Ultra-wide angle lenses have always been in demand by architectural, corporate, and other top pro photographers. This new lens features completely redesigned optics including 2 high-precision Aspherical elements and two totally new UD-glass elements. The result is superior image quality: better contrast and sharpness at the outer edges, and a reduction in chromatic aberrations that can sometimes be seen with high-resolution digital SLRs. Its diagonal angle of view is an impressive 114°-anything larger would be a Fisheye lens. It has a built-in lens hood, and has been dust- and moisture- proofed. The lens uses a rear focusing system, high-speed CPU, and a powerful ring-type USM with revised electronics for faster, more responsive AF. This lens continues the proud tradition of superior clarity optics found in L-series Canon lenses.

Read more at Canon USA
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A new and affordable L-series ultra-wide-angle zoom lens that’s ideal for both film and digital SLRs. Superior optics are assured by the use of three Aspherical lens elements, in addition to a Super UD (Ultra-low Dispersion) glass element. Optical coatings are optimized for use with digital cameras. This lens focuses as close as 11 inches (0.28m), and offers both Canon’s full-time manual focus and a powerful ring-type USM for fast and silent AF. It has a constant f/4 maximum aperture, and offers the choice of screw-in 77mm filters or a holder in the rear of the lens for up to three gel filters. Finally, it offers weather-resistant construction similar to other high-end L-series lenses.

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Telephoto lens with a softfocus feature. It can give razor-sharp snapshots as well as softfocus shots that do not look blurry. You have a choice of two softfocus settings. Even for softfocus shots, focusing with AF is quick and accurate.

Read more at Canon USA

Reviews

Crystal Vodka: the Canon 135/2.8 SF

The 135/2.8 SF’s main strengths are a highly useful focal length, compact size, reasonable cost, and very respectable optics — and, of course, the unique soft-focus effect that gives the lens its name. On the other hand, it doesn’t have the cleaner looks and ring USM of its younger siblings, nor does it pack the optical shark-bite of its three times more expensive and twice as heavy L sibling. In other words, if you’re looking for an inexpensive, compact medium telephoto lens with high-quality optics that’s especially suitable for portraits, and don’t consider USM a deal-maker, I say go for it. Otherwise, you, probably like most people, are better served with one of its other three siblings. Compared to:

* the 85/1.8 USM, the 135/2.8 SF has (arguably) better bokeh, is longer, a bit lighter, a good deal cheaper (in the USA), and over a stop darker.
* the 100/2.0 USM, the 135/2.8 SF has (arguably) better bokeh, is a bit longer, a bit lighter, a good deal cheaper (in the USA), and a stop darker.
* the 135/2.0 L USM, the 135/2.8 SF is a lot lighter, a great deal cheaper, a bit softer, and a stop darker.

Canon EF 135mm f/2.8 With Softfocus Lens Review by the-digital-picture.com

The unusual feature of this lens is its softfocus capability. The Canon EF 135mm f/2.8 With Softfocus Lens has a ring that allows continuous soft focus settings ranging from locked at 0 (none) to 2 with detents at settings 1 and 2.

Set at 0 (no effect), the Canon EF 135mm f/2.8 With Softfocus Lens is somewhat soft open (f/2.8) and, like many other lenses, becomes sharper as it is stopped down. Corner sharpness trails the center of the frame by a stop or more. So this is a somewhat-sharp soft-focus lens? As Canon carefully denotes this lens as being “With Softfocus”, a soft focus setting of 0 allows this lens to function like a standard 135mm lens.

Canon EF 135mm f/2.8 With Softfocus Lens Review by slrlensreview.com

Canon EF 135mm f/2.8 Softfocus did not produce particularly impressive results in the field – while center image quality was pretty good across the aperture range, borders were noticeably soft on both APS-C as well as FF cameras. Unfortunately, stopping down the lens did not improve image resolution around borders. Furthermore, the lens produced images that were washed out and lacking contrast. Color reproduction was more on the warmer side, which is typical for most Canon lenses.

Links

Short user review comparing with Canon EF 135mm f/2L (forum)

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Panasonic has added a powerful new model DMC-GF1 to its LUMIX G Micro System lineup of new-generation digital interchangeable lens system cameras. Distinguished by an artistic flat body that is both elegant and compact, the new DMC-GF1 debuts as the world’s smallest and lightest system camera with a built-in flash*. The new GF1 takes its place as the third model in the revolutionary G series of digital interchangeable lens system cameras based on the Micro Four Thirds system standard. Panasonic took the market by storm with the series’ first model — the compact, lightweight DMC-G1, with its convenient size and brilliant image quality. The company broke more new ground when it launched the DMC-GH1, which added AVCHD full-HD movie recording.
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