Canon RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM Review

Quick Summary

The Canon RF 135mm F1.8 L IS USM is Canon's premium medium-telephoto prime for its full-frame mirrorless system. It is built for portrait, wedding and event photographers who want strong subject separation and steady handheld shots.

Its biggest strength is the combination of a bright f/1.8 aperture, long focal length and up to 8 stops of stabilisation. Its main compromise is the size, weight and the premium price, which sits close to two lakh rupees.

Design & Build Quality

This is a serious lens. It measures 89.2 mm across and 130.3 mm in length, weighs 935 g and takes 82 mm filters. On a compact mirrorless body, it makes the balance front-heavy, and it is better suited to a proper grip or a strap that spreads the load.

Canon lists dust and moisture resistance for this lens, which is valuable for outdoor weddings, festivals and monsoon-season shoots. A control ring and function buttons are included for quick access to settings, and the box carries a lens hood and a lens bag.

Aperture & Subject Separation

At 135 mm and f/1.8, the lens is designed for isolating a subject from its surroundings. Faces and figures can stand out against a soft backdrop, and busy backgrounds such as crowded streets or decorated halls can be reduced to a gentle blur. The rounded nine-blade diaphragm is meant to keep that blur smooth.

The long focal length also lets you stand back from the subject, which many people find helps expressions look more natural than they do with a wide lens at close range. The minimum focus distance of 0.7 m and 0.26x magnification allow tight details such as jewellery, rings and bouquets.

Autofocus & Stabilisation

Focusing is handled by a Nano USM motor, which Canon positions for smooth and fast autofocus. That matters for moving subjects such as a bride walking in or children running across a lawn.

Canon quotes up to 8 stops of stabilisation. Long, bright lenses magnify every shake, so the stabiliser is a major part of the appeal. It helps with handheld shots in dim halls and with video. As always, it steadies the camera and does not freeze a moving subject.

Features Assessment

The strongest features are the fast aperture, the long-lens stabiliser, the Nano USM motor and the weather resistance. Low-dispersion glass and Air Sphere Coating are aimed at controlling colour fringing and flare. The control ring and function buttons are practical for photographers who like to set exposure or focus behaviour without leaving the viewfinder.

Ease of Use

The lens is easy to use once you accept its size. Autofocus and stabilisation take care of the technical work. The challenge is carrying it all day. Expect to use a sling or shoulder strap, and consider a monopod for long events.

Value for Money

It is currently available at about ₹1,97,975 in India. Canon India lists a higher MRP, so the selling price is the figure to watch, and prices at this level can move with festival offers.

This is a professional-grade price. It is hard to justify for hobbyists, but for working portrait and event photographers, the combination of aperture, stabilisation and weather resistance can pay for itself over time. Those on tighter budgets can look at slower or more affordable telephoto options.

Who Should Buy It?

Professional and serious amateur portrait, wedding and event photographers shooting on Canon full-frame mirrorless bodies. Photographers who want strong background blur and low-light capability at a longer focal length. Anyone who needs weather resistance in a fast prime.

Who Should Consider Alternatives?

Casual shooters and beginners will find this lens heavy and very expensive. Travellers who need light kit should look at a smaller prime or a compact zoom. Wildlife and sports photographers who need much longer reach should look at a super-telephoto lens instead.