If there is a single focal length that I rarely use, it is the 135mm focal length. I can count the number of these lenses I’ve had on a single finger. I’ve used the Minolta and Nikon ones in the past, and of those two, I only have the Nikon copy because I’ve divested from the Minolta manual focus kit. It’s not that these are bad lenses; they are a focal length that I already have covered in a zoom lens, or I prefer something shorter or longer. But I also didn’t want to spend an arm and a leg on my small FD-Mount kit, so when offered a 135mm f/3.5, I would say yes because the 85mm and 100mm options are more costly. And while there are faster versions of the 135mm focal length, this is a great budget portrait/short telephoto lens.
Lens Specifications
Make: Canon
Model: FD 135mm 1:3.5
Focal Length: 135mm
Focal Range: ∞ – 1.3m
Aperture: f/3.5 – f/32, 6 Blades
Structure: 4 Elements in 4 Groups
Canon AE-1 – Canon Lens FD 135mm 1:3.5 – Ilford Delta 400 @ ASA-400 – Ilford Ilfotec HC (1+31) 6:45 @ 20C (Constant Rotation)
Build Quality
Like the other lenses in the FD series, the 135/3.5 has excellent build quality. The entire body of the lens is metal and is a touch front-heavy, requiring a second hand to stabilise the whole camera. The focusing ring is nicely textured and has enough resistance for fine focusing. The one issue I have with the build is the aperture ring; while the click stops give good feedback, it is a long way between f/32 and the A setting, and the first time I used the lens, I had left it halfway between the two. While only a minor issue, it could be troublesome to some users. The copy I have used for this review is the new-style FD lens; the push button style of the lens release makes life much easier when mounting and dismounting the lens than the original collar lock style. However, there is no difference between build quality and lens construction. Ultimately, your choice in either FD or FDn is based on personal preference and if you want a period-appropriate lens kit. The one thing I like about the lens is the integrated lens hood; it makes life a lot easier and improves the image quality when shooting with high-contrast off-axis light.
Canon AE-1 – Canon Lens FD 135mm 1:3.5 – Ilford Delta 400 @ ASA-400 – Ilford Ilfotec HC (1+31) 6:45 @ 20C (Constant Rotation)
Canon AE-1 – Canon Lens FD 135mm 1:3.5 – Ilford Delta 400 @ ASA-400 – Ilford Ilfotec HC (1+31) 6:45 @ 20C (Constant Rotation)
Canon AE-1 – Canon Lens FD 135mm 1:3.5 – Ilford Delta 400 @ ASA-400 – Ilford Ilfotec HC (1+31) 6:45 @ 20C (Constant Rotation)
Canon AE-1 – Canon Lens FD 135mm 1:3.5 – Ilford Delta 400 @ ASA-400 – Ilford Ilfotec HC (1+31) 6:45 @ 20C (Constant Rotation)
Canon AE-1 – Canon Lens FD 135mm 1:3.5 – Ilford Delta 400 @ ASA-400 – Ilford Ilfotec HC (1+31) 6:45 @ 20C (Constant Rotation)
Image Quality
I was not expecting much from this lens, but I was surprised because this lens performed above my expectations. The lens is not perfect, but it is close; in terms of distortion, it is almost non-existent, with only a slight amount of barrel distortion, but it is virtually invisible, and you do have to be focused in close before it starts to become noticeable without zooming in too far into your image. The same goes for vignetting; you have to look pretty closely before noticing it with the lens at f/3.5, and it is all but gone by f/4 and eliminated by f/5.6. It took a bit of looking at the negatives behind a light source to even notice it when I was working on the review. In terms of image sharpness, this is one of two areas where the lens stands out; it’s a sharp lens, while the sweet spot is between f/8 and f/16; you get excellent performance wide open at f/3.5. Despite only having a 6-blade aperture, the out-of-focus rendering of this lens is steller; the areas are rendered smoothing with no ghosting at all, and that is even at f/3.5. And thanks to the longer focal length and compression, you can still achieve that subject isolation at f/5.6 and get that smooth out-of-focus render. The lens also handles flare nicely thanks to that built-in lens hood. Overall, the quality of this lens makes it stand out above some other similar lenses of the era that are faster, like the Nikon and Minolta examples I have reviewed in the past.
Applications
While many people much prefer the 85, 105, or 100mm focal length as their preferred choice for a portrait-length lens, the 135mm offers up something that can be used for both a short-telephoto lens or a portrait lens when you have more room. Out in the world, this makes for an excellent choice for street photography, especially for those who like to get a bit more distance between them and the subject without appearing too creepy with something much longer (200 or 300mm plus). It also makes for an excellent choice in sports and wildlife when you can get closer to the subjects. I use it to get architectural details. Now, the f/3.5 aperture might not be too desired, but given that you have that extra reach, you’ll still be able to keep your subject isolated from the background, although I recommend opening it by f/4. Because of the slower aperture, I recommend using this lens in well-lit interiors or outdoor settings.
The Low Down
The one thing that the lens has going for is that you can pick one up for a relatively affordable price. In comparison, most photographers will go for the faster options, f/2.8 and f/2, and the f/3.5 costs between 80 and 110$ on the used market. There are some outliers in that price range, but I would not pay more than $ 100$ for this lens. Despite the f/3.5 aperture, the lens offers excellent quality as it has the same lens construction as the faster options but only lacks a bit less speed. I know the 135mm focal length and struggle to get along, so I did drag my heels while shooting and writing this review. But in the end, I’m glad I did get around to it, as I am pleased with the results.
Further Reading
Don’t just take my view on the Canon FD 135/3.5, check out these other reviews.
Philip Reeve – Canon FDn 135mm f/3.5 Review
Radojuva – Overview of Canon Lens FD 135mm 1:3.5
Stephen Dauherty Photography – Canon New FD 135mm f/3.5 Review
Cako Fuentes Beals – Canon FDn 135mm f/3.5 Review