Canon RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM Review: The Only Stabilized 135mm F1.8, and One of the Sharpest Lenses Tested

The Canon RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM replaced one of Canon’s most loved lenses, the EF 135mm f/2L from 1996. Canon announced it in November 2022 at $2,099, and it does something no other 135mm f/1.8 does: it has optical image stabilization. It weighs 935 grams.

135mm at f/1.8 picks one person out of a crowd. In a busy evening street, it isolates a single face while everyone else melts into the background, from far enough away that nobody notices you.

Woman with light hair walking through a crowded evening street in Lyon, people seated and standing behind her

Photo: Media Instances

OpticalLimits called it possibly the sharpest lens it had ever tested. PetaPixel, DCW and Fstoppers were nearly as enthusiastic.

Video review: Park Cameras

What sets it apart

Sharpness is exceptional, even at f/1.8. Stabilization is rated at 5.5 stops, or up to 8 when combined with in-body stabilization on Canon’s newer bodies, which means sharp handheld portraits at slow shutter speeds in dim venues. No rival 135mm f/1.8 offers that.

Nano USM autofocus is fast and quiet, good enough for indoor sport and events, according to PetaPixel, Fstoppers and DCW. Background blur is smooth, and chromatic aberration and vignetting are low. It focuses down to 70 centimeters, with 0.26x magnification for details. There’s a programmable control ring, two function buttons and full weather sealing.

The downsides

Price is the obvious one. It launched at $2,099 and Canon later listed it higher. It’s big and heavy, with a large 82mm filter thread and a big hood.

There’s no aperture ring, and unlike the old EF 135mm f/2L, it doesn’t work with Canon’s extenders. PetaPixel noted the focus motor can be heard on video audio. OpticalLimits found the bokeh busy in some scenes.

Who should buy it

Portrait, wedding and event photographers on Canon RF who want the best 135mm available. The stabilization makes it especially useful in dim churches and reception halls. On an EOS R6 Mark III or R5 Mark II, it’s a superb portrait lens.

If you want more flexibility, the RF 70-200mm F2.8 Z covers 135mm and more, a stop slower. Sony shooters can get similar results from the Samyang AF 135mm F1.8 for much less.