James. Dare I say the lens enhances your obvious portraiture talents? I'm confident that if that lens were in MY hands, it'd be a different story!) ;)

[James Axford]

I’m not sure the lens makes the better photographer. However, it does far more easily produce the results which one would expect of a better photographer.

The results you have posted are a standout.

So lets talk chickens. Which came first – the better photographer or the lens ??

i think mongo said it best here... no use arguing about it :)

[James Axford]

That's gold!! I will go to my bed laughing! :D

(BTW, love the images James. Dare I say the lens enhances your obvious portraiture talents? I'm confident that if that lens were in MY hands, it'd be a different story!) ;)

I'm sure you'd get some great stuff from it too bails. Just need some interesting subject matter.

[Clubmanmc]

have to disagree...

the camera gear does nothing for the photo... its all in the photographer... where the light is coming from and other settings, and knowing what you can hand hold and what you need a tripod for... there is too much in a great photo for it to be just a good camera...

an example would be a portrait being shot with the sun in the back ground...
- a guy with a good camera, could get the aim right, but the settings in "auto" would be all wrong...
- a average guy with a camera, would try to over come the light with some fill flash...
- a photographer would manually set the F and Tv to suit the face conditions, or maybe just maybe, turn the subject around... so their face was lit byt he sun.....

there are the differences...

M

[kiwi]

great shots, love love love #1 and #3

[Bear Dale]

I'd rather use good gear than not so good gear.

[ving]

good gear to good use :)

been thinking aobut the nikon equivalent myself... should be able to pick one up cheapish.

[James Axford]

have to disagree...

the camera gear does nothing for the photo... its all in the photographer... where the light is coming from and other settings, and knowing what you can hand hold and what you need a tripod for... there is too much in a great photo for it to be just a good camera...

an example would be a portrait being shot with the sun in the back ground...
- a guy with a good camera, could get the aim right, but the settings in "auto" would be all wrong...
- a average guy with a camera, would try to over come the light with some fill flash...
- a photographer would manually set the F and Tv to suit the face conditions, or maybe just maybe, turn the subject around... so their face was lit byt he sun.....

there are the differences...

M

you have some good points. but as i said it makes the "Better" photographer.
I still stand by that, No way i could have taken these with out good equipment eg the 135mm f2

[Xenedis]

I'd rather use good gear than not so good gear.

Of course.

If you're a dreadful photographer, it won't make a difference, though. :-)

By the same token, a sixteen-year-old L-plate driver isn't going to be any better a driver in a Lamborghini Diablo than a Datsun 120B.

[Bear Dale]

If you're a dreadful photographer, it won't make a difference, though. :-)





Well it's not going to make you a worse one and there's a chance that it might make you better.

[James Axford]

Well it's not going to make you a worse one and there's a chance that it might make you better.

there's truth to this. better equipment give better opportunities and better odds of getting something better from it. so you are more likely to want to take more photos and try and improve.

[PaulMac]

Yup... Gotta admit this lens has become my #1 portrait lens... Perfection.

[campo]

its a cracker lens, but it needs an experienced operator.

Out of curiosity, were these the only photos you took of those subjects or were there multiple frames and you picked the best? Not that there's anything wrong with that, we all take "bad" shots but when working with precision equipment like this lens, one small human error could mean the subject's eyes are out of focus with such razor thin DOF.

I had a second shooter work a wedding with me and he had this lens, at f2 the shots were very hit and miss due to depth of field and focus point selection...

[kmcgreg]

How well do you think this would work on a 1.6 crop like my 50D? A nice portrait low light lens like this would be much nicer to carry than a 70-200 2.8.
Rumour has it that this may get IS added shortly - no doubt adding to the weight and the cost.

[Xenedis]

How well do you think this would work on a 1.6 crop like my 50D?

It'll work beautifully, but you'll have a tighter cop (216mm equivalent). If you want to use it for portraits, you'll need considerable working distance.

[campo]

kmcgreg, i shoot an 85mm on a 1.5 crop body and I find this pretty long when doing portraits. I also have a 105mm and that's getting too long for portraits if you want to be in the same room. I dare say you may find 135 x 1.6 = 216mm quite long for portraits...

[Xenedis]

I dare say you may find 135 x 1.6 = 216mm quite long for portraits...

It's only too long if you don't have the space.

For outdoors work, a lens of that focal length can produce some excellent, full-length or two thirds-length portraits with the background nicely diffused.

[kmcgreg]

Thanks - yeah I was thinking of it as a high quality lens for travel/people/ street photography where you don't want to be in peoples faces as well as being able to get a good background blur to isolate the subject. Yes all outside with space to move. Additionally some low light/night markets where I can shots of people working without being intrusive.

[PaulMac]

The 135 at f/2 does require experience. But once you have nailed it it gives beautiful results. Near perfect optical clarity and the best bokeh you will find. I also wouldn't hesitate to use it on a crop sensor. I use my 70-200 @ 200 all the time. Just focus on that eye while your braced and don't be swaying around. Also be careful ( especially with the 135 ) that your shutter speeds are kept up to at least 120 sec or more.

I used this lens on the weekend in my latest thread in images 6-10. Love this lens.


http://www.ausphotography.net.au/forum/showthread.php?t=58407








.

[jibbonpoint]

Looked everywhere; is this a Canon? :)

[Xenedis]

Looked everywhere; is this a Canon? :)

Yes.

Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM (http://www.canon.com.au/en-AU/For-You/Camera-Lenses/Lenses/EF135mm-f20L-USM-Lens).

[campo]

As above, this thread is discussing the Canon 135 f/2L USM

Nikon also have an equivalent at this focal length too: 135mm f/2D AF DC Nikkor (http://www.nikon.com.au/productitem.php?pid=111-fc3ce7be39). DC stands for defocus control allowing the photographer to control the bokeh (out of focus areas).

[mpot]

Some great sample shots posted at the beginning of this thread!

However, it's not the gear that makes the photographer - but good gear certainly does help ;-)

[bigdazzler]

have to disagree...

the camera gear does nothing for the photo...


and ill disagree with you ... I promsie you #1 wouldnt look like that shot with a kit lens at 135mm @ 5.6 .... So yes the lens absolutely does something for the picture ;)

[val2002]

I use my 135L f2 on 30D and it is just awesome for outside head and shoulder shots. I'm thinking though that a 5D would utilise the qualities of this lens a lot better. But without doubt my favourite lens. It does allow me to take shots that a normal kit zoom wouldn't get close to. Ditto for other special ones like the 35L and the 85L.

[arubaato]

I have this lens and when I get the focus spot on it's magic. However, i find that a lot of times, I have missed focused, or the subject has moved, or I have moved.

Also with the 135 focal length, even at f2, it's difficult to use it handheld in low light without pushing the ISO. On the 5D2, I'm comfortable shooting up to 3200ISO, anything above that it gets a bit noisy, so I give up and use the 50 1.4 (sigma) instead.

[James Axford]

It's funny that this is one of my least used lenses generally, as I tend to use my 50L and 85L for portraits here. but when I travel to street portrait friendly places this would be about my most used lens as I get get the extra reach so as to not intrude in personal space. also the super fast AF is is a little more handy than the 85L's.

I'll say I have a lot of mis focus human errors with this lens but no more then with any other lens.
I think it's still good value at 1300Au

[H2OMotion]

James, great examples showing a stunning lens.

I highly rate the 135 F2. Wide open or stopped down, dream results.

[NGP]

It's funny that this is one of my least used lenses generally, as I tend to use my 50L and 85L for portraits here.

same here.. it's been a while since I've taken this lens out of my case.. I either go for the 50L, 85L or 200f2L IS.. even though the 135L is a great quality lens.. I guess it's one of those focal lengths I don't need to cover often..

[Steadyhands]

This one is on my list to get one day. I tend to go straight for the 85L but a longer lens with faster focusing would be very nice. I can get very nice portraits from the 180 Macro but it also suffers from a slower focus mechanism.

[James Axford]

same here.. it's been a while since I've taken this lens out of my case.. I either go for the 50L, 85L or 200f2L IS.. even though the 135L is a great quality lens.. I guess it's one of those focal lengths I don't need to cover often..

I'm sure I'd be reaching for the 200L f2 as well but it's just a touch out of my price range lol
Great for model shoots I'm sure but too heavy for travel photos like the ones at the start.

[kmcgreg]

Think I might get one and give it a go over the next couple of months before I head off traveling. I think it will give me the distance I am after without the weight issues.
The bokeh looks fab with this lens. I plan on getting a 5MII or whatever the equivalent is in a year or so. So it won't go to waste just on my crop.
I like the thought of the flexibility of having both the crop and a full frame.
Anyone have some examples taken on a crop?

[kmcgreg]

Just giving this thread a bump - would love to see some more of our own members pics taken with this magnificent lens - ideally on a crop if possible.
Just after enough encouragment to buy it!

[James Axford]

sorry i don't have any of a crap camera, but i have a few more with a ff :)
really a very nice lens, best value lens i have
1.
http://jaxford.smugmug.com/People/cambodian-faces/E8M6940/927404687_SQocR-O.jpg
2.
http://jaxford.smugmug.com/People/cambodian-faces/E8M6344/927404710_uB2aJ-O.jpg

3.
http://jaxford.smugmug.com/People/cambodian-faces/E8M7046/727703409_DcW7q-O.jpg

4.
http://jaxford.smugmug.com/People/cambodian-faces/E8M6939/727700427_sYnRM-O.jpg

5.
http://jaxford.smugmug.com/People/cambodian-faces/E8M6788/727700311_xVwup-O.jpg

6.
http://jaxford.smugmug.com/People/cambodian-faces/E8M6604/727700107_n9X6E-O.jpg

7.
http://jaxford.smugmug.com/People/cambodian-faces/E8M6773/728754171_EkHZe-O.jpg

8.
http://jaxford.smugmug.com/People/cambodian-faces/E8M6353/728754175_zTTGY-O.jpg

[kmcgreg]

Fab photos James - does the quality of the bokeh change much on a ff camera??

I think my 50D crop isnt that bad - not bad enough to call it a crap camera!
I will get the next full frame that comes out. 5DMKIII? I think crops and FF have their role. I really would like to have both. Why I want a full frame is really for better IQ in low light ie less noise than my 50D. However I find that things aren't too bad when I use noise reduction software. In the mean time I will keep practicing and enjoying photography on my crap camera lol.

[milspec]

Fantastic candids. #1 is absolutely gorgeous.

Does this mean I need to review my lens wish list again :Doh:

[James Axford]

Fab photos James - does the quality of the bokeh change much on a ff camera??

I think my 50D crop isnt that bad - not bad enough to call it a crap camera!
I will get the next full frame that comes out. 5DMKIII? I think crops and FF have their role. I really would like to have both. Why I want a full frame is really for better IQ in low light ie less noise than my 50D. However I find that things aren't too bad when I use noise reduction software. In the mean time I will keep practicing and enjoying photography on my crap camera lol.

I think the bokeh is going to be the same as with my camera to yours.
just be sure it's not going to be too long for your needs, as the focal length is dramatical different from 135mm to 216mm.



Fantastic candids. #1 is absolutely gorgeous.

Does this mean I need to review my lens wish list again :Doh:

thanks milspec :)
he was a hungry homeless boy, bought him a chicken lunch so he let me take his photo.
so smiles here.

[draco]

great shots James.. just want to ask if these are straight out of the camera. Noticed that most of them are bright right on the faces and was wondering how it is done. thanks.

[FallingHorse]

Beautiful shots James - I may have to revise my wishlist for my crap crop camera :)

[James Axford]

great shots James.. just want to ask if these are straight out of the camera. Noticed that most of them are bright right on the faces and was wondering how it is done. thanks.
Thanks. From memory I think I just did some dodging and burning in photoshop.


Beautiful shots James - I may have to revise my wishlist for my crap crop camera :)

Thank you. You'll love it!