Is a used EF135 mm f2 for 350 USD worth it?

[fojongo2]

As mentioned in the title, I am getting a used EF135 mm f2 for 350 bucks. Is it worth that price, considering it is a pretty old lens? I am getting it for my R8 https://mobdro.bio/ .

Also I have not used this focal length before. I know I’ll get good portrait shots with it, but can it be useful as a street photography lens too? What about travel?

[kvbarkley]

Do you have the EF to RF adapter for your camera?

135 is a bit long for a "street photography" lens, by about 100 mm.

[p4pictures]

Absolutely yes from me - I have owned my own EF 135mm f/2L USM lens for probably more than 20 years. It still has an almost unique ability to somehow challenge me to do it justice every time I put it on a camera.

If you want to use it for portraits, it can do that, but you need quite a bit of space and that also means separation from your subject. As a lens for street photography, I also think it is a little long unless you are in the habit of taking candids at a distance.

Besides the optical capabilities and qualities the big benefit is the size, weight and inconspicuous black colour. 

I've found it to be quite versatile, I've shot people, dogs and some sports like motocross but mostly outdoors. It also will work with the Extender EF 1.4x II to make a very handy and inconspicuous 200mm f/2.8 lens. All these photos below are taken with the EF 135mm f/2 on either EOS R6 or EOS R6 Mark II cameras. 

[wq9nsc]

I agree with Brian, it is an excellent lens and as long as it is in good shape (AF and aperture working properly, no significant damage to the elements (coating intact, no fungus) then that is a good price for a great lens.  I love mine and I have even used it for sports in low light venues even though it really shines as for portraiture.

Rodger

[March411]

Hey Brian, a little off topic but that B&W, the second frame is a great grab! Don't get me wrong, they are all good but the intense eyes, DR and bokeh are solid in this particular image!

[p4pictures]

Thank you Marc, he was an interesting character indeed, this was location 2 on our first ever meeting / shoot. 

[Ron888]

" challenges me to do it justice" I've actually read a similar thought elsewhere. Super interesting

[ebiggs1]

I would only buy it if it is not your only prime FL lens. It is too long for almost everything. And too short for a tele. I've had a 135mm for as long as I have had cameras and that's measured in decades not years. It is without doubt the least used prime I have but I admit I have a lot of primes to choose form and many more over the years, er, ah, I mean decades that are much friendlier FL.

Portraits its too long, street or GP photography its way too long. In these cases an 85mm and a 35mm respectively will be a whole lot better choice. 135mm is like the famous 50mil it is just a difficult FL to live with. That brings us to can you take some great shots with a 135mil well certainly but it is not my first choice.

Is it worth $350 bucks only you can decide that.