The Ultimate Portrait Lens in 2023! 10 Reasons to buy the Canon RF 135mm F1.8

[@kaiwestensee]

I had the same decision to do... but for me the RF85mm 1.2 was the better option because it's better to communicate with the models... both are great lenses

[@vivaldi06]

I totally agree with U 👍

[@Mr.Zen_73]

I have the RF 28-70 as well and hate to break it to you, but it isn't image stabilized!

[@davidkouris2832]

Thanks for the informative review. I'm 8 months in to my R6 and 24-105 f4 which is amazing I'm not too thrilled with the RF70-200 f4 Just for the heck of it, I borrowed my son's EF 70-200 f2.8 with the adaptor So much better but too damn massive and heavy. I also purchased the RF50 f1.2 Bloody Amazing. I was vacillating between the RF85 and RF135 but it's a done decision now because I rented an EF 135 with my 5D mkIV and fell in love with it. I'm glad I didn't buy it. Thanks to your Video, I will purchase the RF 135 f1.8

[@mjztx]

I love my RF 50mm 1.2 and use it most of the time for portraits. I'm interested in the RF 135mm mostly because I feel it would pair better with the 50mm 1.2 than getting an 85mm 1.2. Maybe I'm wrong though.

[@jonoy4375]

Good combo 50+135

[@RWAquariumPages]

that would be an awesome combo to be honest

[@TooGood79]

I would love to have mine. I ordered it day one of pre order but my local Photo store still has yet to get any (2weeks later 🤔) I’m not sure I will sell my 85 1.2 after I take this little guy home, but I’m excited to see what we can create with it. 😃 Thanks for the review to display what to look for in the RF 135 👍🏾

[@photoreviewed-com]

Happy to share your reviews! :)

[@tbgtom]

I literally just got my rental copy of this lens today and am LOVING IT. I have been using the Sigma 135 adapted and the Sigma combo is way heavier. This Canon RF version is great to hand hold for extended periods so far.

[@claraallansson7344]

I’d love to know how the canon compares to the sigma mostly in terms of image quality, focus accuracy and bokeh creaminess.

[@jefftaz7401]

Great video, liked the comparison between the 135 and the 85 and 100 macro. Have always been interested in the 135, but not sure if I would use it that much as I have the 70-200 2.8. I do like the sample images I have seen with the 135. My go to portrait lens is the 50 1.2

[@timchuonphotography]

Ohhh I’d love to get the 70-200 eventually! I don’t think the 135 is worth it if you already have the 70-200; I like the flexibility in such a longer range, but you do get more light and sharpness 👌🏽 The FIFTY! That’s awesome~ I’ve been loving that one too! Might have to do a video on this next, thanks for watching and sharing Jeff! 🙌🏽

[@daemon1143]

I'm in the same category Jeff, I keep looking at this lens but I stick with my 70-200 f2.8. If I did a lot of portraiture I'd grab the 135, for the one a third stop light advantage, but most of the time you're still stopping down to keep enough depth of field. So far, the versatility of the zoom still wins out for me.

[@RWAquariumPages]

Great video. I've been waiting for this lens but wanted it to be f1.4 , one can only dream, I'm currently using the rf85 1.2 and the ef 200 f2 for my fun portrait and candid photos. Keep up the great work!

[@minsoochoi]

Hey! Great job on the video-great pace, informative, and production value is great! Congrats on nearing 1K subscribers.

[@jeddd]

Great video Tim, always good to see straightforward reviews! Regarding the swirling background 'warp', you should check out the old Russian lens Helios 44-2. It has the same effect but to a much higher degree!

[@garfieldmtify]

Tim NICE VIDEO !! Number 2 reason you really think that? Reason number 7, 8 & 10 are cool!

[@iosuser1174]

Is this better than 70-200mm rf2.8 in terms of sharpness and boke?

[@wowwow6779]

Oooolala Tim your precise artist eyes are so cool- thanks for sharing!

[@jujus_reviews]

Hey any info on what frames you used for your background photos? That looks awesome!

[@mike_spotter_cr]

nice review, but as you mentioned if you have the 70-200mm is not worth it right? did you say 20mm to 70? or you meant 24-70? just curious.!

[@BLEEJazz]

I got my copy 2 weeks ago! Pairing it with my RF50 F1.2

[@DanielFazzari]

Enjoyed your video, there are some really nice images there. I also like that bokeh swirl, and it's good to see this lens has it. I've yet to use mine, am just dying to get out and get some shots!

[@robertm3951]

It sounds like you should try the RF 85 f/2 IS Macro. It has crazy close focusing distance.

[@thecuriousboardgamer]

Love the look. I wonder how it resolves on the R6 with the lower MP.

[@ericmerlin5072]

Not surprising that this prime RF lens is ultra-sharp Still using its daddy .. i.e. the EF 135mm F/2 L and it’s my best EF lens by far .. the only lens that sharp and producing such artistic images .. and easier to use than the 85mm at least outside

[@nevyoung2158]

awesome presentation - thank you.

[@wesstewart6073]

Dang you. My preorder from B&H still hasn’t shipped. I ordered within an hour after it was announced 😢

[@BrunoPozo4Real]

Love this review. Been eyeing a bunch of RF glass and the 135 f1.8 is no exception 😂

[@erick_fernandez_78910]

My EF 85mm 1.2 did that cool swirl “warp” but, the RF one doesn’t seem to.

[@lbiggs4067]

Great job. I appreciate the comparison with the 28-70.

[@zc1088]

Wait... you said 28-70 is image stabilized? No.... not that I know of...??

[@timchuonphotography]

Which lens is your go-to for portraits? 📸

[@sexysilversurfer]

Mine is the Sigma Art 50mm F1.4 though I tend to use f2 on it due using an old DSLR.

[@TimChuon]

Ohh nice! Can never go wrong with the nifty fifty 🤝🏽

[@bahaatamer1245]

Sigma 70-200 Sports primarily, and my Tamron 24-70 G2 secondary, and I don't need any other lenses tbh

[@TimChuon]

@@bahaatamer1245 OH nice!!! That’s an epic lineup and full coverage though, love it 🔥

[@ericmerlin5072]

EF 135mm F/2 L .. the daddy of this new RF lens

[@RedBagMods]

1:58 ... you mean bokeh swirl. Lots of other lenses have it, at least to some degree.

[@timchuonphotography]

There we go, thanks for this! I’ve definitely noticed the pattern of this significantly more with the 135 👍🏽

[@lsamoa]

Indeed. Especially soviet-era lenses have a very pronounced swirl.

[@IdahoOutdoorDad]

Great vid man, making me wanna drop 2k lol. subscribed too, 10 more till monetization for ya!

[@hunktubes]

Price in Europe $2.900,- the 85 f/1.2 is priced at $3.450,- so a smaller difference in Europe. I keep both although it feels like too much GOLD for one guy :-) I'm lucky!

[@2011blueman]

The RF 80 F1.2 is $2,600. The RF 135 f1.8 is $2,100. There is a $500 price difference, not $1,000. I don't see a reason to get the 135mm when the 85 is the superior portrait lens and most especially low light lens. I just don't see the use case for the 135mm when most people will have the 70-200 f/2.8.

[@Yupthereitism]

1.8 is a lot more light. This has always been a niche lens

[@RobertHovakimyan55]

So this is what it sounds like when people who don't play board games accidentally watch a video about board games.

[@Tap-a-roo]

Circular (or swirley bokeh) in a lens is a defective design. In Canon's attempt to limit cat's eye in the corners they overcorrected. Makes it a garbage lens if it does it often.

[@ahjax]

aghhh im just waiting for this to get listed on amazon so i can use my amazon credit card to get 5 percent back on this next lens purchase.... cmon!!!!

[@studiyophoto]

The 28-70 isn't image stabilized.

[@hongkongkong7174]

just get a rf 70-200 2.8, you're gonna be alright

[@ioanandrei8814]

who need canon with RF mount?))

[@bahaatamer1245]

Me

[@MartianCitizen]

👍

[@timchuonphotography]

🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@prl105]

And now the one reason not to purchase the 135mm f/1.8 from canon -- 'Plena' .

[@southbridgeforestHOA]

200 f2 better!

[@evrythingis1]

Considering that most photographers only make around $65000 a year, who exactly does Canon expect to buy these lenses?

[@JACKnJESUS]

It's in line with the competition...it's a pro grade lens...always been this way...most do not need the lens. But Canon is making sure you get closed off to third party lenses from now on...so expect all prices to go up...up...up. Canon is whizzing out cheap nice bodies...aiming to hit everyone on the glass.

[@Yupthereitism]

Your photo colors are off

[@sunflowerdeath]

stupid canon, just make wide zoom for rf-s

[@rayb3000]

Hmmm bokeh looks really ugly half the time

[@montazownianr1]

Meh... far from "Ultimate". Samyang 135 f2 same good, and waaaay cheaper.

[@DanielFazzari]

Of course it's cheaper, it's a manual focus lens. This lens is on a completely different level.

[@rodjos5463]

👍